I've been taking clopidogrel, amlodipine and statins for years now. Over the last year or so I have developed inflammation of the duodenum, confirmed by endoscopy. The consultant wrote "duodenitis caused by clopidogrel" on his summary of findings.
However, since then doctors have declined to go down the route of trying alternatives to clopidogrel, and deny it being the cause. I'm not sure why the resistance to this diagnosis? If my diet was so poor, wouldn't I be getting inflammation in other areas too? Why just the duodenum? My diet seems to have very little effect on the condition.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? Are the doctors just trying to avoid expensive alternatives, or do they genuinely believe clopidogrel is not the cause? Has anyone suffered the same side effect?
Duodenitis is listed as a side effect of the drug, and why would the consultant performing the endoscopy decide it was the obvious cause? I don't want to end up with an ulcer.
Perhaps I should try a week without clopidogrel or halve the tablets for a trial period?
thanks
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hi sorry if this is an oversimplified answer could they give you a proton pump inhibitor like lansoprazole to prevent further damage if there is no alternative. I hope you find an alternative.
hope someone comes along with some / better advice, unfortunately we have to keep advocating for ourselves till they listen, I’m sure you’ve tried, so keep at those doctors to get them to try an alternative or explain exactly why they don’t agree with report. Good luck.
I totally agree with fishface, we have to be proactive in respect of our medication as only we know how it affects us. The problem is that many doctors get an idea of what is required fixed in their head and are not willing to change their opinion. Keep at it... you will get this problem resolved. ☺
The cardiologist changed my meds from clopidogrel to aspirin and the PPI from Lansoprazole to famotidine (which is not a PPI but fulfills the same function.
Whether your condition has gone beyond that you would need to consult a doctor
I was told by a consultant that Clopidogrel was the likeliest cause of my erosive gastritis in my stomach so could be the cause of your problem. I’m on Esomeprazole to reduce acid in the stomach, perhaps a proton pump inhibitor might be helpful.
However please be careful re stopping your Clopidogrel as it can make you vulnerable to strokes etc. My Clopidogrel was changed to 75mg gastro resistant aspirin. Would get back to the GP re options.
thank you for posting this question - my mother started taking clopidogrel and amlodipine about 3 yrs ago and has since developed gut problems in addition to the hiatus hernia she has had for decades but was finally under control
i would be interested to know what solutions you find as this is destroying what quality of life my mother still has
Protect Your Gut - this is what a Consultant told us ever since my Mum suffered a ruptured Duodenal Ulcer. We were taught that Aspirin & other Blood Thinners can cause this as they irritate the gut. A medication to line the stomach has to be taken 1 hour before food goes in. Basically, as soon as you get up take it. I hope this helps you all?
Thanks for all the responses. It gives me some vindication knowing that clopidogrel really is the most likely cause. I still can't understand why my doctors are denying this? Maybe because they're worried I might stop taking it and have a stroke?
I was taking clopidogrel for years without any protection for my gut. It was never mentioned as a danger. It's only now I discover it after suffering pain, going through an endoscopy, and researching online. What a shame that doctors haven't been honest with me from the start, I might have avoided this.
Since I've been told alternative clotting agents cause the exact same side effect, I guess my only option is to find a way to protect myself. For a while I'm taking half the clopidogrel tablet, taking it with food, and from today I'm taking omeprazole half an hour before as an experiment. I'll get back to the full clopidogrel tablet soon.
I was taking clopidogrel before going to bed, and that was probably a big mistake. It was triggering acid right at the worst time. So I'm stopping that. I've also cut out most junk food. I think the only time I managed to control it a bit was through an extreme diet, so I'll try that again.
I'll report back how it goes. Hopefully it might help someone else also.
Amlodipine does the same? I didn't know that. Maybe since I'm on both I'm getting a double hit. That's kind of depressing actually lol.
I've recently discovered posture can affect it a lot as well. Sitting up straight and stretching the stomach etc out seems to alleviate the pain a bit. Possibly because it allows the acid to drain more easily. I don't know.
I was taking Lansoprazole an hour before clopidogrel until I read that Lansoprazole, if taken for a prolonged period of time, can thin the bones. I have osteoporosIs, so I had a word with my cardiologist, who said that since I had been taken off aspirin, there was no need to protect my stomach, as it wasn't necessary with clopidogrel. I do have acid reflux and he said and that he was happy for me to take Gaviscon for it. However, I do sometimes get a slight feeling of discomfort under my right ribs, so I wonder if the clopidogrel could be the cause. Unfortunately , we are at the mercy of the medics.
There has been quite a bit in the news recently about Lanzaprazole causing colitis and other digestive disorders (the very thing they are supposed to stop!). I was in a terrible state, bloated, painful abdomen. Stopped the Lanzaprazole and am slowly recovering. Now take gaviscon as and when needed
I don't have any problems with Gaviscon and I have been taking it for a number of years. I guess we all have different reactions. How long have you been taking clopidogrel?
About four years. It took about 2 years I guess for problems to appear. Statins gave me immediate trouble but that was fixed with a lower dose and quinine to prevent cramping. But with clopidogrel it's been a slow process it seems.
thanks for your reply. I have been on clopidogrel for almost three years. Up until two months ago I was on Lansoprazole 15mg. Every now and then, I would have this niggling discomfort under my right ribcage and my GP doubled the dose to protect my stomach, which worked but then I learnt that Lansoprozole thins the bones, so I am off it now and the discomfort has returned. As you say that your duodenum problem began with the same symptoms, I am now wondering if I may have a problem with the duodenum too. I will have to speak to my GP again, as the Cardiologist said that I didn't need to take Lansoprozole.
Discomfort under my right ribs is exactly how my problem started. Then it radiated to my back as well and got steadily worse. I'm struggling to contain it now so I'm trying a diet overhaul and temporary half dose of clopidogrel.
Hi l have not been well so only just looking at email. Clopidogrel made me ill, l am sensitive to medication, l went to my GP who agreed that l should stop the drug and put me back on to Aspirin protect 100mg and the generic version of Gaviscon pro the GP to protect my stomach I had been taking Pantoprazol for quite a few years and I wanted to stop taking so many pills GP says the aspirin basically does the same job as Clopidogrel. I also suffer from ulcers in the stomach so know how bad it is.
I have had bouts of pericardial infection and inflammation over the last few years and I think that’s what is wrong at the moment.
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