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.
Saw my doctor today after an ultrasound. According to my previous tests I am not producing much acid and cannot pin down any foods that are aggravating my stomach. He believes my problem is stress. I have to agree.
He told me I would not have to adjust or change my diet unless and until I can identify anything that brings on my symptoms.
So I'm wondering if anyone else has this kind of gastritis.
He also told me I could stop the PPI and use any OTC remedies I can find that help. He also said they just don't really know what to do for the spasms. But he did order the GI cocktail prescription that I can use when things are really bad. And I will be having a MRI of my liver since I have cysts that have not been looked at in more detail. I think we've run out of tests.
All I know for sure is that I have some awful pain at times and feel so sick. No cancer. The only thing is that my LES is a little loose. I also have IBS which could contribute to the problem.
So guys..... give me your ideas and opinions. I think I am at the point of trying the Pepzin you all use. Sounds good. I need some relief. Haven't had heart burn in awhile. But still can't eat much. Sticking to small meals ( if you can call them meals ).
He told me I would not have to adjust or change my diet unless and until I can identify anything that brings on my symptoms.
So I'm wondering if anyone else has this kind of gastritis.
He also told me I could stop the PPI and use any OTC remedies I can find that help. He also said they just don't really know what to do for the spasms. But he did order the GI cocktail prescription that I can use when things are really bad. And I will be having a MRI of my liver since I have cysts that have not been looked at in more detail. I think we've run out of tests.
All I know for sure is that I have some awful pain at times and feel so sick. No cancer. The only thing is that my LES is a little loose. I also have IBS which could contribute to the problem.
So guys..... give me your ideas and opinions. I think I am at the point of trying the Pepzin you all use. Sounds good. I need some relief. Haven't had heart burn in awhile. But still can't eat much. Sticking to small meals ( if you can call them meals ).
You can also try MBSR:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_stress_reduction
As for the low-acid gastritis, PepZin GI stimulates healthy stomach mucosa. So at the very least, it's not going to make things worse. It might help your stomach heal, if it's damaged in the first place, that is.
I'd suggest trying it BETWEEN meals, not immediately before or after them, as it can have a mild, short-lived, antacid effect, and you don't want that while digesting food.
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But the #1 thing you should try is this:
http://www.amazon.com/THORNE-RESEARCH-Betaine-Pepsin-Health/dp/B0012SB4BS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410861552&sr=8-2
The above contains Pepsin (not to be confused with PepZin GI or Pepcid AC). Overall, it is a supplement that specifically helps people with LOW ACID to digest food.
It may even jumpstart your stomach's ability to produce acid by itself. I.E. if even one capsule become a bit TOO effective, maybe you can try switching to a milder version (Dr's Best brand sells a weaker one), or eventually stop taking it altogether.
Improving the stomach's functionality in low-acid conditions can also improve IBS symptoms, because the IBS could be directly linked to that condition.
Can we take HCL with PenZIn. And if we have gastritis.
I ordered the Pepzin Gi yesterday. Do you all know anything about essential oils? I found one called Digest Aid that actually works.. somewhat. I am a fan of magnesium oil also. Since I've been using it my constipation is much better. I will look into chlorella after my MRI of the liver. I suspect the cysts are benign.
Honestly I expected to hear that you all thought my doctor was wrong about the food thing. Everyone here seems to watch their diets but I have not found which ( if any ) food is bothering me. Yikes guys... I'm Italian. How can I give up tomato products?? Grinning.
Thanks again and please keep helping me. I admire all of you so much for the research you've done. You all seem to have a handle on this thing.
By the way..... I got to thinking and I remember back when I was about 20 going thru the barium swallow tests. So something must have been brewing back then. Can't remember why I had this done or what the outcome was but then I started remembering other stuff. Like First Communion... choking on the host. I've always had trouble swallowing pills etc. Now I'm choking on little bits of chewed food... sometimes. The memories are flooding back now that I am facing this and thinking about it.
If you're not sure whether your gastritis comes with HIGH stomach acid (common) or LOW stomach acid (less common), then you shouldn't risk it - because adding something like this to a high acid situation can make it worse.
If you're already taking Zantac or Pepcid or Omeprazole or Protonix or Dexilant or something like that, and it makes you better, removes nausea, then you have HIGH stomach acid. It's a different treatment regimen.