u/GreenMountain85

I had IBS-D for as long as I can remember then last year it abruptly changed to IBS-C which seems to be getting worse as time goes on.

I’m on Linzess which does provide some relief but I still wake up nearly every day with a raw, gnawing feeling in my stomach that quickly turns into feeling like there’s hardening concrete in my esophagus and chest. Even a sip of water hurts. Then, when I eat something no matter how bland, I bloat to a painful degree almost immediately. Work and everyday life are becoming almost torturous for me because of the reflux and bloating.

I’ve been on omeprazole for awhile and it is not providing any relief from the reflux. My doctor seems to think that the constipation is the root of the reflux.

If you’ve dealt with a similar issue, have you found that to be true? Did your reflux get better when your constipation got better?

I’ve done “clean outs” when I’m really in bad shape (MiraLAX, magnesium citrate, etc) and I certainly am no longer constipated but the acid reflux and bloating remain.

Linzess hasn’t been Linzess-ing for me this week and as you would imagine I’m in a lot of discomfort. The work week at my desk job was torture. Today I decided to go the magnesium citrate route along with my daily Linzess. This was several hours ago. I’m bloated, uncomfortable, in pain but I’m staying up and active in an attempt to get things going and I’ve drank a ton of water. Nothing yet.

I just know if I leave the house to run an errand, that’s when it’ll all happen. So I guess I’m housebound for the day.

I hate how this controls my life. I’d love to be able to make dinner plans with a friend, or go to the store or go shopping but I’d either be in severe discomfort from constipation or severe discomfort from attempting to relieve the constipation. I just can’t win.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I am in my mid 30s, I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago and still have my ovaries. I’ve been feeling very off for the past few months. My hair is thinning, my GI issues are absolutely wreaking havoc on my life, I’m having night sweats to the point of sleeping on towels…

My doctor ordered a whole slew of bloodwork. Everything is normal except: High iron, high liver enzymes, undetectably low estrogen and also very low lutenizing and follicle stimulating hormones.

My doctor says my blood work is puzzling. She says if I were in perimenopause, estrogen would be low and the two other hormone levels would be high.

I’ve read (here and in other places) that hormone levels aren’t necessarily accurate as far as “diagnosing” perimenopause. I’ve also noticed a major change in my disposition that seems to line up with low estrogen. For example? I’m normally pretty patient and even keeled but I find myself getting angry over tiny little things and I have no patience for anything it seems.

I guess my main question is- where should I go from here? My gynecologist from before my hysterectomy? Should I ask my PCP about hormones? Or is this “normal”?

Hi! When I googled “high iron, high ferritin, high liver enzymes” this was the subreddit that popped up. I’ve yet to get an official diagnosis. (iron is 200, ferritin is 240 and my AST/ALT are 99/100 and maybe relevant? My estrogen is so low it’s undetectable but other hormones normal, everything else is normal too and my doctor says she is “puzzled” at my lab work)

I’ve been feeling “off” for awhile now. My hair is thinning, I feel unusually fatigued, and my GI issues are worse than ever. I am in a constant state of discomfort with severe acid reflux, constipation and painful bloating.

I was wondering if GI issues were something you all have experienced and if so- did getting treatment for your iron help ease your GI symptoms?