Stomach issues again

[Gaz227]

Any tips , I can’t take the prazole group of meds shocking head aches , I already take coated pred 3.5mg , I just had alfizosin a prostate med added to my collection of drugs and my stomach is playing up its probably what is causing it, I have the stronger Gaviscon to take after meals but that also makes me nauseous . Another other ideas before a get back to the GP, I just wish I could throw the whole box of drugs in the bin , there is always another problem with side effects 😩

[SnazzyD]

Hello, I avoided taking gaviscon immediately after meals because it made my meal sit heavy. I suspect it affected the digestion by reducing the acidity too much. I took it a bit later once the food has left the stomach a bit more.

[Gaz227 in reply to SnazzyD]

As soon as I eat my gurgling stomach really goes into overdrive plus it cramps up , I’ve tried to avoid eating anything thing before bed time but I have to take an Alfzosin tablet before bed and it says eat with food , catch 22

[jinasc]

You could try this..........a PMR patient supplied this tip:

Acid Reflux: Unwaxed Lemon, 1 minute in microwave (gives three times more juice), squeeze lemon, divide juice into three, take with water three times per day.

[Gaz227 in reply to jinasc]

Thanks sounds like it’s worth a go

[Gaz227 in reply to jinasc]

Would this be before meals or after meals or just whenever ?

[jinasc in reply to Gaz227]

Most people take it before meals, at least half an hour. Others take it after the meal.

See which one works for you.

[Gaz227 in reply to jinasc]

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you tried an H2-antagonist such as famotidine or cimetidine (Pepcid or Tagamet are brand names). They do the same as a PPI but with a very different mechanism of action so different side effects.

There are alternative medications for BPH, maybe something else would reduce the adverse effects problem.

[Gaz227 in reply to PMRpro]

Are those stomach meds over the counter drugs ? I’m on my 3 rd BPH drug now not having much luck with them , the ones that work ness up the rest of my system .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaz227]

At lower doses yes, maybe need a script for higher doses - Pepcid and Tagamet are sold OTC. Maybe 2 at lower doses might get the result with fewer adverse effects - that works with BP medication and I do know of people taking both a PPI and an H2 antagonist. And sometimes with something like Gaviscon added in?

[Gaz227 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I will check them out 👍

[Seekingasolution]

The people who have replied here know more than I do on this topic but I was just wondering why you have to take a PPI? I have discovered recently that if I’m careful about what foods I eat then I can avoid indigestion altogether. Carbohydrate seems to be a problem for me. A piece of hot buttered toast can give me indigestion all day. But now with a regime mostly of meat or fish or protein of some sort with veg, smaller portions , restricted caffeine, little alcohol and a good three hours space before I go to bed, including no fluids, I seem to have cracked it !

[Gaz227 in reply to Seekingasolution]

I’m a veggie , also very little gluten or diary , 12 months this month and until recently it was going well . Reduced another couple of Mg of pred , but once this BPH drug was introduced at a higher Mg it’s all gone pear shaped . I was given Gaviscon advance by ENT consultant and told to take it 4 times a day for 2 months , from my experience of Gaviscon advance it could be adding to the problem, get so bloated and nauseous and the stomach gurgling is crazy .

[Seekingasolution in reply to Gaz227]

Funnily enough I took gaviscon advance one bedtime recently and I had to sit up for about 2 hours with gurgling and feeling very queasy. Put me right off. But doesn’t sound like it’s suiting you either. Back to the GP/Consultant / pharmacist for advice.

[Gaz227 in reply to Seekingasolution]

Yes I think that’s the next step

[SheffieldJane in reply to Gaz227]

I was going to suggest that you ask for a referral for investigations. Much as I dread it, I think that possibly some damage has been done. Diverticulitis seems to fit my symptom picture.

[Gaz227 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Fingers crossed it’s not

[Hildalew in reply to Gaz227]

Have you tried taking plain, 'live' yoghurt with your medication? (I realise that you are a veggie but you don't appear to rule out dairy yet. ) Before PMR I only rarely took any medication but had adopted a practice of always taking some yoghurt alongside any pill I might take. I've now been on Pred for two and a half years and have had no digestive problems at all. I have no 'proper' medical knowledge at all - just assume that the yog provides a coating/'barrier' round the pills and may do some magic with the live,' friendly', bacteria that it contains.

I don't know whether 'vegetarian' yoghurt (eg coconut yoghurt) has the same level of live bacteria in it. I must do some Googling on that. Oh - I use goat's milk yoghurt because my system just doesn't like the cow's milk I can get at the supermarket. I have no problem with cow's milk-based cheese.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hildalew]

godairyfree.org/ask-alisa/a...

For the UK

livekindly.co/get-your-gut-...

mybest-gb.uk/10246

[Hildalew in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much!

[Carrollee in reply to Hildalew]

There is a live yoghurt made from almond milk. It’s called NUSH. No sugar or sweetners in the raspberry or strawberry one just fruit purée. Live vegan cultures. That’s what I use 🤗

[Hildalew in reply to Carrollee]

Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hildalew]

Carrollee mentions the crucial point: MUST be live cultures, not a heat-treated after production long life product.

[Casia]

I so sympathise. I had a very bad gastritis flare last September post hip surgery and fortunately I managed to wean off pred (after 3.5 years) omeprazole and post hip surgery drugs thus improving my tummy, having had various gastroscopies, CT scan etc. It will take a lot to convince me to take anything other than my daily thyroxine now. I do hope your situation improves too as mine has though at times I never thought it would.

[Pr0jection]

I tried goat's kefir which is a natural probiotic, as well as probiotic capsules (3 per day) as I suffer from gastritis which can be worse on pred. So far, so good.....

[Daffodilia]

I like mint tea for nausea