Marshmallow Root and Pred

[Omanain]

Some years ago, I had a very irritating cough. It was a tickle right in the corner of my throat and caused strong bouts of coughing, often for no apparent reason but sometimes just a sip of water would set it off. I was diagnosed by various doctors with allergies, acid reflux and post nasal drip but none of the remedies for these things worked. I had a chest X-Ray which was clear.

In a desperate Google search I came across marshmallow root and after a few days the cough stopped. I took it on and off until I was diagnosed with PMR when I stopped taking it because it must not be taken within a couple of hours either side of prescribed medicine as it can interfere with absorption. I already have to keep my thyroxine, pred, calcium a vitamin K separate and as I wasn’t coughing, I stopped it and forgot about it!!

Earlier this week I was diagnosed with GCA and I also have my cough back. Having checked out Marshmallow again I now remember that it is said to be a good gut protector.

“Marshmallow forms a protective layer on the skin and lining of the digestive tract.”

I have a few digestive problems and now I am on a high dose of pred Ranitidine is not quite coping, so I thought I would give it a try. I spoke to my GP who is happy for me to take it. Has anyone else tried it? Any Success?

rxlist.com/marshmallow/supp...

Hope the link works.

[Bronni]

Thanks. OH has irritating ( probably post nasal) cough at night. I’ll give it a try!

[Omanain in reply to Bronni]

Good luck. Night time coughing is the worst!!

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks Omanain. My pre- diagnosis (PMR) symptoms included an intensely irritating cough. It happens very occasionally now.

[Telian]

No haven't tried it but I get the very same cough symptoms as you, particularly the water setting it off, not all the time but when it does...I've always had a dry gravelly sounding throat since starting pred for GCA and PMR - just accept it's how it affects me, rheumy and GP don't say anything except it's long term steroid use - except I've had it from day one! (5years now).

I read with interest what you say, all these remedies, but shouldn't need it if on Ranitidine? but you say it's not working the same. I've just gone on it today instead of Omeprazole, fancied a less harmful PPI.

[Omanain in reply to Telian]

I have had gastric re-flux for years but Gaviscon Advance (not the other one, I needed cupfuls of that!) had always worked. Before I developed PMR the GP prescribed amytryptaline for a flair up of a pain condition. This gave me terrible acid and I was given Omeprazole to relieve it. Within 2 weeks I was seized with pain in my neck, shoulders and hips and Googling I discovered this could be caused by Omeprazole! I stopped taking it and expected the pain to go in a couple of weeks, but it didn't. After a few weeks of this my doctor took a blood test and sent me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed PMR. I took the first dose of pred in the morning and for the first night in a couple of months woke up with no pain. Just being able to get out of bed and put my dressing gown on seemed like a miracle.

I still have a suspicion the the Omeprazole caused my PMR and would never take it again but up until last week when I was diagnosed with GCA and given 60mg pred the Ranitidine was fine. Now I find it is not quite up to it so am hoping the Marshmallow root will pick up the slack. The cough has already stopped.

Good luck with your final reductions.

[Telian in reply to Omanain]

I've never suffered with acid reflux even when I was diagnosed with a small hiatus hernia last year - until now that is - I take Gaviscon Advance and it used to work but not as effective now. First day on Ranitidine so was wondering if it was due to the change in PPI? What does the Marshmallow root taste like? Pleased your cough has stopped - amazing, hope it stays that way.

Thanks.

[Omanain in reply to Telian]

I use capsules. I am in Britain and and buy most of my stuff on-line. I found the Power Health 500mg capsules most effective on the cough. The Holland and Barratt 400mg were not very effective. I am now hoping I will soon see an improvement in my digestive system. Do you think you will give it a try? I think Ranitidine and Ompezrazol work in different way but Ranitidine seems to cause less problems.

[Telian in reply to Omanain]

I’m in the UK too. Will keep a note of your recommendations. I’ve just started the Ranitidine - first day yesterday and had heartburn symptoms which I don’t usually get. A little easier this morning but still there, feel as if I’m hungry all the time. Took Gaviscon Advance but wasn’t effective - is this because I’ve changed from Omeprazole to Ranitidine do you think?

[Omanain in reply to Telian]

I think you can get a kick back when you stop Omeprazole. Hope it settles down soon, it did take a few days for the Ranitine to work on me.

[SnazzyD in reply to Telian]

There is a phenomenon where on stopping a PPI you can get rebound hyperacidity. Ranitidine works differently so won’t influence the receptors that are going mad now. People usually reduce gradually but I have no idea how the alternative drugs are tied in to that, that’s doctor stuff. I found after two weeks on Ranitidne I got rebound acidity so stopped it, but it took a good two weeks of acid hell for my stomach to adjust. I ended up on Gastro Resistant Prednisolone plus Gaviscon and never looked back.

[Telian in reply to SnazzyD]

Interesting and very useful, thanks Snazzy.

[Jim-CJ]

Yes, Omanain, my wife uses Marshmallow Root for her IBS. Her GI Doc never heard of it before! But he was taking notes. Works for her. She also has GCA, but now at 5mgs of Prednisone and using Actemra, she doesn't have a cough anymore.

Take Care,

Jim & CJ

[Omanain]

I will keep my fingers crossed that it will also work for me!

Your wife is doing well, I hope the last 5mg don't prove too difficult.