I've read this entire thread, and I can feel your pain, Cas. I hope you're still feeling better.

When you mentioned people don't understand, I'm really starting to feel that, too. At my office, I'm offered to go out to lunch and I have to decline (simply don't fee like dealing w/the pressure) or if someone spends all night baking something delicious and they offer it to you (I accept and then have to give it to someone else). Even my husband, "oh but I'm SURE you can have a poached egg (or broccoli, or beans or a little bit of cheese)". They just don't get it. And it's really difficult. "Well I can have crackers today, but not any more, or ...I can have this but I can't have anything else with it so that I can monitor how I feel." And it goes on and on...quite depressing.

I've been extremely exhausted lately due to the drop in calories. I've also been dropping pounds (a good thing in my case, but I wish not in this way). So I'm struggling to find foods to give me energy. I purchased a gummy multivitamin that I'm hoping doesn't cause me issues. And I'm also going to try peanut butter soon.

Take care and be well.

Have you had your iron levels and other nutrient levels checked? The drop in calories and the gastritis itself can make you feel tired (after all, you are ill technically) but if you are noticing other issues, like extreme exhaustion, it might be worth a phone call at least.

thanks for your feedback NESaltine, You may want to rethink peanuts in any form They are legumes and very hard to digest. You might be better with almond or cashew butter. I use both and the almond butter is delish and great on toast or to cook with. I toss chicken in the pan with some almond butter and any vegies I can eat and finish it with yogurt.
I'm at the stage where I can eat out but I have to stick with pubs, clubs and taverns. Any where I can order a plain meal with no sauces etc. Luckily my family and friends understand and happily choose places like that to include me.
I wish some people would stop saying but surely a little bit won't hurt. Maybe we need cards printed up and we can hand them out to save answering the same questions.
Hang in there and I agree with raven, good idea to get your levels checked. iron and vit b
Cas

Ha! Love the card idea...what a fabulous idea :).

Ravenfish...I wouldn't consider it extreme exhaustion (I don't think) but I'm unusually tired, lethargic, blah feeling. I think you may be right about the iron because even prior to gastritis, I took a multivitamin that purposely did not contain iron because it makes me nauseous, so there's a good chance I'm low...but I guess I'll just have to suck it up and eat something with it to coat my stomach.

Cas - I really love almond butter (I've never tried cashew but I'd probably enjoy that as well) but never considered cooking chicken in it! (Excuse me, I get abnormally excited over anything new I can add to my diet. :)

Thanks as always for the advice.

Check out the symptoms for iron deficiency online. What tipped my GI off was the fact that I was having headaches and was more tired than usual. As Cas said, worth that and a vitamin B check. Those tend to be the two that can usually cause the most issues. Good luck and keep us posted.

It's my largest, most recurrent issue: headaches! Perhaps you're on to something. I'll definitely check it out online.

I know what you mean about unusually excited. I couldn't manage rice for 6 months and was over the moon about that. Learning new ways of cooking is exciting at any time but finding food with flavour for us is huge. It's all about the little victories with gastritis.
Hang in there and maybe get tested.
Cas

Unfortunately, that's how it is....! I was diagnosed 12-31-04....have done very well the past few years even gained 30 lbs! 15 of them need to go:) I understand we're not supposed to eat citrus fruit and boy is pineapple one of them...that's the culprit probably. I've been feeling so awesome that I had a couple of Dr Peppers and cokes per day for a week...at the back of my mind I thought...ot oh...better not do that and sure enough...this week I've delt with pain, and that full feeling that I hate so much. But I know in my mind now that it will go away...I just have to mind my manners. But sometimes...the pain comes on for no reason! We just have to know that and do exercise, as much as you can, even if it's just a walk...hope this inspires you/helps you.

Blessings,glenda

I have been suffering with Gastritis now but about 6 weeks. I went sa whole week pain free once I started slippery elm.. then I ate a hotdog with a wheat bun. WHOA. It knocked me on my a$$. It feels like I swallowed a midget and it's clawing it's way out. *waves hi to everyone else that has a midget inside them* ;)

It is like having a bomb expode isn't it? Hey Gwen I can manage pineapple. Small amounts of very ripe pineapple. I can do a few teaspoons of fresh lemon juice with food but don't really bother.
Somedays I feel I've learned so much and when I have a bad spell I don't think I know anything at all. Anyone else feel that way?
Cas