This is the second time in 6 months that I have serious stomach problems. No matter what I eat or don't eat, I feel like I have really bad reflux. Last time I changed from Nexium to Dexilant, had an endoscopy and was treated for H-pylori even though I tested negative. I felt better for about 3 1/2 months and it is back again. Does anyone else get this kind of stomach issues?
Kim
Sorry you have this! I have had chronic reflux for over a year now. I have to take dexilant, also. It is controlled as long as I take it. Hope it works for you.
Nexium stopped working for me after I was on it for something like three years, and then I read where it can keep your body from absorbing calcium, and as a woman of a certain age, calcium is important to me.
Now I take good old fashioned Carafate -- an old but effective medicine. When I'm having a stomach problem I take it exactly as directed: four times a day, an hour before each meal and at bedtime. Within a day or two I'm all better and can take it only before bed. If I miss a few days or a week or more, I'll have a flare-up and will have to go back to the four-times-a-day regimen.
Hope this helps.
Hi :)
I have stomach isuues and was initially treated for H-pylori. I was positive for them though. The symptoms didn't go away so I had an endoscopy. Turned out I have a hiatal hernia so I have to take omeprazole everyday. Every so often it flares up and I have to double the dose for a couple of weeks.
take care - Scottie :)
I have the same issue and unfortunately haven't found a solution yet :(
I take domperidone and omeprazole and it doesn't control it. It's normally in the evening after a meal and comes on very suddenly. Makes me feel like I'm going to be sick! Horrible :(
Docs are stumped, just tell me to up my domperidone.
You know sometimes its like a rock and a hard place lol
I have to take the ppi's for gerd, but at the same token its been said sjs dries up the stomach, cant win for losing. I read somewhere that too little acid production can produce the symptoms like too much, and that the only way to know is a test for production.
Also long term ppi's are bad juju for the bones they really cause terrible bone loss. I am going to have to try to fine a solution because I dont intend to stay on them much longer.
willak
When I took Celebrex it ruined my stomach. I had to take nexium twice a day for months and stop the Celebrex to make it better. Do you think it could be the meloxicam irritating your stomach? CK
It could be the meloxicam, but without it, my hands hurt so much that I can't do anything. Maybe I'll try the carafate. This is truly miserable. At least it's not just me. I must say that I am sure it is either Sjogrens or medication for Sjogrens systems related.
Kim
I have been getting gurd or gerd so bad that I am going to the dr Friday again for this. I get burning between my breasts through to my back (sorry to be so descriptive). It could easily be mistaken for a heart attack but I know it's not. I have been having this long enough to know what it is. I forget my first post-sjogrens med was for gerd. That one didn't work and then I was put on the Purple pill (Nexium) and now that doesn't work.
I was wondering what others use when this doesn't work any more. I'll write down the name Dexilant. As much trouble as I'm having maybe an endoscopy will be ordered. I've never had one. lucy
I started with nausea so severe 7 years ago that I must have been pregnant, I thought then remembered I'd had a hysterectomy a few years before ... ha ha for a non funny subject. Nausea was disabling. This was my first and now foremost Sjogren's problem, along now with GERD, motility issues, and lack of appetite.
Had 2nd EGD in 3 years done recently and now on Dexilant and Motilium-- which is the brand name Domperidone. If you decide to use Domperidone, it is EXCELLENT to control nausea and helps immensely with slow motility, but don't buy the generic. It is not as effective. If you live in the US, you must order from outside, I order from New Zealand.
Unfortunately, Sjogren's can dry out our GI tract and cause myriad associated issues, such as esophagitis and more. Gotta (not) love this disease.
Also, I find Dexilant to be the absolute best to control GERD. It is more expensive, but worth it.
I have an update. A couple of months ago I started taking a probiotic every morning with 16 ounces of water. I do this as soon as I wake up, although I drink the water over a period of about 45 minutes.
At the moment, my stomach issues are resolved. Yea!
Hooray...so glad to hear that. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. CK
every am , on empty tummy when i take synthroid, i also take my probiotic, two mastic gum capsules then i chew 1-2 DGL Licorice tabs...
I take zantac 150 breakfast and dinner-
most of the time I am great-
if indeed I make bad choices in food, i have to go to 300 mg zantac for a afew days..
i refuse to take ppis
also been linked with high rate of c- diff
also they cause rebound-trying to wean off is a bear.
also ginger tea is a good digestive helper on a bad evening
lori
If you search on stomach or GI you will find quite a few posts on this topic as stomach issues and Sjogrens seem to go together.
