Thanks Cas. I will probably begin experimenting this week. I like to give my body to re-adjust for a day or two when I come of the antibiotics first, before introducing a new step in the process. I also need to check in with the cardio doctor to make sure, since it is Omega-3 which thins the blood. (This can be a bad thing in my case). Otherwise though it should be a go!

Settinsun- LOVE THE KITTEN! You gave me my first smile of the day! Personally, I still can't handle salad, but if you can try to go as skinless on the veggies you are putting in as you can. Also make sure none of the veggies are gas producing. That will hurt more than help. Good luck!

The only salad food I'm going to try is lettuce. I figure since its so watery it might be ok. I'll buy a few coz leaves this morning and try it tomorrow. I can manage avocado but that is a fruit. Maybe try grating a little zucchini and carrot and having only a tiny amount and see how that goes. As to dressing...maybe some plain olive oil and maybe some chopped basil for flavour. I'd love to taste a tomato again one day. If I'm pain free and settled for a few months I may consider trying a small amount of cooked organic tomato. That's so far away now I'll just dream about that day. Tomato is the only foodI wish I could eat again. The rest will/may come in time.

Just something interesting I thought I would add to this thread - food for thought (for want of a better cliche).

I went to an osteopath today because I have ongoing issues with vertigo (it preceded the stomach issue by two months - JOY! Not!) Anyway the general discussion focused on how many issues people have are due to 'blocked plumbing' or the lymphatic system.

In my case my neck, my jaw and my upper back are all locked up - car crash 20yrs ago, carrying babies on your hip, dental work all layering on top of one another - and how it can all lead to digestive issues as well.

The first session was this afternoon. Five more sessions at one per week to go. The Osteo believes that he can help by clearing up all the congestion (bad plumbing). Lots of work on my back, neck, jaw, ears and pecs today.

Have have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Just a thought to throw into the mix - and I am feeling so positive about this step!

Oh Lia,
I do hope this osteo work can also ease some discomfort for you. I have a friend who is lactose/fructose intolerant. She changed her diet totally and still had 12 months of deep stomach cramps and shocking headaches. Gazillion tests later showed nothing else wrong and she was told it was in her head and to get counselling!
She then broke everything down from the time she changed her diet and still was sick. It turned out it was switching from roll to spray deodorant. She's changed back and no more cramps or pains unless she has a food reaction.
The reason for this story is anything is possible and this osteo may just be onto something. So glad you have him in your corner.

NO it might be the acid content in them.?
I can not Handel tomatoes either. I should think That I could. also? maybe the bulk does not digest . well. funny I miss them too. wonder if anyone can eat them? I miss them..
The doctor also recommend smaller but more frequent meals but smaller. Much smaller. Has anyone been told to do that? I still feel like I have a lump in the middle of my stomach.. and hurts. Anyone get acid burn? too.. Not reflux just feel like acid is burning in the stomach middle area? I wake up with that. and seems to go on all day.. some days just worse than others. I do not like the bloat. in my lower stomach. happens even with small meals.. am trying to keep attacks down the big ones where I double over in cramping pain. smaller meals do help most of them. Only. I still get them? does anyone have acid in their stomachs too? not the reflux. just in the middle of the stomach? I take antacids only it still burns.. most of the time? The big attacks a absolutely nauseating.. too.. and I sweat.. the pain and cramping are so bad. Anyone know how to stop it? does anyone get them? I hate them...

What medications are you on or herbs are you taking to help? The acid burn is common with gastritis, sorry. It will be that way for awhile, until the inflammation goes away. As for the tomatoes- highly acidic. I have been healed for nearly nine months and they still burned, last time I checked. Though I recently was told by a friend who has had similar issues most of her life that GREEN tomatoes are less acidic, even less than yellow and if VERY RIPE, may be okay. We are in the middle of winter right now, so I have a bit before I can test that theory out. (Too much snow!).
Also it is really common to go with the smaller meals. I found it actually really helped. You will find you will probably lose weight, which may not be desired- too much too fast is also not so good. But it does help. If that is the case, seeing a good nutrionist might help too- to make sure you are not only getting all the right foods in the mix but also figuring out a way to up your calorie count.
Hope it all works out and try not to worry. It sounds like you heading down the right path. Just keep going. It does get better!

