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.
So I thought I had gastritis (see my previous post). Went to my GI doctor (takes his time with you, got great reviews online, so I should trust him) and he assured me that I definitely don't have an ulcer. He doesn't even think it is gastritis. He diagnosed me with "nonulceric dyspepsia" which is just another word for indigestion.
I thought indigestion was that super full feeling you get after eating? What I get is burning in my stomach and chest (sometimes throat). And since I got an endoscopy last year where the biopsies were negative for h.pylori, he does not think it is necessary to do it again. He also assured me that I do not have any kind of cancer (that was like, my main concern) in the stomach or espsophogus. He told me to take Pantoprazole 40mg for 2-4 weeks. And if I still have symptoms then to set up another appointment. I hope I don't have to do that!
Anyway, I just wanted to share my confusion of my diagnosis because I hope my doctor is right (I know that sounds ridiculous) and that what I have is not gastritis. What do you guys think?
edit: I just started taking DGL tablets before I eat, is there any other supplement I should add to my routine? And is it OK to take even though I will be taking the Pantoprazole?
Get on a restricted diet, try to identify the triggers and relax as much as possible. I hope you feel better soon.
His diagnosis is an educated guess. However, I don't know that it will matter what the label they put on it is- the treatment is basically the same for whatever he said you had, gastritis, and an ulcer. You get on a ppi or h2 blocker for a set amount of time. It makes sense to me anyway to go ahead with the treatment and if that helps you avoid another endoscopy.
Good luck on the protonix (brand name).
As for the supplements- I wouldn't take dgl within an hour or two of the ppi. From what I understand, since it coats the stomach, it can affect the absorption of the medication. I personally take a digestive enzyme for sensitive stomachs called acid ease. I think it helps me digest larger meals but it's not necessary. Personally, if I were you, I wouldn't add any new supplements right now until you see how you fair with the ppi. One thing at a time so you know if there are side efffects what they are from. Best of luck. Let us know how you feel!
My point was it's just not a good idea to start more than one thing at a time.
However, DGL does seem to work for me. I'm taking it before lunch/dinner and I've been progressively getting better. Just make sure you don't overlap your PPI and DGL intake.