IBS and steroids

[Bachfugue]

My sister in law, newly diagnosed with PMR, is finding her IBS (irritable bowel) has worsened since taking steroids. Her initial dose is 15 mgms. She has also been prescribed Omeprazole. Has anyone suffered with an upset bowel whilst taking these medications?

[piglette]

I have been OK, but I have the enteric coated tablets.

[Maisie1958]

I felt very nauseous and bloated etc when given Omeprazole. I really didn’t get on with it at all. I was fine just taking prednisolone with yoghurt but I don’t have IBS. If she does stop the ppi after being on it for a while then best to wean off gradually.

[Bachfugue in reply to Maisie1958]

Thanks. And I have suggested this to her.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Did it coincide with/follow starting omeprazole? That is far more likely than the pred - although it may depend on the fillers used in the pred tablets, they can also pose problems.

[Jayveedee]

I had terrible diarrhoea while taking Prednisolone and Lansoprazole but once I stopped the Lansoprazole (after reading an article about it) it cleared up completely.

[Bachfugue in reply to Jayveedee]

Thanks for this. Really helpful. I’ve advised her to stop the Omeprazole for now, but to take tabs with yoghurt or other food.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bachfugue]

If that isn't enough she could try famotidine or cimetidine (replacements for ranitidine). Acid suppressants but a different mechanism so different side effects.

Though for my husband it must have been the lack of acid that caused his problems - he practically exploded and it happened with calcium carbonate supplements too.

[Bachfugue]

Thanks. Will pass on. Would probiotics help with episodes of IBS too?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bachfugue]

Difficult to say - does for some, not for others.

[Seacat30]

My digestion went rapidly downhill on lansoprazole which is also a PPI. I stuck it for 10 weeks and then tapered off.

Your sister isn't a vegetarian or vegan is she. I have read suggestions that the body produces less stomach acid if it does not have to digest meat.

I suspect that was true of me and an extended dose of PPI was really unhelpful.

[Bachfugue]

Interesting. But no, she’s not either vegan nor vegetarian. However, even after two days free of Omeprazole she is feeling a better. She had only been taking it along with Pred for three weeks. Another newbie.