Gerd, IBS, and Urinary Incontinence secondary to NSAIDS

[flores97]

I am getting ready to file an FDC claim for IBS-C, Gerd, and Incontinence secondary to NSAIDS and wanted to see if anyone has any opinions or suggestions, if i might have missed anything. So here goes. I have been on a high daily dose of NSAIDS to treat my sc systemic lupus for well over seven years. About two years ago, i began having moderate gastro problems, that has worsened to the point that these conditions are almost as bad as the lupus, which leaves me bedridden about a week a month. Every time i go to urgent care for the lupus, i complained of the constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and at times, vomiting. After about a year of these symptoms worsening, i was diagnosed with gerd(i thought i was having a heart attack twice, was admitted for severe chest pain, began vomiting/diarhea both times shortly after), and of course, IBS with constipation predominant. Around the same time frame-2 years ago, i began leaking urine frequently when sneezing, coughing, bending, etc, now i leak continuously and must wear pads. I was told by several VA Docs that the NSAIDS were more than likely responsible for the ibs and gerd. Then i was told that constipation also causes urinary incontinence. I am getting an IMO for all three conditions, from my triple board certified gastroenterologist, as well as submitting all relevant treatment records for past three years, medications side effects lists on the meds i take, some medical articles discussing how NSAIDS can cause/aggravate ibs and gerd, and more articles on how constipation can cause incontinence. I am also submitting the IMO(I will upload copy as soon as its complete), and the doctors resume/certifications. I do wear pads due to incontinence, usually go through three a day unless im bedridden, then its more like five a day. If anyone has suggestions/opinions i would really appreciate the input. I wouldnt have filed fir these conditions, but its to the point i only leave the house for med appts. I have daily abdomial pain, nausea, have trouble swallowing(especially meats), and i vomit if i eat more than small portions of food. The cramping feels like food poisoning, this is with taking omeprazole, pantoprazole?, ondasetron, and ranitidine. Thanks again

[ArNG11]

8 minutes ago, flores97 said:

Broncovet, thank you, I will be purchasing some chia seeds tomorrow. I really appreciate the info. ArNG11, I don't have any in service treatment for the gastro because they didn't start me on the lupus meds until right before I discharged, and the docs believe the long term use of nsaids is what has caused/aggravated the gerd/ibs-c, and since I am constipated continuously, the ibs-c has in turn caused the incontinence. Should i still submit my strs, or do you believe that would confuse them? Essentially all they show are moderate lupus symptoms(which are now severe), and they did start me on NSAIDS at that time, which was 2001.

Looks like you have multiple options.  The most important thing is the inservice records and the nexus, once you have that everything else should fall into place.  JMO relax.  From what you wrote it reads like you're in good shape for service connection and a win.  Take care of yourself is a biggie.  

[flores97]

Thank you, ArNG11, I am pretty hopeful after having multiple VA Doctors tell me the NSAIDS are probably causing, DEFINITELY aggravating these issues. I am grateful for the knowledge i have gained here and the time contributed by everyone on this site, and i will definitely update on progress, both health wise and claim wise. 

[Navy4life]

Flores

i think you should have a good chance to get your SC with the NSAIDs based on your doctors letter and the fact that they have caused the secondary issue of IBS. 

I was fortunate enough to have all my info in service and had further treatment out of the military. At my CnP the doctor said I should be SC due to my medical evidence and treatment. He told me he was putting IBS with chronic diarrhea. 

The doctor will be your save and grace!

 

[Zoomie]

Looks like you are in pretty good shape evidence wise. Take care of yourself and I hope you get the decision you are looking for.

