Stomach acid issues

[cappygal]

I am wondering how many people on here experience symptoms of low/high stomach acid and are either on a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or are treating symptoms more holistically (diet/supplementation)? Many autoimmune issues have been linked with low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). Did your symptoms start before your RA or after?

[hawker955]

I was put on Omeprazole when I started Naproxen . My GP simply doubled the dose when reflux continued. I have not needed a single Gaviscon since then about 18 months ago. One can take two together or one twice daily so said my GP. Ask your own GP about this.

[helixhelix]

I have had GERD for years, and way before the RA appeared. Keeping a close eye on what I ate helped, but I can't live on rice crackers so had to resort to PPIs. The drugs I now take for RA obviously don't help matters, but as long as I don't binge on fats then I manage with lowest dose of a PPI.

[medway-lady]

I was prescribed Omeprazole to protect the tummy from Leflunomide.

[FionaHerts]

I've had an odd experience. I used to take Lansoprazole when I took Naproxen for Rheumatoid pain and inflammation. When I started on Methotrexate I thought I'd stop the Lansoprazole, but had a difficult time with acid so kept taking it.

6 months later I developed right side abdominal pain and it went on months. Gp thought it was gall stones, but had everything checked with an ultrasound. Then nausea started. I had it nearly all day, every day. Not nice.

In the end I had a gastroscopy. Nothing was found, but the consultant thought maybe the pain and nausea was actually from irritable bowel and suggested stopping Lansoprazole and also trying some food elimination. Stopped tablets, went gluten and lactose free and all the symptoms disappeared in two days! Most odd, but glad to be rid of it.

I've since tried reintroducing gluten and full dairy, but get stomach pains and headaches. But the dietary changes haven't made one jot of difference to my RA symptoms. Glad to be Lansoprazole free though.

[dwsurquhart]

I have had reflux most of my life. Mtx, sulfasalazine, hydroxyQ, and leflunomide all exacerbated my reflux.

I have been on pantoprazole for a couple years now. Works very well and can be taken with or without food.

I have also noticed and have realized this for many years for myself, that if I keep my weight below 195# and waistline smaller than 36" my reflux is almost not there.

I was up to 220# and had reflux almost every evening when I went to bed.

Also started eating more fish and lean meats, and lots of fruits and veggies. This helped as well. I am now 188# and I can almost say reflux free.

[Valletta1]

I have been on Losec for 35 years because of the high acid level. I also got peptic ulcer. I tried to stop them or reduce the amount I take but I can't because of the high acid level. My blood group is O rh neg. I now have Gout, Osteo and RA . Every time I got to the health store they bring to my attention that I should not have stayed this long on Losec as the damage is now irreversible.

I cannot help noticing that todays doctors are only interested in prescribing tablets instead of finding the cause of the problem, I am in so much pain with the arthritis that next week I am seeing another doctor for stem cells. I know that there are cures out there. I wish you well. xxx

[Someonesmother]

I ave been on PPI for about 5 years. My reflux started about the same time, but I also have a hiatus hernia that began about that time too. So I have no idea if the egg came before the chicken or vice versa.

[LizzieR]

Me! I have it too. Started after PSA diagnosis x