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,
After ankle surgery, my ankle doctor instructed me to be on an anti inflammatory for around 5 months. Unfortunately I trusted his advice and took it even though I had concerns(smaller dose though). When I finished the cycle (in June), I noticed I was having stomach burning and pains. My friend recommended Prilosec so I tried 20mg. After a week, all the pain went away. I continued taking the 14 day treatment and then attended a BBQ where I had multiple Moscow mules (Lime and Vodka). Please note I did not know I had gastritis! Just thought I had a stomach bug or something that went away (never took any nsaids before this so never knew too much about them).
The next day, all of my pain returned. I continued taking 20mg of Prilosec and eventually went to the doctor who put me on Pepcid and Carafate. Nothing seemed to relieve the pain now. A couple weeks later I tried nexium instead and got severe heartburn and pain under my right shoulder blade. In August docs bumped me up to 80mg Prilosec for 2 weeks, then 60, then 40, then 20. August 10th had an endo done confirming chronic mild gastritis.
In mid Sept I was off PPI’s and on Misoprostol prescribed by a GI doctor and most of the burning/gnawing was gone. I did not experience any rebound or heartburn. However, it is now November and my main symptoms won’t seem to go away! I do have occasional burning/gnawing but mostly suffer from feeling extremely full and uncomfortable after meals. Currently went back on Zantac 150 morning and night and am taking Gastromend HP during the day. I have tried DGL, Pepzin, glutamine, slippery elm, probiotics, and all the other natural supplements people recommend. I have also eating a VERY clean diet and small meals (have lost a lot of weight that I didn’t need to!).
I guess my question to everyone is, do you think this will eventually go away? I kept wondering why the low dose PPI worked great at first but never worked good again. I heard the word chronic and got nervous about having this for the long run (am only 31). Has anyone found a good solution for the early satiety or feeing of fullness? Any advice would be great!!! My doc now prescribed me Nortriptyline because I have been getting so down about this (trying to stay positive!).
Thank you all for taking the time to read and helping! Wanting to beat this so bad.
kyle
I had gastritis once from NSAIDS. I rarely take them but was taking them about twice a week when I got a disgruntled system. It went away in a few weeks. The problem with gastritis from NSAIDS is you dont know you have it till you have it bad. It will take time to heal because they damage more than just the stomach, they damage the whole gut and cause what is called "leaky gut". Keep taking your supplements (I take GI revive) and make sure you are taking enough of each kind. You could also talk to a functional dr about pain management and if you would qualify for HCL. (many chiropractors and acupuncturists also practice functional medicine). Eat very clean for the next 12 months avoiding processed foods, dairy, gluten, and sugar (when you have leaky gut these things can be problematic and once healed you can resume eating). It can actually take 18 months to heal some gut damage (assuming you have addressed the root cause. Good luck to you!
Thanks so much for the response! Yes I had no idea or symptoms until I stopped taking the NSAIDS. Took me a while to put the connection together. Had a 4 month old baby at home at the time so my mind was elsewhere! Yep I haven’t had any alcohol since the day that set me way back, but figured the nsaids were the root cause. I will try the GI Revive! (Wow there’s a lot of ingredients in there!) I take some of them separately that are listed in there. Do you take any antacids? I always wonder if I should up my amount to promote a better environment in the stomach or if the stomach can heal regardless of antacid intake. Will keep eating clean and hoping I can get back to a normal life soon! Did your gastritis get better?
Yes my gastritis is much better. This second round of gastritis (and the reason I am here) was due to sibo/dysbiosis. I am getting better from that as well. For the NSAIDS I cannot advise as mine only lasted a few weeks so I would recommend you speak with a functional dr. With my latest bout I would not take antacid because it only made my condition worse. When we get gastritis or ulcers our stomach actually reduces the acid levels to help it heal so your acid is already low but how you proceed is up to you just keep up the healthy eating because now you have leaky gut and you dont want to throw your gut into dysbiosis like mine because that takes months to recover from. I got the GI revive from my functional dr and I take probiotics and digestive enzymes and betaine HCL and am doing so much better. I would only advise against neutralizing stomach acid because it can lead to sibo.
If I havent mentioned it already, there's a support group on facebook I am on as well that you may consider joining https://www.facebook.com/
good luck!