Stomach problems linked to pred

[polymy]

Hi All.

Have been having stomach problems for some time even although I am down to 1mg pred alternate days. I finally had an endoscopy yesterday. A print out of the results was given to me there and then. I have Barrett’s Oesophagus, 3 stomach ulcers and severe gastritis and oesophagitis. The consultant told me it is all linked to long term steroid use because of my pmr. All the time I have been on pred I have been on acid pump inhibitors. I am trying to find an alkaline diet to follow to aid the healing of the ulcers. Have been started on Omeprazole 40mg twice daily and having another endoscopy in 2 months time. I am devastated at this news.

Liz.

[Hindags]

So sorry to hear this trouble. You must be really suffering with all that. Clearly the acid pump inhibitors weren’t working. What were you taking?

I hope you get good news next time.

I’ve had reflux for years due to a hiatal hernia. I’ve been taking omeprazole for many years now. On Pred for two years. Recently having a bit more trouble with reflux. Not sure why now, but I think it has had to do with going off the very low carb regimen and eating apples. I’d been off fruit due to the sugar content, but we have an apple tree.... Have been in better control this week and symptoms have abated some.

[polymy in reply to Hindags]

Thank you for your reply. I first of. All had Lansoprazole the Pantoprazole. The consultant prescribed Omeprazole. Make sure you get your acid reflux properly under control. I have been looking at an alkaline diet to help. I have been struggling to eat as I always feel nauseous. Have lost a stone in 3 months. Strangely enough I haven’t had any pain or bleeding.

[Hindags in reply to polymy]

My gerd took six years to diagnose. That 1974-1980.

[Primarose]

That's a is a lot for you to take in. You say in a previous post that you took AA, could that have contributed to your problems as well. It is well known for causing erosion the oesophagus.

Food to avoid is anything that that if you say, cut your finger and put the food on your finger it stings like lemon juice or vinegar. Garlic does that as well as tomatoes and some fruit. If the food stings a cut then don't put it in your stomach.

I didn't explain it very well but hope you get me drift!

A consultant told me this many years ago.

[polymy in reply to Primarose]

Hi Primrose. That is very useful information and I had forgotten all about taking AA for 18 months. I stopped taking it because of acid reflux. I suppose that rules out most fruit. I see that fatty foods also cause acid to be produced. Grains are also implicated as are dairy products. Beginning to wonder what I am going to eat.

[Primarose in reply to polymy]

Dessert apples would be OK and nannas, pears? My daughter has chronic acid reflux and avoids onions at all costs. She has found that Ranitidine taken several times a day is the only thing that helps. It's taken her a long time to find the right foods and eliminate the wrong ones but seems to have got it just about right now.

Not an easy task for you especially giving up some of your favourite foods. Even going out for a meal can be a trial.

[MhairiP in reply to polymy]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have a very useful chart of acid/alkaline foods; I can't attach it here, so was going to attach it in a private message to you, but there doesn't seem to be an attachment option in private messages. Oh well...

[polymy in reply to MhairiP]

Thank you so much for that very kind thought. Can probably find the info online somewhere.

Liz.

[SheffieldJane]

Sorry to hear this upsetting news. What treatment are the doctors planning?

I wonder sometimes, I have had 3/4 Oesophageal spasms and sensation in that area, stomach pain and upset digestive system. I wouldn’t be surprised to get your diagnosis. I haven’t used Omeprazole except at the beginning, just organic, Greek, natural yoghurt.Good luck and keep us posted. Hopefully it can heal?

[polymy]

Hi SD,

The only treatment at the moment is the Omeprazole and another endoscopy in 8 weeks. I am seeing my lovely GP this morning. I would really like something to stop me feeling sick so we shall see.

Liz.

[Sandradsn]

Hello Liz, sorry to hear your news and that your stomach problems are linked to pred! How long have you been taking it? x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm sorry to hear that and do hope it all heals well.

I hesitate to disagree with the specialist - but I would suspect the AA had far more to do with it than the pred though that possibly hasn't helped. Plus there is the fact that PPIs do not work for 1 in 3 patients who are put on them. This seems to escape the notice of a lot of doctors.

Ask for a referral to a dietician - they have the facts to hand.

[polymy in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting you should suggest a dietitian PmrPro. Have seen my GP this morning and have asked to see the dietician. I asked for bone scan earlier this year and my bones are fine. Didn’t need the AA anyway. I suspected it was causing my acid reflux. Stopping it didn’t really help. Hospital and GP both say steroid related. I have been on a very low dose of pred for well over a year so I do wonder if it just an easy scapegoat to say it’s pred. However, the result is the same and I have a very poorly digestive system and I am a stone lighter. Eating is difficult but very necessary. Thank you for your reply PMRpro.

Liz

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to polymy]

Actually if you google diet for Barrett's oesophagus brings up a load of links - though they are all a bit wishy - the NHS says "eat your 5 a day"!

Funny this denial about AA and pushing of "bad pred"...

[piglette in reply to polymy]

I find that doctors tend to blame pred for a lot of things, possibly because it keeps us patients happy rather than them saying “I haven’t a clue”. Sometimes it may be pred but other times I do suspect it may not be. I have a doctor who blames all my aches and pains on PMR, it was easy and kept me quiet. However I was extremely annoyed when I discovered I needed a new hip and he had said it was PMR and my hip was 100%!

[polymy]

Hi Sandra. Had been taking pred for 3 and a half years. Always suffered acid reflux although I did have enteric coated pred. Had ranitidine, lansoprazole and Pantoprazole. I was on the AA for the first 18 months but was blaming them for making it worse. My bone scan was normal anyway. Glad something was!

Liz

[Sandradsn in reply to polymy]

Good news about the bone scan then!