Has Anyone Been to a Naturopath?

[sydneymom]

I'm at the end of my rope here. Diagnosed with postinfetious IBS 18 months ago after a terrible bout of gastroenteritis. Managed it well thru following a certain diet and exercise. But Sept 2011 started getting burning in my throat. Diagnosed with mild reflux, the kind that is silent and goes to the throat.

Medication from ENT (dexilant) made me sicker and kicked in the IBS. Saw a gastro who said who cares if it burns in your throat. Take a zantac when it does. Tried a zantac last week and it also made my stomach hurt.

Yesterday I woke up with my stomach right above the navel burning and burning. After a few hours it went to the throat. I took tums on and off all day and finally tried a teaspoon of honey. The honey actually stopped the throat burn and made me burp. FInally today I woke up and still had gas and bloating. Was freaking out I have ovarian cancer, although I have an ultrasound every March and had a manual exam three months ago.

Stomach finally better but after working out at the gym and showering felt a slight burn again in throat. If I go back to the gastro he may or may not order an endoscopy. I dont want one, although I would almost like to know if I have gastritis (my son had this) and if there is any damage to my esophagus. But Im scared of getting one. I know its no big deal. My son has had two.

If I go to the ENT he wants me to do an endoscopy in his office while awake. He puts it thru the nose to stomach. I REALLY wish I could do it because there is no anesthesia but its very tough. I saw a huge grown man come out crying while I was waiting once.

Either way, for some reason I have a bad reaction to the PPIs. (acid reducers). I am wondering if I have too little stomach acid instead of too much because except for tums, they all cause my reflux to get worse.

I already gave up caffeine, never drink alcohol, rarely eat chocolate. Never fried foods, etc. Even tea I gave up. Even decaf tea. But I have noticed that it is not food related. On New Years Eve I had two sips of champagne. No problem. Went to a buffet with my family and at steak and some toughter to digest veggies. Waited for a problem and nothing. And then yesterday eating my normal safe foods and exercising I get raging burning. ALso as far as stress and anxiety, I am sure they are related, but I have been way more stressed or anxious and had total symptom free days and then when I was calm I get it.

Someone told me women get reflux during perimenopause. I am 42. My gastro also suggested a food allergy screening but when I went to my allergist for some reason he only tested environmental.

I have many symptoms from anxiety and also perimenopause (migraines, joint pain, etc) but this burning is the only one that worries me as it could damage my esophagus.

Someone suggested a naturopath could suggest herbs and see if I have a hormonal imbalance. I dont know if its all a bunch of nonsense or whether it would be worth pursuing since my doctors cant find a med that I can tolerate.

Does anyone have this issue and know anything that helps? I promised my husband I would try to get my anxiety under control this year.

[Snapdragon]

I think about seeing a naturopath,too. A number of my friends go, and they say they see results *if* they stick with the program. Treatment generally starts with an elimination diet. I suspect that might feed into my health anxiety, as I'd constantly be monitoring/fixating on signs of food sensitivities. (Have seen that happen to a rather anxious friend with ibs--she reported sensitivities to every food she was tested for--wheat, corn, dairy, soy potatoes, tomatoes, etc. and now she's obsessed with what she can/can't eat.)
Otoh, I'd rather improve my health than take drugs to mask symptoms. My doc
Isn't a big fan of naturopaths, and I agree that some of the evidence is shaky. Otoh, I'd much prefer to build my immune system instead of taking drugs.

[vardnas]

I haven't been to a naturopath, but I have seen a holistic nutritionist. It can be somewhat anxiety producing, due to the constant vigilance about food intake and what you can/can't eat, but it's temporary as you let your digestive system recover, not a forever thing.

I've found that of all my anxiety symptoms, my gastro ones have lingered much, MUCH longer than the others, so they just take a while to clear up. However, I'd much rather take a natural approach, even if it takes a while, than be prescribed meds. I don't trust PPIs, as they prevent the stomach from producing acid, while it's acid that the stomach NEEDS. Paradoxically, symptoms of a lack of stomach acid are the same as too much acid, and doctors just toss PPIs out like candy, usually.

