Has anybody suffered from stomach cramps, gurgling, bloating and wind as a result of any of the following medicines? Ticagrelor 90mg, Atorvastatin 80mg, Lansoprazole 30mg or dispersible aspirin. I am 7 months into taking medication after my stent and everything was fine until about 3 weeks ago. Now my digestive system is uncomfortable every day. I don't know if it is late onset IBS or a late reaction to the drugs or something else!! I thought I would ask for advice from my fellow hearties before I contact my doctor on the premise that it is better if I have some knowledge of the possibility of medication as a cause. Strange that it is happening after months of taking the tablets!!
Any insight would be very helpful, thank you
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HedgeHogHome
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My advice is very simple. Talk to your GP. People on here have no proper idea of your medical circumstances, just an idea based on your description and their own experiences, or something they have read, usually on the internet.
Hello
I take all the same meds but I am now of Ticagrelor
I do get IBS and I am not good when it comes to meds
Some years ago I was on Lansoprazole took them quite a while till I thought these are making my symptoms worse ( bearing in mind I was taking them more for acid reflux at that time not because I was on heart meds )
When I stopped them I was fine regarding acid reflux
The last year and a half I have had to have Lansoprazole as standard with the heart meds and I was on 30mg
I was not tolerating it so was reduced to 15mg
I was getting the same symptoms as you as well as dreadful acid reflux
I stopped on 15mg about 6 months till a few weeks ago the acid reflux started and it was and is the worst ever I have had it made me think back to before when I was on them before
I spoke to my Doctor yesterday and we went through everything and what she decided is that the next few weeks I will drop of Lansoprazole see if this acid reflux and upset stomach eases and if it does this could be what is causing it and we will have to have a rethink where to go from there
If it does not ease it then we shall still have a rethink and see what to do next
I would speak with your Doctor and talk everything through
Never stop anything or reduce it without their consent but let them know how you are suffering as there is nothing worse
I hope you get some answers and let us know how you get on x
Thank you very much for your detailed response. It is extremely helpful as I am suspecting Lansoprazole. This is the benefit of a forum in which participants gain a better understanding of their condition from people who have been though similar experiences. I would obviously consult with my doctor but it is very useful to exchange information and obtain support from fellow ex heart patients
I agree and thought the Forum was to exchange our experiences as it is good to hear what others have found with certain things and then at least when we speak to our Doctors we know we are not the only one
Good Luck I hope you find out what is upsetting you and your Doctor will be able to adjust things to suite you x
• in reply to
Irrespective of what your own personal circumstances are and your experiences with regard to your own medical condition, the only persons who can give a proper diagnosis of another individual's medical health situation are health professionals. We are all different and just because one person on here may not have had a good experience with one medication does not mean that others may not have got on well with it. And vice versa. So the bottom line is, without all the extraneous dialogue, if anyone has any problems with their medication they should be advised talk to their GP, because what happens to others may not be applicable to them, and indeed what happens to others may indeed confuse the issue.
• in reply to
Hello
Nice to meet you
The Community is to share our experiences with each other and is a great comfort for so many to do so
If you read my reply in full you can see my experience but you can also see after I have shared my experience I then say to the poster
" I would speak with your Doctor and talk everything through
Never stop anything or reduce it without their consent but let them know how you are suffering as there is nothing worse "
I do believe this does advise the poster to talk with their GP , never to stop medications without doing so and to let their GP know how they are feeling regarding their stomach issues
This was just my experience but I am more than happy to stop sharing what I have experienced if that will make you happier ?
