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.
Well first off my name is Julia, I am 31 years old and have been struggling for over a month and a half with this gastritis/bad acid reflux now. I am hoping you all could give me some tips and ideas on what the heck is going on in my body. I apologize in advance if this is too long. I haven't been formally diagnosed with these things, just what my GP and nurse practitioner have gathered. No blood test or endoscopy yet. I first started having these feelings of a tight neck, and sore throat...but no burning sensation or stomach pains. Then a few days later I had the burning gnawing pain in my stomach. I went to my clinic saw the NP and she gave me 40 mg of omeprazole and said no spicy food and strict orders for a bland diet. okay i did that, and was improving and of course I like an idiot went back to my normal spicy food and soda I love. Big big mistake. i got the reflux again and the stomach pains.
I began to drink aloe which helped immensely. Stopped caffeine all together, ate very bland food. I also used gaviscon on occasion especially at night. My reflux seemed constant and not letting up everytime i ate, but my stomach felt better. So this time went to see my actual doctor. She then said i had gastritis still and that was causing the reflux, and prescribed me 60 mg of Dexilant, and scheduled me for an ultrasound. Ultrasound looked normal, but lots of gas. The Dexilant i take about 5 o'clock because the acid i get happens more at night, It seemed to help but made my stomach worse, and very gassy. So i started taking a probiotic which I think can only help at this point.
I go back in to see her Wednesday, and i can't say i'm much better at this point, stomach hurts more and am still having acid reflux. She said if i wasn't better most likely i'll have an upper endoscopy done. Just wondering what am i doing wrong? I must also mention i've become very anxious since all of this started. My mother passed away April 1st, and it was a very stressing time. in my May I had pains on the side of my stomach and thought it was a run of the mill bladder infection because i had one before. So before my urine test even came back my doc prescribed me Ciproflaxcin, took that for three days only to find out that i was fine. so of course stopped taking it. I'm wondering if this is all a correlation?
Also, i'm very short in stature due to a bone condition I was born with which doesn't help matters. Anyone who can give me some words of encouragement or that there is a light at the end of this long tunnel? Also who knows from experience what the heck is going on with me it would be much appreciated! Thank you so much!!
I began to drink aloe which helped immensely. Stopped caffeine all together, ate very bland food. I also used gaviscon on occasion especially at night. My reflux seemed constant and not letting up everytime i ate, but my stomach felt better. So this time went to see my actual doctor. She then said i had gastritis still and that was causing the reflux, and prescribed me 60 mg of Dexilant, and scheduled me for an ultrasound. Ultrasound looked normal, but lots of gas. The Dexilant i take about 5 o'clock because the acid i get happens more at night, It seemed to help but made my stomach worse, and very gassy. So i started taking a probiotic which I think can only help at this point.
I go back in to see her Wednesday, and i can't say i'm much better at this point, stomach hurts more and am still having acid reflux. She said if i wasn't better most likely i'll have an upper endoscopy done. Just wondering what am i doing wrong? I must also mention i've become very anxious since all of this started. My mother passed away April 1st, and it was a very stressing time. in my May I had pains on the side of my stomach and thought it was a run of the mill bladder infection because i had one before. So before my urine test even came back my doc prescribed me Ciproflaxcin, took that for three days only to find out that i was fine. so of course stopped taking it. I'm wondering if this is all a correlation?
Also, i'm very short in stature due to a bone condition I was born with which doesn't help matters. Anyone who can give me some words of encouragement or that there is a light at the end of this long tunnel? Also who knows from experience what the heck is going on with me it would be much appreciated! Thank you so much!!
I'm really short too. 4 ft 9 in, and weigh in at 85 lbs most days. Keep losing, gain back an ounce or two, lose again.
Wish I could help more. The other members know a lot more about this than I do. I'm new here too. And I am 64.
Anyway, these are the 3 supplements that helped me significantly improve my condition when I was stuck. Chances are, they can help you as well.
I'd start with taking 2 Gastromend on empty stomach in the morning and 2 before bed. Don't eat for 1 hour or at least 30min after taking them, and with breakfast take strong probiotic.
Ulcetrol is less powerful.
PepZin GI is the safest and most reliable but doesn't work as fast as the above two.
The contraindications would be: stop or reduce Gastromend if it gives you constipation. And try not to go above 80mg of zinc per day (all of these contain zinc).
The real alarming dose of zinc is 150mg+ but I prefer to play it safe. Also, you're small. Maybe something more like 64mg, even. Better safe than sorry.
http://www.amazon.com/Designs-Health-GastroMend-vegetarian-Beauty/dp/B00290CG56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407194283&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Ulcetrol-60-Tablets/dp/B0013OXM0M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407194374&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-PepZin-Veggie-120-Count/dp/B0035BYOSA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407194398&sr=8-1
i have had luck with this: Enzymatic Therapy DGL http://www.amazon.com/Enzymatic-Therapy-Ultra-Chocolate-Chewable/dp/B00014E1GY and just ordered slippery elm, i'm desperate for results.
I also use this probioitic, hoping that is helping things a long as wel :l http://www.amazon.com/Probiotic-Supplement-Lactobacillus-Acidophilus-Dramatically/dp/B00GGSDWH8/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1407199119&sr=1-1&keywords=advanced+probiotic
Taking these PPI's is especially worrisome because i have brittle bones, and these are especially bad for bones. I am just hoping this will end up being a brief period in my life, and I can enjoy the foods I used to. I never drank or smoke, I seriously wonder if stress brought this all on.
I was diagnosed with erosive gastritis and reflux esophagitis two weeks ago by endoscopy. The test is easy.. didn't feel a thing and at least not I know what exactly is going on but I have to push for finding the cause. I have been suffering for over a year now and I'm thinking it may have been stress induced, I had alot going on at the time it set in.
I have osteoporosis to I dont want to take the PPIs that were suggested.. took some Zantac instead awhile now I am not taking anything.. hoping it will heal on it's own.. Hang in there!
Also... can anyone tell me what all these side effects are that come with PPI's? I keep hearing about them, but don't know what to look for. I am "supposed" to be taking Omeprazole every day, but I don't. Take it a couple times a week. Same with the Carafate. Meds just scare me.
They don't have those Side Effects
NO I do not take any osteoporosis meds.. funny thing..
I had my DEXA scan- first one BTW done July 7. The tech told me on the spot It's osteoporosis.. which I was so surprised because usually any tech test administrator does not want to say anything because the doc has to look at it. She was very experienced tho and I read it with my own two eyes what was spit out on the piece of paper. Since that time the Endocrinologist office did not call me for a followup appointment!. I called last week and left a message for my doctor and still... nothing!! He had told me that there is injections to treat it if in fact it turned out that I had it. I just want to hear what he has to say but apparently there id "NO RUSH" on his end..! ..OK plus I have severe scoliosis that Ive had since preteen with a pretty majoy curvature of my spine but I tell U>>
EVEN at that I made up my mind I am NT taking those meds. I did research of pros and cons and I'm going to take my chances. I like U hate meds unless its absolutely necessary. Most are chuck ful of bad side effects in that you seemingly help something (maybe) and create another problem.. maybe worse! I took Zantac for about a week and quit.. I took 1 Dexilant PPI then called it quits. There are just too much overwhelming data saying PPIS have a bad effect on your bones and if I already am comppromised why would I want to make it worse..?..
SO I made an appointment in Santa Cruz the end of this month with a Naturopathic doc for my problems including osteoporosis, gastritis and reflux low energy etc.. I am taking a cheap Calcium suppliment right now..but will see what she recommends in its place. If you'd like I'll keep you informed.. Take CARE! PS I'm new here as well..