Bile Reflux -DX finally!!! - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Jeppy · 05-09-2007, 06:28 PM

OK all!!! I finally got a diagnoses from the doc today for my chronic gastritis.
He said that it is: Bile Reflux

I am taking Protonix and Carafate 2x a day. He said that this helps some people get the healing and relief that they need.

Anyone else out there have Bile Reflux?????

If so, please share what you are doing to help it and what the prognosis is. I really want this to get better and want to do whatever I can.

Thank you for sharing

Ol'Line Rebel · 05-10-2007, 12:15 PM

I haven't been "diagnosed", but last year was told I have mild to moderate bile in my "empty" stomach, so probably have some bile reflux.

GE didn't' bother giving me Carafate; everything remained status quo (1x Nexium/day). He mentioned it later, but never carried through.

I read stuff on bile reflux and basically, again like most of these horrid digestive problems, nothing can be done except try to protect you from the stuff that's coming up. I think there is surgery (pyloroplasty? don't quote me), but like many, it is questionable not just how much it helps, but what else is screws up!

Maybe if you protect it enough with Carafate, your linings will heal and be impervious to the bile after a while. That's what I would hope, at least. But it sounds like many people take it indefinitely.

RetiredDirector · 05-10-2007, 01:05 PM

Hi Jeppy...I too have bile reflux. Mine is because of stomach surgery I had years ago for a perforated ulcer in my stomach. They did emergency surgery removing about 60% of it and cut the vegas nerves that control the acid flow to the stomach. I was 29 when they did this. Now, I have no acid flow in the stomach and all digestion is done in the intestines.

I suffer from acid reflux and because I have no acid, it's really bile reflux. I have been on Nexium 1x day (sometimes two if it's real bad) and will be on this type of medication the rest of my life. My wife has reflux too, so we have both learned to sleep with two pillows to elevate our heads while sleeping. They say if you need more elevation you can put blocks under the head of the bed to raise it.

Since the surgery in 1975, I have suffered from IBS and I am on medications for that too. One positive thing about it, due to only having 40% of my stomach, I have never had to worry about my weight.

ddmcflick · 06-11-2007, 12:50 PM

I too have bile reflux after gall bladder surgery 6 weeks ago. I am on Questran with limited success. I don't have bile salt diarrhea, just the bile reflux. The GI took me off of PPI's because the theory is that stomach acid counteracts the bile. However it seems everyone diagnosed still is on them. Do they help with bile? I am miserable and would love to have some help.