Also, I read somewhere in here that Zantac isn't really used for gastritis, but only for heartburn (which I do not have). Should I stop taking it if I don't need it?

The gummy vitamins should sit okay but the only way to know for sure is to give them a go. If they don't, it may just be the brand. Second, sugar free chewing gum not only increases the acid in general in your stomach but also has lots of additives. Good for the teeth, bad for the gut. Probably no to the protein bars too, but if you really want to try, try a small bit and wait to see what happens. Lastly, talk to the doc who suggested the Zantac. If it is gastritis, you need to have something going into to ease the acid but he/she may have also have had a reason for that particular medication over another. I would just ask. Good luck!

Thanks to both of you for your advice. I took the gummy vitamins last evening after dinner and so far nothing bad has happened!

Ravenfish - thanks for the advice about the gum, I've been having a lot of it lately and have been wondering if it could be adding to the problem...so I'll stop and see how I feel. I think I'll try some of the protein bar when I'm feeling a bit more brave. :)

Sounds good. My father-in-law happens to be a dentist, so I had a heads up on that one when I first started having issues. You also know to rest anything carbonated and not to use a straw or gulp when drinking right? If not, do so. It helps reduce the acid and keeps some of the gas down. Sounds like you are doing a great job and for sure, keep going with the vitamins. (If you do feel the need to iron or more B vitamin, DO NOT DO THE LIQUID. Way too difficult to digest. Much better to get a nutritional drink or the regular hard vitamin crushed (start small) and drank with water to see if it sits well. Again, best wishes!

I don't drink anything carbonated (haven't since I was a child - I was told it gave me bad stomach aches - go figure - and I've just never become interested in it since). However; I do use a water bottle with a straw...and I do gulp! So thanks for the tip on that as well.

See, I would have gone with the liquid vitamins thinking they would be better - guess not! I currently take B-complex, but it's powder inside a capsule. If I take iron, I'll be sure to crush it.

All welcome and much needed advice - thanks!

Hi Saltines,

I've done Peanut Butter and Almond Butter and I don't think it agitated my gastritis too much. Sometimes I think it bugs my IBS, but it's just hard to tell. Still, given the calories/protein contained... it's a good item to have in your diet if you're working on keeping your weight up, which I am.

As for the protein bars, I agree with the "small sample" theory. I've been trying to work in a protein (whey) drink. Not sure how it's going. Going to keep working on it.

Oh, and I'm not sure about Zantac... most people here say it doesn't help much. But, one person from another board who was a real guru on gastritis claimed it was the best med for helping her heal. So, we're all wired up differently... but it doesn't seem like Zantac is usually a first option of docs/sufferers.

Thanks, Bryan. I think I'm going to try stopping the Zantac to see if anything gets worse. I'd rather not take something that I absolutely don't have to (saving money always helps, too).

Take care!