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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Do lupus patients get hital hernia in their chest cavity often with Gastroparesis, GERD, acid reflux, jack hammer syndrome & diverticlos

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Oxford, MS
August 11
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A MyLupusTeam Member

I've had digestive issues since developing an ulcer 40 years ago but the only thing I deal with now is GERDS. I take nexium. It's has to be brand. Generics DO NOT WORK!!! I don't know if it's actually related to my lupus. I don't notice GERDS worsening during flares.

August 11
MyLupusTeam

That's quite a list of digestive concerns! Lupus can definitely contribute to several gastrointestinal issues, though not all of the conditions mentioned are directly linked to lupus.

What lupus *can* do is cause inflammation of the esophagus and weaken the muscles used in swallowing. This can allow stomach acid to travel Show Full Answer

That's quite a list of digestive concerns! Lupus can definitely contribute to several gastrointestinal issues, though not all of the conditions mentioned are directly linked to lupus.

What lupus *can* do is cause inflammation of the esophagus and weaken the muscles used in swallowing. This can allow stomach acid to travel back up, leading to acid reflux and GERD. Lupus-related GERD symptoms can include:

- Heartburn, especially after eating
- Chest or upper abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- A feeling of a lump in the throat
- Food or sour liquid moving back into the mouth

Medications commonly used for lupus, like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, can also make acid reflux worse. Hiatal hernia, jackhammer syndrome, gastroparesis, and diverticulosis are not well-documented as direct lupus comorbidities, so it's worth speaking with a gastroenterologist alongside your rheumatologist to get the full picture.

Keeping a symptom and food journal can really help identify triggers and guide your care team toward the right treatment plan.

August 11
A MyLupusTeam Member

I had my hiatal hernia repaired recently, along with esophageal surgery. It definitely caused a lot of chest pain, and the GERD was eroding my teeth. It's been a year since the surgery, and the chest pain is definitely gone! I still have to drink while I eat due to overlapping Sjogrens and poor motility due to overlapping Sclerosis. My whole tract is rigid and sluggish, so I work in lots of fiber and prebiotics/probiotics into my diet. I've had 3 colonoscopies and two endoscopies because of the sluggishness of my tract. This is why all the GERD medicine didn't work, and I had a partial wrap of my esophagus with part of my stomach. I also stay away from opioids which I'm allergic to and caused horrible constipation and swelling, producing an area of diverticulitis in my colon.

August 12

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