Stool Softener while on Carafate?

[nhagerty74]

Anyone know if it's ok to take stool softeners for constipation while on Carafate?  If so, is there a specific length of time they're safe to take?

[nhagerty74]

Dr. Watters,

I recently came across an article stating that St. John's Wort can interact with ppi's making them less effective.  I've been taking St. John's Wort 3x a day the entire time I've been trying to heal a small stomach ulcer with no results.  What do you think the chances are that the St. John's Wort is the reason that Protonix and Dexilant didn't help?  I told the nurse everything I take the day of my endoscopy and no one ever mentioned this interaction to me.  Also, is it safe to take 80mg of Protonix a day?  Would that be an appropriate dose for a refractory ulcer?

[nhagerty74]

No significant improvement on the carafate after a month.  My primary care Dr. thinks my stress and anxiety are a factor in my stomach not healing.  I don't think it actually caused the ulcer, but he said that too much stress can cause your stomach to produce more acid. I'm extremely stressed out and anxious about pretty much everything these days, and noticed that my body, especially my abdomen, is always tensed up without me even realizing it.  I also noticed that during times of extreme stress my ulcer pain gets very bad.  He prescribed Xanax, which I have taken in the past, but never on a daily basis.  I'm supposed to take .5mg twice a day for now to see if keeping my anxiety/stress calmed down helps my stomach at all.  

Is stress/anxiety something that could slow the healing process of an ulcer?  Is there anything else for stress/anxiety that won't make me feel high/tired?  Will my body adjust eventually and not feel so high from it, or maybe the dose is too much for me?  It almost made me feel a little depressed today, which I don't recall happening in the past when I took it.  I need to talk to my Dr. about it, but would like other opinions.  Thanks!  

[nhagerty74]

Nevermind, my pharmacist said I wasn't drinking enough water when I took it, and that worked.

[nhagerty74]

I also noticed that when I take my first dose of carafate in the morning, I start getting that gnawing/burning pain in my stomach shortly after.  Why would that be happening?  Is that from the medicine touching the ulcer?

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

No problem taking both for as long as you need them.