GCA and stomach pain

[Howard523]

Does any one suffer extreme pain in the stomach particularly at night when in bed after taking steriods at breakfast, omprazole at teatime. I get these systems every night and am at my wits end through pain and lack of sleep, I have only just joined this support group and would appreciate any help. Thanks.

[Annodomini]

Have you told your doctor about this? There could be many causes, some of them related to medication, some to your condition and some to a completely different condition. Best to have it checked out.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Howard, I actually suffered stomach pain and bowel problems from Omeprazole itself! Is there any reason why you aren't taking the Omeprazole at the same time at the steroids rather than in the evening before bedtime - that might help? Because I was particularly sensitive to both Omeprazole and another PPI, Lansoprazole, I was advised not to take any of them by my rheumy. Instead I ate a 'live' probiotic yoghurt daily with my breakfast before taking the steroids and, fortunately, in spite of a starting dose of 40mg of Pred, I never suffered any more stomach or esophagus side effects.

[Howard523 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks for that I will try

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you really feel you need an omeprazole-type medication to help with acid and are concerned yoghurt may not be enough try using ranitidine (sold as Zantac) which is an older drug and does exactly the same as a PPI but with fewer side effects.

[Hidden]

Hello Howard, I did get discomfort when I first started taking Prednisilone so my GP suggested I took it

either before or immediately after breakfast.....he also recommended I took my Omprazole tablet at the same time.

It might be worth you giving it a try, especially if the result is a good night's sleep and no stomach pain.

If the pain continues of course you would be well advised to check as to whether it could be something else causing this problem. I hope you continue to make good progress and that you will soon be pain free.

[fuzzybear]

Hello Howard, I too had stomach problems with both Omeprazole and Lansoprazole I told my dr who gave me ranitidine (sold as Zantac) and have had no problems since taking these.

[Annodomini]

When my pharmacy replaced my usual brand of Omeprazole with a different one, I got a lot of flatulence. The usual one is slow release and I take it an hour before breakfast. Now I have it back and have no more trouble.

[Bailybiscuit]

I was always told to take my Omezaprole or as it is now landsaropole an hour before any tablets to line the stomach.

[Caro12line]

I take Omezaprole with my Pred after breakfast. I also have live yoghurt and banana most mornings for breakfast. No stomach problems