Hi soretum I don't know how my friends and family cope with me keep going on about my gastritis. They are marvellous and of course everyone on this site. I find it difficult with my diet as if I visit someone I usually don't get a caffeine free drink. Its the same when I go out somewhere though one supermarket does decaff tea and coffee in their restaurant. I slip up a lot and have a cake or something I shouldn't eat. Ive seen loads of foods I would love to eat again and can't. The hospital sent a letter saying that my gastro now says I can stay on the medicines and have the ph monitoring test. I don't know what to do as it may not show whats coming up. Im nervous too about it and the gastritis pain is bad. Would I be best putting it off? My husband says I will have wasted the gastros time and he wouldn't be happy. I know most of the pain is the gastritis. I will have to ask my doctor about it. Recipie- fry some chicken chunks in olive oil,fry stir fry Chinese vegetables,add some oyster sauce or chow mein sauce if your stomach is up to it. Then add straight to wok noodles and a little water. Cook for a few minutes. Its nice. I used to do this but not since my stomachs been flaring up. If your stomachs ok you can add chopped tomatoes and onions too,if not in stir fry.

Thanks for the recipes! They sound very tasty, and will be a nice change, if (hopefully) my stomach is up to it.

I make a very plain round steak. I dredge the round steak in flour, and add a little salt, then fry in oil (both sides). Then, in the same pan, I add water to cover--and then a little more. I bring to a boil, then turn it down to simmer several hours (check often so water is covering meat, plus some more--maybe an inch or two above the meat).

After about 4 hours, the meat is so tender, it nearly falls apart. Let the water simmer down so not a lot is left--just enough for the gravy, and thicken with a little cornstarch and water or flour and water to make a 'gravy.' If you have organic beef broth, add a little for more flavor. Serve over mashed potatoes.

Hi sunlovinmum I don't eat steak but sometimes I can get away with some roast lamb. I have to drain all the fat and cut any left off. Well Ive been getting some suport from family on the ph test so it looks as if Im having it,next Tuesday. I won't sleep. I could just dream of food especially with Christmas coming up. Lets hope our stomachs settle so we can eat something nice. My pains eased a bit but Im not trying any stir frys yet. Can you have chicken supreme or chausser? Thats good if not too fatty. I used to like Rogan Josh but daren't have it now. I also liked to do lamb mince with vegetables like a bolognese. I guess I could put the gluten free gravy in that Ive got. Its suposed to be kinder to the digestion gluten free food. Also I have tried an icecream before thats really for diabetics its proberly good for the stomach as not much sugar. It was nice but Ive not seen it recently anywhere.

poorlygirl41: what is in your chicken supreme? I eat fairly simple chicken dishes, using homemade cream sauces, sometimes flavored with a few mushrooms. Sorry, I'm not familiar with chausser or Rogan Josh. I seem to go between plain hamburgers, chicken, and baked fish. I like homemade macaroni and cheese, but have to be careful I don't overbake it or it gets tough. Hamburger soup is good, if using the veggies that are digestible.
Frozen yogurt seems to work okay for me, but I always make sure I take a dairy digestant tablet with it 'just in case.'

I haven't graduated to onion or tomato as yet but will try them in the future. I can now hanlde vinegar and yesterday enjoyed eggs florentine complete with Hollondaise sauce. It was mana from heaven and no reaction. Another victory.
As to the tests. Follow your gut feeling. Never worry about the specialist. His/her life will cruise on just fine. You are more important than them.
My friends have been wonderful. I can manage tea now but happily take a peppermint tea bag with me and my own food when visiting friends. I'm more relaxed that way. It is hard to get use to doing that I know but I've been doing it for a long time now and make no apologies or excuses for how I have to eat.
Getting pain to keep others happy won't do you tummy any good. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it. We all do.
Lets know what you decide re the tests.
Take care,
Cas

Hi soretum Ive not had a bad day today though I had some reflux and pain last night. Im going for the test but Im aprehensive. If it shows reflux I will have to have the op and if it doesn't I will still be putting up with it. However it has been getting better on some days so hopefully it will not come to an op. Its hard when friends want me to go out for a drink as I can't really have a drink. Tea and coffee are always full of caffeine when Im out so theres nothing to drink. I can't even get on with pop so can't go out for a drink. Its easier at home isn't it to choose foods,when out its difficult. My husband and I walked out of a pub restaurant recently because I couldn't eat anything on the menu. It was embaressing as they wondered why we had left. I didn't say anything. Yes the specialists can carry on with their lives proberly not even knowing stomach trouble. Whats in eggs florentine? Have you eaten omelates? They should be ok. Ive not had one for a while but have had cheese and mushroom ones.

Eggs Florentine is poached eggs on an English muffin topped with cooked baby spinach and Hollandaise sauce. This was new as I can now handle vinegar.
As to eating out it will in time get easier as your scope of foods opens up. I've had this for 20 months so its been a long fought battle to regain some of my life back. I can eat eggs anyway they're cooked.
I know what you mean about even having drinks out. My first work drink after I'd had this many months I sat and drank water with the girls. Now I can manage peppermint tea or regular tea. If I take a tablet for lactose intolerance I can have a hot chocolate now.
My eating places have narrowed but slowly my options on the menu expand giving me hope for the future.
You will get beyond this. Raven gave me the best advice when I first joined this site and was where you are now. Breath and take life one day at a time. That has been the best medicine of all.
Take care,
Cas

Thanks all. I feel as though Im going mad with this latest flare up. Im trying to remember what I have eaten and drank. I risked it a few days ago and had a can of pop,dandelion and burdock. Has anyone else managed to have pop? I used to go to the pub with a friend and have fish and chips and a glass of lime and lemon. Since these bad flare ups Im back to square one. I haven't had eggs for a while. I will have to try them when I can. I think my friends are fed up of my stomach problem now and me not going out to the pub etc. Its so depressing.

Hi, Poorlygirl.

You really find out who your friends are when you have a condition like this - I'm in the same boat.

As others have said, you should be able to go to the pub. You can drink water and enjoy everyone's company. Once I got over that and explained what was going on, my friends all were fine with it.

As for eggs - consider trying cooking up just some egg whites in a very little butter. Good protein, and no fat to bother the stomach.

Thanks jjstark. I have been to the pub sometimes when its not flared up. Ihaven't been sleeping and its so painful that its hard to go out. I will do when I feel better. I remember one day in a pub I ordered a meal and couldn't eat the pie because of pain so I gave it away to a friend! What I don't get is why its flared up so bad as it was calming down. Mind you I am stressed over the ph test. I had acid reflux this morning but if it doesn't show in the test Im no better off. Has anyone else had the ph monitoring test?