I know for some reason it can get worse for some before it gets better. I only hope my good run continues.
I take a probiotic daily and slippery elm three times a day. I eat small meals five times daily and take a protein supplement to help with weight gain.
I pray things improve for you soon.
Cas

Thanks soretum well Ive started taking the slippery elm which is meant to be good. I feel the pain easing a bit but Ive had some reflux. My stress has been high today so I went out and cleaned the windows,they needed it anyway. I think you should continue on slippery elm if its working you don't want the gastritis back. How long you been taking slippery elm? What probiotics do you take? I have yogurt which I think is a bit probiotic but not much in them proberly. I managed to get IBS under control I hope I can get this under control too. I pray too all the time. What weight are you? Im trying to maintain mine its just under 11 stones.

Hi poorlygirl,
I think I'll stay on the slippery elm for some time if not always. I take an Australian brand probiotic capsule daily. While yogurt has many goodies in it I doubt it would be enough to help our buggered innards. Maybe sauce a good one from a chemist of health shop.
My gastritis didn't get worse before getting better but many months ago I did have flare ups for some unknown reason. Maybe that is a touch of getting worse before better again.
I've been taking the slippery elm for 18 months and the probiotics for about 15-16 months.
For now my newly diagnosed IBS causes me more grief. It is much better than when it first hit and hormones play a big part of it as well as anxiety. Hopefully we'll have them both under control very soon.
Cas

I forgot to answer the weight question. I'm between 8-81/2 stone or 53 kg. My target is 9-9.5 stone or 57-60kg.

Hi soretum you are quite lightweight then. I have lost a bit of weight as the doctor weighed me today. I was a bit worried. Im finding it hard to eat as the pain has got so bad. I had to have an emergency appointment with my doctor. He just said to take Tramodol if the pain gets bad. I need an answer to this. I would love to take the Slippery elm regularly and Aloe vera but as things have got worse Im not at the moment. I was sick after taking it recently. Ive been taking Diazepam which I think may have upset my stomach. I can't sleep for pain though. Its awful. I don't know if its GERD or the gastritis so Ive got to have a ph test to see if acid is coming up. My gastro doesn't think all the pain is the gastritis.

The whole process is soul destroying and life changing for sure. I can't manage anything stronger than paracetamol so I had to ride the pain out as best I could. I lost 20% of my bodyweight and getting some it back is the best feeling.
I couldn't manage the aloe vera. I did try it many months ago but it didn't agree with me sadly.
I pray you find some answers and pain relief very soon.
Do you find a hot water bottle or heat pack on your belly eases the discomfort? It helps me but only while its on there.
Hang in there and no the sun WILL shine again and the pain WILL ease. It wasn't that long ago I felt like the light at the end of the tunnel was an oncoming train.
Take care,
Cas

Sometimes when my stomach hurts, I find that sitting in a chair or on a sofa with a heating pad against my back helps. Maybe it helps relax all the muscles that are connected to the stomach area? Anyway, when my back is relaxed, my stomach often feels better. Weird, huh??

Actually not that weird when you think about it a little more. You, like most other people with gastritis, are probably over-compensating for your stomach pain, by using your back for support instead. Stay with the heating pad. They truly are magical things when it comes down to it and anything that makes you feel better is well worth having around.

You're right, ravenfish--that heat can feel absolutely heavenly!

P.S. If you have a good massage artist on hand, put them to work on your upper shoulders. That is usually the other place I found where tension seemed to build up the most...

hi poorlygirl4 i tried the pantoprazole & did nothing for me ive had several flare ups over the last couple of weeks my gp & i feel it could be the change in the weather you want to try probiotics they are quite good im currently taking actimel 0%fat drinks the strawberries georgeous where did you buy your slippery elm because i cant seem to find it in any shop in york

As ravenfish said, a massage feels great. My husband is super at this, and it really helps get the 'knots' out.

Just adding that I occasionally take Anaspaz (hyoscyamine) which is a prescription med for stomach cramping. It seems to help, especially these cold days when my body can't seem to relax well. Also good for general GI symptoms like so many of us have.

Hi Yorkyboy I eat yogurt as much as I can. I will look for some probiotic ones. Ive been having good days and bad,yesterday was terrible and I couldn't sleep for pain. I also had reflux so its that. I went to see the gastro today hes on about me coming off my PPI for the ph test. I said I couldn't do it because of the acid reflux. Now Ive got to have the test taking the tablets and if it doesn't show the reflux then no op. Its not as if I want an op just rid of this. I don't see him again until Feb and still don't know what is causing the gastritis. Anyway you can get the Slippery elm at Holland and Barrett. I haven't seen it anywhere else. Maybe Superdrug. If I can get rid of the heartburn like indigestion pain I will keep taking S Elm as its good.

cheers poorlygirl4 yeah i know where your coming from with the pain mines right under left rib & round by the kidneys the worse pain in when it gets into my shoulder blade & top of arm thats when its bad it almost brings tears to my eyes