Diagnosed August 22, 2022 with PMR. Started at 40 mg pred now down to 16.25. This week extreme upper stomach pain no matter when or what I eat. Trying bland diet. Not helping much. Had some explosive diarrhea. No fun.
is this caused by pred?
bless for being there. This is a lonely condition.
No, not something I would associate with pred although pred can cause gastric irritation and pain.
You DO need medical advice though unless there are any reasons to think it is a bug.
H.pylori from the previous high dose?
Yes Pred can cause gastritis if the irritation gets out of control and you should have been advised as it is clearly on the information that goes with this medication. Normally doctors like to prescribe an anti acid in conjunction. Are you taking the Pred with a decent amount of food? Is this new after a long period of being ok?
I had daily diarrhoea when on higher doses that reduced as the dose became lower.
I’m trying a mono bland food diet. It’s better but boring. I’ll study H pylori. Thanks
I have diverticulitis that has been triggered by Pred I believe, mind you it took years to develop. Never take Pred on an empty stomach. Greek yoghurt is good. Did they prescribe something to protect your gut, like Omeprazole? I kind of wish I’d taken it now. You may have triggered something that was already in your gut. I had a series of tests camera, colonoscopy and endoscopy. As PMRPro says, this could be an infection that needs to be diagnosed and treated, a stool sample taken. Your determination to manage your condition will pay off. Stick with us.
I have gastritis - found after taking Omeprazole for 6 years ( was given it when first started Pred as ‘I would need it’) and now told it had caused it. Some are okay on it I wasn’t.
Do you take anything to protect your GI system?
I am not happy with Lansoprazole- it works in the acute but I worry about long term effects. Diverticulitis flares are really life limiting. It’s all they offer.
I was on lansoprazole and due to explosive diarrhoea was shifted to Omeprazole and things then settled down again. It is so difficult as it really does seem to be what works for one doesn't necessarily work for all.
I prefer Lansoprazole, I got oral thrush with omeprazole.
The gastritis was so bad I was sent to A&E with suspected heart attack. I was pleased it wasn’t but shocked it was severe gastritis caused by the Omeprazole I’d taken for 6 years! They wanted to give me Lansoprazole but I was already on the maximum dose of 60mg. So sent me for an endoscopy which revealed ‘not quite an ulcer’ and gave me Famotidine 40mg to take at night - it gave me instant relief. I still take it. They also found a small hiatus hernia for which I regularly take prescribed Gaviscon. Since starting Famotidine I have reduced Lansoprazole to 45mg. Hoping to try another reduction some time. I too get debilitating right sided pain and have been on the trolley twice to have appendix out but aborted last minute as not appendicitis. Each time was then treated for a UTI.
I understand your anxiety re long term use of Lansoprazole. Have you tried stopping it to see how you are? Perhaps a chat with your GP about how you feel and what alternatives there might be. 🌺
I am not out of pain yet but it is improving, I am on Buscopan too. I wonder if Famotidine would be even better?
No one mentioned omeorazol.
It’s usually prescribed along side Pred as a matter of course.
See SnazzyD’s reply
I was diagnosed with erosive gastritis which they put down to long term Pred.
I am not convinced. I have the Gastro coated variety AND I took omeprazole.
There are many things that can cause gastritis and diarrhoea, such as HPylori - so you probably need an upper endoscopy as a first step, and stool testing, to check it out.
I was told that most older people have diverticulosis, I am apparently just unlucky that it flares up painfully. My GP is quite casual about it but it can be horribly life limiting - pain, diet etc.
Does it flare often Jane? I feel the same as you about the life limiting situation, but for different reasons. I know we have similar symptoms and I’ve yet to find a diet to treat all bases!
Is your diverticulitis in the colon?
It is in my lower intestine and the real point of pain is on the right which is also unusual, it feels like a boil then it spreads across the lower abdomen. I have had occasional vomiting, frequent diahorrea and what feels like a blocked bowel at times. Nobody will want to know now as only Diverticular disease and a small hiatus hernia were found with all the colonoscopies endoscopies and the camera endoscopy. It is always on the point of flaring and the triggers seem to vary.
