Fibro, Sicca, Raynauds, IBS... Next steps, pls!

[Lorac913]

Hello. I'm a 60-yr-old female w/ a laundry-list of medical concerns. I just lost my med. ins. (unemployed 2-yrs. due to ongoing illnesses). I want/need to go back to work as I have no benefits as a "trailing ex-spouse" [long story]. Over the past 10-15 years I have been diagnosed with: Fibromyalgia, IBS, GERD, RLS, Raynauds, Sicca Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel, Peripheral Neuropathy, slight [brain] damage to white matter due to trauma or drugs [Rx's?], arthritis involving multiple joints, low IgG, Vit-D deficiency, visual issues (blurred vision, floaters, Keratoconjunctivitis); and then there are the issues from a medication I've been taking for 8+ years [Gabapentin]. Since Dec2017, I've also been Dx'd with Acute Bronchitis, a bacterial infection, Bradycardia, and possibly Gout (from two separate ER visits). I've been seen by a Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Ophthalmologist, a Sleep Study Specialist, an Acupuncturist, and a GP. I do not smoke, drink, or do recreational drugs. I have not idea what to do next. I've done a ton of online research and I'm trying to function as my own advocate. [I'm also currently appealing the decision to stop my insurance coverage.] I am now at a complete loss as to what to do next. Any medical help/advice/insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
  

[Lorac913]

Thank you for your timely and informative response! I found it most helpful. (I have several other signs of deficient stomach acid as well.) I plan to print and share with my doctor at my next appointment. Thanks, again. God bless.

[Red_Star]

Lupus and hypothyroidism are listed causes of bradycardia. Both conditions are also listed as possible associations to raynaud's disease. Both condition should be ruled out. Testing for lupus starts with an ANA test (97% with lupus have a positive test). ANA can be positive with other conditions so other tests along with symptoms helps with a diagnosis of lupus.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Testing includes TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies.

Reflux/GERD is commonly due to low stomach acid. My mother had severe GERD and takes betaine HCL with pepsin supplements (with protein meals) and digestive enzyme supplements. Her health went downhill drastically taking acid blockers. GallbladderAttack has an indepth article on stomach acid. Here are a few excerpts..

"Acid symptoms could actually be a symptom of too little stomach acid rather than too much.

That may sound insane but here's the thing. Lack of hydrochloric acid is much more common than making too much. So why does it burn? It sure feels like acid. Right? Well it is. It's just an acid produced by food rotting in the stomach due to lack of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid. It's a bi-product of putrefication. And the normal chain of events is for the food to leave the stomach and flow downward into the small intestine. But it isn't designed to cope with food in this state it so basically it stays where it is and ends up moving in the other direction instead -- up the stomach and into the esophagus.

Too much stomach acid? Really? I mean, how is it that millions of people on PPIs are making too much HCl? Hyperchlorhydria or too much stomach acid is rather rare. If you're overeating, eating junk food or other food that is hard to digest, eating when stressed, living under stress, changes are much greater that you don't make enough hydrochloric acid or digestive enzymes and your symptoms stem from that. Take a look at some of the symptoms caused by low stomach acid.


Signs of Deficient Stomach Acid

Gas, bloating and burping shortly after a meal could be lack of HCl
Constipation
Diarrhea
Feeling of fullness or food not digesting
Heartburn and/or gastric reflux (sometimes too much HCl but most often not enough)
Bad breath
Foul smelling stools
Loose stools in the early morning
Food allergies
Dialated blood vessels on the cheeks and nose - Rosacea
Pernicious anemia or iron deficiency
Anal Itching
Nausea especially after taking vitamins and minerals
Weak or cracked nails
Parasites - or at least increased susceptibility to parasitic infections
Chronic yeast infections
Acne in adults - especially if you have other symptoms from the list
Asthma

Since low levels of stomach acid results in poor absorption of nutrients, many symptoms that accompany a deficiency of that vitamin or mineral makes this list much longer. The nutrients most affected are calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin K and many B vitamins. See pernicious anemia.

Risk Factors and Causes of Low Stomach Acid

Allergies
Anemia
Adrenal fatigue
Alcohol
Atrophic gastritis
Heartburn
Gerd
IBS
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hives
Candida and other Yeast
Bacterial Dysbiosis or infections in the Gut
Adult acne
Eczema
Alcohol consumption
H. plylori infection
Stress even in children
Age. HCl production decreases wtih age

Diseases Associated with Low HCl
Asthma
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Hepatitis
Eczema
Acne rosacea
Dry Skin
Psoriasis
Parasites
Gallbladder disease
Herpes
Hives
Hypothyroid
Hyperthyroid
Thyrotoxicosis
Autoimmune disorders
Lupus erythematosus
Myasthenia gravis
Pernicious anemia
Celiac disease
Sjogren's Syndrome"