I'm going to say something that I've heard 1,832,517,460 times since I got h pylori and gastritis and it irritates the mess out of me....but it's true. It mostly takes a lot of time to feel better; and, everyone is different as to what they can eat. For me, I am avoid anything spicy, really fatty (i.e. red meat, whole milk, full fat dairy, etc.) and fried. I'm also limiting the sweets. It's pretty much chicken, fish, veggies and starches. But some people can tolerate the dairy. Some days it doesn't bother me at all, some days it does. I always do reduced fat tho.

Keep a journal of what bothers you. BUT, every day will be different based on healing process.

I'm here if you need to talk.

I think we can all relate and sympathize. This is the place to vent!

I agree with the above post. Fried foods, too spicy foods, and dairy are real problems for me. Think 'bland is grand,' and remember, it's very likely not forever--just a temporary thing. Expand foods VERY slowly--and only a bite or two at a time, and don't try more than one 'new' food or drink a day.

Have your safe foods readily available, so you don't get tempted to eat the bad stuff. For me, it's cottage cheese, or yogurt, or toast with a little butter and honey. Sweets can be nasty, too. Canned fruit or applesauce or a piece of banana are all good snacks.

Drink lots of water and any tea you can handle. You'll feel better all around. I think most of the time we are all too dehydrated, and it doesn't help us feel better.Fluids are a definite plus and a must!

It also helps me greatly to divert my attention and keep really busy. And don't forget enjoyable hobbies, as well as exercise--even taking a walk outside and getting some fresh air. Play with your pets! I happen to talk to mine. :)

Don't eat close to bedtime--allow at least 2 hours before. And I get too wound up if I sit at the computer or keep working right up til bedtime--I need at least an hour to crash on the couch and watch season 6 of the Waltons. :) (that's what hubby and I are watching every night.) I read the Bible and pray and pray more just before sleeping--really relaxes me and puts everything in perspective.

Well, I hope at least some of this is helpful. Remember--we are always here for you! God bless. I pray for you and everyone here daily, and I believe all prayers are heard in one way or another.

Yes...def keep busy. If you have too much free time, you "hurt" more. Or I seem to.

And yes....pray often!!!

Thanks everyone, I will try the foods. Its difficult as my husband buys a lot of chocolate. We both like lamb. Sometimes I can eat it no problem. At the moment Ive got an infection on my left lung and the costochondritis. It seems everything is causing me pain on my left side. I will get there I keep praying and also I try to read the bible when Im in bed. I play a computer game to unwind,Bookworm,which is good. I tend to stay up a bit too late though especially when in pain. Do you lose sleep with it?

Yes, definitely. It affects everything. Especially your overall health.

Discipline comes with time, in all honesty. Temptation is a difficult monster to try to fend off- even after gastritis. However, you will find that in time, you do find it a little bit easier every time you face temptation. Give yourself a bit of a break and when you get frustrated, just remember you ARE making progress. It may not look that way on the inside or feel that way at times either, but you are.

Amen once again, ravenfish!

And as I posted before on my imaginary 'graph,' I think we have peaks and valleys, but gradually we get to the peaks. It may take a while, but we will get there eventually.

Hi as I haven,t stuck to a bland diet Ive got a bad flare up again. I don,t know when I will get this under control. I need to start taking more bland things. My chest has been weird and horrible. It all come out as a bad cold and the wheezing an d stuff on my chest has been awful. Thats much better and the pain has lessened on my chest. Now the gastritis has been worse since last night. I had reflux then. Alarm bells with my diet. So I start again. How are you all? Gastritis really upsets me.