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First Aid For Cramping And Indigestion Pain After Taking Nsaid

cristiana

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cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted

I thought I should create a separate topic following on from my discovery that taking just a few NSAIDS over a about a week has caused gastro symptoms, probably worsened by the fact that I was glutened around the same time as taking the tablets.  Cramps and indigestion, a sort of burning just under my ribs, these are the symptoms which seem to get worse during the day.  All this started on Saturday.  I think I have damaged my small intestine all over again as this is just how I felt weeks before my DX but of course, maybe it is my stomach this time?

 

Anyway, If anyone has been through this or something similar, could they suggest a treatment.  I will go to the doctors in a week's time as per instructions on the Gaviscon bottle but I would rather not have to if I can pick up a few good tips from you wonderful people. :)

 

Thanks!

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I would stop all over the counter drugs. Instead, just drink lots of water, eat at home and be patient until you see your doctor. Wish I could offer better advice, but that is pretty much the standard for a glutening. There are no easy fixes!

Hope you feel better soon!

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi Cristiana,

 

You could try some Pepto Bismol.  And avoid the Gaviscon.  Basically swap out the aluminum (Gaviscon) for bismuth (Pepto Bismol).  Maybe try another product instead?  Pepto has saliclylic acid in it so if you are totally avoiding aspirin it might not be a good choice.

 

If you search for "nsaids gastro symptoms" on Google there is lots of info about them possibly causing symptoms.

 

Kinda curious why you are taking an antacid in the first place tho.  Are you deficient in aluminum?  Kidding, but not completely.

 

More people have the opposite problem IMHO, too little stomach acid instead of too much.  Stomach acid isn't really an optional thing in our bodies.  It is very important for proper digestion and control of incoming bad buglie-uglies.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

Overview

Gaviscon, or aluminum with magnesium hydroxide, is an antacid medicine that is used to treat heartburn, gas and a sour stomach, as well as acid indigestion. It also can be taken to treat or prevent other conditions that involve excess stomach acid such as peptic ulcer disease and hiatal hernia. This medication contains aluminum; therefore, side effects may occur in addition to the typically mild or commonly reported outcomes related to this drug.

Gastrointestinal

According to Drugs.com, gastrointestinal problems are the most commonly reported type of side effect associated with this medication. For example, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting may be experienced while taking this drug. In situations where diarrhea and constipation both are experienced or closely alternate, dropping down to lower doses generally will ease these symptoms. Other related side effects that may occur consist of stomach cramps, a chalky aftertaste and an increased sense of being thirsty. A more serious, yet rare side effect is that of developing a bowel obstruction due to aluminum effects.

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

Thanks cyclinglady and GFinDC.   I think part of the problem is that I can't be at home much at the moment as it is the school holidays and yesterday I think I left too long between meals and when I did eat, it was gluten-free but rather fatty food.   So I shall go equipped with lots of water and eat some bland stuff today.  GFinDC, that is really interesting about Gaviscon - I will try to find the other med you are recommending.     To be honest I have only just started taking it these past few days, taking the NSAID was a stupid thing to do in the first place.   I started to take it for earache about 18 months ago and it left me with a sore, sore stomach, for the first time in my life.  Then I took Omeprazole and the D. started and then six weeks later I was given the Celiac test and bingo.  My diagnosis.   Mind you until that moment my Celiac symptoms had been mainly neurological in nature so in a way, NSAIDs did me a big favour.   I haven't had a sore stomach again until these past few days.  Some people never learn!

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

L-glutamine is thought to help with intestinal (and muscular) healing. It might be a good supplement to add to your arsenal for a while....

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

Love it - arsenal!  You are so right.   When I open the cupboard I have to be careful that all the bottles of supplements don't fall out and hit me on the head!

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Ha, ha! Me too!

On a serious note....I did take L-glutamine for months after I was diagnosed (per recommendations on this forum). Did it help? I can not say for sure, but I thought it did and the mind can do a amazing things in terms of healing. I keep it in hand for accidental glutenings. It does not eliminate my symptoms from a glutening, but I need all the help I can get to expedite intestinal healing as I am trying to build bone!

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cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

Ha, ha! Me too!

