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.

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donicarose 04/02/2015

Both gastritis symptoms and post nasal drip are making my general esophagus and stomach area so sensitive. I was doing well, with no gastritis and no weight loss for many months until I had a colon prep a few weeks ago. Since then, I swear that the thing I had to drink just irritated the heck out of all over again. My anxiety is at an all time high, despite an August 2014 endoscopy that said I still have gastritis, but it was called "inactive" and a hiatal hernia.

I cannot eat again and I have almost constant gnawing and nausea. My doctor just keeps throwing Nexium and Sucralfate at me. I used to do better on Dexilant, but my insurance didn't cover it so my previous doctor kept giving me samples. I am no longer seeing him unfortunately. Plus, there's the lack of appetite and weight loss. I just don't know what to do anymore. I am going on a cruise in a week or so and I don't want to go if I won't be able to enjoy the free dining package we received. I just want to feel better

shihonage 04/06/2015

Yes you can take PepZin GI. If Sucralfate still coats your stomach it could interfere and lessen its effect though. Because they are competing for the same function.

Keep in mind that PepZin GI is not an instant solution, it just amps up over time.

donicarose 04/06/2015

Thank you so much for your continued compassion and care. Honestly, reading these posts has kept me from absolutely going crazy with worry, anxiety and discomfort.

donicarose 04/06/2015

Is it possible that I am feeling better since taking the PepZin? Or is it my mind wanting me to feel better? I feel less of that brick feeling, less burning and a little bit more desire to eat. No nausea at all. Fingers crossed...

guskoburido 04/06/2015

Shihonage if we follow this routine and experience almost no burning during the day how long do we have to keep this up for our stomachs to at least handle regular amounts of protein, not just a tiny piece with troubles.

I dropped the pepcid today and I had no burning just by eating safe foods but no protein....today. Just ate rice vegetables and bananas.

how long does it take to move from rice-->oatmeal-->>>mashed eggs/fish in regular mounts from your experience?

donicarose 04/07/2015

So happy!! I seem to be feeling MUCH better today and ate a little more. I also ENJOYED it instead of feeling sick by it. I think the new protocols are working!!

shihonage 04/08/2015

That is good to hear, DonicaRose. Keep in mind that there will be inevitable ups and downs as it is a learning experience (and it's impossible to ward a person off against every mistake), but keep at it, and listen to your stomach.

Just don't shift to more harmful foods or quit Zantac just because you feel better. The reversal of progress will be quick. Healing the stomach lining takes a long time, and even when you don't feel it hurting anymore, doesn't mean it's safe to take risks.

smilelikeyoumeanit 04/08/2015

DanicaRose, I am overjoyed that you are feeling improvement so quickly after implementing Shihonage's great advice.

I hope this is an inspirational lesson to a few others out there.

You will have ups & down, but you will gradually move upwards & onwards from now on if you stick to the routine.

Keep us informed & we are all here to support you on your healing journey.

smilelikeyoumeanit 04/08/2015

Sorry I misspelled your beautiful name there, DOnicaRose! :-)

guskoburido 04/08/2015

I am also feeling improvement with shinohages advice and was even better on H2 Blockers but my esophagus is hurting from using them now I have pain at night and today I woke up with a slight pain in the morning, it goes away with eating but I'm scared because I might be creating an ulcer without acid supressors and the acid eating my stomach at night. What does the pain of an ulcer feel like? is it severe? My pain is minimal but im sure this doesnt mean anything.

I may have to jump onto nexium if this thing doesnt improve...heartburn gonna be bad and a lifetime side effect but gastritis will be gone Im sure ;(.

donicarose 04/09/2015

Just an update: I HAVE been feeling improvement, but today was a bit of a struggle. I've had vague nausea throughout the day and my appetite waned a bit. I also saw, unless my scale was wrong, the loss of another pound. I hope to keep improving, but at this point, it seems like a long way off.

shihonage 04/09/2015

@Donica: There's usually a reason for fluctuations, though in the beginning the situation may be too unstable to figure it out. Usually the reason is food, too much eaten of the wrong thing, too long of interval between meals, etc.

Anxiety does create a self-fulfilling prophecy while in vulnerable state, so your mindstate is just as important. Find ways to distract yourself.

@Gusko: If you had problems with Nexium, and you can't find any more H2 blockers to try (avoid Tagamet, Tagamet should be illegal), consider trying Dexilant or another PPI. Dexilant is also a newer PPI, and may work better for you.

guskoburido 04/09/2015

all h2 blockers have the same side effect on my heart now i have no inflammation in my heart and no arrhythmia after quitting them. I just have pain in the stomach like needles randomly throughout the day and get a mild raw pain at night that goes away with water/sliperry elm and when I wake up and goes away with pepzin gi/water.

I'll go to the doctor today and ask for dexilant though and think about it hard in the next few days. I can't be on that thing for too long, hopefully its only one or two months, I think thats all I need to get this under control.

smilelikeyoumeanit 04/09/2015

Gusko - I'm glad you take immediate action on any pain & sensations by taking slippery elm or pepzin GI. That's what I do too. It's really important not to just sit there & feel it (or ignore it).

donicarose 04/09/2015

Shihonage, you are probably right about the food and my weight fluctuations. When I get like this, I don't eat all day and I just retreat to my bed. Then I eat a few bites. That being said, I am noticing an improvement in my appetite, so I feel hopeful that everything will stabilize. I tend to get obsessive and weigh myself every few hours too.

shihonage 04/09/2015

Weighing every few hours gives meaningless results. Even weighing once a day is pretty useless. Once a week is actually useful.

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