Anyone with problems with stomach ulcers?
I started with severe back pain like being punched with a knife that went all the way to my stomach. It came and went for hours. It is now a gnawing pain that abates when I eat Specimen was good, Ultrasound good, now looking at endoscopy. All things point to stomach ulcers. Calls to rheumy have gone unanswered. I want to stop MTX but afraid of pain that follows.
If ultrasound was good and specimen good why does that point to an ulcer?
Has acid reflux been ruled out? As that’s the most common effect. And is usually solved by switching to injectable MTX.
Hi, helixhelix!
The reason they suspect ulcer is the pain that remains after initial problem subsided. It’s a gnawing pain that gets a bit less after eating. A specific sign of ulcer they said. MTX does cause ulcers. But so does stress and poor diet and I don’t do well in either of those areas. Will keep you posted.
Fingers crossed for you.... The results of my endoscopy were that everything looked “red and angry”. Well no surprise that my digestive system was angry...it was flipping livid because of the pain!!
When I called my the other day to ask if I should continue taking the MTX, I didn’t get a response. I called yesterday, I told the assistant that I didn’t get a call back and I need to know if I should continue taking the MTX in the event it is an ulcer because continuing it would make an ulcer worse. She asked, is it YOU who THINKS you have an ulcer. I said the doctor felt that all symptoms pointed to that. The callback came later in the day and I was told to stop MTX. I told the rheumy two months ago that I had pain in my stomach area. She dismissed it and told me to continue taking the MTX and prescribed zofran for the stomach. I told my pharmacist it wasn’t helping the pain and he said it was for nausea. Maybe I need to change rheumies. Stuck between a rock and a hard place! Thanks for listening helixhelix
I have ongoing awful MTX induced gut issues but not ulceration. I was encouraged to keep going with MTX until I became so unwell I stopped myself.
It seems MTX is pushed until the n th degree.
No one has been able to tell me about long term issues with these gut problems.
Injectable, metoject MTX was less brutal on my gut, but still awful. I could not get past 15 mgs week and only managed that for a month.
You will know yourself when it is time to stop.
I believe it is time. My rheumy has her assistant call and tell me to stop after I already had.
Hi Bonnie T, I am experiencing similar problems with my stomach i have attended Endoscopy on 3 seperate occassions for colonoscopy, Endoscopy and gastroscropy so now waiting for results but i have been told already i have multiple varices veins which has occured because of a blockage in the portal artery which supplies blood to the colon and they now suspect scirrosis of the liver due to scarred tissue from the MTX, i have now been taken off MTX and am on Rituximab infusions every 9 to 12 months so try not to worry to much there are many alternatives to MTX which do work well.
Good luck and best wishes.
Since I was diagnosed with RA and have been prescribed MTX I have had recurring Oesophagitis and Gastritis. I have also had acid reflux and, more recently, ulcers. In addition the constant retching, coughing, and choking from these conditions caused me to develop a Hiatus Hernia. Changing from MTX tablets to injections was helpful, as was making some quite drastic changes to my diet. I still find myself taking Lansoprozole, Ranitidine, and a liquid Antacid with varying degrees of success. I'm currently waiting to see a Gastroenterologist, again, to see if he can suggest anything to provide real relief as my Rheumy wants me to remain on MTX, which I must admit does have benefits.
But there are other drugs that can bring benefits, you do not need to take a drug that is causing so many problems for you.
MTX is giving me diareaha every day now and my belly feels like acid is eating me up inside all the way to my tonsils. I have already taken my DAILY raditdine for my acid as it seems I need two pills now daily but tonight it has already worn off. MTX is not helping. Two months now and I still hurt and now swelling in the feet. Yay. I am really sorry BonnieT! However I do sympathize.
Hi, tyrtlemom2! As per myself and the rheumy I have stopped the MTX. Gastroenterologist took me off all dairy and caffeine. I have to say my stomach is much improved. I’m just dreading the return of the pain.
Hi BonnieT - sorry to hear of your pain. Wherever RA roams it just bulldozes. I still have what feels like roadworks going on in my left hand. Been 3 weeks, tapered but but not gone! My personal experience with MTX was the stomach issues, mouth ulcers and cold sores. My rheumy said biologics would bypass this by being more targetted treatment. So I was changed. However - may have to revisit no joy with any of the biologics. May be worth pushing for as could help you. Take care, Hessie
Thank you, Hessie5.
My stomach improved with diet of NO dairy or caffeine. And now am off MTX. We’ll see what happens after next rheumy visit end of next week.
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