~ Carafate (Sucralfate)~ Dx Bile Reflux~

[[Se...]]

Here’s a copy/paste from my post yesterday on the Withdrawal Support Board.

 

It’s not getting much traction there so I thought I’d pick your brains over here.

 

Has anyone had this diagnosis or taken Carafate/Sucralfate?  I’m curious if it helped your symptoms and especially any side effects you had while taking it. My nausea is out of control and really hoping with continued use, it may improve.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

REPOST:

 

 

Again, no secret I’ve had severe nausea, and more recently severe stomach pain, before and all during my taper. It’s been going on for a year and a half. I kept hearing from many people, including my former psychiatrist, primary doctor and even family members (they are VERY supportive but sometimes just don’t understand), these symptoms were either anxiety and/or drug/withdrawal related. 

 

Today I found out that may NOT all be true.

 

In what could only be described as anxiety hell, I did have endoscopy this morning. I was a brave little girl and did it without added benzos.  Lord knows what propelled my wobbly legs to walk today!!  Thankful my husband was by my side!  I was given propofol during the endoscopy.

 

So...here's what was found during endoscopy:

 

Severe gastritis and esophagitis.  A lot of bile in my stomach. Biopsies were taken; two weeks for results.  That seems like a long time.  All the bile is a cause for nausea.  Inflammation causes pain. For now, I'm supposed to take Carafate (sucralfate) suspension four times a day.  It doesn't get good patient reviews 😫!!  Some side effects are constipation, (sorry TMI), nausea/vomiting, headache and insomnia just to name a few!  At this point I really don’t have a choice but to try it.  I need relief and sans the vomiting, I already have those symptoms. I’m to continue with Pepcid or try generic Prevacid. I have a follow up appointment in six weeks. 

 

Bile reflux is much different than acid reflux.  I’m more than likely dumping bile into my stomach due to the fact I have no gallbladder which stores bile then releases it when needed for digestion.  Why it’s been so bad the last year and a half since my gallbladder was removed more 25 years ago?  I don’t have that answer.  I am scheduled for an MRI next week as a recent CT showed dilated bile ducts that MAY be harboring a gallstone.  My liver is also enlarged as is my right kidney (could be a stone hiding in that duct too!)!  Crazy findings.

 

There you have it.  Sometimes symptoms aren’t benzo related. 

 

If any of you buddies have ever used Carafate suspension, I’d be interested in hearing your experience...the good, the bad and the ugly.  I know we’re all different so I’m hoping to have a better experience than the patient reviews I’ve read.  Oh...and damn Dr. Google!! 

 

Thanks for reading my short novel.

 

SG

💜