another question---heartburn, digestion...

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Does anybody with severe scoliosis have any digestive issues? Tightness in the mid section? bad acid reflux.? Maybe connected, maybe not... thks,lynne: here's the start of my journal ! http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com

[Carmell]

Lynne,

My son is only 10yrs old. Because of his thoracic scoliosis, his esophagus is also curved, complicating an already existing GERD issue. If your spine is curved enough, the rest of the organs have to go somewhere. Sometimes they compensate well, while other times they need medical help to function properly. I hope your heartburn isn't serious. Good luck.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

I have GERD, both before and after my scoliosis surgery, which straightened my thoracic spine almost completely. Whether or not there's a link to idiopathic scoliosis, I don't think anyone knows, and in the end, it probably doesn't matter.

--Linda

[Pips]

Hi Lynne

You probably know from my blog that I have the same issues as you and although there's a lot of anecdoctal evidence to support the scoliosis link, there's not much else.

My doctor checked through all possible causes (bacterial infection, hiatus hernia, excess acid production etc) and made me keep a diary of when the attacks happend and what I ate and drank each day. In the end we had to come to the conclusion that it was my spine as eating/drinking made no difference at all - straining my back in some way (usually by walking too much in my case) would bring it on.

The diary was fascinating to do and showed a clear link so its probably worth you trying that. If you want more info on how to do it, PM me.

Pips

[Karen Ocker]

Before my revision I had those things because my stomach was crumpled under my diaphragm. I even got out of breath after a big meal. I had a thorough gastro work-up. My doctor observed my stomach laying in it's side. She called it "watermelon stomach" from scoliosis. I add here I had triple curves. When they were reduced I lost all those symptoms.

Karen

[lelc2002@yahoo]

thks for the feedback, Karen. Pips-we seem to have similar curves -I'm very bad on the Lumbar so maybe there's some similarities. I'll try to put my x-ray on my blog soon........Lynne

[naturalhealth]

My daughter has some reflux issues, and we've been able to get it under control recently enough to take her off prescription meds. One supplement I've found that I like to help with typical heartburn and acid indigestion is Acid Ease (http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/product_info.php?products_id=3215). It helps to soothe the intestines to provide relief. Now, for more severe reflux, it's important to consult with a doctor to see if stronger meds are necessary. Severe reflux that goes untreated can lead to esophageal cancer, so you want to make sure that yours isn't chronic or severe.