I have all that too. Do you get wind and bloating too? Upper or lower?
I can only think of two things that the normal tests wouldn’t pick up and that is SIBO (which can be confirmed or not, by a breath test) and intestinal Candida.
When all this was happening to me, and they put it down to Crohns, I just knew there was something else going on.
Might be worth researching?
Thanks Songbird69 I will.
Biologics can cause both as can PPIs.
Regarding intestinal Candida. I've had Candida all my adult life. It has affected me badly for many years, but a while ago my daughter read up about the symptoms (itchy ears, falling asleep after eating, etc) and advised me to start taking Capryllic acid and Acidopholus.
I followed her advice and within a couple of months I was staying awake during the day, sleeping better at night, and the itchy ears went away.
With the Candida finally under control I discontinued the Capryllic acid and Acidopholus, and all was well for several years. However, more recently I've started getting other symptoms of uncontrolled Candida. Rampant Athlete's Foot, Tinea Cruris (VERY embarrassingly uncomfortable!!!) and daytime sleeping, nighttime wakefulness, etc.
So it's back to the Capryllic acid and Acidopholus once more, to sort out my digestive system and knock down the Candida fungus to a more manageable level, as well as using particular shampoos and creams for the external symptoms.
Thank you for posting this. I was taking a supplement containing Caprylic acid but it had other stuff in it and think it made my gastritis worse. So, I’ll get one with just the Caprylic acid.
I also take Saccharomyces Boulardii which is supposed to be good too.
I’ll try the acidophilus.
Great advice. Thanks.
Awful Jane , my daughter has it and my son in law . They’re both plant based .
I’m getting some bad gastrointestinal symptoms, scared to eat sometimes with bloating and pain .
It causes anxiety which then causes flare ups of IBS .
I won’t Dr Google , found a good site NO MORE PANIC , they’re very helpful with gastric conditions.
Take care lovely ❤️
I will look for it, thank you. I am plant based mostly, occasional fish and rare chicken. Spice is out alas.
Jane my symptoms are very much like yours, lower right too when the majority of diverticulitis and bowel problems are on the lower left . I was rushed in with suspected appendicitis , but nothing was obvious.
The person who started No More Panic had IBS and gastric issues, the majority do . It isn’t a depressing alarming place .
I’ve looked at SIBO , also have small hiatus hernia picked up by the endoscopy.
I daren’t have spices , such a pity I love a good curry and fish and chips would be glorious.
Slippery elm is helpful, and some other gastric supplements I’ve found . If you need any further info.
Garlic and peppermint are too harsh for my stomach.
Restricted to bland and boring for now.
Let’s look forward to better times and you’ve got Australia 😍😊 xx
That is really similar to me. I was puzzled to see that people of Asian heritage tend to experience pain on the lower right abdomen. I wonder why?
My pain begins exactly where the appendix is. The GP pressed on it hard and it didn’t hurt much - he said I would have jumped out of my skin had it been appendicitis. So that was never explored. An operation might have solved everything.
Jane it’s interesting about the Asian people experiencing pain on the lower right rather than the left .
Is it diet or anatomy !
I didn’t believe grumbling appendix was a true condition but apparently it is .
The knowledge doesn’t fill me with joy .
You’d have definitely reacted with pressure on the area
They saw it via CT scan when my son had appendicitis and he jumped when the area was pressed.
He had had symptoms building up for several months.
On a recent colonoscopy after food poisoning, he’s got a loopy bowel. It took 7 hours for the prep to start working.
I think it vital to try and stay empty but that brings its own unpleasant side effects.
I tested negative for H Pylori , it would have been an easier treatment.
Never mind Songbird, I hope you’re feeling better.
Yes - I kind of wish HPylori was discovered for me. Easier to eradicate and get back to normal! Forgotten what normal is!
I see GP November 7. I’ll ask about H pylori
You’re right, what is normal? Let’s hope we get some of it back eventually.
