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.
I've been reading and reading and have finally realized that Acid Reflux, heartburn and GERD are 3 different things. All this time I thought they were just 3 different names for the same thing. So of course, I've been trying all the OTC and prescription drugs that I've heard about to try to tame this thing.
Can someone please tell this stupid old lady what each of the conditions mean and how to treat them? I have chronic, mild gastritis and IBS and a host of other problems that may or may not be related to my stomach issues. According to my PH Manometry test I do not have a lot of acid, but my LES is loosey goosey.
I'm probably making myself worse by trying all these supplements and OTC meds. I dunno. The only prescription I have is for Omeprazole which I know can be bought over the counter by a different name, different strength. I did not know that things like Zantac can be gotten in a prescription strength.
I had good luck with the Pepzin GI and some luck with the DGL Licorice. But even with those I think I may be taking them wrong. I'm just so mixed up now about what to take and what to avoid.
I also know that I will get a hundred different answers here since everyone else experiments too and what works for one does not necessarily work for another. I just don't want to do any more harm to myself.
Thanks
Can someone please tell this stupid old lady what each of the conditions mean and how to treat them? I have chronic, mild gastritis and IBS and a host of other problems that may or may not be related to my stomach issues. According to my PH Manometry test I do not have a lot of acid, but my LES is loosey goosey.
I'm probably making myself worse by trying all these supplements and OTC meds. I dunno. The only prescription I have is for Omeprazole which I know can be bought over the counter by a different name, different strength. I did not know that things like Zantac can be gotten in a prescription strength.
I had good luck with the Pepzin GI and some luck with the DGL Licorice. But even with those I think I may be taking them wrong. I'm just so mixed up now about what to take and what to avoid.
I also know that I will get a hundred different answers here since everyone else experiments too and what works for one does not necessarily work for another. I just don't want to do any more harm to myself.
Thanks
I have gastritis, IBS & like you a loose LES (luckily I don't get reflux - not yet anyway!).
Daily I take 20mg nexium upon waking, 300mg ranitidine early evening and then a dose of gaviscon at bedtime.
If you take any other supplements be sure to take them hours away from these medications to avoid any interactions.
Your combination sounds good. When I had a small bowel resection 6 years ago they gave me Nexium and it seemed to help somewhat. I think it was fairly new then. Been wanting to try the OTC Nexium.
How do you know you're not getting reflux? Can you describe it please? Thanks again.
They are good things to look into though. A lot of the tips for treating GERD are the same that I used to help heal my gastritis.
I take the ranitidine & gaviscon in the evening to prevent any nocturnal acid breakthrough - I used to wake during the night with burning in my stomach & duodenum, but not any more! It is mainly the gaviscon that helps most.
Gaviscon is also meant to be great for reflux because it forms a physical barrier & protects the oesophagus.
My current regime is good. I am happy with it. I have tried various ppi over the last 3 years & Nexium definitely works best for me.