Hello Ben:
I'm new here, and was looking up Carafate reviews when I found your post.
I too have stomach/intestinal problems that have been hard to diagnose - after many GI doctor visits and tests. I know I have gastritus - from an unknown cause. I am neg. for H. Pilori and cancer (after biopsies). I too called my GP and asked to try Carafate. I read that it is a "cytoprotective" agent that coasts the intestines and stomach lining. I also read it has been used for gastritus, not just ulcers. My GP gave me 1 weeks worth of pills to try - that was yesterday - so, I just started taking them today - 3x a day 1 hour before a meal. I am a little concerned about the side-effects though, esp. the constipation. But I don't know if they will affect me yet???
I think it is also good to know the cause of gastritus, if possible. I read that bile backing up from the duodenum can cause gastritus. This is called "Bile Gastritus". It is caused by a defect in the pyloric valve between the stomach and the intestines (duodenum). If it is this type of gastritus, it can be treated with "ursodeoxycholic acid" in some cases - depending on your medical situation. Bile Gastritus can occur I have found if you have had your gallbladder removed - even years after the surgery. But this is not the only cause of BG.
I would def. talk to your doctor about these issues. Maybe too you may want to get a second opinion from a GI doctor. I have been to five of them, and all have different ideas about my condition.
Hang in there and keep searching- don't give up!

Best of luck for now . . .

Hey bombay. Thank you for your reply. I tihnk thats exactly what I might have to do is go see a specialist. Just tough to do when your short on funds and I don't have insurance until April 1st. I dont have H pylori either. Im not sure what causes mine. Feels like ive had it forever. How do you know if yours is caused by Bile Gastitus or not?I still have my gall bladder. I also wonder if mine is caused by to much or too little acid because acid reducers didnt seem to help. Let me know how the carafate work for you. I found some where online where I COULD buy it online if i wanted to but ts kinda expensive. I dont know why my doctor wouldnt let me try it, it seems safe. Constipation is certainly the most common symptom which isnt the end of the world. I wish you goodluck bombay! Hope to hear from you soon. Also tihnking about trying acid ease, ginger root or D-limonene.

You are welcome Ben.
Yes, I would def. see a specialist if you can. If you don't have the funds now, ask the doctor's office if you can pay on time, or delay billing for a couple months until your insurance kicks in. Some doctors will do this. Also, some billing offices don't send bills out for 4-8 weeks. I am still receiving bills from visits I had in mid November 2013.
Usually a doctor can tell (guess) what your gastritus is caused from - usually based on your symptoms. There are some tests I read about that measure stomach acid/bile, but they involve an endoscope down your throat - probably expensive.
Acid reducers did nothing for me either - at least I did not notice any difference when I took them - both Prilosec and Zantac.
I would also be wary of buying prescription drugs online, as some can be counterfeit. There are web sites that rate/review these online pharmacies - I would check with them first before you buy anything.

BTW: How do you know you have gastritus? Mine was diagnosed with an endocope test.

I also read that Aloe Vera juice can help with gastritus - check out the Amazon reviews on Aloe Vera juice - seems people like it. I have not tried it yet.
So far so good with the Carafate & me - no noticeable side-effects and bowels are still moving. I seem a little better, but it has only been a day and a half of doses, so the jury is still out on the long-term results of this drug. I did find that the 1 gram pills easily disolve in a small bit of water in a few seconds, which is good because they are really big pills and sometimes hard to swallow. Also, don't get the brand-name Carafate, get the generic called "Sucralfate", which is much cheaper - one week supply (21 pills) was $7. The liquid form I understand is very expensive.

Hope some of this helps.

Hey bombay hows the carafate treating ya? I found a specialist I would like to go to, not jsut waiting for my insurance to kick in. Until that time I guess ill just keep suffering lol, not much else I can do. I am going to try aloe vera juice, going to order some on pay day. I also had a endoscopy done. Thinking about asking for another one because it seems to have gotten worse since then. He told me I had little holes in my stomach but called it gastritis not ulcers? Sucks carafate is so expensive. I had heard the liquid stuff works so much better but willing to try almost anything at this point.

Also thinking about trying ginger root, d-limonene and wild cherry bark. Supplements ive heard that may or may not help.

I hope your gastritis is getting better!! Its terrible we have to live with this. Went to a comedy club on Saturday and was in pain the whole time after we ate dinner. Had so much gas build up and could not let it go...it sucks.

I holding out hope that a specialist with be able to help me out some and at least figure out what is causing my gastritis. I know stress doesnt help it and i also have anxiety and stress issues. so who knows!

thanks bombay!

take care.

When I had gastritis, I was on Carafate. It helped but it was only prescribed to me because of how ill I was. I took it with PPI's, never without. Not sure how that works for other people but it was what my GI felt comfortable with. In addition to that, I was also on an as-needed anti-nausea medication too.

Warmest wishes and hope you find something that will help you feel better soon.

Hi Ben well I have had gastritis for 4 years too and the pain has just got worse over time, it stops me sleeping. I have some sucralfate but was taking Gaviscon Advance which is also supposed to coat the stomach. I have not had much success so I am going to take the sucralfate a bit more. Also you can take Slippery elm which will coat your stomach as well. Whatever I do I can,t seem to get relief from it only on the odd day when it decides to settle down. I have seen two gastro and got no answers so they are not always a help. I had some scans a CT scan and an Octerotide scan as he thought that I had tumours called carcinoids. I had blood tests which showed the hormone but now he is not saying it is that. He knows I have gastritis from the endoscopy. Ive been offered anti depressants and he even suggested that I see a psychiatrist. I think a lot of people have had more success with diet than anything else.

Hi Ben, i've had diagnosed severe erosive gastritis and ulcers for 2 yrs now...probably longer, have had symptoms off and on for 9 yrs...

i just started Carafate, 1 GM, 4 x a day, a few days ago...God i hope i can get some relief!

How are you doing?

Bombay, thanks for the advice about dissolving the huge horse pills in water..i'm going to try that!

Hey LavenderHippie:
FYI: I just got a new prescription of Sucralfate (Which is generic for Carafate). These pills are the same size, but white. The other ones were very light blue, and dissolved very quickly in water. These white ones don't dissolve - so, I have just had to gulp them down with water.
I may try breaking them in half. Just thought you would like to know.
I hope this drug works for you - it does take a few days to kick in.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Been a rough couple a days and does not seem to be getting better. Ordered some ginger root and going to give that a try. Also been doing manuka honey dissolved in hot water seems to help a bit. But your right, I two it comes down to diet which I am awful at following, im skinny and I like to Eat. Had terrible gas pains today with little relief. Ppis don't help so I'm trying to do it naturally as best I can. I go from constipated to diarrhea in a Matter of days. I wish u all the best of luck. I know specialist don't always help but I feel like I need to see someone. Regular doctor doesn't seem to know what to do. Had this for far to long, sick of being in pain. Just doesn't seem fair. My poor girl friend sees me in pain and wishes she could help but there is nothing she can do. Anything that has worked for anyone, let me know. I'll try anything at this point.

Hi Ben Ive forgot what I wanted to post as my computer started updating. I will have to try to use Carafate more to coat my stomach as Im in agony. Does it keep you awake? Im sitting up unable to sleep. Anyway besides the Carafate you could try something called Silicea gel. I have read about it but not tried it yet. Its supposed to coat the stomach and has no side effects. You can take it with medicines. It sounds good but it is not cheap and I don,t know how long it will last. There is also Slippery elm which also coats the stomach.