Reflux

[precious123]

Hey just wanted to ask. I am failing yet another medicine I believe. I’ve been in pain and fatigue can’t stay awake after about 2 everyday it’s a fight. Also weak in hips and out of breath when I try to do anything. Exactly what happens when I fail a medication. I am on orencia and inject max dosage of methotrexate weekly. Not to mention on the prednisone (which I’ve been on for years). My sed rate is rising again it was 64 now it’s back up to 78 and vectra score is also rising again. After saying all of that I have reflux and take omeprazole for that. But two days ago I began burning in the top part of my stomach. No blood in stool or anything like that but burning in my throat as well. Has any of you had this problem when the meds stopped working on you? I know that sounds weird but that is the only thing I can think of that is causing this problem.

Thanks

Peggy

[springcross]

You maybe have silent reflux which is different to ordinary reflux and should therefore see your GP. Maybe you should also contact your Rheumy department to ask about the problems with your other medication. Good luck.

[precious123 in reply to springcross]

Never heard of silent reflux. I will definately be calling again to let them know. My liver enzymes were also elevated this time. I afraid it’s all tying together.

[springcross in reply to precious123]

Hi precious 123. I have copied this from Medical News Today for you as it explains it better than I can. Silent reflux is a condition in which stomach acid causes throat discomfort, especially behind the breastbone in the middle of the trunk. It does not always cause heartburn, but it can cause damage to the throat and vocal cords. The condition is always known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). I used to get this a lot and it really is a nuisance to get rid of. My GP had never heard of it but it is quite well recognised in the US which is where I found most of my information from. x

[Hidden in reply to springcross]

I have this and a hiatus hernia I can’t miss a day of oemprazole on bad days lamprozole 20 mins before I eat as well

[Agoodlife in reply to Hidden]

I think there are many things that rheumies do not know about hiatus hernia and acid reflux and are infact medicating AI pas all wrong. Very few of us have too much acid in fact just the opposite we have too little. The symptoms are very much the same, the more we use Antacids the worse the situation gets. I had all these problems and understanding the basics am quite fine now .

[springcross in reply to Agoodlife]

It was my GP who didn't know what I was talking about. I agree with what you say about some of us have too little acid - it apparently causes the same symptoms near enough. I get confused with the explanations on Google about which is the worst for us. If I feel I am going to get indigestion at night I have a spoonful or two of Gaviscon Advance which I get on prescription. It's quite good and better than anything I have taken yet but I don't think it would work so well against silent reflux.

[Hidden in reply to Agoodlife]

I cut back on my antacids and tried the good gut diet . Had to have endoscopy and got told off for coming of my meds 🥺

[Agoodlife in reply to Hidden]

In YOUR case what is a good gut diet?

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that. This is such a nuisance. I had it for a long time. My throat was always sore and more often than not my voice was hoarse. I spent hours on the internet reading up on it. I found a site in the US amongst others (can't remember what is was) which mentioned a woman who had it badly went to her doctor and they found out it was a lack of Vit D. They put her on large dose of it and it cured her. At that time, I was only taking one 500 iu Vit D3 per day so I upped it to four per day and miraculously, it stopped. Coincidence or not I do not know but I have kept it up and only had recurrence when I have not taken so many (waiting for fresh order to arrive) - hoping I'm not tempting fate here 😒

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

Forgot to say J1707 that I have a HH too - have had it for a number of years and what a nuisance it is. I take Omeprazole first thing in the morning but that's because of the Pred but I am hoping to be able to finish them when the Pred is all gone. 🙏

[precious123 in reply to springcross]

I am pretty sure somewhere along the way years ago I was diagnosed with a small HH. I wondered if the prednisone all of a sudden started to make me have the reflux worse. I haven’t changed a thing that I have been taking or doing. But with my meds possibly quit working I wonder if it might be the prednisone.

[springcross in reply to precious123]

I suppose it's a possibility but the Omeprazole should take care of that. I would discuss it with either your GP or your Rheumy team as they will know more than us. Let us know how it goes. Hope you feel better soon. Good luck. x

[precious123 in reply to springcross]

Thanks so much. I will give them a call. I’ll let y’all know as soon as I hear.

Hugs

Peggy.

[Hidden]

Fresh fruit and veg probiotic foods (kafir, live yogurt) fermented foods, olive oil, nuts plenty of water no caffeine no processed foods, ginger tea lemon and water no red meat No alcohol

[medway-lady]

Ranitidine is back in the pharmacy so much easier than Omepraxole.

[springcross in reply to medway-lady]

Did they take that off the shelves a while back?

[medway-lady in reply to springcross]

Yes but its back now.

[springcross in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks.

[Biofreak]

Hi precious 123. You mention that you can't stay awake after 2 and that you are breathless. Do you also have a persistent cough? My husband has been diagnosed with silent reflux and has most of your symptoms and a persistent cough which is caused by the silent reflux. Silent reflux is pepsin gases as opposed to excessive acid reflux. Also,if you have been taking omeprazole for a long time, you may be B12 deficient. This would contribute to fatigue. My husband has to have B12 injections every 3 months.

[precious123 in reply to Biofreak]

Bless him. I hate to hear that. I have no cough at all. I think the fatigue and sleepiness is from my meds not working. I get like that everytime they quit. Mercy tho I hope I’m just in a flare. If the meds have quit I don’t know what my dr will put me on.

He is an awesome rheumatologist but even he is scratching his head as I have failed so many that we just about are out of options. And the new medicine that just came out we were so hoping I could have that as an option but nooo I’ve had a blood clot before so that threw me out. Lol. Always something.

Hugs

Peggy

[FRreedman]

I haven't read any replies, because I thought you may need this advice urgently: CONTACT YOUR GP NOW!!! You say you have been on steroids for years, well they are one of the major causes for GERD/heartburn. Please, if you do nothing else, ask your GP to check your medication. Good luck.

[precious123 in reply to FRreedman]

He has taken me off of the methotrexate as it has quit working anyway. I’m

Hoping that will help some. He also put me on something for the burning and pain in my chest. The sleepiness is due to the meds not working. Also the shortness of breath occurs when my meds stop working. So he’s putting me in imuran which worked good for me the first time I took it. Hoping I won’t get sick again and have to come off of it. Because it won’t work when I go back on it. I’m just going back through all

Or the meds as I have failed them all at least one time. 😢 hugs from a safe distance to you all

Peggy

[AgedCrone]

Please consult your rheumatology nurse or if she is not available your GP .

Any Sort of burning feeling in your stomach needs investigating.