Hi all. Just feeling sorry for myself this morning and wanting a bit of reassurance I think. My RA is well controlled with DMARDs and a biologic but over the last couple of weeks I have had some painful stomach issues. Intense burning discomfort under my ribcage and back pain. It's even been waking me up at night. Bought some omeprazole which seems to bring some relief. Actually managed to get a gp appointment later today so hoping she will have some ideas. I am supposed to be off to India in three weeks so I am hoping that this can be resolved quickly. Anyone else on Baricitinib, hydroxy and leflunomide experienced these kind of issues? I have been on these for a long time and they work really well so I am hoping they are not the cause of the problem.
Stomach Issues: Hi all. Just feeling sorry for myself... - NRAS
Stomach Issues
That sounds horrid so I’ve no idea but good luck with the doctor.
Not your drugs but I came off Benipali for the same reasons. I found out it was the Benipali after stopping it for a few months to be sure and yes it was that . I have Diviculosis and Pancreatitis so it caused horrible flare ups. It seems these type of drugs do cause stomach issues but not everyone experience them.
I have same stomach issues comes and goes but on hydroxy and methotrexate have mentioned it to gp and rheumatology apart from xrays blood tests no other diagnosis meds working for me too let us know the outcome
Well the GP thinks it might be gallstones. I am sceptical because although it's painful it comes and goes and omeprazole seems to have an effect - I'm not sure if it would if it was gallstone related. Also I have a very low fat high fibre diet, am slim and don't really drink. in addition there are a lot of stomach sounds (my husband says they kept him awake last night) so I remain to be convinced. Will just have to see what transpires.
So will they scan you
In that case you'll be sent for an ultrasound at least!
I had gallstones 2 years ago but not felt it since cutting out cold meats, sausages, bacon and fatty foods
Sorry to hear this.
I had my gallbladder removed many years ago, I can say is gallstone pain was worse than giving birth, and that’s saying something! The pain is sporadic, so it does come and go, if I ate fatty food it was much much worse. Omeprazol will only help reduce the acid in your tummy, it doesn’t really help with the actual stones in your gallbladder.
I have GERD as well and a hiatus hernia so I still take just one Lansaprozal a day which really helps with the over production of the acid. Maybe you have that if the PPI is helping, the pain is very similar to gallstones.
Once you have an ultrasound you’ll at least know why the pain is happening.
I actually had to stop taking Hydroxy as it gave me tummy problems.
Good luck, keep us posted. 👍
Go and see you Gp
Have you had your gall bladder checked….sounds like it could be gallstones?
I started with pains on my right by the bottom of my ribs. CT shows my gallbladder is full of tiny gallstones. It flares up now and again if I don't watch what I eat. You're not on fibrates for cholesterol are you? If you are you need to come off them and get something else for cholesterol. You need an ultrasound scan.
I'm on prednisolone, methotrexate and abatacept. I have had stomach pain, feeling sick, bit lightheaded and more tired than usual. I assumed side effects of meds as it started right after one of my injections. I rang rheumatology who suggested leaving off methotrexate. No improvement. So they suggested leaving off abatacept also. Didn't help. Saw GP in the end who said as I've got no immune system probably infection. He found gall bladder to be inflamed so now on antibiotics. Seems to be helping a bit but early days.Lesson for me was to not just assume side effects and see the GP. I waited 10 days and should have gone sooner. I think (I bet others can relate) that I've got a bit too good at managing / ignoring pain and discomfort. Hope that helps a tad. Good luck.
I am currently being treated for this pain. Please go to the GP. The nurse tested my urine for UTI and I was given antibiotics but she never sent off the urine to the lab to see if it was a kidney infection as the samples had already been collected for that day!!! I was slightly annoyed. Going back this morning as the pain under my rib cage is not improving and it radiates to my back. So I think it’s a kidney infection which needs stronger and a different type of antibiotic. Xx
Could be pancreatitis or gallstones. Does it happen after eating fatty or sugary foods? Is the pain on the left? I recently had this type of pain across the top of my stomach and it turned out I had gastritis caused by meloxicam, I’ve been taken off this and my omeprazole doubled which helped. However, it was diagnosed with a camera down my oesophagus (worse thing I’ve ever had done, I’d rather have my hip replaced again!). Good luck.
Get the sedation if you have it again I felt nothing
I definitely will!
I had spoken to a few people and they all recommended sedation but some hospitals will try to discourage you as they need to monitor you for a while after.
I had my gallbladder removed after many years of sporadic pain, nausea, and occasional bloating with right-side pain underneath my ribs. I would definitely try and see if you can get an ultrasound to check for this, as it's an easy test to do and some of your symptoms point to gallstones. Hope you get sorted xz
👍
ongoing health issues
off topic blue badge
Methotrexate and severe stomach pains 
RA/RD, lung disease & cardio-vascular issues
Stomach reactions with Meds.. :O(
