gastric upset

[5goFlotilla]

Good afternoon wise people,

I gave been on Prednisolone for almost 2 years , stopped my Lansoprazole 9 months ago with no ill effects .

Now over the last 4 weeks I have bloating ,nausea and burping and it’s quite intense . Is it possible it’s caused by long term usage of Prednisolone ? Dont understand why it’s started . Waiting to speak to GP tomorrow .

Thanks as always .

[SnazzyD]

It’s good you’re going to speak to the GP, especially as you’ve had smooth running for 9 months. It’s possible the Pred has been doing silent damage but not necessarily. They might want to do a test for Helicobacter pylori, a stomach infection that sets up shop and can cause indigestion and ulcers. What dose of Pred are you on?

[5goFlotilla in reply to SnazzyD]

Started on 15mg but been on 5 for 9 months have tapered a 1/2mg over the last 8weeks , that’s the only change . Initially just nausea and I wondered if it was an Adrenal thing ? I had about a week with no nausea but now it’s back with vengeance .

[SnazzyD in reply to 5goFlotilla]

I can’t say for sure; I only have my experience of low adrenal gut. That was a general nausea without an obvious focus and not gastric irritation. Lower down in the intestine it felt unsettled and often loose. With crises it was more like diarrhoea.

[5goFlotilla in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 5goFlotilla]

Nausea is listed as an adrenal insufficiency issue…have you had your cortisol levels tested - simple blood test first thing in morning, which may be followed up by a further test if necessary.

Perhaps discuss with GP as you have appointment scheduled.

[5goFlotilla in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you , yes I was going to mention Cortisol levels to the GP.

[Karendeena in reply to 5goFlotilla]

I had nausea when I tapered

[Polygolfer]

Among several other visible and invisible downsides, steroids slowly work away at your stomach lining, similar to other drugs like NSAIDS… that is why clinicians prescribe Lansoprazole (and similars) to protect your gut. Few of us know why we have PMR but one of the top possible causes, alongside the mRNA Covid vaccine is a faulty gut. We are largely unaware of the condition of our gut health. Lots of great books out there and research work ongoing about the gut microbiome and the damage that ultra processed foods inflict on us. A gut that has been bombarded by ultra processed foods for years can start allowing rubbish into the bloodstream and hence triggering an erratic response from our immune system. Best thing really is to discuss all this with your clinician and seek remedial and preventative action. Best of luck!

[5goFlotilla in reply to Polygolfer]

Thank you Polygolfer

The whole Gut thing is fascinating and I agree the impact on our general health over time can be huge . I was prescribed Lansoprazole with Prednisolone but stopped it after the first year as I became B12 deficient , probably caused by the PPI . Such a massive balancing act this thing is .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Polygolfer]

I would hardly describe the mRNA vaccines as a "top cause of PMR" since PMR has been around for many many years. ANY vaccine can trigger it, as can ANYTHING that involves the immune system so to single out the Covid vaccine is a sign of a poor science background.

[Polygolfer in reply to PMRpro]

No on is singling out anything

[Karendeena]

If you had still been taking lansoprazole I would have said that was the culprit. I took this to protect my stomach whilst on prednisolone but after a few months I started with the same symptoms as you describe. I then switched to Famotidine. My GI has never been the same since.In fact I have just had a cardiac catheter ablation and put on esomaprazole for 6 weeks and I experienced the same symptoms.

[5goFlotilla in reply to Karendeena]

Oh poor you , I must admit it’s not something I will happily take but started using it again today to see if it settles . It has in terms of nausea and bloating , no where near as bad as yesterday but I feel wiped out .

Wishing you a speedy recovery following the Ablation ,

[Karendeena in reply to 5goFlotilla]

Thank you. It is possible that your adrenals are starting to work. I also had symptoms when reducing prednisolone

[Moonriver65]

Hi 5goFlotilla, I have been on Pred for nearly 4 years and just about to reduce to 5mg again after withdrawal problems/? adrenal issues last year. My GP advised me from the start that I should take either Omeprazole or Lansoprazole, whilst on steroids, as they cause stomach problems. I found Omeprazole didn’t do the trick, but Lansoprazole 30mg had suited me well. We are all different, obviously so it is all trial and error. Good luck and I hope you find the right meds for you.