Rebif/Advil/Heartburn?????
 

I don't take Rebif but I know if I take Motrin on an empty stomach I tend to get acid reflux so I always make sure to eat a little something first even if it's just a slice of bread and glass of milk. I've always had trouble with acid reflux though, went to ER once because I thought I was having a heart attack found out it was spasms of the esophagus. I'd call the dr. just to be sure. Hope you find relief soon, I know it can be terrible to deal with.

:hug: Susan

Switch you premedication from Advil (Ibuprofen) which is very caustic to the stomach lining and causes acid reflux, to Alleve. It is gentler on your system but still does the job.

You may also want to be checked out by your PCP as you may have Gastro Esphagial Reflux Disease (GERD). Only your PCP can tell you that. A hyperacidic stomach is nothing to mess around with considering all of your other health challenges and it is easily treated.

Best of luck to you and let us know how you're doing.:hug:

When on Avonex, I would take two an hour before my shot, two just before going to bed, and two when I got up in the morning.

It seemed to work well for me to fight off the side effects of the med.

Hope it all works out for you.

Nsaids
 

Both ibuprofin (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Alleve) are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and both are very hard on the stomach. Also, if you take Zoloft, it interacts with NSAIDS to further aggravate your stomach.

Try Tylenol (aceteminifin) and see if that relieves your pain, but be careful not to overdose as it can cause liver damage in large amounts. If Tylenol just won't cut it and you have to have the NSAIDS, then try adding Prilosec OTC, which inhibits acid production.

I know these things from experience, since I've eaten several holes in my stomach with ibuprofin. I no longer take it at all.

When I first started Avonex last summer, I took 2 Advil before the shot and 2 every 4 hours. I also tried taking Aleve right before I went to sleep.

I have a long history of stomach problems and the Advil just tore me up and I can't tolerate the Aleve either. The reflux was horrible. I ate soda crackers and rolaids along with Prilosec. Pure misery.

I have changed my shot time from evening to early afternoon now and I am down to just taking 2 Advil before my shot. Thankfully, the Avonex side effects are so much better!