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.
hi all,
I just wanted to know if my state of mind is normal or do I need to some emotional help.
Ever since I have gastritis 2 years ago, it comes and goes. At times, I am symptoms free for 5-6 months. Then something happens - stress, eat the wrong food - and it flares up. and I am back to square one.
The problem is : this time, the issue drags on and on. I am managing it with a trusted gastro and looking to decrease my dependence on Nexium (PPI).
The thing is: I think abt my problem ALL THE TIME. When I wakes up, I will immediately wonder if my stomach feels okay. Then after my breakfast, I will wonder if I am full/not full and if my stomach is okay.
Then for lunch, I have to think really hard what to eat as I am working.
Then for dinner, I will eat and then assess if my stomach is okay.
At night before I sleep, I will assess if the acidity is too much/too bloated etcetc. I have been through times before when I don't feel good after a meal hence all these worrying....
I never stop thinking abt it all the time. It is not driving my nuts, but is this natural? I seem to sink into depression - I cry at the slightest thing. sometimes everyday. I can have mood swings at times. Super Sad in the morning, okay by lunchtime(since my stomach is okay) and happy by dinnertime.
When I received invitations for drinks (I cannot drink any alcohol) or dinner, the first thing I thought of is : what is the food that we are having. 99.999% of the time I reject the social outings.
And I don't travel much during holidays because I need to have access to bland food and rice. oily western food and pasta is out.
and the worse thing is : this gastritis is making me fat. My bloated stomach makes me look 7 months pregnant. When it is not bloated, I am like 5-6 months pregnant.
So I don't shop. How can I buy new clothes when I don't look good in them?
So well, what do I have left : I don't socialise, I don't drink, I don't eat out, I don't eat exciting food, I don't shop and I don't look good.
luckily my family and kids keep me occupied and happy (at times) and sane.
if any of you out there can help me by sharing your ways of coping and making yourself happy, pls let me know.
I just wanted to know if my state of mind is normal or do I need to some emotional help.
Ever since I have gastritis 2 years ago, it comes and goes. At times, I am symptoms free for 5-6 months. Then something happens - stress, eat the wrong food - and it flares up. and I am back to square one.
The problem is : this time, the issue drags on and on. I am managing it with a trusted gastro and looking to decrease my dependence on Nexium (PPI).
The thing is: I think abt my problem ALL THE TIME. When I wakes up, I will immediately wonder if my stomach feels okay. Then after my breakfast, I will wonder if I am full/not full and if my stomach is okay.
Then for lunch, I have to think really hard what to eat as I am working.
Then for dinner, I will eat and then assess if my stomach is okay.
At night before I sleep, I will assess if the acidity is too much/too bloated etcetc. I have been through times before when I don't feel good after a meal hence all these worrying....
I never stop thinking abt it all the time. It is not driving my nuts, but is this natural? I seem to sink into depression - I cry at the slightest thing. sometimes everyday. I can have mood swings at times. Super Sad in the morning, okay by lunchtime(since my stomach is okay) and happy by dinnertime.
When I received invitations for drinks (I cannot drink any alcohol) or dinner, the first thing I thought of is : what is the food that we are having. 99.999% of the time I reject the social outings.
And I don't travel much during holidays because I need to have access to bland food and rice. oily western food and pasta is out.
and the worse thing is : this gastritis is making me fat. My bloated stomach makes me look 7 months pregnant. When it is not bloated, I am like 5-6 months pregnant.
So I don't shop. How can I buy new clothes when I don't look good in them?
So well, what do I have left : I don't socialise, I don't drink, I don't eat out, I don't eat exciting food, I don't shop and I don't look good.
luckily my family and kids keep me occupied and happy (at times) and sane.
if any of you out there can help me by sharing your ways of coping and making yourself happy, pls let me know.
I hate to hear anyone suffering as you are. I know this is such a hard road we walk at times. I can now travel more easily but in the first couple of years it was a huge issue. I always stayed at self contained places with a kitchen so I could provide my own food. Good with families as these places are cheaper and are generally in quieter rural locations.
With all social invitations I ask about the food options on offer and make sure they can do something for me. I don't have any pain with this now but still live strictly with my safe foods only. I have been humbled during all of this out how wonderfully kind people are. I've not encountered a bad situation when eating out. My problem was losing weight so I'm sorry I can't help with the other side of the coin. I do know the shopping issue etc.
With our limited diets we all need to be more creative with what we have on offer. I know that can seem easier said than done but if you look at what you can eat you might be surprised what you can do with your options.
I hope things improve for you very soon.
soretum
Thanks for your reply, it is encouraging and I am heartened that you managed a trip to Thailand (with all its spicy food and green curries) and enjoyed it. And that you managed to put oranges back in your diet. (how I miss the juicy, sweet, tangy taste of succulent oranges. It was my favourite fruit and I have not eaten it in 2 years).
You are right, I should look at what I can eat instead of bemoan what I can't.....
cheers
The only way I coped with the loss of so many foods was to have a good cry and mourn their loss. I had to do this many times for tomatoes but now I can eat them again.
I didn't eat the spicy foods in Thailand. I took a food list written inThai and they prepared foods that I could safely eat. I ate both Thai, western and Italian food while there but no green curry or chili as yet. I've bought a chilli but as yet have not been brave enough to try it. Mango was my favourite fruit and it took four attempts and three years to get it back into my diet. Never rule anything out. One day you may get your beloved oranges back and I pray that you do.
If we can't have a bit of a winge in here where can we?
Hang in there.