Heartburn and Fibromyalgia Syndrome

As well as the main symptoms muscle pain, tenderness and fatigue, people with fibromyalgia syndrome can get a range of gastrointestinal symptoms. These include heartburn, which can be caused by acid reflux (also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease [GERD or GORD]), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Heartburn is uncomfortable, and can disturb sleep patterns, which can make the tiredness associated with fibromyalgia syndrome even worse. Other gastric symptoms can include pain, discomfort and difficulties with swallowing.

According to a study conducted by a doctor in Ireland in 1991, 70% of the people with fibromyalgia syndrome also had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 65% of the people with IBS had fibromyalgia syndrome. Around 40 to 70% of people with fibromyalgia syndrome have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Acid Reflux

If the valve at the top of the stomach (the lower oesophageal sphincter), is weak, it can allow some of the contents of the stomach, including stomach acid, back up into the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach, also known as the food pipe or gullet). When acid comes back into the oesophagus, it can cause the uncomfortable burning feeling of heartburn. Other symptoms include belching, pain, coughing and feeling sick. The acid in the stomach needs to be very strong to help the digestion of food. If the lining of the oesophagus becomes damaged and inflamed by the acid, this is known as oesophagitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS can cause heartburn, as well as stomach pain and discomfort, attacks of diarrhoea or constipation, nausea, feelings of fullness and bloating.

Triggers for Heartburn

Some people find that their heartburn is triggered by certain things. These can include:

• eating very large meals
• eating spicy food
• eating fatty food
• drinking too many caffeinated drinks, including coffee and soft drinks
• eating acidic food
• wearing clothes that are too tight around the stomach
• drinking too much alcohol
• smoking
• eating too close to bedtime
• poor posture, including sitting hunched over
• bending over a lot
• being overweight.

Treating Heartburn

Working out what the heartburn triggers are, and avoiding them where possible can help – these will differ from person to person. Small changes to the environment can help too even something as simple as putting blocks under two of the legs of the bed to allow sleeping with the head six to eight inches higher than the feet can improve symptoms, by helping the acid drain back out of the oesophagus more quickly.

There are a number of prescription and over the counter drug treatments for heartburn. These include antacids, which neutralise the acid already in the stomach, drugs that reduce acid production in the stomach (proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers), and drugs that help food move more quickly through the digestive system (prokinetics).

People with fibromyalgia syndrome, especially those already taking drugs, should not take additional over the counter remedies without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. If digestive symptoms change suddenly, this can be the sign of another illness that may be serious – always see a doctor.