Ibuprofin related Acid Reflux?

[TooYoung4Pain]

Hello all. I am new to the board.... A little backround before the question. I'm 24 years old and have suffered from severe joint pain (suspected Rhumetiod Arthritis) for about 5 years. I started suffering from heartburn about 3 years ago while pregnant, and have had horrid episodes since then. When I say horrid, I mean clutching my chest-convinced I'm having a heart attack-mouth filling with acid-wishing I could die right there pain. Water gives me pain. Bread, plain gives me pain. I live on Ensure drinks now! I do not currently have insurance, and have been without it for about 8 years. I am getting it for the first time next month.

I have been taking Prilosec OTC everyday for about 6 months, along with Pepcid AC almost daily.

Up until last week I was taking 800mg Ibuprofin 4-6 times a week for my pain. I went to the ER last week because the burning in my stomach was so bad I couldn't take it. They did an ultrasound on my liver, gallblader and kidneys and saw nothing. I confessed to my addiction to the pain med, and the Dr. insisted that was the cause of all my problems. He sadi the ibuprofin was eating away my stomach and gave me a script for prednisone, percocet and promethazine (for nausea.)

My questions is, could the ibuprofin really have been the cause for all my sypmtoms? When I go to the dr. next month, what type of tests should I request? I don't want the dr. to blow it off as problem solved because I stopped taking the ibuprofin if there could be another problem. AND, I take one prilosec everyday... can I take 2?

[taape]

Yes, unfortunately it could be the cause for your stomach problems. I took a similar prescription medicaton for 11 years before I develop stomach problems. I believe that I caught this in time that I didn't have any permanent damage done to my stomach lining. The doctor suspected that it gave me an ulcer, which has healed. Once you have the stomach irritation you want to stay away from spicy foods and from eating right before you go to bed as that makes it worse. I don't know about if drinking water can cause problems too.

I'm so glad that you are soon to have health insurance, nobody should be without it. You want to ask for an endoscopy so they can look down your throat and into your stomach and take pictures or possibly a biopsy. I'm not sure why they gave you an ultrasound other than maybe looking for a growth in those areas as you can't see the inside of the stomach with ultrasound. Let us know how your appointment goes and in the meantime trying not drinking the Ensure for at least 3 hours before you go to bed or lay down.

[ChristineVA]

YES!! Ibuprofen, and all other NSAIDS, are notorious for damaging/eroding the natural protective lining of the stomach. It is a known fact.

I had an endoscopy last February that showed fresh stomach bleeding and it was due to Ibuprofen use and not even as much as you are using.

My doctor has RA and takes heavy dose NSAIDS and must use a prescription strength dose of Zantac to protect his stomach.