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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poorlygir4l 01/19/2012

Hi all well I went to the doctors today and Im not happy with him. He said my gastritis should be better by now on the medication. He asked me what I would do if the pain never goes. He also said it could be scar tissue pain from having my gallbladder out. I don't believe him. This has to get better one day soon I hope. Its definately gastritis as my endoscopy report said moderate gastritis. Anyway I know how my stomach feels and it hurts when I eat. The doctors don't think gastritis hurts or persists like it does. Since when does a gallbladder live inside the stomach? I can't see how that has anything to do with my stomach hurting and reflux. He also says that hiatus hernias don't hurt. Well some people on the HH forum say they do. They say you can feel them. Ive had enough of this doctor,I need one who will give me some hope. If I didn't have gastritis I would wonder what the pain was. I have the symptoms of gastritis and do have it. Surely its going to go? Some days its got a bit better then it flares up. If it was scar tissue it would be the same all the time. I was told the gallbladder op went ok anyway.

soretum 01/19/2012

Oh boy this sucks big time. I'm so over drs that play down our health and tell us how we SHOULD be feeling instead of dealing with how we are. I'm fortunate to have found a great GP and GI dr along with my naturopath and acupuncturist. I know what they know (drs I mean) about all of this is very little but to say you shouldn't have this pain is soul destroying. Please don't give up. You will find a great doctor and she/he will help you through this.
Cas

deleted_user 01/20/2012

Hi, poorlygir4l.

I'm so sorry to hear that things are not working with your doctor. I learned a long time ago that docs are just people too, some smarter and better at what they do, some pretty lousy.

It sounds like it's time for you to look for another doctor. Are you seeing a specialist - gastroenterologist? Either way, it sounds like you need such a specialist who is more in tune with what your problems are.

deleted_user 01/20/2012

I agree--sounds like you need a new doc! It's unfortunate some doctors just don't seem to be fully doing their jobs, but like any job, there are bad ones and good ones--so true, jjstark.

It's always good to get a second or even third opinion when it comes to health, so I think you're on the right track. I will pray you find a doc who is supportive and well informed. God bless.

deleted_user 01/23/2012

As one doctor kindly remind me once, remember 50% of all doctors graduated in the bottom of their class. Having the degree doesn't make them good. Finding someone who you trust and works with you though can make a world of difference. Good luck and hang in there. You will figure this out and do what is right for you in your own time.

poorlygir4l 01/24/2012

Thanks all. I see the gastro on February 7. I don't know what to say now as it appears to be getting better. Im worried it will flare up again though. As I have the inflammation in my chest too now its hard to tell whats going on. I only have Tramodol and paracetamol as my best friends so I will see. I ended up seeing the same doctor as the emergency doctor. Im not sure if I can see another doc as I usually get booked with him. Ive tried before to change. Hes ok sometimes I supose,but you would think I could see any doctor there. There are some new ones now from various countries so its hard to say who is best.

VMOTTA 01/26/2012

Hello Poorlygirl,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I know what it is to have a bad doctor, a doctor that does not understand and seems not to care. I had one of those when this whole mess started and it took me a little time to find one that is good and cares. At the same time I truly believe that we have to be our own advocates sometimes and request/demand that doctors try new things, new tests and different medications. I have found that what has worked for me is Zantac 150 four times a day. I find that if I take half an hour to one hour before meals and before bedtime I get the most relief. I have been on this regimen on almost two weeks and I feel like I am actually healing.

Have you tried Zantac? Maybe you can add it at bedtime if you dont want to stop taking your PPI. Many people take both PPI twice a day and H2 blocker at bedtime. They say that H2s work best at night and at night is when our bodies heal the most. Just a thought.

poorlygir4l 01/26/2012

Thanks VMOTTA My doctor has tried me on different things,its just that I can't get rid of it. He tried me on Zantac,well one doc did. Ive seen out of hours doctors too at times. I had a bad reaction to Zantac one day. I took it and suddenly got stomach cramps and was violently sick. I avoid it now. My doctor wanted me to try 2 Pantoprazole but its really strong. I was having reflux problems too. Ive tried 2 Cimetedine a day instead of Pantoprazole and acid came up. I can't entirely blame the doctor,I just seem to have a sensitive system. I think hes fed up of me. Its not my fault its not healed though. I have at times thought it has been healing only to have it flare up again. Im fed up of it but will try taking more Gaviscon and possibly Sucralfate. I haven't got on well with Sucralfate either in the past,that has made me sick. So I am a difficult case. All I can do is keep praying for relief from it soon.

VMOTTA 01/27/2012

I had a similar reaction that you did with Zantac with Pepcid. But I didn't have it with Zantac, wait does that make sense? LOL So maybe you can add Pepcid. Also have you tried another PPI like Dexilant?

poorlygir4l 01/28/2012

Hi VMOTTA thanks for your concern. I have a prescription for Sucralfate,Carafate but Im not geting it at the moment. As I was sick with that too Im not going to rock the boat. Im not getting Zantac either or anything else. This is because of going down with the Costochondritis. It looks like Im stuck on Pantoprazole and Gaviscon,at least for now. I daren't try anything else. I seem to have so much inflammation in my stomach and chest,it doesn't make sense. I have thought of trying Omega 3 eg Cod liver oil supplements. What do you think of those? Im scared as their has to be a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 in our bodies. If Omega 6 gets out of hand then inflammation results. I don't know much about it,I will have to read up more but its something like that. Whats Pepcid? Is it a liquid coater like Gaviscon?

deleted_user 01/28/2012

@poorlygirl41

check with your doctor about the omega 3 fishoil pills both of my doctors my PMC and my Gastro said NOT to take them since they could trigger the gastritis ....i used to take them before i got sick and they told me not to continue until my gastritis was fully healed ...

@VMOTTA

u take 4 Zantac a day ? for me 2 seemed to be good at the start but now that my gerd has flared up i was wondering if i should ask the doc to up the Zantac ...i have to say the Carafate keeps the pain down tho felt better 2 hours after i took the first one.

poorlygir4l 01/28/2012

Hi dagmar oh dear thats worrying if the gastro said not to take Omega 3. I don't know then. Some websites recommend them. I may try green tea then and Arnica on my ribs. Ive tried Arnica on my legs before and it is ok. Ive been looking on Holland and Barrett website. There is a lot of remedies but Im scared of being allergic to things. Its a big risk trying a supplement. I haven't tried ginger yet maybe I could give that a go. As for lots of Zantac maybe four of them is as powerful as one PPI. We don't know what is in these drugs either do we? We always take a risk. I wish we were healthy.

deleted_user 01/28/2012

I know u never kno what all these meds are doing for or to u .. for Omega 3 i use Milled Flax Seed, i get it out the grocery store( its cheap) i put it in my banana shakes or yogurth just a a teaspoon full once a day, it never bothered me and it was recommended by the nutritonist i had to see a while back, i been using it for a good while ...

poorlygir4l 01/28/2012

That milled Flaxseed is the same as Linseed isn't it? Ive used that in the past when I got IBS bad. I think I will try Cod liver oil every other day and Linseed everyday then. It will be a trial. Then I can see how it goes for a couple of weeks. Ive tried the Chinese herbs before and I didn't know what on earth they were. We are not told what anything is really we are just expected to risk taking it. To think when we were babies we only had milk and we were healthier.

deleted_user 01/28/2012

lol...yeah i know ...but we will get there again we just gotta give it time :)

kl31 01/28/2012

So sorry! My doctor told me that gastritis causes severe pain and that she is surprised by how well I cope with it. I definately think you need a doctor that you can trust and that does not dismiss you. I hope things get better for you!

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