Rolaids, Tums, Pepto, and Gas X for Crohn's Disease

[Boloby]

(Note: I tried the search engine, but could find only random, scattered info on this.)

I'm curious about everyone's views regarding over-the-counter relief products like Rolaids, Tums, Pepto, Gas X, etc. I'm at work with a bit of a sour stomach but have only some Pepto chewables. Normally, I take Rolaids, which seems to help. I used to take phasyme 'cause my GI told me to, but it never helped much.

I stopped drinking coffee several months ago but had half of a frappucino a little while ago (gotta work late), and I'm remembering how miserable caffeine makes my stomach. I'm just hoping the Pepto helps, but not really expecting much.

 

[RONF]

Pepto might make your poop black other then that probaly not much help if its ibd causing problems

 

[Rebecca85]

I use Gaviscon advance to deal with reflux, indigestion etc. It puts a layer of stuff over your stomach contents to help relieve symptoms. I think so long as you realise OTC stuff will only provide symptomatic relief- meaning it makes you feel better temporarily but won't treat the ibd- then it's fine to use if symptoms are unbearable. Also I don't have diarrhoea very often, but I carry generic immodium with me so if I do have an attack, I can at least get myself home without embarrassment! But I know if I was to keep getting diarrhoea then it means my Crohn's isn't under control, and I need to see my GI.

Finally, I think sometimes we blame every little upset on IBD, when sometimes it could be a mild bug or something we ate was past its best, in which case OTC products would be fine to use.

 

[Mark63]

I take a daily dose of Esomeprazole and top-up with Gaviscon Advance as required. If nothing else is available, sucking a peppermint sometimes works wonders!