I think it depends on the cause of the Gastritis.

I've had mine for 4 years now and mine will be life-long because they found lots of bile during my scope. You aren't supposed to have bile in your stomach so I must have a pyloric valve problem because they found no ulcers near the valve causing it to not close correctly.

If they found bile during your scope, research 'Bile Reflux Disease' at the Mayo clinic's website. I guess there is surgery for valve repair but Gastroenterologist don't like it to do it because it only has a 50% success rate. I guess that would be upsetting to have half your surgery patients mad at you because the surgery did nothing LOL!

Have you had gallbladder surgery or gastric bypoass surgery? Those can cause Bile Reflux Disease as a side effect.

God, 4 years! I dont know how anyone could deal with it for that long.

No, it came out of the blue. Had been feeling nauseas for about a month then went on a HEAVY night of drinking and woke up the next morning feeling like I was on deaths door. To the best of my knowledge the endoscope only showed some inflammation.

Been to four doctors already but not a Gastroenterologist, should I go to one?

Hi santabongo,

I sympathize with you - I'm also 21, and it's been almost exactly 4 months since I first got gastritis. Generally, I, too, am doing a lot better now than I was then, but I still get the occasional flare-up - a good week or two, then a couple bad days, especially if I've been overindulgent.

Recovery is not only possible, it is inevitable! But it will take a lot of time, as we're in a sticky situation. If you think about it, we're constantly straining the stomach lining by putting food and drink into our bellies - but we can't go without it. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. So that's why patience, a positive attitude and mastery of stress are the key to healing.

Everyone's recovery process is different, too. I wouldn't read too much into those posts saying that they've had it for years and assume that that will be the case for you - you don't know enough about their past medical history or any other underlying conditions or circumstances (age, for instance).

Are you taking any medications or herbal treatments (like DGL, slippery elm, aloe juice, etc.)? Those can be pretty helpful.

I got gastritis 1 1/2 years ago. I would say I'm now 80% healed as I can eat tomatoes, onion, garlic and wine again to name a few goodies. It can/is a slow process and you'll struggle with the coping more than anything. It will get better I promise.

Yes, you can fully recover. I did. You will never be the same person you were before- which is in no way a negative thing. In fact, quite the opposite. Instead, you will be a better, stronger and wiser person having undergone all of the experiences you have over the past few months. Go easy on yourself and listen to your body. When the time ir right to pick up your old routine, you will know. And until then, just remember, everyday you are one day closer to healing.

I echo everything raven said. I've learnt so much through this ordeal and I know the positives will far out weigh the negatives.

Hi all,

I haven't posted in a long time but felt compelled to update all veterans
and newbies on my progress in order to give you hope.

In November 2011 I had shoulder surgery. I had a little nausea after
surgery but then it continued. In fact for the next several months, I had nausea, loss of appetite, some heartburn initially and rapid weight loss.
At my worse, I weight 102 lbs at 5'2". My healthiest weight is
around 125.

In December 2011, my primary referred me to a gastro doc.
He prescribed carafate and prilosec and said if symptoms continued
he would do a scope.
I finally had a scope in January but they couldnt find anything. Around
February I stopped taking carafate and prilosec because they didn't seem
to help and they made me feel nauseus.

My weight continued to drop and I could only eat small amounts and then all
of a sudden I would feel full.
When I returned to the gastro for another follow-up, he seem to think that
the drugs I took post surgery had irratated my stomach nerves.

By March I started feeling better and expanding my diet but
was not eating much. By April to May, I started to eat more
and started to some powerwalking. By June, I was really feeling good; appetite had returned and I was eating just about anything--even drinking some wine.

In July, I returned to working out with weights and doing aerobics and doing my 4 mile hike in the hills and kayaking. My weight had also returned to
about 125.

I have recovered from all these symptoms... and it is safe to
say that my stomach nerves have healed.

I know that most who post here have had a variety of symptoms--and some simular to mine and others not so simular

I hope this update gives some hope. Of course, everyone heals at
different rates and others have been exposed to other things that
caused the gastro problems.
I think there are a few of you here that had problems post surgery like me.

I would like to thank Ravenfish, Sunluvinmom, Soretum and many
others that posted tips, suggestions on diet and such.

