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Hi I Have Had Some GI Issues For A While.
Question: Hi I have had some GI issues for a while. I get very gassy abs distended almost every time I eat. I was told I have IBS and Gerd. I also have esophagitis and spasms so sometimes My XXXXXXX doesn’t let food into the stomach. I was taking a PPI and metoprolol for anxiety But on Wednesday my dr wanted to try something else. So I’ve stopped taking PPI and have also stopped the toperol. My dr now has me taking Creon and Diltiazem. Thinking I’m low on enzymes so I bloat up and put pressure on the XXXXXXX And the calcium channel blocker to help relax my esophagus. I have been taking the enzymes for 2 days now and I am still gassy and burping. I have an in home hydrogen breath tester. Before taking enzymes I would score low on the hydrogen scale. Now since the enzymes I’m seeing a much higher number to indicate more hydrogen is being produced. My question is can taking enzymes increase fermentation in the gut? Or interfere with a breath reading? Will this level out after a few days? What happens if you take digestive enzymes and you are not low in turn naturally?
Brief Answer:
Please go through the detailed answer dear.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing the "Ask a Doctor" service for your query.
I've read your details.
The rise in hydrogen is not because of the enzyme but because of the calcium channel blocker you are taking.
Calcium channel blocker relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter hence causing more and more acid to reflux back and hence breath test show more hydrogen(first reason).
Secondly, I am not satisfied with the approach.
Lets first understand why a person feels gassy.
Our intestine contains colonies of millions of good bacteria that help in digestion. In people with GERD/IBS etc these good bacterias are killed by bad bacteria that ferment food and release lots and a lot of toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide.
So the ideal approach should be using an antibiotic like Rifaxamin 400mg twice daily for 3 days to kill bad bacterias plus probiotics (good bacteria) like Capsule VSL#3 twice daily for 30 days plus Digestive enzyme.
If the body has sufficient enzyme then rest would be excreted.
Hope I was helpful.
Thanks
Please go through the detailed answer dear.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing the "Ask a Doctor" service for your query.
I've read your details.
The rise in hydrogen is not because of the enzyme but because of the calcium channel blocker you are taking.
Calcium channel blocker relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter hence causing more and more acid to reflux back and hence breath test show more hydrogen(first reason).
Secondly, I am not satisfied with the approach.
Lets first understand why a person feels gassy.
Our intestine contains colonies of millions of good bacteria that help in digestion. In people with GERD/IBS etc these good bacterias are killed by bad bacteria that ferment food and release lots and a lot of toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide.
So the ideal approach should be using an antibiotic like Rifaxamin 400mg twice daily for 3 days to kill bad bacterias plus probiotics (good bacteria) like Capsule VSL#3 twice daily for 30 days plus Digestive enzyme.
If the body has sufficient enzyme then rest would be excreted.
Hope I was helpful.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
The reasoning to relax the XXXXXXX is because I have issues with it spasms. And then doesn’t let any food in. Was taking toperol abs was told that that medicine can constrict muscles. So my XXXXXXX is not working correctly. I agree about the antibiotics. My dr thinks I don’t have enough enzymes to break down food. Cause I do feel like food stays in my stomach for a very long time and I bloat up and have gas every time I eat. What are issues that can happen when taking enzymes if I don’t need them?
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello abd thank you for follow up,
Enzymes are just mediators of digestive process so if excess of them are present they would be excreted by body(In easy words however its a complex process but in easy words it wont harm your body and the amount not required would be destroyed and eliminated by body).
I would suggest you to add a good probiotic as advised earlier to aid digestion.
Follow ups are welcome.
Thanks!
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello abd thank you for follow up,
Enzymes are just mediators of digestive process so if excess of them are present they would be excreted by body(In easy words however its a complex process but in easy words it wont harm your body and the amount not required would be destroyed and eliminated by body).
I would suggest you to add a good probiotic as advised earlier to aid digestion.
Follow ups are welcome.
Thanks!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Also I am not feeling gassy or any acid reflex in my stomach. It feels like the gas and bloating start at my small intestines
Since I am having trouble swallowing right now my dr said I could crush the Diltiazem. That is how I have been taking it. Can Diltiazem upset the stomach? Is there any issues with taking the enzymes and CCB at the same time? I am only eating apple sauce mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes right now cause my stomach and esophagus is upset. (FYI)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Again medicine is a chemical so it can upset stomach but as such diltizem causing stomach upset is not common.
Yes you can have them together.
Include a probiotic(It acts in small intestine only).
Regards!
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Again medicine is a chemical so it can upset stomach but as such diltizem causing stomach upset is not common.
Yes you can have them together.
Include a probiotic(It acts in small intestine only).
Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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