A visit to my new gp (old one retired- 'scuse the pun😁)

[Moomin8]

Hi peeps☺

I've just arrived home after work then a visit to my gp - an annual rheumatoid arthritis review apparently - and I must say, she was a very nice lady ☺ We had a chat about my RA journey etc, she was happy to reinstate my vit d tablets, give me a course of prednisolone to take on holiday in case I need it and we discussed my being on omeprazole twice a day. We had been discussing the delights of prednisolone: about it's bone-thinning properties and I asked about PPI's similar atributes (having been on them for sometime ) along with it (omeprazole) reducing my B12. I asked if there was an alternative and she suggested rantinidine. So... the up-shot is - I'm going to try that twice a day.

What are your experiences of switching or trying rantinidine?

🤔

[AgedCrone]

There's posh for you! Annual RA check!

If I as much as mention RA to my GP...having waited weeks to see whoever happens to be there that day....I just get told with a mournful look "you will have to ask your rheumatologist"!

Thank goodness I have a great Rheumy & Rheumy nurses!

[Moomin8 in reply to AgedCrone]

AgedCrone, I think my new gp is not that informed about RA...but she was quite funny: I had to fix her printer as she wasn't sure what the clanking sound was😂

[AgedCrone in reply to Moomin8]

Sort of says it all doesn't it?

[Matilda_1922]

I had an annual check recently for my asthma. I'm not sure if there is annual for RA at my surgery RA didn't get mentioned.

[Moomin8 in reply to Matilda_1922]

In had a text from my surgery...weird eh?

[Gnarli]

Hi Moomin8. I've been on ranitidine for acid reflux for years and never had a problem with it. If there have been any side-effects I've never noticed them. They keep the acid under control very nicely, thank you. I hope they work just as well for you. Hugs

Jan

[Matilda_1922 in reply to Gnarli]

I'm on ranitidine too no side effects either

[Moomin8]

Thank Jan and Matilda_1922. My concern about rantanidine is that I've just read that one can't drink alcohol whilst taking it 😯 I am one of the 'lucky ones' who can tolerate a drink or two atm (not around mtx day) and I don't want to change that. I'm wondering if I should go back to omeprazole now?🤔

[Gnarli in reply to Moomin8]

I've never had a problem. I've never been a heavy drinker - no tolerance - and didn't know about the 'no drink' advice. Sloppy of me, not reading the info supplied. I've been having a glass of red most days and maybe a beer at lunchtime if it's hot right up until I started mtx.

J

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Moomin. Do you have any evidence that omeprazole is affecting/adding to your bone density status Moomin? Thinking along the lines of if it ain't broke don't fix it. As usual we're each different but after 9 years of omeprazole (& low dose steroids for the past 4) my DEXA scans for the last 4 years have given similar results & I remain as having osteopenia/borderline osteoporosis. I must add I take daily 1500mg/400iu AdCal. Also my h had to come off omeprazole which worked well for his acid reflux. Standard blood testing prior to red blood cell transfusions flagged up low levels of magnesium & was advised not to take this or any of the same class of 'prazoles'. His GP prescribed ranitidine & Gaviscon. He's been troubled with reflux ever since despite the rantitidine & 2 x 600ml bottles of Gaviscon every 28 days.

Just thought a couple of experiences may help. 😊

[oldtimer]

I find Gaviscon actually works better than omeprazole!

[Furle in reply to oldtimer]

I had been taking gaviscon until someone told me it can cause joint pain in some people. Looked it up on line and found more people had that as a side effect so stopped taking it and my joints were better for it. I have had RA for many years and find ranatadine works best for me.

[Jacey15]

I found ranitidine didn't keep my symptoms under control so I was changed to omeprazole which does.

[Moomin8]

Hmm...thanks for all of your input - not sure what to do 🤔 I wish there was someone who actually looked at our blood results and dealt our meds accordingly.