I was diagnosed with PMR and began 10 milligrams of Prednisone in December 12, 2019. It has been successfully treating my most of my pain and fatigue but just this past week I’ve been having some real issues with indigestion and/or acid reflux seemingly no matter what I eat. I’ve been eating antacids like candy it seems. Is this something that passes eventually or should I start taking an over the counter acid reducing medicine?
Thank you for any suggestions <3
We’re you prescribe Omeprazole or a similar stomach protecting drug at the outset. You may need it. It didn’t suit me and I have always taken my Pred with plain Greek yoghurt and don’t suffer from indigestion very much at all. Always take Pred with bland food.
Thanks for your reply Sheffield Jane. Actually the rheumatologist I saw didn’t give me any info or advice as far as the Prednisone was concerned. I picked up the prescription and followed the instructions. My next appt with her is on January 23rd.
Pred causes gastric irritation in most cases and you appear to be no exception. Some people on this forum get away with taking it with yoghurt, some with a hefty meal. Many need medicinal help in the form of proton pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole. Some don’t get on with that and use the anti histamine type like Ranitidine. I didn’t get on with any of them so ended up on enteric coated Pred and Gaviscon. Be wary of popping basic antacids because your stomach can go into overdrive producing more acid to counteract the stomach contents that has become too alkaline. It’s quite a blunt instrument for long term use.
Thank you for this information SnazzyD. I will call my doctor today and request some medication and will also be sure to take the prednisone with yogurt or a meal.
Were you not told to take your pred with food? On my bottle there is a label with capital letters saying take with food. If you can avoid the medications, particularly PPIs, please do so as they come with their own set of problems.
Yes- the bottle (in small letters on the side say take with food) and actually I always take it with milk and a piece of toast or granola breakfast bar. I find though that as the day goes on the heartburn, etc increases.
For many people a snack is not enough - pharmacists suggest in the middle of a solid breakfast, eat half, take the pred, eat the rest.
It’s difficult for me to eat a big breakfast early in the morning, but I will add something more substantial with what I already eat.
Thanks for the tip ❣️☺️
Because I gave up carbs when starting pred (high blood sugar) I changed my breakfast completely. It used to be a big bowl of cereal with milk, and tea. Now it's an orange, 1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds and two fried eggs (fried because I need the calories) - and tea of course. I find I now don't feel well if I eat too much in the way of wheat so have never gone back to having cereal. You may find something which is more appealing to you than your current early morning snack.
It is said that cutting carbs can also contribute to improving acid reflux.
scientificamerican.com/arti...
sciencedirect.com/science/a...
are just two links you will find online
Try this natural remedy.
Unwaxed Lemon, 1 minute in microwave (gives three times more juice), squeeze lemon, divide juice into three, take with water three times per day.
Just answered this on another thread. Tip supplied by a patient years ago and published in a booklet on PMR & GCA.
It sounds like you have the uncoated variety of pred which can cause stomach problems. One wonders why they did not mention this to you. You can get enteric coated pred which usually does not cause stomach problems.
You are correct PMRpro - I actually live in the USA in the state of Florida but find this site to be most helpful. I hope that’s not a problem 😬
I will ask my rheumatologist about the enteric coated prednisone pills. The only thing I read online concerning them is that the absorption takes much longer, but not sure if that’s an issue here and why they wouldn’t be prescribed?
Unfortunately I’ve only had one initial appointment with the rheumatologist and she simply gave me the prescription as I was leaving but with no other instructions except what the bottle stated 😕
Oh no, not at all a problem - but it was to point out that enteric coated/gastroresistant pred is not an option and justifying my detective work 
They just aren't stocked in many countries because they aren't used - which makes them silly expensive to obtain. They pass through the stomach - unlike Rayos/Lodotra which release after 4 hours in the right conditions but still in the stomach.
However, it is possible to buy gastroresistant gel capsules and put the plain pred into them to get the same effect - if you put up a post there are a few people on the forum who have experimented and do that.
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