I’d been taking famotidine for more than three months and have now been taking omeprazole for almost 4 weeks to deal with upper stomach pain as well as a strong acid taste in my mouth. They’ve both helped a bit but I’m still having pain and acid taste. Given all the problems that can arise from these medications, particularly omeprazole, I’m looking for a more natural approach. After all, stomach acid is vital for food digestion. (By the way, I’ve stopped drinking coffee and don’t drink alcohol at all. I’ve also stopped eating spicy foods.) I’ve been drinking organic ginger tea (from teabags) for the past three months after meals. I’m thinking of taking aloe vera juice and enzymes after I’m finished tapering off the omeprazole (concerned about interactions). Would love to hear of any ideas related to my situation, and, in particular, what others would think about aloe vera juice and enzymes as treatment for my stomach problems. Thanks so much
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Hello, it is difficult to comment without knowing what your diagnosis is and what medications you are on. I think this was said in reply to your last post. It really does help if you put in some background.
Thanks for your responses. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t notice that this website is particularly for people with Polymyalgia rheumatica, etc. I do have Sjogren’s disease as well as other markers for autoimmune diseases but nothing specific. Also, I have debilitating knee and back problems, but no longer take medications for these as nothing seem to have helped significantly. So, I don’t take anything other than thyroid hormones (and the medications for digestion, of course).
Ah well it’s not too embarrassing; you’re not that far out with an autoimmune condition! Before you go though, if you haven’t had proper investigations into the acid, you should get them because chronic acid can lead to big problems later. You need them to rule out infection with Helicobacter pylori and issues like hiatus hernia etc. what works will depend on the cause of the excess acid. Have your back and knee pains been investigated for an autoimmune cause?
Thanks for your responses. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t notice that this website is particularly for people with Polymyalgia rheumatica etc. I do have Sjogren’s disease as well as other markers for autoimmune diseases but nothing specific. Also, I have debilitating knee and back problems, but no longer take medications for these as nothing seem to have helped significantly. So, I don’t take anything other than thyroid hormones (and the medications for digestion, of course).
That’s no problem - generally we are ‘experts’ in our own conditions so wanted to make sure we had a handle on your situation. Almost without exception we’re all (or have been) on Prednisolone to treat Polymyalgia Rheumatica or Giant Cell Arteritis - with Large Cell Vasculitis thrown in for good measure.
Many of us have co-morbidities or other Autoimmune Conditions as well.
Your answer above would be useful to add to your Profile as everyone will ask if you have PMR or GCA whenever you ask a question.
I see that pred (prednisone or prednisolone) can be used to treat Sjogrens, at least initially. How are you feeling these days? I went down a little rabbit hole when I saw your possible diagnosis, not really knowing anything about Sjogrens before (except it has something to do with dry eyes and mouth?).
Thanks so much for your interest. I’ve been dealing with a significant degree of debilitation, first with my knees and then with my back, for over the last almost 30 years. I guess I’ve managed to adjust to my limitations by creating a rather rigid schedule of daily activities (walking, exercises, etc.). This schedule (which varies overtime, depending on my degree of debilitation) allows me to not always be focused on what I can physically do.
Anyway, the gastroenterologist I saw is convinced that my digestive issues are caused by Sjogren’s because, as you said, it causes a decrease in salivary gland production. Saliva coats the digestive tract which prevents it from becoming inflamed. He’s convinced that I should just keep taking medications, such as omeprazole and famotidine, and don’t worry about the side effects. As these medications have not provided significant relief, and they can have terrible secondary effects, I’m looking for alternatives.
