Cytoxan

[Sangye]

Lightwarrior, I hope you're on an acid blocker with the pred.

Do you take your ctx all at once? I couldn't tolerate it that way, and my doc said it doesn't matter if I split it up as long as I get the full dose each day. I had to take 50mg three times a day, with lots of food. I had MAJOR stomach pain otherwise.

[snooz23]

Sangye, what is an acid blocker? Is it something prescribed? I am currently taking only 10mg but was never on that? Thanks~

[Sangye]

Acid blockers are the drugs like Zantac, Prilosec, Protonix, etc... If you weren't on more than 10 mg pred, your doc might not have prescribed one. But higher than that-- it's standard of care to have you on an acid-blocker. Pred can do serious damage to your stomach without it.

Even on my measly 4mg pred, I still have to take acid blockers a few times a week or the acid gets out of hand.

An aside: acid blockers are exactly the wrong medicine for acid reflux/ GERD unless it's due to a medication.

[JanW]

What is the right medication, Sangye? I was prescribed Protonix by the pulmo precisely because they thought that the reflux was interfering with the asthma that I turned out not to have, but it was for GERD, not for heartburn that would come on because of the meds.

[Sangye]

Pred and certain other meds are acid-producing. If you take pred without an acid-blocker you'll damage your stomach. Some other meds are like pred (ie, acid-producing), meaning they add to the stomach acid your body makes-- bad news.

However, if you're NOT on pred or other acid-producing meds, then acid-blockers are the wrong thing to take. Holistic and medical doctors view this completely opposite. The medical opinion is that acid reflux/GERD occurs as a result of excess stomach acid. The holistic opinion is that it occurs as a deficiency of stomach acid.

It's a long explanation, but we holistic docs know we're right. We resolve heartburn/GERD/acid reflux all the time, while medical docs have to keep patients on drugs to control symptoms.

[elephant]

Sangye that was very informative. So how do we resolve heartburn/gerd/acid reflux? I am on nexium that seems to help. I take it 2-3 times a week.

[Sangye]

Are you on pred?

[snooz23]

I am currently on 10mg. but I was on 60mg. and various amounts coming done. I never took this acid blocker stuff? I never had any problems w/ my stomach, however I should be on it anyway? I am surprised Dr. Langford would not have me on it? I will check w/ her because I believe I am going to have to go way back up this week. Thanks for the info.~ snooz

[Sangye]

I can't imagine Dr Langford would miss something like that. Please double-check with her.

[janNaz]

Hi all.

I've been on cytoxan and pred since March 11, 2010 (a little over 4 mos). I met with Rheumy today and asked about alternative to ctx. She informed that dosages of my meds (currently 175mg ctx and 25mg pred) will remain the same for now until reevaluated in 3 weeks, and that the plan is to continue with cxt (tapering along the way) for a year. Now my major concern: I thought that I read somewhere on this forum that ctx should not be taken more than 6 mos because of long term side effects. Maybe I misinterpreted? Does anyone have any info to share on this? Thanks much!