May I also ask you as I see you are relatively new to the forum that if you have a problem with anyone's replies including mine because you feel they are breaking the Healthunlocked Guidelines that rather than spoiling the members post by making comments on others replies that you do not agree with there is an option you will find under that reply which says "Report "
If you feel my reply has broken any guidelines please feel free to press this option and Report it but I would ask if you would kindly refrain from replying to me as I am not here to get into a debate and will neither engage in one
Thank you for your understanding x
• in reply to
I am of the view that by posting on this forum you have to accept that others may see see things differently, and that they in turn have a right to express their view provided anything that is posted is done in a civilised and dignified manner. And that may include a direct reply to another member. And I am also here to help others and perhaps seek help myself, but how I do that may not necessarily align with your approach.
Nonetheless be assured I am certainly not here to get involved in unpleasant debate with others, so on that note of conviviality I'm done .
BeKind28, It's always good to read others' experiences and to hear their stories. I take from them any ideas I feel relate to me and bring them up with my doctor. As you say, it is necessary to visit a doctor to get the right diagnosis. 🌺
Hi Bekind28, ask your Dr if you could try Nexium, I find they are a great improvement on Lansoprozole. I only take them (20mg) every few days when I feel a bit acidic or if im going for a curry 😂😂 Like tonight 😀
This happened to me with omeprazole, plus, after eighteen months, constant runs, to the point I was getting nervous of leaving the house. I blamed all sorts before accepting it was them as I’d been on them so long but after I stopped them the symptoms eased off and I was back to normal after about ten days.
I’d originally gone on it as my worst afib symptom was a feeling of indigestion and trapped wind and pressure in my chest that I could not burp to relieve, a horrible feeling that came on after the slightest exertion, I was going through bottles of gaviscon with no relief.
After a successful cardioversion I had stayed on them.
Didn’t mention it to my gp at the time, it’s a couple of years ago now, but Novemberish when I was having chest discomfort she checked if I was taking ppis and I told her what had gone on she sniffed and said that wouldn’t happen it would have affected me sooner than that!🤷🏻♀️
I’m now on lansoprazole and no problems at the moment and much improved on the chest discomfort, though still have slight pain on exertion, first sign of stomach problems and it will be the first thing I blame and check out with GP.
I have GORD as well as cardiomyopathy and find it difficult to tell the difference between reflux pain and chest pain. They are both right in the middle of my chest. If Gaviscon and GRN don't stop the pain, it's time for me to visit the ED.
Hi SilvertailMy pains are centre chest as well, also get the bra too tight feeling all across the chest even if not wearing one.
I’ve just had an angiogram, all the dr said was your arteries are clear, if your valve leak gets worse you might have to have another one.
A TOE echo showed my valve regurgitation to be moderate rather than the severe that an echo in January showed.
I’m hoping to hear back from the consultant who ordered the tests and ask him why I am getting these symptoms though I do feel much better now than I did Nov/Dec/Jan when I was constantly breathless and complained to my GP.
Lansoprazole - did it for me. There was a report in the daily mail last year about it at the same time my GP was trying to work out why I was showing signs of inflammation in my bowel. Changing that has made all the difference. So def speak to your GP- good luck
I had exactly your symptoms for five years and my consultant and heart failure nurse tried changing my many medications until I was on a completely different regime, to no avail.Last year I was diagnosed as having diabetes and obviously advised to refrain from all types of sugar and sugar substitutes, although I am allowed to have one piece of fruit a day.
My symptoms disappeared overnight, and rarely return. When they do it is in a very limited way, both in frequency and strength.
My medical advisors can give no explanation although I was always of the gut feeling, (excuse the pun), that the vagus nerve was somehow involved as my previous symptoms always coincided with poor heart function. Maybe sugar feeds the vagus? 😀
Anyway, not much help but all the best with it and hope you get some relief soon.
No 2 in the guidelines specifically asks us to comment “from our own experience”.
I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering, I know how horrible it is. I can’t comment on your meds but I can tell you that I had symptoms with my gut just like yours sound. I was eventually to the dietician who put me on the 'Fodmap diet' - a very bland diet devised by Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge and St. Georges in London. It is based on food which is known to be easily digested by most people. After 8 weeks you start adding foods one by one. I found that I am gluten intolerant to various glutens. As long as I keep off them my gut behaves - eat foods with these glutens and I’m rapidly back to square one. So do see a dietician - your doctor can refer you. Good luck and all the best.
