Gastrointestinal issues while on prednisone or kevzara?

I never had many gastrointestinal issues during my 12 years of being on Prednisone. My PCP started me on "stomach protection" almost as soon as I started long term Prednisone for PMR. Maybe the stomach protection helped me.

I had a serious norovirus infection while on Prednisone. That caused me to have all kinds of gastrointestinal problems and I ended up in the intensive care unit for a couple of days. My immune system went bonkers when I had the norovirus infection. The intensive care doctors said Prednisone was a "contributing factor" for my being seriously ill. My PCP said people get gastrointestinal infections all the time but they don't usually need intensive care.

I can't speak for Kevzara. However, when Actemra was started to control PMR, I don't seem to have as many medical problems as I used to have. I don't get so many infections anymore. I can't say that I'm completely off all medications but my stomach protection medication was stopped. Several more medications to control my blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also discontinued. Part of the reason I needed intensive care during the norovirus infection was because of a major cardiovascular event. The risk to my cardiovascular system and my gastrointestinal system is less since I stopped prednisone.

I believe both Kevzara and Actemra can cause an exacerbation of gastrointestinal problems ... especially diverticulitis. It seems unclear whether IL-6 inhibitors like Kevara causes this problem or chronic corticosteroid use causes the problem.

I’m 8 months Kevzara and have no gastro problems

@dadcue
Thank you for your input. Do you happen to know what you were on for stomach protection?
I have been on prednisone for about 8 weeks. I wasn’t bothered the first month when I was on 15 mg but it kicked in the second month.
Wondering if there is something better than pantoprozole. The discomfort is unbearable.

@tweetypie13
That’s good to know.
Are you still on prednisone?

@caroljeand
Off prednisone for 4 months, but did not ever have a problem.

@caroljeand

I took famotidine for a long time.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/famotidine-oral-route/description/drg-20072972
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As I recall, I took ranitidine until it was withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns.

Mylanta helps me - I take it in the evening.

@mtlin I started on Famotidine but it wasn't effective for me. I switched over to Pantoprozole and now have no problems!

@kpoesch
How much pantoprozole do you take?
My first use of pantoprozole helped tremendously but now how having issues while on 40 mg.

I’ve been on prednisone for 5 weeks. No stomach problems. I’m very careful to eat before, during and after taking my dose.