How to know if AI is attacking GI tract

zulily

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2015

Posts : 49

Posted 10/22/2015 11:14 PM (GMT -5)

I have GERD and constant bloating, I have difficulty swallowing if I have soup with meat or veggies, juicy fruit such as watermelon. It is as if I can't chew and swallow a the same time. I get full after eating very little and I get pain under the rib cage and in the stomach. I don't have much of an appetite but yet I have gained weight. How do you know?

couchtater

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2009

Posts : 14475

Posted 10/23/2015 11:22 PM (GMT -5)

I'm not sure if gerd goes hand and hand with lupus.
Have you seen a gastroenterologist?
I had the surgery for my Gerd years ago before I developed lupus. The surgery did very well for me and I rarely have heartburn now.

That pain you're experiencing could be a hiatal hernia. Get check asap.

Bsime

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 1351

Posted 11/8/2015 5:50 PM (GMT -5)

Acid reflux/gerd/barretts esophagus are common with lupus as are other GI issues. If you have not seen a GI doctor you should. I have had one for 10 years and he is a valuable member of my medical team because I had all sorts of GI issues including barretts. I also have polymyositis and acid reflux problems are more common with it than lupus.

A GI doc might want to do an endoscopy or colonoscopy to accurately diagnose what you have and how to treat it. Neither is a big deal (except the prep) and are usually done at the same time.

Diet and proton pump inhibitors can keep you well but lupus itself has to be controlled.

Bill

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