Poorlygirl...I was just recently diagnosed (truth is I was diagnosed with "mild" gastritis 19 months ago - this time more serious :-(.....since then it's been a whirlwind of stuff I have never experienced before. One minute severe stomach pain, the next enormous gas and lower ab pain, the next burning that feels as if my insides are an inferno, then...like it never happened - *almost* normalcy. I say *almost* because since this flair up raised its ugly head - nearly a month ago - I wonder if I'll ever truly 'feel' normal again - whatever that is! I'm with ya, girl. OK...here's what my UGI doc has me on Pantorozole (sp?) proton inhibitor (PPI) - 40MG 2x day - I take it WITH food each time; even though you don't have to. So far, so good. It DOES seem to keep it calm for short periods of time. In fact, sometimes LONG periods of time. Yesterday I had a full four hours of little to no pain. But...weirder is the light headedness; never had that before unless I was suffering the flu. Other than the PPI - nothing else, but severely changed diet - immediately removing some meds I've been taking (which my doc says is the likely culprit in my case) and foods/drink. I was not diagnosed with GERD, but my belching and otherwise strange esophagus actions may dictate otherwise. But I'm not a doctor. I was so worried this might have been colon cancer that I'm - dare I say this? - "Happy" to live with the gastritis - hoping I can eventually stop taking the PPI - which can lead to other issues - osteoporisis - bone strength problems and kidney disease (more prone to it).

so enough about me ...what's your story? I live in Dallas, Texas. If you're comfortable sharing your location - if not, no worries.

Last week was bad--this week was better, though I sorta 'flared' today. I stick with my usual Carafate, one before breakfast, and one before bedtime, DGL licorice 20 minutes before lunch and supper, a couple ounces aloe juice in a glass of water (2 of these per day), lots of tea--ginger root, chamomile, and 2 cups of slippery elm tea per day.

Pretty basic bland, soft diet which is the usual: potatoes, canned veggies, white bread, crackers, dinner rolls, rice pudding or tapioca pudding, canned peaches or pears, applesauce, very lean hamburger, homemade soup made with organic 'real' broths, potatoes, carrots, canned peas, maybe some parsley or cilantro and a few other herbs and left over roast beef or chicken (or turkey). Scrambled eggs are good, and some avocado with grated mild cheese in a soft-shell taco.

I can handle a small amount of sweets, but I try to really watch that or I pay the next day! Same for any flavored crackers--one or two don't seem to hurt, but I really have to watch it.

I haven't considered coffee, but I don't think I'll go back to it, as for me, it's too much acid. A little chocolate I can handle, but not much--maybe a bite or two.

Hope this is helpful. I think it's slowly getting better, but when I get flares 'out of the blue,' it's hard to tell.

Hi everyone, I am really bad at the moment, managing a couple of crackers a day, I have just come off my PPI so thats why, I just sick of being in constant agony. I'm going through some dark days right now and cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've already been suffering with this for a nearly a year and its ruined my life. Sorry to be on such a downer, the fact that its Christmas is just depressing me also. All I'm taking at the moment is slippery elm, licorice root and sucralfate. I also have IBS and I think the sucralfate is giving me spasms. I just can win.

Thoughts are with you all now.

Hey there poorlygir4l. I hope that you start to feel better soon. My flares will happen out of the blue sometimes, and sometimes I know exactly why it happens. I have Prevacid (2 30mg tablets a day) to take. I only take them with a flare up. I also have endometriosis and possible cysts. When they flare up I get flare ups of gastritis. It is different everytime. Sometimes burning, sometimes just straight pain. I like to drink coconut milk. For some reason the minute it touches my mouth it soothes me. Sometimes it'll calm my stomach down within 20 minutes. I really love the stuff. Coconut water I use to make shakes but it is really sweet for me. I wish I could be of more help. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! May it be pain free!!

Best wishes and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and everyone, kl31! :)

I love coconut milk, too. It's really good in pudding, also.

H

Hi all well Ive had a couple of good days but now I have had some reflux and pain today with the GERD. I had a shock on the way up to Scotland for our break. My friend texted me and her father has died of the cancer he was suffering from for ages. Im glad hes out of the pain but its awful for my friends family. We have known him and the family for years too. Its awful and what a time of year for it to happen. Anyway,the gastritis is a nuisance and painful for us all. Im thinking though that mine is the hiatus hernia playing me up. I have been eating better on good days but don't get many good days. I think its best not to overdo it with too many supplements together. I can't tolerate them with the GERD. I supose we have to trust the PPIs though they don't do a lot. If gastritis persists there must be something keep irritating the stomach,its finding out what. Ive been on the Celiac page. I don't think its that with me but it may be with some,or a dairy allergy.