PMR, prednisone and daily stomach pain, plus weekly pain Alendronic acid

[Cyclo5]

Wanted to ask:

1) who else suffers from stomach pains after taking their daily prednisolone?

I take 12mg/day+ omeprazole for tummy but still get stomach pains (doubled omeprazol dose recently too)

2) Same question for alendronic acid.... Always gives me really bad stomach pain. Is that a normal experience?

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

No it's not normal - for either. Think you need to speak to GP.

But just make sure that -

a. you take Pred with or after food

b. you take AA with plenty of water, and then sit down for 30mins - no laying down or bending over too far - before eating or drinking anything else.

[Cyclo5 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks - yes I follow both of those instructions, I'm one of those people that reads the leaflet with all meds. Told my GP and he doubled omeprazole dose, suggested a 4 week break from AA and then restart.

[jinasc]

Question.............have you had a Dexa scan to make sure you need AA?

Try this instead of the omna -

One lemon (unwaxed) microwave for 1 minute - triples the juice - divide by three - add water and take before meals.

[Cyclo5 in reply to jinasc]

I'll try that, thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

GP time I think - omeprazole doesn't work for some people and a check of why you have so much pain is needed. I'd be leaving the AA for a while too.

[Cyclo5 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[Blearyeyed]

Do you eat probiotic plain yoghurt and a teaspoon of honey before taking your medication?

If not , it's definitely worth trying it. Most of us use Yoghurt as our Pred Breakfast.

Also try increasing sipping cool water or green tea ( any flavour) through the day , especially the water with meals , often it's internal dehydration that affects your stomach lining too.

Many of us have stomach or other symptom issues using a PPI , but it usually comes from us having sensitive stomachs before PMR that we didn't notice everyday until we are on medications that irritate us.

If you think back before PMR , did you often get stomach upset when you had infection or injury , or did it play up when you were stressed , did you have bigger reactions to food that didn't agree with you than other people . If you can answer Yes , to many of these you have a sensitive stomach.

It is worth speaking to the GP , telling them the issue with your PPI , and requesting something else if you need it .

Also request some blood tests just to check and be sure that you haven't got any other stomach related issues like Coeliac or Ulcerative issues or Irritable Bowel , the peace of mind will be worth it.

I agree with the others too , check with a scan if you need the AA , if it's normal , most people choose not to take it until a scan proves it is needed , many people have side effects from using AA.

Take care xxx

[Cyclo5 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Good news, no pain or certainly very little as I tried the Total Greek yoghurt with honey plus some almonds pré the pred today. Much better, thank you very much indeed you're a 🌟

[Blearyeyed in reply to Cyclo5]

Oh Brilliant !

I'm so happy , I hope it keeps working for you , I love it with almonds and hazelnuts , especially roasted ones that I do in batches in the oven .

Hoping it will bring a bright pain free Christmas for you , take care xx

[Grammy80 in reply to Cyclo5]

Wow...that is great...these folks are magical~!!! I'm going to start the yogurt/honey myself. I've had two stomach bleeds ..years ago...but when the GCA and everything else came along...Dr. put me on Ranitidine becaus I hadn't taken an asprin in over 40 years...so I was on Dexilant anyway..but with the Pred and Actemera and Asprin.....I'm going to be a yogurt honey gal...happy this fixed you up. Merry Christmas

[Cyclo5]

Thanks again, I have a bone density scan booked for early Jan. Never really had stomach problems or sensitivities, though I'm not a lover of yoghurt. Might try some Greek yoghurt + honey

[YogaG in reply to Cyclo5]

I find that taking my 2 am prednisone with yogurt , applesauce and cinnamon sprinkled on top rocks ! I have it pre made before bedtime !

[readingbooks in reply to Cyclo5]

Or try 2 small cubes of cheese. that works for me

[Pixix]

Yes, I do! Omeprazole didn’t work for me, so my doctor doubled the dose. Still didn’t work. My doctor changed me onto lansaprozole or lansoprozole? And that is much better! Do still get some pain, though. Will check this morning re alendronic acid today is Day I take mine. I was having Pred at 3am with Philadelphia cheese, but now changed diet so taking it with a savoury biscuit, plain ones...I think that’s better, & also the time of day/night is better for me, too. Just my personal findings, but there were others who changed from Omeprazole to Lxxxx and were better, I took Omeprazole before I had PMR and wondered if that’s why it wasn’t effective...system too used to it?! Good luck!

[jinasc in reply to Pixix]

On of the side effects of Omna is aches and pains.

There is a cardio who when some one comes to him and they are on Omna, the first thing he does is stop them.

[Daffodilia]

I had a large portion of porridge before pred until under 7.5 and find an activity where I move around upright after Alendronic eg sorting CD shelves

[Omanain]

Maybe you could ask your doctor for gastro-resistant pred. It worked for me.