Take care, …..an extra hour in the morning 😍.
Hate the dark nights , looking at Danish Hygge coziness to hunker down for Winter and roll on the Spring ❤️
Me too, woollen throws, sheepskin rugs, white fairy lights, candles er soup ( safe).
Cozy comforts , pretty lights , our soup and a good film or boxset 😍
Fingers crossed.
An extra hour in the morning will be good, even though it takes me weeks to get used to the new times!
Hate the dark nights too, but it won’t be too long until the shortest day!
Time flies.
So true Songbird , once we get the winter solstice we know we’re heading back to longer days . It helps psychologically at least.
It takes ages to adjust to the new times . I was half expecting them to leave it at BST . Time flies so quickly, soon be 2024 .
This year has been a tough one hopefully next year is better on this rollercoaster ride called life . ❤️
Prednisilone caused my gastritis but it took 4 years to develop and a blasé attitude from myself.
Taking the steroids on an empty stomach and rushing around caring for unwell family members.
An endoscopy revealed the lesions and I was advised to take Omeprazole.
Also changed to enteric coated pred .
Like most things, I learned the hard way , even with gastric resistant pred I always take them with yoghurt.
Now struggling to taper off the Omeprazole without the rebound reflux .
I’ll ask about enteric coated pred. Thanks
You’re welcome, they’ve helped me tremendously but don’t work as quickly as normal Pred .
I took Entric coated Pred for years and I think that is why the damage and pain seems to be at the lower extremities of my intestinal tract rather than higher up. I got oesophageal spasms when on uncoated Pred - agonising. I just get bland looks from GPs.
Jane me too , it was how I’d imagine a heart attack. Like being crushed . Heart was fine it was silent acid in the oesophagus.
I have acid reflux which feels very similar to my heart attack. Very painful.
Oh Rach, I have that , it crushes your chest like a vice and lasts for hours .
Horrendous condition.
I hope you’ve been given something that eases it .
So relieved you’ve found out what it was and can treat it now .
Take care X
I’ve been given Lansoprazole in place of Pantoprazole but still woke with pain last night.
I agree about being afraid of eating, I’ve cut out so many foods but really I do think it’s due to the cocktail of medications I’m taking.
I’m trying to taper off Omeprazole but even on 20mg/40mg I was getting breakthrough symptoms.
I agree it’s mainly medication , I have to avoid onions , garlic , black peppers, spices etc .
Cabbage water soothes , slippery elm helps .
It’s a horrible condition.
I hope it settles and you are symptom free .
Sending hugs x
I know each individual has their own triggers but I did try the low fodmap ‘diet’ when I was taking fewer meds. I tried eliminating acid forming foods which worked very well until heart meds. particularly aspirin were added.
Thank you, hoping we can all find a solution.
Aspirin is going to definitely be a massive trigger. You’re in a catch 22 with heart meds .
I do hate all that we go through, constantly going around in circles.
I’ve also lifted the top of my bed with books . Hopefully someone can do that for you.
It seems to have helped a little, as Ryann said sitting up for a good hour after eating.
Take care, they’ll have to increase your PPI if you’re still getting breakthrough and need Aspirin.
Bless you, take care and let us know how you are . xx
I’ve definitely had gastritis type symptoms with Pred.
At higher doses above 5mg I was given Lanzeprole which kept it at bay.
A simple point that helps is not lying down after taking the pills or sleeping propped up a bit on pillows. Especially if you’re taking doses at night you may be getting reflux lying down again straight away and again if not the enteric coated ones it’s easily triggered.
Take care
I'm having terrible acid reflux it is so strong it feels like battery acid when it comes up and feel like I can't breath and choke...I've noticed butter (which I love) makes it far worse and spicey foods its terrible at bedtime and often can't lay down ..I take all my medication in the morning only my Lansoprazol at night ...Its horrendous ...
Can pred cause muscle spasms?
Pred..... Gastritis and Mouth Sores?
Cutting Gastro coated Pred. 
alternate days pred
Pred
