m0mmaBuck Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 My doc prescribed Diclofenac (i.e. Voltaren) for my arthritis and it has worked wonders for the pain and feverish feeling in my hands but my stomach is messed up. My stomach (actual organ, not just the general abdomen) feels very acidic and my intestines feel unsettled. I make sure I take it with food and it's fine for the first few hours but then a few hours later my stomach hurts. Gaviscon, Tums, and Prevacid have not helped to settle things, nor has additional starchy and/or foods that are basic (rather than acidic). Does anyone have any other suggestions for how to keep taking this med without feeling miserable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 There is a OTC thing called Prelief that makes things less acidic. It might be worth a shot. Otherwise you may need to reduce the acid in your diet. Coffee, soda, citrus foods, tomatoes, fruit juice (particularly cranberry), artificial sugars, spicy food, and alcohol are generally the worst things for reducing acid. Other things like sourdough, are acidic but people might not expect that. I cannot have MSG at all. Carbs are not necessarily low acid. Those would be bananas, apples, almonds, chicken breast, brown rice, oatmeal. I have a bladder condition and I have to switch to a low acid diet when it flares up. This is my diet list when I am having issues. This is for my bladder condition but it is also something that people with acid reflux also use. http://www.ic-networ...icnfoodlist.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 Thanks! I do eat primarily the items you listed... similar to a BRAT diet... but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am going to try the things on the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 Thanks! I do eat primarily the items you listed... similar to a BRAT diet... but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am going to try the things on the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynful Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 How long did you try the Prevacid for? Diclofenac didn't work much for my psoriatic arthritis, but I'm on Mobic now and have the same issues you are having. I have to take a Prevacid daily in order for it not to bother me and I've had ulcers before also from Aleve so the doctor wants me on Prevacid anyway. It can take a week or so to really kick in and work. Good luck, I know how nice it is to be able to take something that finally works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 I tried the Prevacid for a few days. Maybe it needs more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disney Dreaming Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 My gastro doctor says to make sure to take reflux meds first thing in the morning, 30 minutes before putting anything on your stomach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Since it's an NSAID, it can cause stomach discomfort. I took it for bursitis, so I knew it was temporary and just put up with it. If you are going to be on it long term for your arthritis, and the side effects don't subside, you should probably talk to your doctor about trying something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I originally took strong NSAIDS like Voltaren (and it was Voltaren, for a time) for about 10 years for Rheumatoid arthritis and then I developed esophageal spasms. Those feel exactly the same as heart attacks and weren't pleasant at all. Prior to that time, I had developed several times gastritis due to NSAID and had used various anti-acid medications for that- propulsid, prevacid, etc. Then for ten years, I didn't use NSAIDS except tried one every once in a while and I would immediately get esophageal spasms again. FOr the last two years, I can't have NSAIDS even without stomach issues because of warfarin use., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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