Here I go again... benepali & tummy?

[Haz58]

Had 5 benepali jabs over 5 weeks. I had 3 weeks before but had to stop for 2 weeks because of a chest Infection. After the first 3 weeks I started having tummy problems, very bloated and when I ate had to go to the loo a couple of times.

Now after 5 weeks I have the same but worse, not the runs just going 4 to 5 times am and then after lunch and after dinner.

I rang nurse a couple of weeks ago and she said 'no, benepali doesn't cause that'.

I've read it can do so wondered if anyone else had this and what you did about it please. I really don't want to stop benepali as it works but just don't know how long I can stand being like this. X

[Runrig01]

I’ve been on it 7yrs, and never had any issues, other than a localised reaction when I used the thigh. Have a few friends on it, who’ve not had issues either. Hope it resolves for you

[KittyJ]

6 yearer here and I’ve never had any stomach problems. Have you kept a diary to see if it could be something else causing the problem?

[Haz58 in reply to KittyJ]

Yes. Benapali is the newest med. Sulfasalazine, full 3g dose, since June 23 and CalcichewD3 since April 23. I was on prednisolone for 5 months too came off that by tapering in December 23. Other meds are Omeprazole 2 X 20mg a day, atenalol 2 X 25mg a day, amitriptyline was on 20mg a day but now on 10 since end December. But have been the the last few meds above for a long time.

[KittyJ in reply to Haz58]

Sorry I meant a food diary to track symptoms and possibly a food causing your upset?

[Haz58 in reply to KittyJ]

Ah I see 🙈 sorry 😔. Been eating as normal. It is worse today but thinking about it I had pizza last night, don't have it very often. Too much cheese maybe? I guess they are greasy too. I'll start writing down what I eat and how I am. I think because every RA med I've had has affected my stomach badly I'm very wary. Thank you Kitty!

[welsh12 in reply to Haz58]

6 to 7 times a day is far too much get advice as someone with stomach issues it's awful

[Jackie1947]

I've been on Benipali for 2 years . I do have tummy troubles but they were intermittent before Benipali. If this persists see your GP for blood and sample investigation. Worrying about it only worsens symptoms.

[medway-lady]

I take D3 by Kiowa it’s chewy but some clever GP changed it a few years ago to a cheaper version and it really got my tummy. D3 is known to do this so might be a good idea to do diary or stop the D3 as an experiment. My Nephrologist wrote to GP only prescibe Kiowa chewy known to be as easier on stomach.

[Haz58 in reply to medway-lady]

That's interesting! I'll give it a miss for a few days and see what happens. Thank you Medway-lady. X

[medway-lady in reply to Haz58]

The government offered me D3. At the start of Covid, my Nephrologist said don’t touch the cheap stuff ! Keep chewy the good ones. lol x

[Sensitivegal77]

Hi Haz58, I haven't had any tummy issues with Benepali, just kept on having chest infections .I would speak to your Dr and monitor things, like others have said tummy issues are horrid so don't suffer- there's enough to cope with as it is .

I hope you get some answers soon .

[Haz58 in reply to Sensitivegal77]

Thanks Sensitive I will.

[Bethany02]

Insist on a medical review also ask your GP to escalate to rheumatology your issues

[Haz58 in reply to Bethany02]

Thanks Bethany. I am still under the Rheumatologist anyway as they have to keep changing my meds because of side affects. Not passed to shared care with gp yet. I'm going to ask for a review I think as they doubled some of my meds when I was on the other DMARDS.

[Wannabeabago]

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/267...

[Haz58 in reply to Wannabeabago]

Interesting Wanna! I've stopped the CalcichewD3 for a couple of days, yesterday I was much better. I know years ago I was taken off calcicard but so long ago I can't remember if it was because of my tummy. I'll restart it again in 2 days and see if it upsets me again. Process of elimination needed I think.

[AgedCrone]

If it doesn’t settle speak to your Gp & get a stool test.We tend to blame RA meds for everything., but in fact when you read up they are often innocent & the problem is a bug.

Hope you sort it soon!

[Haz58 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks Aged. Spoke to him yesterday. He says CalcichewD3 van cause it plus the high dose of omeprazole I'm on. So stopped the CalcichewD3 for a month and halved the omeprazole. Fingers crossed.