Certainly questioning my doctor's judgement

[TooManyHats]

First, I'd like to say thank you for all your replies and support.

While I'm still in the grief stage of fighting this and mourning my former life, I have been gluten free for 2-almost 3 weeks. I had been dairy free for years and well over my desire for Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream (I've even found a diary, gluten, and soy free substitute so I plan to indulge to feed my need to feel normal). I figured out after one week of being gluten free that soy was not my friend. This has been way more limiting than just going gluten free, but the pain in my stomach after eating foods with soy remind me that it's best to stay away from it. Without any medication I am getting relief, pretty consistently, from the diarrhea. Yey me!!!

On to my doctor. As I stated in my other post, I was prescribed Liadal. When I read the precautions for this medication it stated to tell your doctor if you have a history of pericarditis (among other things), which I did have as a child. OK, since I'm "older than dirt", it was over 40 years ago but I did have it and am questioning whether taking this drug is a good idea.

She also prescribed Nexium, which is a pump inhibitor (isn't it?). Isn't that supposed to cause MC??? Maybe Pepsid AC instead?

I'm just sitting here shaking my head.

[tex]

Hi,

I'm not sure exactly what the risks are for taking Lialda with a past history of pericarditis, but probably the risk is low, provided that active pericarditis is no longer present. Actually, all drugs that suppress the immune system are contraindicated for pericarditis, but Lialda is considered to be an anti-inflammatory drug, rather than an immune system suppressant.

I don't know if the original cause of your pericarditis was ever determined, but a common childhood cause is adenovirus. Interestingly, adenovirus, (and also rotovirus), has been implicated in the development of gluten-sensitivity and/or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, (which is another name for celiac disease). It turns out that there is a 12-amino acid sequence, (peptide), in the amino acid chain that comprises adenovirus, that is homologous (derived from), it's counterpart in the gluten peptide known as alpha gliadin. IOW, cellular mimicry may cause gluten-sensitivity, because of prior sensitivity to a peptide in adenovirus, developed during childhood. If you would like to see a reference or two on that, to read more about it, I'll be happy to list some, but they're rather dry, technical articles.

Proton pump inhibitors, (PPIs), are definitely a common trigger for MC. Sadly, most docs seem to either be unaware of that risk, or they incorrectly consider it to be too remote to be worth worrying about.

Tex

[TooManyHats]

WOW!!! And to think for all these years I have not known what caused it. And I can tell you that my intestines were never the same. It was then that I developed the propensity to intestinal gas that has plagued me all my life. I always thought that it was the large doses of aspirin they gave me that caused the gassiness.

Pepsid AC is it.

I'm not putting an immune suppressant into my mouth either. My diarrhea is already much better, so what do I need the Liadal for?

I'm sure this doctor will be so happy she met me. I research and read rather than take any doctor's word as God's.

[JLH]

If you are doing well without meds, I sure wouldn't take them. In fact, I didn't. Neither did Tex, Polly and other PP family members.......

Diet alone can work for MC.

[JLH]

BTW, my GI offered me a choice of Lialda or Entocort. After finding the PP, I chose neither.

[MaggieRedwings]

Welcome too many hats!

Well I have to agree with you that taking the pump inhibitor does not sound productive to your condition.

Oh also, a lot of our doctors "are thrilled they met us." We doctor shop to get ones that are cooperative with us.

Maggie

[lulu]

Been there done that w/ Dr's. Oh, they hate it when I come, but we're responsible in the end for our own health.