Stomach issues - TMI? sorry | Arthritis Information

Hello

I've had issues with my stomach for about 3 weeks now, bloating, alternating between constipation and diarrhea. I also skipped my period this past month, so thought maybe that was causing some problems (peri-menopause, not pregnancy concerns) Seems like it doesn't matter what I eat, it causes a problem. I've been on mtx for over a year, along with Enbrel and Relafen, so no changes in drugs. I feel a little foolish going to the doctor, but thinking this has gone on too long. I was going to take some pepto bismol and checked the drug interactions and it says to avoid mixing pepto and mtx. Has anyone taken pepto along with mtx? I'm guessing it's a precaution at the higher doses, not for RA.

Cathy, I have been having similar issues. I have been reluctant to mention it as well. For me it started even before Mtx and placquenil I have just started taking. I was taking inmodium every few days or so, but I guess I will also have to mention it to RD as well. I don't know how to tell what medicines interact with any of the different meds I am taking.

Edited for typo

mom2threeinaz2008-07-27 06:26:07When the rheumy put me on sulfalazine, my PCP said that it would help my gut problems. He thinks it's all rolled together, according to him most people with RA have tummy issues, it's just another fun thing nature has come up with for us! And the list of added extras to RA goes on and on. I found years ago that the irritable bowel syndrome that I was diagnosed with is thought by some doctors to be auto-immune so it may be just another thing that goes along with the arthritis stuff. Mine is much better since I stopped working and I really think stress had a lot to do with it. I do use immodium or colace as needed.

Ann

why in the world are you guys relunctant to mention a medical issue to your doctors? Your gut and the resulting pee and poop are part of the body too and if things are messed let your doctor know so you guys can figure out what is going onI'm not reluctant to mention my poop and pee with my pcp - 25 yr history with him and he's seen me at my best and worst. I'm more hesitant to take up my time and his (and the copay) to go in for something that probably is nothing. I've always had a little bit of a sensitive stomach and lots of stress lately at work, so could be that. I'm leaning towards going in this week - just to be safe. I have the same tummy type issues.............I feel for you.

I put my hand up to these probs as well. Digestive system has improved dramatically since starting Humira in November.

Probiotics, probiotics, probiotics!

Pip

Funny Pip! As I was typing my post, I thought of you and figured I better read up on probiotics. It seems like there is so much to learn and that I should be doing, it sometimes just gets overwhelming. I'm going to call my RD and ask about cutting back or out the relafen and see is that makes a difference. You would think that with mtx and enbrel working, the relafen could maybe go. And yes, I will read up on probiotics.First and foremost I would advise that you get a bottle of grapefruit seed extract and take it for about a bottle and then take the probiotics for about one bottle. Feel free to do a search and research on the grapefruit seed extract. I suggest that everyone keep a bottle of grapefruit seed extract handy. It will kill almost any bad bacteria and parasite, even food poisoning. Oh, and talk with your healthcare professional.

LEV

Cathy there is so much info out there linking irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) to fibromyalgia...So many of us have it with our RA, the first few years..
When you see your rheummy next you could mention it..I also take Prilosec the day i take MTX I had "irritable bowel" for years - even got scoped at both ends. The problems went away when I started eating more fiber and eating less fat. The problems creep back if I start eating crappy food and/or get stressed out. Unfortunately those two problems frequently occur at the same time!!! For me personally, if it gets bad, I can get rid of the problem by eating next to nothing for a few days (drinking lots of fluids though!) and taking a couple of grams of magnesium hydroxide a day to "flush it out." This was the recommendation of the gastroenterologist, and it works like a charm. Your mileage may vary - I would recommend seeing a GI doc if it's bothersome and/or it persists. My mother had vague GI problems for a few years and ignored it. She tends to self-medicate all of her problems with Valium and Vicodin. By the time she finally went to see the GI doc, she had stage III colon cancer. Her problem could have easily been avoided by seeing the doctor when her problems started, instead of diagnosing and treating herself. She had surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and has been cancer-free for about 7 years now. Since she had colon cancer, though, I'm a marked woman - I will have regular colonoscopies now. It's one of the few diagnostic tests that can cure cancer in its early stage!!! JasmineRain2008-07-27 21:54:44 Oh, and regarding the possibility of interactions between methotrexate and pepto-bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) - I would definitely check with your pharmacist and/or doctor. A single dose of pepto-bismol contains about 250mg of salicylate (much lower than a typical aspirin dose). Salicylates and NSAIDs can reduce the elimination of methotrexate via the kidneys and thus lead to increased toxicity. The half-life of methotrexate is about 6 hours, though, so as long as you're not taking the pepto-bismol around the same time as your weekly methotrexate dosage, it's probably OK to take a dose or two of the pepto-bismol. However, your doctor may want you to try something else instead. JasmineRain2008-07-27 22:12:18

I see a digestive disease specialist as part of my medical team on a regular basis. He's the one I talke pee and poop about. I saw him today and I've lost 49lbs since I saw him at the end of Jan. I told him I am never hungry and certain foods make s me sick. He said stay away from those foods and keep eating the ones I like - mainily yogurt with chopped raw almonds, white rice, and lots of watermelon everyday I eat a whole giant one, lol. He wants me to drink ensure or boost though and stay away from all fats, which is easy!

owiemom - your doc sounds like mine, very matter of fact - if certain foods make you sick, stay away from them.

Jasmine - I agree stress and crappy food go hand in hand, and I've had plenty of stress lately with work, so I'm going to count on that as being the culprit and work hard at only controlling what I can. Thank you for the reminder that you can't always hold off as it can be something serious. I'm a worrier on diseases, so have checked symptoms on colon, ovarian, etc. feel pretty safe that it's neither of those, but if it persists, I'll be going in for a check. I'm glad you're mom is a survivor - best wishes to her for continued success.