Secondary Effects
Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
Stomach ulcers were a constant threat because of the 18 or so prescription medications Pearl generally was taking during her illness. She had GERD and irritable bowel syndrome before the illness so her GI tract was monitored closely and medicated. Pepcid, used before her illness, was eventually replaced by a proton pump inhibitor. That was replaced during her final months with Carafate to allow use of methotrexate for steroid-sparing. She had several upper endoscopies to monitor her stomach and throat – all showed no ulceration.