yes I had many tests. when the doctor the second time went through my mouth into my stomach and small intestine> she took a sample of my stomach lining as it is very very red. In flamed.. for awhile? she had me on the acid blockers prescription ones then they helped most. Only now she took me off them as she said they are now causing more gas attacks a my food was even blocking up and gas was getting trapped more. in my intestines.. That hurts. can what cause muchI guess of this bloat. anyhow.. They acid blockers helped quit a bit. the acid. Only I had more painful attacks.. Only now for the reasons I gave. Now I take zantac 75 over the counter. and It help a bit but not all that much.. I wanted to try some herbal teas.. only I do not know what kinds that sooth the stomach lining. I probably will loose the weight now. I Really do need to loose weight. as Im heavy set. Only you are correct in not to fast.. I know that is not to good.as Im surprised to hear many of you have gotten underweight because of this condition. I can understand why it would happen if you all were of normal weight before you got this.. Me Im heavy set.. I can understand now why you all get too thin from this. because it even for me I get afraid to eat.. yet I must. I actually am afris most times to eat.. if you now what i mean. It has become an effort. knowing and or not knowing how Im going to feel after I ate. and what to eat.. Yes. when I See my doctor again.. she did say that there is a nutritionist that she planned on me seeing.. and that should help.. when I find a diet that will keep most of this condition under control for sure. I Will stick to it.. Im so tired of this pain I guess we all are. I find it hard dear girls to eat out in public places restaurants now.. as I do not know if any of you feel this way? only Its hard for me. to watch every one else.even strangers just eat and not even think about what they mixing together while I have to sit there. and eat soup. or very small partial sandwich and hope that the bread has no seeds and backs me up or just bloats me.. very hard indeed. Its somewhat embarrassing in a way. when I'm with the family my sisters or my their husbands or my in laws and have to say? well i really am not being rude I just can not eat that kind of food. when I'm at their homes and they cook it.. sometimes they s do think I'm being rude.. Only I'm not. I'm just scared ill have an attack at their homes. Yes girls even in my 60,s at my age I can and do get embarrassed and do not like to upper rude.. Yes even me..Love you would think at my age it would not matter? well i have picky relives and to them it matters.Lol they are older too. so you would think? no.they get insulted fast.. the family..

Oh dear! It is so sad that things have to be so complicated! My heart goes out to you. This really must have been a struggle for you!

Don't feel bad or guilty about the feelings you are having regarding eating out. It really is just another step in the process. I think we all hit that phase- along with the take a bite and spit it out phase, if I only eat a little phase, tears streaming down your face in the grocery store phase and the I am so darn frustrated I will do anything to fix this phase. (The last one is the real kicker and usually helps take you the rest of the way).

The dietician should be a real helper. Prepare some questions in advance. And don't let him or her veer off into things you can eat LATER, find out what you can do NOW!

As for the overweight thing- I don't think it really matters where you start out as much as keeping your fears in check when you start to really lose. It can be a bit scare, but remember you are a beautiful person no matter what. Take it one day at a time and the rest is really just a matter of patience, eating right and trying to stay positive. Fingers crossed you will start to feel better soon. Best wishes and good luck!

Ravenfish.. Oh you described them phases. Indeed. Ive been back and fourth in all of them.. the tears down the face while shopping phase. YES.. Off and on the take a bite then spite it out phase. Yes. I go over them. back and fourth.. I guess maybe this is a prat of this condition no matter what age we are diagnosed. The doctor said Ive had it for at least 15 years only did not know this til it finally got so bad. I had to do something..That was when I was 56.. 5 years ago... so I really do feel for you all.. Lord you really describe things I have done in the last 5 years. and them phases.. Im now going into the I have to fix this.. so I do not hurt much anymore. as I have fought this. tooth and nail.. I guess until and I pray its soon.. the Miracle.. YES.. as is posted here.. Positive. The cure.. for this.. I am hoping.. for the medicine to cure this... even if the cure means meds for life... each day..it would be so worth..t it.. If to eat normal again.. so I'm still hopeful.. I wonder have any other of you that have posted here. been into the phases raven described? It almost like ...... for something we lost and are losing.. It true.. I can real -late to this.... Its nice that at least we are not alone in this struggle.. I can be myself here. and talk about what I'm going through. with others that understand ..
It helps..Love you..all..
Hope I can be of some help to.. relating my experiences with this..Love you all.. as I really am.. praying for that cure... It called Hope for things that are possible.. and the cure Is possible.. Might say yes.. The Miracle... yes for this painful condition..

Hi settinsun,
you sure are struggling just now. Don't be so hard on yourself. You will find a way through this and this support group is one of the best assets you have in healing. Raven is right. For now only concern yourself with what you can safely eat. Some/most of the bad foods may be ours to eat again one day. I've been with this for 9 months now and with my natural therpies, diet change and the help of this group I am seeing a light at the end of a long tunnel. My digestive system and blood is getting stronger.
Even when we heal we may need to manage it on some level but hey that will be fine as we'll be feeling so good and strong. I doubt zantac will do a great deal as its more for reflux than gastritis. Try it and see i guess. It didn't help me so I passed them on to my mum.
Eating out is terrifying at first and I don't do it very often. I am going to push myself a little more in that regard. Even if I go to a cafe that does all day breakfasts and eat French toast or scramble eggs I'll be pleased with the outing. The fear factor of this illness is vastly undervalued by the medical profession.
You are working hard to be well and one day you feel so much better than you do today.
Glad your a part of our healing team.
Cas

thanks for the hope and encouragement.. In trying.. cas,, maybe That is why the zantac does not really take care of the acid burn in my stomach area as I do not have reflux at all. I think after I talk to my doctor.. maybe another over the counter acid remover will help > NO I do not have reflux at all. Its nice to know now,.That learning to manage this condition is possible.. It has been a tiring journey. I asked my doctor as I thought this was just normal aging process and she said she had a young man of only 16 had to come into the emergency ward in severe pain.. and finally was diagnosed with this. Only 16. That was some wake up call for me.. Im really trying to manage this condition.. And I thank you all. Yes.. its good that to hear case that you are in better frame of mind and hopeful over this.. That giving me hope.. Never to stop.. the hope.. Its our Lives.. and we will do this.. til the cure comes out..