I had H Pylori, intestinal metaplaysia, and gastritis a year ago. H Pylori was eradicated, but I did have GERD for quite a while (before and after). I was given a PPI and then found out about the side effects of long term use, but as others noted, could not kick it due to rebound reflux.
Since I started Plaquenil (actually the generic version) four months ago and believe it is helping to heal my stomach (by increasing moisture) and I have been cutting back on the PPI. Stomach can take a long time to heal so it may be that it's recovering from the infection and related inflammation.
I tried probiotics, they did not help and eventually my face started to break out when I was on them. I since learned one must be careful about the sources and purity or you can end up with an over abundance of the wrong type of bacteria.
FYI, I am also gluten and dairy free (dairy can cause rebound acid due to a chemical in it). I have been mostly soy free, but recently found a gluten free roll at Trader Joe's that has soy flour and I am tired of eating brown rice bread all the time. I learned today from a nurse/nutritionist that soy can block thyroid function so you would not want to take it if you have issues on that front.
Three other things that have helped include sitting up straight, deep breathing, and checking where my bra is positioned (if too low it presses on my diaphragm and seem to induce Gerd).
I've had stomach problems since Feb.. Started as nausea but now is acid reflux.. It hurts so bad I thought I was having a heart attack.. It's a burning pain starts in mid chest, goes through to my back, up to my bottom jaw and down my left arm..
I've been on Dexilant and it doesn't help at all.. It doesn't matter what I eat either.. I can eat spicy food and not have a problem, then eat something bland and it hurts terribly.. But the next time it may be just the opposite.. I have found that alka seltzer won't get rid of it but it will stop the really bad pain that feels like a heart attack..
My PCP is sending me to a gastro doc to have an endoscopy.. I hope they find out what causes it and can do something about it.. I have so many pillows in my bed to keep me upright because it burns if I lay down.. It is not comfortable sleeping sitting up all the time..
I have to add to the discussion that Carafate really does work well. There are some drugs that you can't take prior to or after the carafate (couple of hours leeway) but otherwise it is really a great drug. We used it a lot many years ago before all the PPI came out. Now, they seem to think that the PPI's will take care of all the reflux issues and don't prescribe the carafate as much.
It settles my tummy quite a bit each time I take it and in a couple of days my GERD is much improved. It tastes like chalk though but no that bad. You just place the tablet in a tablespoon or so of water and let it dissolve and then drink it. This little concoction is referred to as a carafate "slurry". I don't know who comes up with all the descriptive names for the meds. Good luck. Irish
I was having terrible stomach problems for a couple of years. Diarrhea and pain. I thought I had parasites, then I thought I was lactose intolerant. My doctor recommended Pancreatin or pancreatic enzyme and I'm doing remarkably better.
Forgot to mention -- for constipation try buckwheat -- it draws water into the intestines. I love it but had to stop eating it because it was causing my movements to be too loose.
Sunflower seeds help as well.
Quote from: Helene on May 18, 2013, 10:27:34 PM
I was having terrible stomach problems for a couple of years. Diarrhea and pain. I thought I had parasites, then I thought I was lactose intolerant. My doctor recommended Pancreatin or pancreatic enzyme and I'm doing remarkably better.
I have to say I have recently started pancreatic enzymes and they've been great. They have reduced my pain, diarrhoea, nausea and reflux markedly. I'm hoping to stay on them long term.
When I went to see a new GI he instantly said you have sjogren's, your pancreas is probably dry and put me on them. How I appreciate that he prescribed them! :)
Are the pancreatic enzymes you use prescription or can I find them at my favorite health food/supplement store?
Pancreatic enzymes are non prescription. I buy mine from Amazon and they are pretty cheap. They are a food supplement. My Rheumy suggested them and my pcp said that he recommends them too.
The ones I use (creon) appear to be prescription only?? Maybe it's the differing strength as high doses can cause problems long term.
Thanks, I will try the otc first, it gives me a good reason to visit one of my favorite shops. :)
I use Jarro -Zymes Plus- couldnt live without them- had been on reglan for 10 yrs. use one before every meal!! they are strong so for a small snack id skip or sometimes i just use papaya chewables (after a snack.)
:0
lori