Hi Jasia, Scientists at Monash University in Australia developed the FODMAP diet in 2004 in a bid to help the growing number of people suffering from IBS symptoms. The NHS do use it but I find the Monash App ( costs a fiver) to be excellent. Do not start the diet until your GP approves it. It is quite restrictive, it has worked for me about 85% I still get the odd "flare up" but mainly OK . MM
Before seeing your GP (which off course you should) carefully read the information supplied with your medication and give it some thought. Be knowledgable. I understand the fear around heart issues in particular. There is (rightly) preciousness about our hearts, given it’s importance. However Heart patients tend to get enormous amounts of medication and usually all at once. If you are on many medications it’s difficult to pinpoint just which meds are doing what. I wish I had the faith of LowerField but I prefer to be an educated patient. Both Lanzoprazole and statins effect the gastro-intestinal tract - certainly that is what Lanzoprazole is designed for and statins in particular can effect different people differently. Check your information.
I too prefer to be an educated patient and certainly don't take any of my prescribed medications without understanding what they are for, how they can affect me, and importantly whether there are any contra indications. However, before I take anything new on board, I prefer to start that journey with the guidance of a health professional rather than anyone else.And for the record, relevant to this thread, I have taken Atorvastatin for over 20 years to reduce my very high natural chlolesterol and am now on the maximum dose, and for about 15 years have taken a prazole for reflux disease including period of about 5 years on Nexium at the max dose and have fortunately not suffered any side effects, nor noticed any from other meds I take. So to counter all the stories about statins and prazoles causing problems there are successes, but my guess is we don't hear about them, However the reality is they quietly do the job for the vast majority, for if they didn't they would not be prescribed.
LowerField I appreciate your point of view. It’s just the original poster was looking for an answer to their stomach problem. It does not matter to them that one person, or for that matter millions of people respond well to a particular drug, if they themselves do not, or suspect they do not. Hence the notes with the drugs. The notes let you know that not everybody does well. The reverse can also be true. Some patient’s symptoms can respond well to drugs not recorded to cover their symptoms. I myself have suffered from vasospastic angina for 25 years with no relief from pain with all ‘the usuals’ but one year ago I was diagnosed hypothyroid and my heart pain (3 to 4 episodes a day) has become virtually non existent with levothyroxine. I am pleased for you that your regime works for you and my regime works for me. I hope HedgeHogHome finds their suitable regime too.
I can understand what you are saying but the need to seek help from a health professional is clearly stated on the right hand side of this forum page.
"Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked".
I think the original poster was just hoping someone might share their experiences and is clearly going to contact his/her doctor.
I seem to have upset a few on here about my earlier comments. So to clarify, I believe that when someone asks for an opinion on what to do in relation to medication issues , the first thing that respondents should do is to say go speak with a health professional. Then share their own experiences as a follow up. I have absolutely no problem with people sharing. However what seems to happen is the 'go see your GP' suggestion is usually tucked away at the bottom of the response, some of which can be very lengthy, or even not mentioned at all, rather than given the priority headline it deserves.
I can't help it if people don't agree with what I am saying, or I ruffle a few feathers with what I believe are relevant and sensible comments about very serious issues all well within the bounds of forum 'rules'. I read stuff on here I disagree with but I don't get upset by it. Anyway I think I have said enough on this subject, so I am sure you will be pleased to hear that's it 👍
I'm glad that's your last post on the subject. It maybe that the many people posting on this forum (including myself) are trying to make sense of our health worries and have real concerns.I think we all need to be kind when we reply and show a little understanding.
I have all of those symptoms, and have had them pretty much for a few years, on various meds just like you. I did finally get a GI 'scope in mid 2021 but only found mild esophageal irritation.
