Stomach protecting

Susiesoo

I know most of us on here are not medically qualified, but I would like to ask for thoughts based on the vast experience of so many on here.

A few months ago I was struggling with nausea. At the time I was on Alendronic acid, Prednisolone 5mg daily, Methotrexate 15mg weekly and Ibuprofen as required, maybe a couple of days a week. My GP put me on Omeprazole 20mg daily. It took a while, but the nausea did improve. It has improved even more since I stopped Ibuprofen and drinking coffee.

I am now on Prednisolone 3mg daily and Methotrexate 15mg weekly with Paracetamol as required.

I am wondering if I still need the stomach protector with this level of meds. I seem to remember it takes a little while for it to work so would it take a little while for the effect to wear off or would I notice it straightaway?

I feel sure you are going to say "see your GP", but I delay going until I really have to so just thought I would pick your brains first. I hope you are not all rolling your eyes and tutting at this stage! :oops:

With thanks, as ever.

Susie

jillyb1

Not medically qualified in any way , but I take my stomach protector each day . As you guessed my advice is to chat with GP or rheumy nurse for a clearer picture . Sorry can't help .
Jillyb

Susiesoo

Thanks Jilly. To be honest, I hadn't even thought of rheumy nurse, but that is a good idea although I don't really like to bother them. I wish there was an easy way to ask a GP a quick question. I don't think we are advanced enough here to be able to e-mail them

Susie

stickywicket

I think most regulars on here know my view on meds by now - as few as possible but no stupid heroics.

Thanks to years of damage by anti-inflamms, not only is omep essential for me now (though I've not had an anti-inflamm for about 15-20 years) but I also require a second dose at night plus further stuff occasionally. I was told by my GP that these are very safe meds and much preferable to risking a stomach bleed.

However, you seem to have now cut out the real stomach nasties ie ibuprofen, alendronic acid and coffee (well done on the latter, especially) so, if I were in your shoes, I'd probably proceed with caution but resume at the first sign of stomach protest. It would, definitely, be better to check first though, even if only with your pharmacist. Can you get a telephone appointment at your practice?

mike26

hi susiesoo
yes i always thought that tummy protectors were for when you take
ibuprofen but not 100% sure.
i was also put on these but thay made me feel bad,so i dont take them
now.
but i do try to have something to eat before i take meds and this works for me.
yes better have talk to your doctor just to make sure.
good luck mike26 :roll:

suzygirl

If you are not taking the enteric coated steroids then they can be really hard on your stomach as I found out. I take Lansoprazole daily and have had to top up occasionally. Maybe it is just my stomach that the pred irritates?

villier

Sorry cant really help. I do take lansoprosol for reflux and also metaclopromide for nausea, but my nausea is caused by autonomic neuropathy and I don't take the meds that you do, I would speak to your pharmacist first then your doc, hope you get sorted out soon...............Marie x

Susiesoo

Many thanks for your replies. I think I will gradually reduce the Omeprazole and see how it goes.

SW...as far as I know we aren't able to have telephone appointments, but I will check next time I'm there. That would be so much easier for a quick query.

Susie

Susiesoo

I do try to avoid acidic food and drink, but find it hard to avoid pork in all its' forms. I have tried to find lists of acidic foods, but with little success. Any hints gratefully accepted.

Susie

dreamdaisy

Put acidic foods into your search engine - you will soon discover what's what. I avoid fruit and anything involving vinegar, including chutneys and pickles but don't gain much in the way of benefit. DD

stickywicket

The digestive juices in the stomach have a pH of 2.0, which is very, very acidic - more so than hydrochloric acid. The stomach is already more acidic than the foods you may be eating. The point of keeping off acidic foods is because reflux causes that acid to flow into the oesophagus which, unlike the stomach, has no protective lining.

elnafinn

I read somewhere recently that if one is on PPIs for more than one year the gp should be seeing you for checks on how you are doing.

As we know all meds have side effects of some kind or other.

I am relieved I no longer take them because PPIs (such as lansoprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. I have been diagnosed with OP at the end of last year so now have to change my exercise routine, take an op med and make sure that I get enough calcium and Vit D plus the other vits that help the calcium to go to the correct parts of the body.

If you can cut down on the PPIs, Susie all the better.


Elna x

Susiesoo

I apologise for not getting back sooner, but thank you for your replies and allowing me to pick your brains.

I think I will start by reducing the dose and seeing how it goes and then discuss with GP when I next see her.

Susie