[Vync]

10 hours ago, flores97 said:

Just a quick question, has anyone ever looked over their lab reports and noticed "rare bacteria" and "rare mucus" present in urine specimens? Also, and please forgive me if I misspell, but the leukocyte esterase?-(I looked up the term and it stated infections cause these), present in my sample were at 25, beside the 25 the report said_"critical high". I had the samples taken three weeks ago, and no one has mentioned the results or mailed any antibiotics. I will just wait until the 1st and bring it up with my PCP, but these results have been almost identical in the last three samples I have given(over a three month period). Just wondering if anyone has had similar results, thanks in advance!

Hey Flores,
If the VA took the samples, don't be surprised if they just tell you they were normal - even if there are anomalies like this. Many care providers only look for key markers and ignore the fine print. Have had it happen to myself. Use secure messaging on myhealthevet and ask about them. This way there is proof of exactly what you are asking. They can't just give you a canned answer and they cannot say it was never brought up. I hope it's nothing bad.

[broncovet]

In regards to the chia seeds, they are not a "drug" they are food.  So, if you expect them to releive constapation in an hour, you have too high of expectations.  Give them 48 hours and take them in coffee in the am, may put in tea or water in the evening.  Wait until they "expand" to consume.  You can actually see the chia seeds begin to sprout within about 2 minutes put in water or coffee.  Sprouted, living seeds are exceptionally good for your health, on multiple levels.  

Whenever I go on a trip, I drink chia coffee or tea a couple times.  

I learned about these reading a book called "Born to Run".  These native american indians would brew a tea with chia, and, be able to run 100 miles, as chia absorbs water and then gives it back to the body slowly, keeping you well hydrated, for a much longer period of time.  

This is good for us, too, to keep hydrated.  I would add that you need to drink more water, and avoid sweetened sugary drinks such as cola, 7 up, etc, if you are constipated.  (Diet soda does not help).  Fruit or 100% fruit juice is good.  

Many people become constipated (like myself) from not consuming enough water.  When you dont drink enough water, the bowel absorbs more out of your food, making hard feces and very hard to pass.  When you consume enough water, the brain tells the bowel to stop absorbing it and you get loose, easy to pass stools.  Chia helps, in part, by adding fiber, and by helping hydration because chia seeds abosorb water like a sponge, giving it back to the body over time.  

This helps to explain why sprouted grains are more healthful than non sprouted.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2012/11/27/what-are-sprouted-grains

Essentially, the nutrients in sprouted grains are easier to absorb as they are more bio-available.  The tough shell of a seed is "cracked" when sprouted and the new plant absorbs the carbs starting to grow.  Sprouted seeds are softer than hard shell seeds.  

Perhaps as important, sprouted living seeds have many enzymes, and probiotics that are simply not contained in processed and cooked food.  These enzymes and probiotics and prebiotics "helpful or good bacteria" often multiply and take up residence in your bowel, helping you digest other food, too.  

The only downside to sprouts is that a few companies have sold sprouts and done a poor job with cleanliness and contaminated these with "bad" bacteria.   But if you grow your own, this should not be a problem.  Simply keep the chia seeds dry and cool until you are ready to eat them, put them in water for 2 minutes and then eat them.  

Some sprouts got a bad rap because of poor food handling, where any food could also become contaminated with "bad" bacteria such as e coli.  

E coli can/does contaminate any food.  Yes, sometimes processed foods are less vulnerable to e coli because they have preservatives that "kill" e coli.  However, these very preservatives that kill e coli also kill healthy bacteria (pre biotics or pro biotics) and then "unhealthy" bactieria grow in your gut, such as a yeast infection.  

You want to improve your ratio of "good bacteria" to "bad bacteria" in your bowel.  (you will always, have both).  Healthy gut bacteria, from eating live foods, such as salads, fresh fruit, or any non cooked, non processed, non preservative foods is excellent for your immune system.  This way, if/when you do actually consume "bad bacteria" they enter the gut and are outnumbered and overwhelmed by good bacteria, so they can not easily establish themselves as the friendly bacteria has a firm hold, keeping unhealthy bacteria numbers low.  

Edited February 22, 2016 by broncovet