Problems reducing with uncoated Pred and stomach pain

Just wanted to mention that when you take PPIs and then suddenly stop it is common to get what is called acid rebound - even more acid being produced than normal. PPIs are renowned for causing wind and even far worse gastric problems. Ranitidine/Zantac (same family of drugs as famotidine)does the same job but with fewer/different side effects. 

I was once told that many gastroenterologists don't understand the fascination non-gastro specialists have with PPIs. Yes they stop acid production (slightly) more efficiently than the older drugs - but they then have a bigger kickback if you stop taking them. They have horrid side effects for many people - and don't work for about a third of patients! But they've been marketed very well.

Eileen

even more acid being produced than normal.

I found that MrsO's remedy of 1 organic lemon, placed in microwave for 1 minute, then all jiuce extracted, divided into three and taken with water before meals, stopped acid reflux. 

You told me hwhow it worked, I have forgotten.

I tried the lemon recipe for acid reflux and it didn't work well for me.

I tried several times....

I cannot understand, scientifically, how drinking something acidic- lemon juice, can help acid reflux- unless one drinks a lot of liquid and washes down the acid.

I reduced my meal size significantly and do not lay down after eating even for a nap until 2 hours have passed.

I also wonder if the silent reflux from pred had aggravated my breathing problems- because acid and stomach juice can slide past the throat and irritate the bronchi. Since I've taken the above measures my breathing is better. I've reduced the Qvar by half.

Interestingly, the rescue inhaler, albuterol not only relaxes the bronchi but science found it relaxe the esophageal sphincters.

It is said that very well diluted lemon juice and water has an alkalising effect when digested - I have no idea how either! You will find the claim all over the internet and a site called Healthline does have a fairly sensible article called "lemon water for acid reflux". 

However a rather more scientific site says

"The food we take does not affect the blood pH directly. Acidic food will cause increased secretion of alkaline components into the digestive tract to neutralize the excess acid."

i.e. the acid in the lemon water encourages alkaline enzymes etc to be produced into the gut. That WOULD make a difference possibly.

They also suggest that the belief is due to someone who caught half the story about citrate and didn't understand the chemistry properly. 

But  - a lot of indigestion is actually due to TOO LITTLE acid in the stomach so a bit of lemon juice probably helps there.

What annoys me intensely is the mantra that eating an "alkaline diet" will change the body pH - each area of the gut has its own pH, from very acidic to alkaline. It is essential for food to be digested. The same site says:

"The blood pH is tightly controlled since variations are quite dangerous for us. Under normal circumstances the pH is 7.4 (with a normal range between 7.35 and 7.45). Below that we are talking about acidosis, above it about alkalosis. If the blood pH goes about 7.8 or below 6.8, death will occur. This pH is maintained by the Bicarbonate-buffering system. Food that we take up does not directly influence the blood pH (and there is also no reason for us to do so, since this is tightly controlled and regulated), so this is a health fad."

You cannot change the body pH by what you eat - if you did you would pretty soon be dead. On the other hand, there COULD be a more local action, inside he gut but outside the cells.

But we all know - Google or the newspaper says it so it must be right.

it to me...no way could I explain it to you....but something to do with

acid and aklaline......Chemistry major out there?

every morning.....never  heard about being good for UTI but glad

to get that info.....

Our blood pH is always slightly alkaline - but it has nothing at all to do with what we eat. Different parts of our intestines vary from very acidic (our stomachs) to alkaline (the duodenum, the bit just after the stomach), is alkaline). the different conditions allow different nutrients to be absorbed.

Wish I knew why the other post has gone for moderation!

No need to apologise for stating scientific facts, Eileen!  It was a miraculous response though after a very painful time including frequency and passing blood after waking in the early hours and waiting for the surgery to open for an emergency appointment.......and all I'd had was a few squeezes of lemon juice in warm water.  I'd be very interested in any other scientific answer for that.

Who cares if it was coincidence if the cystitis went away - god really didn't design us very well down there if you ask me! Mind you - I hope you did tell the GP and he considered it being checked out!

Yes, acid and alkaline now ring that elusive bell.  Ta muchly Mrs O and Eileen.

Mrs. O, the only chemically that is possible, since the stomach is acidic,there is no way fror it to turn alkaline, is if the water used is already quite alkaline. Some water supplies are alkaline. My water, direct from my well is quite acidic and I need to neutralize it so that it doesn't make pin holes in my plumbing. 

