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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kl31 07/02/2011

Hello all! I'm asking for advice because I am concerned I may have a vitamin defiiciency. I go to the doctor on the 6th so I'm sure I will be tested at that time. I was wondering if anybody has had a deficiency as a result of gastritis and PPI meds. I stopped taking my Prevacid about 3 weeks ago because I have been having a lot of issues. My arms hurt, my legs are weak, my hands hurt, I can't fall asleep easily and my legs and arms fall asleep very easily. I was on 30 mg of Prevacid twice a day for about 9 months. I have read that they can cause Magnesium deficiency and I know many people with gastritis also get B12 deficiency. Just wondered if anybody else has had this issue. I am trying to get as many vitamins in as I can. About 6 weeks ago I had a cyst rupture on my ovary also, so I wonder if it has contributed to any of this. Thanks everyone and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

deleted_user 07/02/2011

This stuff is easy to test for, and frankly... I'm shocked that more doctors don't look into this stuff. Seems like a no-brainer.

In the interim, take a multi and eat the best you can. But, I think looking into it is a fair thing to do. If nothing else, peace of mind is a good thing to have about your nutritional levels.

deleted_user 07/02/2011

Agreed. Try taking a multi, have it checked and don't let the what if thoughts get to you in between. If you can't handle a regular multi yet, try children's gummies. (They have the adult dosage on the back). Or you can look into liquid vitamins, but some are difficult on the stomach- so make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you buy anything. Additionally, vitamin drinks can sometimes help also (Boost, Boost Breeze or Ensure). Best wishes and feel better soon.

deleted_user 07/02/2011

Good point on the Boost, Raven... and I forgot to mention, if taking a gummy or any vitamin water type product... beware of Citric Acid. It absolutely destroyed me when I had gastritis regularly, and I accidentally consumed some last weekend and after a month with no gastritis pains and eating a full diet, my pains came back. So, for me at least... Citric Acid is gastritis enemy #1, and it hides out in a lot of foods/drinks.

But, I did fine with Boost and it helped me keep my weight up when I was struggling.

kl31 07/02/2011

thanks guys! I don't worry too much about it. It all started up and that's when I decided I should probably get my vitamin levels checked. After having so many issues I looked up the meds I was taking and there side effects. For me, it's better to be safe. So I'm trying to make sure I get as much of everything in and than I'll talk to my doctor on the 6th. Just wondered if anyone has had one and how they felt with it. Thanks again guys! You are all great!

soretum 07/03/2011

mercifully through all of my woes my body has kept absorbing whatever nutrients its received and I've not been low in any of the b vitamins. From another post I'm learning not to define myself by my illness and to find some positives along the way.
Keep us posted with the results.
cas

GwenY 07/06/2011

PPI's do rob you of magnesium/calcium and this will make you ache, it happened to my friend. She has been on them for a couple of years, I stopped after one month. I was deficient in B12 as a result of the G. so I took a high dose supplement (just make sure you take it in conjunction with the rest of the B group) or one may outweigh the other. My aches were so much better. But as I have posted on another post, due to stress, the whole flippin lot has come back and bitten me on the bum!! So here I go again, back to square 1. Fun this isn't it !!!! x

soretum 07/06/2011

hoping this flare up is short lived for you Gwen. You deserve better.
Cas

Silkakc 07/28/2011

Yes, PPI's and all the stomach meds can cause iron, B vitamin deficiencies. It prevents your body from absorbing it from foods and pills because those things need acid to be absorbed.

deleted_user 08/03/2011

Interesting...I did not know it caused this type of deficiencies...I have been told by my psy to take B12...because I was lacking the vitamin...I also am low on Vitamin D.

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