If you're willing to invest the time and the effort, then I'd say go for it. Also, it's good to remember that you're never going to be completely able to follow any naturopath/nutritionist's diet perfectly, and that if you mess up a little, it's okay. The body is incredibly resilient and some slipping up won't kill you.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Slangevar]

I'm 39 and have been thinking of the same thing, but I have had some luck recently with upping my B vitamins during hormonal times, taking Evening Primrose Oil for breast cysts, and increasing the amount of soluble fiber in my diet.

A lightbulb went off when my gynecologist mentioned that some women can control their anxiety and PMS symptoms by supplementing their B vitamins during hormonal times. When my hormones go crazy, my stools get soft and I get acid reflux. Soft stools and stomach problems mean your digestive system is moving the food through too quickly and not absorbing the vitamins you need. By increasing my soluble fiber (through whole grain breads or Citrucel), I can slow my system down. And by supplementing my B vitamins, my anxiety improved by about 50-70% over the past two months.

We'll see if it keeps working, but so far so good. Let us know if you have any luck with the naturopath! 

[sydneymom]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking for a naturopath. I figured I will go for a consultation and see. Maybe a lot of money (between $250 to $300) but I think Ive given more than that to pharmaceutical companies and a few doctors.

I also might go back to my gastro. I put off going last time because I thought he would automatically say I need an endoscopy. Instead he was very kind, as was the older gastro I saw once. I think they are very tuned into anxiety. He asked if I wanted a colonoscopy and I said no. Maybe I can just discuss with him some alternatives or dietary suggestions. No one can force me to get an endoscopy, but maybe by now if he suggested it I will go for it.

I am a bit fearing ovarian cancer, although I know its not likely. Ive had these issues for a while, and like I said, every March I have a pelvic ultrasound. Also, I saw my OBGYN three months ago and everything was fine. I know indigestion and bloating are sometimes signs of it, and I have been having pelvic cramping. But I think it is mostly reflux or gas. I hope.

I am wondering what kind of B vitamins. I would like to try it. I do know this happens often after midcycle for me. I think it has to do with shifting hormones. I am trying to log it to see a pattern. I would like to eat foods again. A piece of cheese. A cup of decaf coffee. Please tell me its not ovarian cancer. I am not always gassy and bloated. I assume it would be constant?

[Puggy77]

I have been seeing one for 6 months.  I was bloated and had diarrhea all the time and it was chronic.  She took blood and turns out I had a fruit intolerance.  I was also too anxious to make my own stomach acid.  Stopped eating fruit, got some homeopathic drops and vitamins and acid for my tummy and my digestion is 100% better!  Now we are working on my anxiety.  She was willing to work with me on her bills and has given me discounts since my insurance is crap.  I wish I had gone ages ago!

[LindaRK]

Your post caught my eye, not because of the mention of a naturopath, but the acid reflux, heartburn issue.  You say you're perimenopause.  Have you had a hormone test to see what your estrogen levels are?  I was on Estrogel for major menopausal symptoms, but it didn't include heartburn/acid reflux.  On it for a few years, then decided to wean myself off with permission from my doc, hoping my menopausal symptoms would abate.  Nope.  BUT, during the period I was going off and was eventually off, I developed acid reflux and heartburn. It was almost constant.  Of course, being the hypochondriac that I am, I though I was going to have a heart attack.  I went back on Estrogel and the symptoms went away immediately.  Maybe you need to have your levels checked.  It could help.

I had IBS a number of years ago, too.  I was fortunately enough to have a gynecologist who didn't prescribe anything, but said to deal with the stress in my life and watch my diet AND eliminate stuff like soda that causes bloating.  It eventually did the trick although I still have the stress which causes other issues.  Good luck.

[sydneymom]

Thanks for the replies. When I see my OBGYN in March I am going to ask him to check my levels. He always says they will be inaccurate since I still have regular periods but I am curious and I really think all these things started happening after I turned 40. Ive had anxiety all my life but never had it affect my stomach. I think it is more of a hormonal issue.

I am going to pursue the naturopath at least for a consult. It cant hurt to have another perspective. Especially one that is more holistic.

[Slangevar]

I'm almost 40 and still have regular periods, but I've been dealing with the same things you're mentioning - terrible bloating, weird cramps and even urinary issues. My gyn gave me a t/v u/s and everything looked fine. I've had the colonoscopy and pelvic/abdominal u/s, too. Seems like it might be plain old perimenopause.