On a serious note....I did take L-glutamine for months after I was diagnosed (per recommendations on this forum). Did it help? I can not say for sure, but I thought it did and the mind can do a amazing things in terms of healing. I keep it in hand for accidental glutenings. It does not eliminate my symptoms from a glutening, but I need all the help I can get to expedite intestinal healing as I am trying to build bone

The mind is powerful and I wish I could switch it from negative to positive mode.   I was just reading the other day how depression can make aches and pains much worse and I suddenly realised I have got so bogged down with feeling ill and imaginging the worst that perhaps that in itself is creating a vicious cycle.  I shall look out this L-glutamine esp. as I notice you say it is also good for the muscles.   Your earlier water tip has also been helpful today, I read somewhere else that it can reduce the acidity much quicker and quite as effectively as over the counter stuff.  Thanks so much.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi Cristiana,

 

The immune reaction is not a few days for most people.  It can last weeks to months.  So your symptoms might hang around for a bit.  I agree, eating bland whole foods may help reduce the irritation in your gut.  So that is a good idea.  I would also take digestive enzymes and pro-biotics with your meals.  Some extra fiber might help too.  I like psyillium husks myself.

 

Here's a link to the Pepto Bismol site.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

And from one slow learner to another, it's  the end result that matters, not the amount of time in the classroom! :)

 

Edit:  Oh oh, I just saw in your other thread you are in the UK.  I don't know if Pepto Bismol is available over there.  Seems like  they ought to have something comparable there tho?

 

Re-edit:  OK, looks like it is available over in the UK, if you know what cave Boots the Chemist lives in.  Otherwise the yahoo answer suggests taking milk of magnesia as an alternative.  That doesn't sound like a great alternative to me tho.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

Here's a little note from U of Chicago celiac center on NSAIDS.  Just for info.

 

Open Original Shared Link
 

Possibly. A number of stresses can trigger the appearance of celiac disease, and prolonged NSAIDs (due to a negative effect on the GI tract lining) could conceivably be one of those stress factors. However, there is no literature on this.

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

Thanks so much GFinDC for all of this, you have been extremely helpful.   Boots the Chemist are in almost every town including ours so if things don't get better I can buy some easily. I have looked at the product online and recognise the packaging so I bet they do stock it.  

 

My sister who isn't a celiac told me yesterday that she took two Neurofen a couple of weeks ago and had bad stomach ache for 24 hours so I was definitely asking for trouble taking it around the time of a glutening!  When I had the endoscopy it was stage 3, B subtotal villous atrophy.  I have often wondered if that result has a direct implication on how long it will take to recover, if one can absolutely guarantee no gluten is getting back into the diet.  The pain I was experiencing a few days ago was so similar to pre-diagnosis that I wondered if I have made any progress there!  

 

Thanks again.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi Cristiana,

 

I was thinking from that name that ol' Boots lived in a hollowed out tree or something.  But if there are that many I guess not.  Sounds like Boots are akin to what we call a drug store over here.  Pepto Bismol is supposed to coat the lining of the gut and soothe it.  It can also turn your stool a lovely shade of black, which is not a problem, just a coloring change.  You may need to take a swig of Pepto every couple hours.  I use peppermint tea or peppermint Altoids for gas.  Built-up gas in the gut and stomach can cause pain if it is irritated already.  The peppermint relaxes the muscles and makes it easier for the gas to "escape".  Other than that I just take regular old Bayer aspirin for pain.  Antacids are no help tho, they just lead to more problems IMHO.

 

Total healing can take quite a while.  One study found there were still signs of abnormalities in the gut after 18 months on a gluten-free diet in some people.

 

Maybe you can ask ol' Boots if he has any of these handy drugs that may help.

Open Original Shared Link

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

Hi Cristiana,

 

I was thinking from that name that ol' Boots lived in a hollowed out tree or something.  But if there are that many I guess not.  Sounds like Boots are akin to what we call a drug store over here.  Pepto Bismol is supposed to coat the lining of the gut and soothe it.  It can also turn your stool a lovely shade of black, which is not a problem, just a coloring change.  You may need to take a swig of Pepto every couple hours.  I use peppermint tea or peppermint Altoids for gas.  Built-up gas in the gut and stomach can cause pain if it is irritated already.  The peppermint relaxes the muscles and makes it easier for the gas to "escape".  Other than that I just take regular old Bayer aspirin for pain.  Antacids are no help tho, they just lead to more problems IMHO.

 

Total healing can take quite a while.  One study found there were still signs of abnormalities in the gut after 18 months on a gluten-free diet in some people.

 

Maybe you can ask ol' Boots if he has any of these handy drugs that may help.

Open Original Shared Link

My husband will love the commercial, his type of humour!  He is British but always reckoned he'd like living in a place like that.

 

Thanks for the tip about trapped wind too, I have a new pain to the left of my abdomen above my hip which I get if I eat dairy and the peppermint tea thing seems to really work.  I think you are right about the antacids, they upset my stomach in another way. 

 

Yes, good old Boots the Chemist has been going for years and was once even owned by the Americans, as I understand it.

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