Great question — and honestly, it could be any (or all) of the above! Stomach ulcers in lupus can have more than one cause, which can make it tricky to pinpoint the culprit.
Here's a breakdown of the possible causes:
- Lupus itself can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, including the stomach lining, which can Show Full Answer
Great question — and honestly, it could be any (or all) of the above! Stomach ulcers in lupus can have more than one cause, which can make it tricky to pinpoint the culprit.
Here's a breakdown of the possible causes:
- Lupus itself can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, including the stomach lining, which can contribute to ulcers
- Prednisolone (a corticosteroid) is a well-known cause of peptic ulcers — it can irritate the stomach lining over time
- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin, sometimes used alongside lupus treatments) can also cause ulcers by slowing the body's ability to heal the stomach lining Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is generally considered gentler on the stomach compared to prednisolone or NSAIDs, but some people do experience digestive side effects from it.
Symptoms to watch out for with stomach ulcers include:
- Stomach pain or nausea
- Vomiting
- Dark or black stools — if this happens, contact your doctor right away as it can signal internal bleeding
It's really important to speak with your rheumatologist about this. They may adjust your medications, change the dose, or add a stomach-protecting medication to your treatment plan.
October 15
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