HomeAnswersMedical Gastroenterologyabdominal painI am taking medication for rheumatoid arthritis, and I have severe stomach pain. Please help.

What are the reasons for stomach pain in a 75-year-old with a history of rheumatoid arthirtis?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At April 5, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 31, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 75-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis. I have had bad stomach pain for six to seven months. The pain is intermittent during the day and wakes me at night. This is happening almost every day and night. I get bloated sometimes, and I have nausea and decreased appetite. I weigh 80 kgs, and it has been unchanged. Sometimes food will relieve the pain, but the pain returns within two hours. There were blood traces in my stools, but a colonoscopy was clear.

I am anemic. There is no previous history, although it has been ongoing for seven months. The pain seems to be on the right side of the middle and upper region of the stomach but can move around. Sometimes, the pain is in the range of 7 over 10. Other times it can be mild discomfort.

I am currently under the following medications.

1. Methotrexate 25 mg, once a week.

2. Folic acid 5 mg, once a week.

3. Aspirin 100 mg (enteric-coated), once daily.

5. Atorvastatin 40 mg tablet, once daily.

Please advise regarding the pain as I have little quality of life.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The symptoms you describe fit into the description of the acid peptic disease and peptic ulcers. The culprits for this are Aspirin and Methotrexate. So the first step to treating this will be switching from Aspirin and Methotrexate to a better alternative drug like Clopidogrel and Leflunomide. Secondly, you should take proton pump inhibitors like tablet Rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily for a month. Syrup Sucralfate two teaspoons twice a day will help form a coating on the ulcer and decrease the pain. Thirdly tablet Normaxin (Chlordiazepoxide + Clidinium bromide and Dicyclomine HCl) will help with bloating and calm your gut.

Kindly revert back in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arpit Varshney
Dr. Arpit Varshney

General Medicine

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