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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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I've booked an appointment with my GP for Weds but before I go I thought I'd pick your brains as I' m never sure what to blame on the RA and ask what experiences others have had.
For about 6 months I've been getting recurring stomach/ gut problems (won't go into the gruesome details) nothing too drastic but since I had the so called 'sickness bug' before Christmas I've had 2 more bouts- one lasted a day, the other over a weekend. I have been prone to IBS in the past which has been triggred by stress, and the last year has been a difficult one.
So- can RA affect the stomach/ GI system? can it exacerbate things like IBS? Can it be the cocktail of drugs (I'm on mtx and sulf, with the occasional anti infammatories , plus paracetamol in small doses every day) which is making my system more sensitive? Can mtx suddenly start to cause problems? I'd always been ok with it until about 3 months ago. I'm not unduly worried but I'm getting fed up with the discomfort and just wanted to find out if anyone else had had similar problems.
Hope you can help
cheers
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/1/2010
Posts: 255
Location: hampshire
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Hi Maria I have been back and forth to my GP with dodgy bowel problems for months. Even had a barium enima (That was fun!) He put it down to anti-inflams so I stopped taking that as my levels were OK. He then changed my stomach protector (3 times) and I've now stopped taking that too. Things are much better without the meds but how long I can do without the anti-inflams, I don't know. I suppose we just have to balance things. Good luck Sue 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Maria,
Sorry you are sufferring. I know I had bad troubles with my tummy feeling sick and very
painful and it was the anti inflams causing it. I was changed and increased my stomach
protectors and it has cleared up
Good luck for Wed.
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Thanks ladies. I didn't know about stomach protectors- i'll ask the doctor tomorrow.
Maria
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 10
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Hi Maria, did you know that you can get sulfazalazine with an enteric coating (stomach protecter built in) it's called salazopyrin ask if you can change... I have been on them for about 5 years but just had to come off them due to intolerance which has just decided to rear its ugly head. Salazopyrin is also used for people who have inflammatory gut and bowel problems such as crohns etc, so they are duel purpose.
regards Caroline.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Maria It is fairly common practice for stomach protectors such as Omeprazole to be prescribed alongside any drug which is not enteric coated. For example anti inflammatories are known to be quite harsh on the stomach, as of course are certain DMARDS. The eneteric coated tablets (often not prescribed due to cost) will allow drugs such as sulfasalazine to pass through the stomach and into the intestine where they are absorbed into the system. Methotrexate could be the cause of your problems and a stomach protector would certainly help with this. Hope you got on okay at the doctors  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Thanks ladies
Update- GP has referred me to the gastroenterologist just to check that there's nothing physical, before he prescribes any medication. I'm still pretty sure it's stress that's a contributory factor, and possibly diet as well as the meds. We will see. I must admit I'm not looking forward to any tests!!! Mt dear old mum delights in going into detail about them! bless her.
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Let us know how things go then under this post
Good luck
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi there
Update
Saw gastro doc yesterday. He thinks the bowel problems are likely to be ibs. I've got to have a colonoscopy and a follow up appt with him. I had another bout of sicknes on sunday after taking my mtx the day before so am going to ask gp/ rheumy nurse about it.
Have a good weekend everyone
Maria x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hi Maria - glad you are getting somewhere in tems of appointments now. Hope you get some solutions very soon. I was thinking about asking for the MTX injections to avoid the bleugh feeling the next day. Maybe it would help you too?
Hope you have a good weekend xx Ailsa
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