If there is one thing that is true, this can hit any age and for many reasons. I am surprised when I find people even younger than I am who have it and often so severe. (Turning 30 in April). For me, I lucked out in some regards because it was caught early due to the cause (a medication side effect). And compared to some, I did heal pretty fast. But even seven months of suffering nearly drove me over the edge. I think in some ways, that is why I suffer now instead of gastritis from an infection- almost like I have more to learn yet, because my trial was too short to reap all the knowledge and rewards from it I could.

Often times this illness, or illness in general, is a disease in our lives- but if it is there long enough, you will begin to see the blessings also. I learned more about myself than I ever could have, just by having gastritis. I learned more about compassion, human nature, how to deal with doctors, how to eat right- when I am allowed to eat what I want to again, how to live my life to the fullest every moment of everyday and what a blessing and a gift every day is even if I do not feel that I can enjoy it the same ways that I used to. And these lessons only came through the trial and error periods, the time of pain and tears. You will also find that no matter how beaten you may feel now, there is no limit to inner-strength. As I often tell people- after what I have been through, I can face a dragon. Because that is it often feels- like you are facing an invisible dragon, one with a name known as Gastritis but no face and who can attack at any time from any angle.

Just hang in there. Cas is a smart gal. Listen to her. Hopefully it will help.

YOU ALL......ARE.. giving THIS.. old lady much hope.. i HOPE YOU ARE NOT OR DO NOT HAVE TO take the medicine for another condition that gave you this. Maybe it could clear up if you have stopped taking the medicine.? Or get much better.. At least you know you have it.if you did not know you could have gone on for years like I did the doctor figures It was about 15 years I had developed this. when I got diagnosed at 56. As Had to finally go to the er.. myself. That is when the er recommend I see this gastrologist. I really do hope after if you are not taking the med anymore after awhile that it clears up and your system goes back to normal. having another infection related illness due to that med does not sound good. Hopefully that could clear up.. soon. I see my doctor next month. and she is going to tell me if I have diabetes or not as that is one cause. i also was told that sometimes they do not know the cause. It just happens. I have some days better than others never normal as I remember normal to be. a day without any symptoms. Only some days are better than others. Its learning how to keep the doubling over attacks down, that can and do last for over an hour. or horrible pain at times. The doctor said so far Im lucky as she has seen people that that 4 or 5 hours of that pain. I think? well Ive had 5 children.LoL and If I did not have labor pains and know what it was like to be in labor? LoL then this would be the worst pain Ive had..LoL only labor is worse. hard labor that is.Lol But it sure can compete.LoLl for a placement any how.. The major attacks.. If I did not have my sense of Humor some days? wishing you a happy 30 birthday when it comes up.. and..maybe this year. Hopeing things will get much better for you.. too. You are right about this teaching us things.. I thought I had life down and learned it all about myself.. Now? This has made me even more compassion to others..

today Cas has run out of hope. I have pain that started early this morning for no known reason. It's not bad on a scale of 1-10, I just can't explain it. EVERY time i say out loud I think I'm turning the corner or plan to do some thing in the future I have a bad day.
I was so close to paying for a cruise in May for my God-daughter's wedding but now I really can't be sure. I have to make a decision in the next three weeks. How can I know what I'll be like in May? I may lose my deposit but that's better than losing the lot.
I guess it's just another victory to gastritis.
That's life. With all the devistation down here with our floods in QLD this is not big in the scheme of life.
Cas

I know this dear.. That IS what its like.. I know this very well.. and I sympathize very very much and I empathize with you. This IS the thing with this.. This condition. Is like that. That is why. its hard to make pans..as I know I never know how I might feel from one DAY. to the next. let alone one moths to the next.. That is the devitaing prat of this condition. and I do understand this all too well.. and Know this aspect of it very very well.. and Let us know . as I understand this is very devastating seriously to you. having put out money and planned for this.. It is hard a division like this.. I wish could help you in some what on what to decide? Let us keep posting.. As this is the kind of thing.. That is so bad about this condition is the planning.. The truth now is I have to say to people. I don,t know? I don,t know How I Feel? and that is hard.. especially when we do put up money for a nice important event that is planned. I try now not to blame myself. altho there is some. feeling like if you only PUSH yourself You can do this? That.s the part that hard. The feeling bad.. I here for you. if you need to talk.as This is the thing.. I understand OH to well. love you sweetie.. angel Hugs Ellen