Low Stomach Acidity and Heartburn!

LibertyGirl · 05-27-2005, 05:32 PM

Hello again.
I just found something on Google and its scaring me off. Low stomach acidity has the following symptoms:

# Bloating, belching, and flatulence immediately after meals
# Indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation
# Soreness, burning or dryness of the mouth
# Heartburn
# Multiple food allergies
# Feeling nauseous after taking supplements
# Rectal itching
# Weak, peeling and cracked fingernails
# Redness or dilated blood vessels in the cheeks and nose
# Adult acne
# Hair loss in women
# Iron deficiency
# Undigested food in the stools
# Chronic yeast infections

Apprantly, stomach indigestion is caused by lack of acids. They can cause constipation, bloating and belching. They may also cause heartburn because the food is still in the stomach and this pushes bile and acids back up. Weird, ain't it??? Now, i am even more confused!!! GERD? IBS? Indigestion? Something else???
So far, i havent gone through an endoscopy. My PCP advised me to take Zantac and now Prilosec. With these my symptoms are worsenning and i end up taking gas-x. I wonder if my heartburns and belching is related to indigestion. It is very important to have the stomach pH level evaluated. I have no idea what i should do for the next month before i can see a GI specialist. Should i run to ER because its a lot of pain?
Thanks all...
LibertyGirl.

anotherpatty · 05-28-2005, 09:21 AM

I was just thinking of much of what you wrote about and was about to post something. I suggest seeing a Naturopath as they deal with those issues.
They can do food sensitivity tests - I had one - they also can deal with the low acid part. (work with your regular dr too, of course, to be sure he/she agrees it's ok for you). When I tried the diet my GERD was MUCH better - I did it for 4 months - but - it's SO hard to follow that I now cheat a lot because I couldn't find enough stuff to eat! I had food sensitivity to many foods including wheat, all dairy, soy, corn, and about 25 other foods. I've also heard some talk about - when you feel heartburn- something about taking 1 teaspoon (or tablespoon) apple cider vinegar in a glass water and if it works it does mean you don't have enough acid. Perhaps your dr. or naturopath would know the exact dose. I did not try the acid supplements my naturopath had yet because I was afraid of them forming an ulcer - but I think I'm going to try a small dose of it soon.

LibertyGirl · 05-28-2005, 07:54 PM

Hmmm... Medicine is so interesting and SCARY beyond hell... I have no idea what i should take and what i should not. I wish i could stop all the various drugs they are trying on me and have them to a FULL medical exam regardless of the cost my insurance will have to bear. Recently my chest pain, difficulty breathing and constant burping are realllllllllllllly bothering me! I hope to have this all resolved soon. I have discontinued all the meds except the Amitriptyline for my migraines and other pain. I am seeing the GI fella on 6th... Dunno if they can run the exams right then and there or if i will have to schedule it... The wait is painful... Well... I will definitely keep ya posted.
Thanks, i will try the apple cider vinegar too... I am very optimistic... not a hypochondriac... but the symptoms are so vague, I want a full body MRI... LOL...

LibertyGirl.