Gastritis Support Group

Gastritis is a medical term for inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to some type of injury. Gastritis has many underlying causes, from infection with the bacterium H. pylori, bile reflux, or excessive consumption of alcohol or certain foods or drugs like aspirin.

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annabb 04/20/2012

Hi All,

I have had gastritis for about two years, due to H pylori infection, took the medication to clear it and still had pain. I had an endoscopy/colonoscopy Oct 2010, the doctor said erosion and inflammation, he did a biopsy and said H pylori was all clear. I took meds for a while omeprazole and Carafate, they helped and I have had only mild flare ups that usually subside in a few days, sometimes I take the omeprezole of a few days too. I have had a recent flare up that has been going on for two weeks, I have a doctor's appointment for next Wed. but I am dreading that either the HP is back (the treatment for this is very harsh) or that he might have to do another endoscopy. I was wondering if I should take the omeprazole to help for now and if this major flare up is typical of gastritis.

deleted_user 04/20/2012

I completely understand your fears as I had the h pylori in December. And yes, the treatment is worse than the infection. That being said, gastritis can be something you deal with for a long time, even after the infection is gone. It can be brought on/irritated by stress, foods, NSAID's, a combination or etc. I'm having a flare right now and that was my first fear. The doctor assured me it was probably just the gastritis and we are treating as such first.

I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted after you see the doctor.

annabb 04/20/2012

Thanks for your reply, I have managed to stay away from the GI Doc for a year and a half. Maybe I should have contacted him when I had mild flares, might have some meds to help.

Hope your flare passes soon too.

deleted_user 04/20/2012

What did you take before? If prevacid, then get some that's over the counter and double it. Same for prilosec. They are half the strength of prescription. However, they don't work quickly.

:(

annabb 04/20/2012

I took prilosec and Carafate. I just took a prilosec, but like you said, they don't act quickly.

I know stress played a part in this and I think I had a touch of food poisoning a couple of weeks ago and haven't been right since.

What do you take?

deleted_user 04/20/2012

I'm on Prevacid. I've just started double dosages this week.

I'm ready for a stomach transplant. LOL

deleted_user 04/21/2012

hi annabb
know where your coming from ive had it for over two years now & just when you think its getting better it comes back & like you my flare ups when they happen can last for 2/4 days somedays just niggly nawing pains others really bad crampy pain that double me up i take 40mg omeprazole on a morning & 300mg ranitidine at night i also have 2 spoons of gaviscon before bed if i need it or not i was lucky i didnt have h pylori mine was due to lifestyle & stress hope you get sorted because if your like me you just want to get on with your life & not have to worry about eating & drinking the wrong things

deleted_user 04/21/2012

Very similar situation to me - left with pain even after the treatment.

I'm getting retested for HP in 2 weeks.

annabb 04/23/2012

I know what you mean TMPAGE1273, this stuff is getting old.

Yorkyboy, I have the same problems as you, this flare has lasted for three weeks now, it's never been this long or bad before, hoping for some help from the dr.

kayella, hope you do not have hpylori again, how long ago were you treated? It's been almost two years for me. How do they retest for it? Take care and good luck.

poorlygir4l 04/23/2012

It looks like the pattern it follows. Ive had it for over two years too. When it flares up the pain is worse. You really get fed up of it. At one time I had pain but I could cope with it. I was sick a lot though. Now its more pain and not sick but reflux sometimes. Can someone give me some hope that two PPIs a day make a difference? My mind is so sceptical about the meds working. I try to tell myself they do work then my mind says they won,t. I have had this too long. Is it messing with anyone elses mind or is it just me?

annabb 04/23/2012

It is totally messing with my mind, I go from being extremely depressed to panic attacks. I also have another condition called interstitial cystitis it's like gastritis of the bladder. I had a flare of that this summer that lasted from early July until mid October. I really thought I at least had this gastritis thing under control, somewhat anyway. I did start taking one dose of omeprazole and it is helping, so hopefully two doses of a ppi should do some good. Sure hope you start to feel better soon.

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