I wish the best of health for all of you and that you continue to
heal.

Best,
Lori

I agree with Ravenfish that you will be never be the same but stronger and better. To this day though, I am scared of strong dose aspirin and tramadol. These are the meds the surgeon requested I take post surgery and according to the gastro, he felt these irritated my stomach nerves.

Thank you all for your comments, Iv learnt more from this website than any of my doctors. Im glad to know that at least some people have made a recovery, it gives me something to focus on during the bad patches.

To those who are still suffering my heart goes out to you and a I pray you find some comfort. Its true that you just don't appreciate your health until its taken away.

To arslonga91,
Ya, I tried the alovera juice but didn't notice much difference. I know it makes no sense but I found 7up and tea the best remedies. Taking some homoeopathic remedies as well although I have no idea if they're doing anything either.

In new to all this n been suffering for two wks constant so having been referred for any tests except bloods. I've been given omerprazole which has helped. I started eating very bland food and actually started to feel hungry. Then yesterday with out realising forgot to take my tablet. And because I still felt ok ate some chocolate now I feel so sick and so full:( my stomach hasn't bloated through all of this tho but have all the other symptoms I'm so scared

Hello, I am guessing that it can only be control with certain medications. Try to not eat spicy food or any food that can cause gastritis. I am taking medications to control my gastritis. I take Raditilina before eat something spicy. Well i take it in the mornings.

It is really nice to see other people dealing with the same issues. I have had Gastritis for over a year now. Had the barium test, endoscopy, mri, ect. I was told I have gastritis. He should me the pictures of the erosions in my stomach. Problem is I dont know how to heal them!! What have you all tried that has worked for you. Doctors prescribe me Omeprezole, rantidine, nexium, prilosec and these have no where near healed me. They somewhat heal the symptoms but thats it. Any help would be greatly appreicated! By the way I am a 24 year old male, feel like im too young to be having these sort of problems. They greatly effect my life and my friends just dont understand.

Yes, I believe your life will return to normal but first the doctors have to figure out exactly what is causing your symptoms and not just mask them with pills. I had one GI Specialist tell me that once I started taking the Nexium, I could start eating ANYTHING I wanted... EXCUSE ME???? Needless to say, I changed doctors. My new GI did a scope and found the Chronic Gastritis, along with a hiatal hernia and diverticula. You seem so young to have this. Do you drink and smoke? Those two things will make the symptoms much worse and last a lot longer. I don't mean to preach, I'm just trying to help you. Hugs.

I do smoke and drink on occasion but not over board or anything. Just need some new things to try that actually might work for once haha.

I believe this is my third time with gastritis. It is definitely my 2nd time. The first time they told me that I had glandular fever but I believe I had Gastritis as well. I was taking ibuprofen the first time and that upset my stomach. Then the second time I was taking daily iron supplements and that upset my stomach. That was in 2009. I finally felt healed in 2010 but was left with acid reflux. My stupid doctors left me on the Nexium even though I was healed and I am still taking it. At the beginning of September I had a coil inserted and it was so painful they prescribed me some NSAIDS (sp?). I took 4 pills across two days. I then came down with a nausea bug after a couple of days and I remember my stomach hurting but I just thought it was a flare up of acid reflux from not eating. I then got a cold and had blood tests and was told I was iron deficient (don't know if that is from the long term PPI usage or maybe my stomach was bleeding?). So they gave me iron supplements. I took one sachet of Spatone (meant to be a stomach friendly supplement) and the belching started. The next day the pain got worse. I started eating lots of iron rich foods and that was it! Now I am trying to get back on track. But I know I did it before so I have to keep reminding myself. I damn hope it doesn't take as long as 1.5 years this time but I was taking iron supplements for a couple of months then but this time I only took one.

Just make sure you remember what caused your gastritis and don't do it again. When I was prescribed the NSAIDS and iron supplements I questioned the doc saying that it would irritate my stomach. They said it would be ok as long as I ate at the same time. When I took the NSAIDS I remember thinking 'ah I seem ok with this now' but that obviously wasn't the case as it only took a bit of iron to through it over the edge. So just trust your instincts.

Bennksteel - I am only 26 and first suffered with this when I was 20 (second time I was 23) so I know what it feels like to feel too young to be suffering with something like this!