My goal this year is to tackle what I suspect is being caused by a combination of high-dosage statins and baby aspirin. I am starting by sadly cutting way back on coffee (down to half cup...snif snif) and will see if that works. Other causes could be citrus (have cut out orange juice etc) or spicy foods (but I do love Mexican and curries). So far I have mostly focused on cardiovascular health but the stomach issues are a real PITA, especially at night as being horizontal is horrible for reflux.
I also will (again) talk to a GI specialist about upping PPI (proton pump inhibitor) dosages.
I can usually tolerate salad but ate one at about 6pm yesterday and was still tasting cucumber at 3 am this morning!! I will have to monitor this and I take Lansoprazole
I remember folks saying cucumber gave them ' indigestion' long before the term reflux disease had been thought up and PPIs had been invented. That said I am OK with most salad... except green peppers. 😆
I always peel big cucumbers but I have been using baby cucumbers for the last few years without problem, but I'd rather peel them to be safe than have a night like last night.
Hi There, yes I have the same issues and I am also on Atorvastatin, stomach gurgling, bloating and wind, but not too worried and I don't get cramps, hope this helps.
Ticagrelor and aspirin are known to affect the stomach. They can cause pain and damage which is why you were given lansoprazole to reduce stomach acid. It's known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). There are at least 3 different sorts so if you suspect that you cold ask for a different one. PPIs give me similar symptoms to yours. I can't take them so instead I have famotidine to protect my stomach which works in a different way. Don't just stop any tablets b ut do talk t o your GP and maybe ask for a different stomach protector.
Oh yes, in fact I stopped taking Ticagrelor a few weeks ago and have gone back to Clopidogrel. I have made a phone appointment to speak to a GP about this change. I had been on Clopidogrel for over 4 years after a stroke and a heart bypass. In October last year I had 2 stents fitted and was put on Ticagrelor and aspirin supposedly for 12 months then I was to go back to Clopidogrel.I suffered a lot with gasping for air and was told by the Cardiac Nurse this is a common side effect but it will go away, well I managed until May when the stomach pains started, I think cramps describes it well!
I stopped taking Ticagrelor, the gasping and stomach pains have stopped and while I know I have done this 6 months early I did a little research and found research says there is little difference between taking Ticagrelor and aspirin for 12 months than 6 months.
Hi, after a stent, my prescription was similar, and the symptoms too. I read all the "literature" about it on line(Medscape, Cochrane, etc...). Bear in mind I am just giving you my experience.If my statement makes you think, go see your GP. Don't do anything on your own. After 6 months I convinced my GP to eliminate lanzoprazole, which can perturb stomach functionning and exacerbate acid production, substitute apixaban( anticoagulant) 5mg x 2 daily for ticagrelor, and reduce atorvastatin to 10 mg everyy 2 days. After one week of change, the symptoms disappeare.d and have never reappeared.
Hello HedgeHogHome
I was just wondering how you were today ?
I also wanted to apologise to you personally that my reply I gave you has made your post go of track at times and I really hope it has not caused you any upset
Taking those replies out of the equation you have had a lot of good advice and people relating to what you are going through
I sincerely hope those positive replies have outweighed any negatives and you now know you certainly are not alone suffering with stomach issues which I hope you get resolved soon
Let us know how you are and how you get on if you have time x
I was on lanzaprozole and it gave me a terrible upset stomach and I mean upset. Spoke to the doctor and he changed to omeprazole and now my stomach has really settled down worth talking to your doctor
I want to thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post . I very much appreciate your thoughtful responses ,much more than I could have hoped for. I have a great deal to assimilate .It is so helpful reading your experiences and I will certainly contact my doctor better prepared. Interestingly my stomach is fine today but I won't get to giddy. I have been very careful with my diet though!!
I would also like to say that you are all amazing , supportive and caring. I read the forum every morning .It is reassuring to feel you are not alone and others have been though similar experiences
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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