Among other things, I've had stomach issues and ulcers on and off for many years, sixty years. I've taken many different meds and when I started on Prednisone was given omeprazole. Later on my doctor switched me to sulcrafate, used to be brand name Carafate. This has really done the job for me, completely. Check with your physician and see if this is a workable possibility for you given your other medications. Everyone is so unique!!💕
Thanks so much for your comment. Before starting the omeprazole, I added sucralfate to Famotidine I had already been taking. I took them together for about a week and a half. Unfortunately, it didn’t help completely, which is why I started taking the omeprazole. When I took omeprazole three years ago for a month and a half, it resolved the issue completely and I had no further problems until last October. I was hoping that would happen again, but it hasn’t. My stomach pain is more severe than it was three years ago, which may have something to do with it.
I wish I could offer advice. Have found reading about the syndrome very interesting. What kinds of advice have doctors offered to help you manage the symptoms, along with medication of course? I know with PMR for example there are things we can do which help, as well as our necessary medication, and also things we have to do to manage the medication (prednisone) itself!
Yes you need acid - but the point is that the acid in combination with other factors can lead to damage of the inside of the stomach - potentially resulting in the formation of ulcers and all that can go with that like bleeding and, in the extreme, perforation of the gut wall. If that is a possibility, then management of any excess acid is of benefit. I think it really is something to discuss with a gut specialist to work out what you are at at risk of and to what extent. Is actually reducing acid production required - or would more everyday indigestion remedies like Gaviscon be enough.
I suffer from acid reflux due to a weak stomach valve. I saw a Gastroenterologist whilst taking higher doses of prednisolone for PMR. When I had my last gastroendoscopy my consultant found I had gastritis. He recommended taking Gaviscon advance after every meal and before bed for a period of two weeks. It worked for me and I felt so much better. I would suggest you discuss this with your doctors. Hope you get some relief soon x
This comes from Tips and Tricks passed on by PMR & GCA people. They do not work for everyone (as we are all unique, but worth a try.
NATURAL REMEDIES.
Golden Rule - check all Homepathic remedies for compatibility.
a) 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.
b) Live yoghurt and probiotic supplements help with stomach problems, help prevent 'thrush' & also helps you to absorb vitamins & minerals.
c) One teaspoonful of Manuka honey per day, boosts immune system and is a natural anti-biotic, Jar must be labelled UMF +5 +10 +15 +20 strength. It is expensive, but Holland & Barrett often have offers on. Best taken with a pro-biotic yoghurt.
Your history sounds like what I went through before I was diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori. I tried all sorts of natural remedies. After the doctor took a look at endoscope and did a biopsy I indeed had that infection. I was treated with antibiotics and it went away. My stomach was sore for a while afterwards and natural stuff helped. If it is indeed Helicobacter pylori that is a cause of most ulcers.
I don’t have any suggestions on remedies but my mother-in-law has GERD and has to avoid garlic, onion, tomato, mint in addition to coffee and spicy foods. She is very strict about it and is much improved.
Hi I had terrible gastritis a few months ago so bad that had an endoscopy which showed inflammation is stomach and duodenum
Tried Omeprazoke,Lanzoprazole,Famotidine without any success- felt they all gave me a gnawing empty feeling and maybe psychologically I didn’t want to take them as have osteoporosis
Soo I ate bland foods- fish or chicken,Rice,Pasta,Porridge- no fried foods etc lots of kefir
Enteric coated Pred
Took ages but finally got better and now eating normally!
I just want to thank everybody so much for their well thought out and very helpful responses to my posts. In fact, I’m quite impressed by the extent of the knowledge shown in these. While many of the tips that have been given here are ones that I’ve already had experience with, others I’ve been unaware of. And the tips that relate to approaches I’ve already thought of have given me a clearer perspective on these approaches. I’m in the process of trying to get a test for H. pylori. I’ve been thinking of trying Gaviscon and wondering about the difference between this and sucralfate/Carafate. I haven’t had much luck with the latter. Also wondering if anybody’s had any experience with approaches using ginger or aloe vera juice or enzymes.
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Breathing difficulties
Difficulty swallowing 
Treating urinary tract infections with Mannose
monitoring my GCA with difficulty
PMR and difficulty tapering prednisone. 
