Hi Amberhere, You are very polite. I do think it takes time to get used to the new medications once you start a new med. If your stomach continues to be upset without improvement over time, then it would be good to see a gastroenterologist. Be sure to eat before taking MTX and also drink two tall 8 ounce glasses of water. MTX will cause dehydration over time too.

It is sometimes difficult to know whether it is the medications or the disease that could be causing stomach issues. The meds should be helping with disease symptoms.

I have DM with Scleroderma intestinal issues. I get very constipated so I eat a lot of bran and cruciferous veggies. I will also juice with veggie drinks to help with vitamin absorption. DM/PM is know to cause stomach and/or intestinal issues as a part of the disease for many people. I also eat a gluten free diet. I do follow the Joel Fuhrman diet too. The muscles in my intestines do not work to well to move food forward and this is part of my disease. My Cellcept and Prednisone help to control the disease, but I will still experience intestinal issues.

I hope things will settle down over time with your stomach. I know that many people here will have some good suggestions that might be helpful too. I would suggest to try juicing with veggie drinks that do not contain high sugar amounts. See if the juicing will help settle things down and return to normal.

Keep us posted.

Hi amber. Did the a Rheumatologist prescribe something like Omerprazole to protect your tummy from these hard drugs. If not first check with your Pharnacist and buy Zantac over the counter and take one a day. I used Zantac or Omerprazole for about a year and it really helped.. If it suits you, your doctor can then prescribe it for you but if you are paying for your scripts it's probably cheaper to buy the Zantac over the counter. Let us know how it goes. Did he also put you on Alendronic acid to protect your bones. Did he check your Vit D levels. Lots of us are short of Vit D and are taking it with calcium. Autumm

Hi Autumn - I will look into Zantac - luckily I don't have to pay for prescriptions. My doctor talked about putting me on Alendronic Acid but after a bone density scan which came back OK he decided not to. I take a high dose of Vitamin D every day prescribed by him as well. I don't take calcium at the moment.

Hi Amberhere, I totally agree with Autumn about taking a proton-pump inhibitor medication for the stomach. I take Omeprazole for GERD. Keep in mind that proton-pump inhibitor meds are bad for bones. Prednisone is also a bone eater. I have severe osteoporosis today. When I started with this disease, I did not have bone issues. Calcium, vitamin K1, Vitamin D3, Magnesium are all very important to avoid osteoporosis.

Hi Amber.You will be fine with the Zantac. My Rheumatologist put me on it from the start. Mention to your doctor next time if you should have calcium with the Vit D. Prednisone is not too good for the old bones but the Rheumatologists will probably do regular Dexa scans as in about every eighteen months if you are taking the steriods that long. Hope your tummy is better soon. Autumm