Has anyone experienced gastrointestinal symptoms with Lupus? I have been dealing with a lot of heartburn and stomach upset. I hate to relate every new symptom to my Lupus, but I really think it is the culprit. I have also noticed that my symptoms tend to get worse with fluctuations of hormones (menstral cycles). Am I just being a paranoid hypochondriac?
Lots of other culprits too like smoking, caffeine, overweight (enlarged abdomen l/t heartburn), spicy food, lots of fried or high fat foods I always got terribly nauseated around my period as well
Yea I suffered from morning sickness since I was a child… Bad acid reflux and even had ulcers (mind you I’m only 25 lol) I take a pill for my stomach every night if not I get the worst heartburn and stomach pain…
you are not alone, having gastrointestinal trouble is very common. partly because of the medication and partly because of physical condition and eating habits like poobie mentioned. i am prescribed PAN-D(pantoprazole + domperidone) early morning along with the steroid to keep my stomach troubles in check. plus i am following a strict diet regime. you should ask your doctor to suggest something to help with it. hope you feel better soon.
I am always nauseated!!! I have to take zofran anytime I eat and if its a spicy or really heavy meal I am big trouble without it. When I was first diagnosed they had done and EGD and found two ulcers they did treat those and it became a little easier to eat. Now the past two weeks I haven't eaten but a few bites and instantly it hits my stomach I am sick. My primary things they are back again. Hope you can find out the cause for your symptoms!!
I too have experienced gastrointestinal problems since the diagnosis and even before. Which makes me wonder how long I had this illness. As a child from the age of birth to 30, I would have muscle spasms that caused vomiting every month, after feeling like my insides were coming up now, I know they were stomach spasms. At 30, I stopped the vomiting. Now, at 36, I have heartburn non stop at times.
I too am always suffering from abdominal pain. I eat a healthy diet however my food cravings have changed drastically. I can’t eat meat at all. I become deathly ill. I’m not able to eat unless I have a few sips of carbonated drinks. I always suffer immediately after eating I’m on carafate & dexilent. I find almond milk to help with the burning stomach before bed. I truly hope you feel better
I get that too, I tend to eat a very bland diet now and my dr has me on Prilosec 2x a day. And I’m constantly nauseous, I drink a lot of ginger infused water and peppermint tea to help make it bearable 
carbonation helps too.
Also I’ve noticed many of my lupus symptoms revolve around hormone fluctuations, I take birth control continuously so I don’t menstruate and that seems to help
Lupus can affect any part of the body, so yes, it can affect your stomach or intestines. My Mom, brother and I all have permanent intractable nausea and stomach pain, we all have lupus. First thing to look at though are your meds and the interactions of your various meds.
me too. I wonder if Lupus is associated with estrogen???
Meg said:
Also I've noticed many of my lupus symptoms revolve around hormone fluctuations, I take birth control continuously so I don't menstruate and that seems to help
I take prescription strength Zantac (300mg) 2x/day. If I don't my GI tract ejects (literally) every thing I take in, even if I don't take pills and just eat food. My GI symptoms and the diagnosis of the diseases I have were post menopausal.
You got to hold on.
Thank you!
USAGURL said:
I take prescription strength Zantac (300mg) 2x/day. If I don't my GI tract ejects (literally) every thing I take in, even if I don't take pills and just eat food. My GI symptoms and the diagnosis of the diseases I have were post menopausal.
You got to hold on.
Thank you!
Ann A. said:
The medications that I was given for lupus, NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as the steroids were the start of my tummy troubles.
Thank you!
Sheila W. said:
Lupus can affect any part of the body, so yes, it can affect your stomach or intestines. My Mom, brother and I all have permanent intractable nausea and stomach pain, we all have lupus. First thing to look at though are your meds and the interactions of your various meds.
Thank you! I also have Alopecia and Type 1 Diabetes. I would never blame my children for any of my illnesses, but for what it is worth, my disease onsets followed the births of my children and all of the hormonal changes that went along with childbirth. My endo has told me for years that I would hit menopause early, but I am already over 40, so I wonder what he considers early.
Unshoreandscared said:
me too. I wonder if Lupus is associated with estrogen???
Meg said:Also I've noticed many of my lupus symptoms revolve around hormone fluctuations, I take birth control continuously so I don't menstruate and that seems to help
Hi
Sorry you are having tummy troubles. I was havin constant diahhrea. I now take a probiotic and I haven't had any diahrea since. No your not being paranoid, I guess almost any symptom can be related. Tell your DR everything even though you think it may not be important.
I take omeprazole daily and NEVER have heartburn any more.
Good luck
Cindy
I’ve had those issues for 4 months I did not want to think everything was caused by lupus. I still don’t know but I began to watch my intake of food and what really affected me gas bloating constipation you name it. I did realize that the discomfort began on my way home from work. My doctor said it may be ibs but my stomach made noises and felt like it burned. So he prescribed prevacid 30 mg I’ve also eliminated glutin and some other fruits and vegetables it seems to have improved. Hopefully try it
I take depo shots every 3 months to help with the periods. I have been on the shot for years and have no period with it. The depo has made a tremendous difference. I also have to take Prilosec for the stomach. If I don't take it at night I wake up choking from reflux. Certian foods do make it worse.
I’m on omeprazole it’s for gerd been on it for a few years def works no more heart burn good luck