I am doing better and know arava is part of the reason why. They want to up it on the 31st at my appointment but the diarrhea is so horribly bad i know i will have to tell the doctor and they will take me off.
I have tried so many medications and they don't work. and with having BV, i am not allowed to take biologics. It is like i reached the end of what will help me.
it's just not fair. I have tried taking prilosec and tagament each day but it doesnn't help.
Bubba,
Please try grapefruit seed extract.
In my thoughts,
LEV
Bubba, that is a very sad post. Have you tried probiotics? They can help A LOT with diarrhea. In Europe doctors always prescribe Florastor along with antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. You don't need a prescription in North America for Florastor. It doesn't have to be Florastor, though. I think most probiotcs would work.I'm so sorry, but don't give up! Maybe the doctor will have some suggestions to control it, before they want you to stop. Did you ever try probiotics yet? Also, don't Prilosec and Tagamet work more in the upper digestive system? Sounds like your problems are lower, right?
The People's Pharmacy says tons of people with IBS get relief from Archway Coconut Cookies - one a day. Don't know if they have milk in them, but I'd try a cookie remedy anyday. Tons of their readers say it cured their diarrhea.
I've also had some problems with diarrhea on Arava, though not severe. I eat organic, live culture (added after pasteurization) yogurt every night...usually works great. When that fails 2 Immodium works like a charm.
Alan
I take nature's way probiotics, it's the one with the full amount of all the stuff. I take one pill a day.
right now, this is what i am on daily....
5mg pred , 10mg arava , 20mg paxil , 1 prilosec, 2 tagament, 1 probiotic.
I have been on the probiotics for about 2-3 months now. They have helped, but do nothing for the arava effects.
Is it ok to take imodium weekly?
Bubba, I am so sorry. This is all about bowel health afterall, underneath our disease. If you can get your bowel healthy again, the meds do work. Aloe vera juice works wonders. PM me if you want the whole program. Take care and I am thinking of you. Cathy
bubba, could you try switching it up? Ever since I started having a kefir and berry smoothie every day my yeast, flatulence and diarrhea problems have completely resolved.I am sorry, Bubba.
Much Hugs!
My mother in law goes to a doctor who specializes in things like digestion and other "odd" things that most don't. He works on hers and i might go to see what i might be able to do.
It's so frustrating having things fall apart every time i try another medication.
I swell up too when my stomach does this in my RA spots, the same type of thing that happened when i was on mtx. I am thinking that if i took the mtx in shot form that it might have done better and possibly not swelled me up.
Digestion just messes with my RA and my stomach just freaks so much, i wouldn't be surprised if crohn's was what i had, it's in my family on both sides.
[QUOTE=bubbagump]I take nature's way probiotics, it's the one with the full amount of all the stuff. I take one pill a day.[/quote]Arava did the same to me, so I was pulled off it immediately. I was already having abdomial problems prior, so I think it was a lack of communication between my docs. i did switch to injectable mtx and it helped tremendously.
Let your doc know what is happening and hopefully he will have a solution. Hang in there, we're all pulling for you.
I had trouble with that too with Arava at the beginning. I upped my fiber intake by about double. It really helped me a lot. But you have to find a form of fiber that does not make you gassy. I like Fiber Choice tablets.i