That is why bicarbonate of soda is used for acid stomach. It is alkaline. It does not turn acidic once ingested.

I reduced from the omeprazole gradually to avoid the side effects when coming off them.  I used to take 40 mg Omeprazole and 300mg Ranitidine daily.  I am going to start the Ranitidine again as it does have less side effects than the Omeprazole.

I also  will try the empty capsules for the white uncoated Pred.  I do take the coated 5 and 2 1/2 when I can.  Do you know if the empty capsules are then dissolved in the same place as the coated ones?  Also, are they the clear ones that you can see through ?

Also I always take them halfway through my breakfast.  I did take the lemon in water first thing in the morning for a bit, and I think it did help for a while, but then the gastritis came back again.   Apparently my stomach is ultra sensitive because I had stomach ulcers a couple of times.   I have had to be careful what I eat for a long time.

If the capsules dont work then I will try taking them with my evening meal.  Would i take them normally one day, then be without them until the evening of the next day ?   Also, would it disrupt my sleep more ?

Thanks to everyone again.  

"Do you know if the empty capsules are then dissolved in the same place as the coated ones?"

I would think so yes - they will pass through the stomach which is a very acid region and probably start to dissolve in the duodenum (the next bit) which is alkaline as the coatings are usually acid-resistant.

No idea if they are clear - most capsules are coloured but that may well be the drug identification concept. Personally, I'd take a dose in the morning and another at night the same day to switch from morning to evening - a bit extra on one day isn't going to hurt! Don't allow any flare risks! Will they affect your sleep - I wouldn't think so as they won't be released in the body until at least 5 hours later, in the early morning. I take my tablets at 10pm and they release at 2am, achieving the maximum level in the blood about 4am. I never wake at 2am but do sometimes wake about 4am feeling very hot - but whether that is the pred or the PMR is difficult to tell. It isn't as bad when the bedroom is cool as I find it is now in the summer.

But honestly - I'd pursue the injection road, your doctors can only say no. Much easier than struggling to manage gastric issues.

The problem is with the triggering of excess acid production - which isn't going to happen in the duodenum. There ulcers are caused by excess acid being carried over into the upper bit of the duodenum from the stomach. It shouldn't be a problem if you are taking a drug that stops acid production, there shouldn't be any. But about a third of patients don't respond to PPIs and still produce acid - something I suspect a lot of non-gastro doctors don't know. Perhaps you are one?

I've been able to get down to 10mg again and it is OK - no better than OK because I've started getting the bicep ache I've had before but at lower doses. It's my mouse arm - maybe I should retire the mouse! Do they make left-handed ones? Or maybe just shut up...  

I hadnt heard that a third of people didnt respond to PPI's.  I have gone back on to Ranitidine, so hopefully that will work.   

I agree with Anhaga about the keyboard.  Or do turn and turn about to give your upper arm a rest.

i have noticed just now that my facial hair has suddenly got a lot worse.  Thank goodness I have fair hair, now whitish/grey of course.   I think I may have to write another post to see if anyone has a remedy for it, or I should say, a way to deal with it.  It looks terrible in the sun.  The hair on my head meanwhile has gone thinner of course.   I can cope with that, but not my facial hair, oh heavens, what next ?

Check on Amazon.....if they don't have a left handed mouse no one does.

And....please don't shut up.....we would miss your wisdom.

Why would you need a left handed one - I am left handed and just use a bog standard mouse.

 Mind he does get annoyed when I yank his right side instead of his left.

My husband has a cordless mouse - I hate it! The cursor shoots all over the place and I can't be bothered to use it enough to get used to it 

I`m dark and white!  so a mixture, but afraid tweezers and sensitive ladies razor only things that keeps little blighters in check!.....what a subject....

I used to use a razor but really didn't like it - much preferred the epilator - not least because the result lasted for a few weeks!

It's a Braun - I've had it for about 20 years! They are much improved since then and there are other makes.

Will look at them, like your endorsement for " much improved" ....I never seem to buy anything that is as good as the one that I had....nothing is made to last these days!...I`m moaning again

Mine is the same unless I use a decent mousepad.  It's the "optical" capability I think.

I tried the optical mouse for about two months, it drove me mad so back to cord.