RA and stomach problems | Arthritis Information

Hi,

Havn't posted in a while but keep watching.

I've long had stomach dramas but since getting RA it's been getting worse. Now on Losec and Zantac and just managing. Just saw a gastro specialist and he said that often RA and stomach dramas go hand in hand. Not just due to tablets but the disease itself. Is this true? Do other RA people suffer with gut reflux etc dramas, not related to the drugs?

Saw the latest post on MTX and alcohol and it's frustrating that there are so many options. I know the official stance is no booze when on MTX but so many doctors I've spoken to have said if the bloods are ok then a few drinks well after the day of MTX is probably ok. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed as I really like a few drinks over the weekend.

Thanks and hope you can answer my query above.

Ray

Ray, I was fine with my stomach and meds for a couple years of treatment with methotrexate. Recently this has changed and I seem to be losing two days a week to nausea after taking MTX. I have horrific gas all week long, as well. Not nearly as funny as all the jokes about it might make you think.

I have just contacted my doctor and will soon be trying injectible MTX. I surely hope this will help the nausea problems that have developed. I can deal with the exhaustion that the weekly MTX brings, but a bad stomach on top of that is too much. As for it being RA or being the drugs, in my case it's definitely the MTX because it's at its worst the day after I take my weekly dose. I have strung it out all day by taking a few pills of my 10 pill dose at a time, and it didn't make much difference.

As for drinking, my doc is of the school that as long as your blood tests are all right, you can drink. I have two glasses of wine every night.

I'll post after starting my shots and let you know if it helps.

I think the Dr. is right.... I have the same issues with my stomach when not on the drugs and the drugs worsen it. I have had stomach and esophogus and colon problems scince way back when.

I do know that when I had a nodual on my finger and had my gp run all of my bloodwork, which came back positive. He then had me come in for more blood test before putting me on prednisone.

Well maybe not my stomache but I could not stand up straight as I walked across the waiting room to go back and see the gp. I had a very very spastic colon. I was limping from the RA. my mouth was dry from the sjorgrens and could not stand up straight. Then do not even let me get started on the fatigue.

The pred straightened out the spastic colon but gave me heartburn. You win some you loose some. I take omeprozle.

I must admidt with all the meds I now take I am scared to death to get a scope done. I just do not want to know what is going on in my esophogus.

milly2010-10-24 19:11:01Thanks guys. I'm starting to rattle with all the medication I'm taking and it's worrying me as I'm still a relatively young 48. Still at work but struggling and with the stomach dramas as well it's making life a bit miserable. Hopefully combining Zantac with the Losec it will help. As far as the RA it's going pretty well and the MTX, Arava and Pred seem to be keeping it manageable for now.

Anyone know of a good site like this one, for stomach dramas like reflux, gerd etc??

Thanks

Ray