lUPUS AND GASTRIC ABNORMALITIES

[ayshia524]

I HAVE HAD LUPUS SINCE THE AGE OF 15 AND I AM NOW 25- MY LUPUS HAS BEEN IN REMISSION FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS NOW, BUT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PERSISTENT VOMITING AND DIARRHEA FOR THE PAST 2 MNTHS. i HAVE BROUGHT IT UP TO MY DR AND HE STATES THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH LUPUS CAN DEVELOP STOMACH ULCERS, ESPECIALLY IN MY CASE, SINCE I HAVE TAKEN PREDNISONE FOR 10 YEARS+.
I HAVE MADE AN APPT TO SEE A GASTRIC DR, BUT I AM JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW, COULD THERE BE ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO MY LUPUS THAT CAN BE CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY?

[mollyadelaide]

The stomach ulcers are certainly a common side effect to being on the prednisone! But I would think they would run some simple tests to rule out some other things as well. Such as an abdominal ultrasound to be sure it's not your gallbladder or pancreas. Meaning it could not have to do with your lupus as well.....I have heard of gastritis, ibs, or other problems effecting those with lupus. Did your doctor put you on Nexium or Prilosec? Those would help if it is related to a stomach ulcer.
FYI there are probiotic pills you can buy otc at Walmart which can help tremendously with the type of GI troubles you are describing. (If it's not ulcer related of course!)

[ewford]

Does he know anything about Heliobactor pylori bacteria causing stomach ulcers and that you might have a chronic intracellular bacterial infection?  Lupus has no known etiology, and yet infectious mycoplasmas cause these issues.