Hi SJH
I am on 20mg of omeprazole at the moment (was on 40mg but found they gave me terrible indigestion and have been on them for 5 weeks, but I only got told this week I have mild gastritis..so am going back to my GP to see if I need a higher dose but will ask if I can change to a different one. I definitly find I get indigestion quite a bit still, amoung other symptoms...including gas,slight nausea and what I can only describe as a sickly stomach, and stomach aches after eating and burning ,also feel really tired a lot of the time. I can't get my energy back at all, and am like you missing events etc. I have read that it can take anything from 8 to 10 weeks to get over this horrid condition, even with PPI and good diet. have you had an endosopy to comfirm the extent of the gastritis?

Hi Boobear, yes I had an EGD about a month ago and they said mild gastritis. My Gastro told me that I should be seeing an improvement in symptoms and not this yo-yo effect. She did say it can take 12 weeks to completely heal but reiterated that we should be seeing a gradual improvement of symptoms. My diet has been very clean however my husband and I are wondering if it's been a bit too clean and as some of the foods are affecting me (bananas, sweet potatoes, fish). I'm just wondering if the tired feeling is because our bodies are trying so hard to digest the food.....it helps to know that we are not alone on this journey but it really is miserable and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Here's to healing for both of us, and soon!

Hi SJH,
Yes I agree this a totally miserable condition, I have always been very active,but this has completely floored me!!... I feel like I will never get better, wake each morning hoping that the pain will not return, only to find that assoon asI breakfast I get a stomach ache which can last most of the day and then when I don't have that it's nasty indigestion. I was wondering that if these PPI's reduce our stomach acid by as much as 90% ( So I've heared) then how on earth does the food get digested?.. and what harm is that doing to our stomach etc?. I think I will ask my GP a few of these questions when I see him this week and put any answers on here. It might help someone else to understand what these symptoms really are. here's to healing for all :)

I hear you Boobear on waking each morning hoping that the pain will be gone and stay gone. Today was actually a good day for me up until the time I took my vitamins. I have been writing everything down that I eat/drink/medicine, etc., today I noticed that there seems to be a pattern with me after I take my vitamins each day. It seems like this gastritis is a bit of a puzzle that you have to piece together slowly. Good luck with the dr. visit this week and please do update us on what you find out.

You sound a lot like me. I've been on Protonix 40mg for hiatel hernia issues for years now, and I just recently started Lexapro (antidepressant). My digestive problems intensified and Gastro Dr. did an endoscopy. Now I am diagnosed with Gastritis! He added Pepcid AC 40mg a day for now. But wants to get me off the Protonix. He said long term use is associated with dementia! Psychiatrist says the Lexapro shouldn't cause gastritis, but everything I read said it could, although that is rare. I am also sooo frustrated about the everyday stomach issues. And my bowel movements haven't been normal for a while. They did a colonscopy and luckily found no problems. I guess we just have to keep asking questions and try different things. Good luck all!

Hi Epona, from what I have been told by both my PCP and my Gastor dr. is that my anxiety over my recent health issues (all gut related) are making my gastritis worse. I have been prescribed Lexapro to combat the anxiety. I haven't come across anything saying Lexapro will cause gastritis but I'll check into that too. I have to say that since I've started the Pepcid, I am seeing improvements in my symptoms.

Hi SJH, Yes, this is a real possibility for me too. Lots of anxiety and stress recently. We'll see what my gastro Dr. says tomorrow. I think the chances of Lexapro causing gastritis is very slim, but from what I read, it is a slight possibility. Yeah, the Pepcid AC is also helping me, but some days are worse than others. I'll let you know what he says. Take care,

Please do let me know what you find out at your dr. appt. I would agree that some days are better than others. I haven't started the Lexapro just yet, taking Xanax if I need it.....and I'm one of those people who doesn't ever take any medicine and now I have an arsenal.

SJH, Well, I went to my gastro Dr. today. He said I had mild gastritis, most likely caused by the protonix! He said he wants me to go off the Protonix and just stick with the Pepcid AC 20 mg, (one in AM, one in PM). He also told me to have yogurt everyday. He said it wasn't the Lexapro that caused it. I have had good luck with Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I now take 20mg daily, along with 100 Lamictal. I also have a script for Xanax, but rarely take it anymore. He does not like Protonix and said it causes more problems rather than fixing them. I also have had good luck starting the Pepcid AC, and I take 40mg a day. I don't know what to say about the bad feelings you get after eating. That must be so frustrating. I'm wondering if Protonix might not be the best med for you. Maybe you could try something different? What is your dosage of Pepcid AC?

Epona, that is very interesting that he said the Protonix was causing the gastritis!! Let me know how you do on just the Pepcid. I'm taking 20 mg of the Pepcid twice each day and 40 of the Protonix in the a.m. only. Many of my symptoms have stopped since starting the Pepcid, it's been great! I just get a slight discomfort in my stomach sometimes about an hour after eating but the last few days have been encouraging. Praying that this upswing continues! I've been doing the yogurt too! My PCP said adding a good probiotic would be a good idea, I haven't tried that yet but am looking into it. I'm thinking I may need to look at something other than the Protonix if things don't calm down a bit more soon. Thanks for the update!! Keep me posted on how you do :)

Will do SJH. Good luck! Don't forget that I've been taking the protonix for years, so maybe it's not good for long term use.

Hey Epona, had a bad day yesterday and today was slightly better but with both Protonix and Pepcid I can't seem to get the burning to stop :(

SJH, I'm sorry you had a bad day. I know how uncomfortable it can be. I know years ago when I started the protonix, I tried several meds first that didn't work. The protonix worked great and worked immediately. I think you might need to try a different medicine. or a different combination. There are several options like nexium etc. I'm still not convinced that the Pepcid AC alone will be strong enough for me. I'm weaning off the protonix over the next 3 weeks. Take care,

Hey Epona, thank you :) I have quit the Protonix cold turkey with the ok from my Gastro Dr. since I'm already on the Pepci (and have been for 2 weeks). I tried Nexium, makes me feel awful. All of the side effects I was experiencing have disappeared after 1 day off the Prontonix! Also, my PCP wanted me to add a probiotic which I began last Saturday, don't know if that was the kicker but my gastritis is under control currently.....just thought I'd share :)

Good for you SJH. I hope we all start feeling better. This question is for the Xanax users. What does it feel like? Any side effects? I have been very reluctant to take any medication my entire life. Now I'm on 3 and having massive anxiety. I can't tell if the anxiety comes from the meds, my medical problems, or my own head.