Burp! Whoops, sorry!

[43tripandskip]

Has anyone got any ideas?

I had to have an endoscopy because of blood appearing in my mouth. As they found multiple fundic gland polyps in my stomach, they suggested that it could be due to the Omeprazole that I take with my pred. No cause was found for the bleeding, but I will be going back to the consultant in a couple of month's time to get the result of the biopsy. All appearances are that everything is normal and the bleeding might have been the result of a tear.

Thanks to this site, I was given the suggestion that I change to Ranitidine, which my GP was quite happy to arrange. However, since that time I have had indigestion nearly every day. It manifests itself in different ways, sometimes I get a dull ache in my stomach, other days I relieve the tension with a little fanfare of mini burps, and on some days it puts me under the weather. I'm seeing my GP next week and would personally like to change to yoghurt (as suggested on this site). But I have found that medical professionals take on a look of blank surprise when yoghurt is mentioned - almost as if I am asking for the latest voodoo prescription.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They are obviously not concerned if it is another couple of months until the appointment. Did they not make any suggestions? And do you REALLY need either the PPI or the ranitidine? Is there are good reason for using one? I have never taken either.

What is obvious is that suppressing your stomach acid doesn't do you any good! Are you in the UK? If so, demand enteric coated/gastro resistant pred - then you don't really need the PPI or ranitidine. It is a available in 5, 2.5 and 1mg doses.

[43tripandskip in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your recommendations, I will certainly present this to my GP. When I first went onto pred, the GP said he thought I ought to take omeprazole as it would 'protect the stomach' and that if he were in my position, he would certainly take it. With such professional recommendation, and being new to PMR I went ahead with it. Thank you again for such solid recommendations, it's much appreciated.

[polymy in reply to 43tripandskip]

Hi There,

Unfortunately for me taking enteric coated pred did not relieve my awful acid reflux. Neither did ranitidine control it. I take Lansoprazole and was so grateful to have the awful burning acid stopped. I blame Alendronic Acid for having caused the problem and have stopped taking it.

Liz.

[43tripandskip in reply to polymy]

Well Liz, I think you've exactly nailed the problem. I was put on Alendronic Acid for my osteoporosis before I had PMR and had very unpleasant and sometimes painful indigestion. I stopped taking it after a short time. I'm taking a note of Lansoprazole in case I have to fight my corner with the GP. But I'm just hoping that she will be her usual listening and understanding self.

[polymy in reply to 43tripandskip]

I do hope so too. Mine was more than happy to refer for a dexa scan which she had to appeal to arrange for me. If my bones are ok, then fine. If not she will ask for me to be given an annual infusion of AA I know just what you mean by painful indigestion. I was practically drinking Gaviscon. I felt as though my whole chest was burning right up to my neck.

Liz.

[43tripandskip in reply to polymy]

Thanks Polmy, I was put onto an annual infusion two years ago and it was a wonderful alternative to Alendronic Acid. I keep a bottle of Gaviscon for really bad days! Thanks for your message

[Hidden]

Having live unsweeted yoghurt aren't going to hurt you unless you have a problem with dairy/lactose.

[43tripandskip in reply to Hidden]

I am not lactose intolerant so I will stock up with live unsweetened yoghurt, as you suggest. Many thanks for your help

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not unusual for a medic to go blank when asked a question about natural products such as yoghurt! Whereas two different PPIs, including Omeprazole, caused me severe side effects almost as soon as they were started, a daily small pot of live organic natural yoghurt proved a Godsend. I did have enteric coated Pred prescribed throughout apart from the 1mg doses at the latter stages of treatment.

[43tripandskip in reply to Celtic]

What you have said, confirms the fact that I should come off PPI and use yoghurt. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[SheffieldJane]

Well it works for me. A bowl of Greek Yoghurt and a little honey. I got bad indigestion prior to this and I never felt right on Omeprazole. Having learned more about it subsequently I am glad I didn’t persist with it. It seems to cause more trouble than Pred and is routinely prescribed without discussion.

[Hollyseden]

I got repeat prescription for omeprazole when started on Pred. From what I read about it on this forum, I decided not to take it. When Pred was was bumped up to 60mg for a few weeks,I did take it but got sore tum with it. Started taking just a spoonful of 2 of yogurt with Pred and now even some milk with it seems to do the trick. Worth a try, at least both of these don't have all sorts of side effects.

[43tripandskip in reply to Hollyseden]

I think that I will start on the yoghurt/ milk once I've seen my GP. Many thanks

[Hollyseden in reply to 43tripandskip]

I'm lucky not to be bothered very often by indigestion/heartburn so maybe that's why milk n yogurt work for me. Good luck and hope it does for you 👍

[Koalajane]

I was never prescribed anything to take with my prednisolone, just told to take it with food. After nearly a year I have had no problems and this is not enteric coated

[43tripandskip in reply to Koalajane]

I was always afraid to do this because my doctor thought that Omeprazole was 'safer'. You are proof that one can manage without. Many thanks for sharing this.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 43tripandskip]

I wonder if he has ever read the data sheet for omeprazole!

[Carrollee]

Hi 43tripandskip. I had exactly the same with ranitidine, terrible heartburn/reflux and non stop little burps. I ran out of it and everything settled while I was waiting for new prescription so I stopped and I use live plain ewes milk yog. A few generous tablespoons to take it with. I also eat fresh papaya if I have a bout of digestive probs ( generally due to overindulging etc 😳) and that settles everything. All the best cc 🤗

[43tripandskip in reply to Carrollee]

Perhaps I should shop in my local health shop for yoghurt, rather than buying at the supermarket. I was hoping that Total 0% fat would be live but am not sure.

[Carrollee in reply to 43tripandskip]

Hi. I think all the REAL Greek yogurts are live it should tell you on the tub. I get my ewes milk yog from a supermarket (woodlands dairy make it) I just fare better if I dont have too much cows milk products and I don't like goats milk yog. It will all fall into place once you have found the product that suits you. Take care cc

[Hollyseden in reply to 43tripandskip]

Re lo fat yogurt, I also read on here somewhere (when reading about lo carb stuff) that often lo fat doesn't mean lo sugar because fat removed but other stuff, sugar/sweeteners, added to replace flavour. Fighting a losing battle here 😋 😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollyseden]

The highest fat yog I use is 5% - and that is hardly hi-fat is it? I buy Total Greek yog - and add what I want. Comes in 0%, 2% and 5% - and 5% is like eating cream... I also beat an egg into a small tub to make moussaka topping or cauliflower cheese sauce.

[katie-w53]

I take Yeo Valley "Natural" yoghurt - it is organic and has nothing added at all and is really creamy and delicious. It also contains live cultures. Easy to find in all the supermarkets.

[Pesterfootbridge]

Hi. I suffered from chronic indegestion at night when I first started my treatment. Half a fresh lemon squeezed into water and sipped during the evening put a stop to the problem.

And yes probiotic yoghurt is the type you want to help. Yeo Valley as Katie-w53 said.

[43tripandskip]

Thank you, I will give this a try