I haven't been formally diagnosed, yet, with
hypochlorhydria, but I have had
GERD since I was 16. My doctor recently put me on Prilosec and Bentyl due to some unresolved GI issues, but I had to discontinue the Prilosec after 3 days due to horrible stomach pain when I would eat, it felt like I had a brick sitting on my stomach. Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton-pump inhibitor which reduces the stomach acid production. I discovered Bentyl also reduces stomach acid, so I basically was not digesting anything. After discontinuing the Prilosec, the symptoms improved, but have not disappeared. I didn't realize hypochlorhydria can also accompany GERD until recently. In fact, from my research, doctors prescribe antacids, PPIs, and H2 antagonists (i.e. Pepcid) without checking the level of stomach acid, so these actually work against the problem, not for it. Unfortunately, I wasn't doing myself any favors by taking Pepcid when I had stomach problems.
Anyway, I realized a lot of people here have the same problem.
