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Abdominal discomfort, bloating and acid reflux
On June 22nd, 2024 I was diagnosed with PMR and was started on 20 mg prednisone. By July 5th I was down to 12.5 and had a big flare up. Dr. suggested going back up to 17.5, it did not help, then 20 same result ... then 30 which finally resolved the worst of the symptoms. By then I had read a lot on this forum and realized that I had been going too fast to taper off the prednisone. It's been an up and down battle since. I have been as low as 7.5 mg but had to go back up again with concerns of GCA. I am now down to 11 mg and have promised myself I won't rush the tapering. I will only go down 1mg at a time for minimum 3 weeks until 5 and then 1/2 at a time. I do hope I get there.
For the last 3 months or so I have been dealing with upper abdominal discomfort, a lot of bloating and gas and acid reflux. The discomfort and sometimes pain starts at the solar plexus and radiates both directions under the ribs. I feel like things are squishing in there and I need to stretch backwards to feel relief. It is pretty constant. Sometimes, especially after I eat, the discomfort goes through to the back.
Though I have kept up my walking between 3 to 5 km daily and have not changed my eating habits, yet I have lost weight about 5lbs in the last 4 months. I thought perhaps my gall bladder or pancreas was acting up.
This morning I had an abdominal ultrasound and apparently all is clear ... which is a big relief ... but leaves more questions than answers as to what is going on.
Could this possibly be a side effect of prednisone? has anyone else experienced this?? I am a healthy (or was ) 75 years old who did a lot of hiking and walking prior to this diagnosis. I follow a healthy diet, I am on pantoprazole 40mg daily which should help with the heartburn?
I will have my first appointment with a Rheumatologist on March 5th, it has been a long wait. Until then I am feeling a bit lost at sea and would appreciate any feedback or advice. Thank you.
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Sorry you're experiencing these digestive and gastric issues. From what I've read on what I feel are trustworthy sources, steroids can cause problems in this area, including ulcers and aggravating reflux.
What are you doing for the acid reflux?
If this continues, I'd ask for an endoscopy and CT scan (high radiation tho).
Best of luck to you.
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1 ReactionThank you for reaching out. I am currently taking daily 40mg of Pantoprazole, an acid suppressant, and chew on antacids when the reflux happens. I have started eating smaller meals , cut out wine and sweets and salty treats. Fingers crossed it helps until my visit to the rheumatologist early March.
My situation is milder than yours but I've noticed it as well. I've been on preds for 17 months now, starting at 20 and it's been up and down since. Currently at 17 and the rheumatologist added Methotrexate 3 weeks ago, hoping for a smoother taper this time. I can control acid reflux if I stay COMPLETELY away from alcohol and anything vaguely rich (butter, oils). But gas wakes me at night. Yet another reason to get off the preds, but only as fast as we can go!
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1 ReactionI am not on steroids, but I do have acid reflux. I take Pepcid Max once a day and it works well. Used to take PPI's but after all the controversy, I stopped those.
Instead of steroids, you might want to consider LDN. Lots of people and docs are turning towards this much milder medication that has been around for decades for other purposes. My daughter takes it for long covid and it has turned her life around. Recommended by her amazing doc at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC. She also prescribed it for me.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/108424385861883
Make sure to read the info in "Files."
Good luck.
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2 ReactionsI can relate to what you are experiencing, however my gut symptoms preceded the PMR by decades. About 6 months ago we discovered that my 40yr old son and his 7 yr old son had Celiac disease. It is an inhereted disease that destroys the lining of the small intestine, much more common than previously thought and most Doctors do not test for it. The blood test for antibodies to gluten is ineffective if you have been on Prednisone or other immunosuppressive meds. The only way to find out for sure if you have it is endoscope biopsy of the small intestine taking several samples. However if you go 100% gluten free and your symptoms resolve within a month or so, you can be fairly confident this is the root cause of your gut issues and probably the PMR as well. I have had a very significant decrease in my PMR pains since going 100% GF 6 months ago, down to 1mg Prednisone after an 18 mth struggle . It's not an easy process especially living in a house with others who are not on GF diets but definitely worth the trouble.
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2 ReactionsThank you very much for the info. I'll run it by the Dr when I see him next. So glad to hear that things are working out for you and that you are only on 1 mg. That's awesome! Best wishes for a continued recovery.
Thanks so much for this info I will for sure look into it.