Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives AS Pharmacy advice on pill taking?!

Hi guys,

While Im pretty set on my pills and try to take them as regularly as possible. I have been having a bit of trouble with my tummy lately. Back in the day (only 2 years ago) when I used to take ibuprofen I had it with yogurt and felt fine.

But since Ive started on SSZ Ive almost completely lost my appetite. So having them with yogurt or even a yogurt or milky drink isnt an option because i just wont want to eat after that.

What other ways are there of taking pills to offer a slight protection to your gut? Im on paracetamol, Etorocoxib and SSZ.

thanks a bunch,

Sonja xx

p.s. I know I shouldn't be drinking but I do enjoy a cold beer or a glass or two of wine. I checked with my doc and he thought it was alright. any advice on this point is welcomed too.

nsaids will definitely bother my stomach, really can't use them or cox2 inhibitors like celebrex either. haven't tried ssz largely because the doc and i think it will probably bother my extra sensitive stomach.

but i do know, for me, with the gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) that eating a lot of little meals is helpful. drinking a fair share of herbal ginger tea or chamomile or peppermint. all good things for the tummy. and if the gastritis is causing me to lose my appetite, i still make sure i eat something, but listen to my body and eat what sounds soothing and stay away from anything that sounds like it would upset my tummy.

hi sonja,
i started ssz a little over a week ago. the first week i just took 500mg in the morning. now, at the beginning of week 2, i'm doing 500mg in the a.m. and 500 mg at night. i'm also tapering off a very high does of steroids (60mg to start, now i'm at 20mg). i take generic zantac (ranitidine) in the a.m. about 15 minutes before i start my dosing. then, i eat half of my breakfast, take the prednisone, finish breakfast, then take the ssz with a full glass of water. i then drink another glass of water during my commute to work.

perhaps you should try ranitidine?

i've been really conflicted about drinking on ssz. last friday i had 1.5 glasses of wine and did ok but i felt like it tasted different. the next morning i had major dizziness. not a hangover feeling at all, just a very dizzy feeling that only lasted 5 minutes. i had half a beer last night and seemed to do fine. normally, i have 4 to 6 drinks a week so cutting back has been hard! i miss cold beer!

i agree with sue about peppermint & chammomile tea. very gentle ways to soothe stomach issues.

Hi caliqueen,

Ive been on SSZ now for about 2 years. Im taking 2000mg (2g) per day. I find it quite nice on my tummy and have no side effects apart from the loss of appetite, which is slowly coming back (slowly being the main word hehe)

Good luck with SSZ it has alot of mixed reviews.. while i find it helped reduce stiffness and give me back some mobility others dislike it with a passion!!

Sonja

thanks for the advice sue. I used to drink peppermint tea alot but the stuff I can get here in Argentine is really bad!! i drink their tea "yerba mate" everyday and like that.. but do miss my peppermint teas. thats one thing ill stock up on next time im home.

thanks for the advice. i have been forcing myself to eat things the problem is if i snack at all in between meals I feel really really full!!! hehe

Sonja

mmm yerba mate is great! much smoother on your stomach than coffee or black tea.

How long have you been on the SSZ? The first 2 weeks I had terrible stomach aches. I took it with food, but it still hurt. Then it quit hurting, even after upping the dosage. A friend of mine takes pills that might irritate the stomach with butter. She figures the fat will coat the stomach. I have tried it and I think it does help.

Can't touch SSZ, does me right over the yard arm!

Mint teas. Grow mint in pot on window cill, make fresh tea with fresh leaves.

I was taken off SSZ because I may have had an adverse reaction to it. It was when I was really sick a few years back and to be honest, I don't know what was the UC flare up and what was a reaction to any drugs? I was told to stay away from sulpha drugs in general and since they are not as popular as they once were, this has been easy.

Initially, I drank fairly regularly and never noticed any effects. Of course, I didn't down my meds with booze either...lol I'm sure your doctor is right, a few drinks now and then is just fine.

Personally, I seem to have just given up on drinking altogether. Once upon a time, I was the guy who prided himself on being the "last man standing" at any party and never turned away from an opportunity to celebrate...yay, it's Tuesday!

I just don't like to drink any more so I don't.

The loss of appetite thing is an odd one. I'm wondering if my UC symptoms might contribute to a psychological aversion to eating? If I don't eat, I don't suffer the consequences. Whatever the reasons are, I manage to forget to eat far too often...which reminds me...

Don't sweat the appetite thing, after all, there is a pill for that too, I'm sure.

Get yourself a P.O. Box down there in Argentina and us kickers will fill it up with pepermint tea and anything else you need.

Take care of yourself,

Chris

Chris - ONE of the side effect of SSZ is anorexia, loss of appetite. As for the alcohol and SSZ. SSZ can effect the liver. Anyone on SSZ has to have a liver enzyme blood test check every month - SSZ can do a right number on the liver! Alcohol and SSZ, Yes?

SSZ can also stir up the stomach and gut, big time. And headaches. And lassitude, tiredness. Dreadful stuff. Can't think 'how' it was ever thought to 'help' with gut problems. Sheesh. Untold effect and damage to me.

Found I have to stay away from sulpha drugs as well - yes, but, already said that. 'Smile'. OK.