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.
Hi Everyone,
I've been a member here for a while now but only check in occasionally as I've learned to deal with this condition. Every time i come here I see all the new members who are struggling with Gastritis and I'm reminded of the terrible effects of it. I wanted to let you know that I'll be glad to answer any questions I can. If you want to PM me feel free. I'll be glad to share what I've learned . Here are things I've learned in my experience.
1. Use the PPI's. I know folks who insist on the natural route but for me PPI's were the key.
2. Gastritis is always there even when you think you're healed. Once the lining of the stomach has been damaged, it's always vulnerable.
3. Be careful how you wean yourself from PPI's. I've developed a process of gradual reduction in dosage. I'm never off a PPI but my dosage increases or decreases depending on how I'm doing. I take 20mg Prilosec daily when Im good. When I'm in a flare up it's 40mg daily. If you dont take care when you reduce your dosage, you can have one of two things happen. 1.) The rebound effect will damage your stomach all over again. 2.) The rebound affect will make you think you've not healed at all, when in truth it's just rebound. A gradual reduction will help here.
4. Dont forget that low acid symptoms are very similar to gastritis. Many people think that they are not improving because they still have symptoms. Often, the symptoms are from low acid rather than gastritis. If you think you're in this boat, try a gradual reduction in your PPI to see.(after you discuss it with your doctor)
5. Unless someone has had this condition... they really dont have a clue. Doctors often included. I say this with all due respect.
6. The one mystery for me about this disorder... hunger pangs. I get strong hunger pangs, usually early day . No one seems to know why, doctors inlcuded.
What are some of the lessons you've learned?
Jim
I've been a member here for a while now but only check in occasionally as I've learned to deal with this condition. Every time i come here I see all the new members who are struggling with Gastritis and I'm reminded of the terrible effects of it. I wanted to let you know that I'll be glad to answer any questions I can. If you want to PM me feel free. I'll be glad to share what I've learned . Here are things I've learned in my experience.
1. Use the PPI's. I know folks who insist on the natural route but for me PPI's were the key.
2. Gastritis is always there even when you think you're healed. Once the lining of the stomach has been damaged, it's always vulnerable.
3. Be careful how you wean yourself from PPI's. I've developed a process of gradual reduction in dosage. I'm never off a PPI but my dosage increases or decreases depending on how I'm doing. I take 20mg Prilosec daily when Im good. When I'm in a flare up it's 40mg daily. If you dont take care when you reduce your dosage, you can have one of two things happen. 1.) The rebound effect will damage your stomach all over again. 2.) The rebound affect will make you think you've not healed at all, when in truth it's just rebound. A gradual reduction will help here.
4. Dont forget that low acid symptoms are very similar to gastritis. Many people think that they are not improving because they still have symptoms. Often, the symptoms are from low acid rather than gastritis. If you think you're in this boat, try a gradual reduction in your PPI to see.(after you discuss it with your doctor)
5. Unless someone has had this condition... they really dont have a clue. Doctors often included. I say this with all due respect.
6. The one mystery for me about this disorder... hunger pangs. I get strong hunger pangs, usually early day . No one seems to know why, doctors inlcuded.
What are some of the lessons you've learned?
Jim
What was your exact diagnosis and what do you think caused it? What symptoms did you experience during your bouts with gastritis? How long were you on a ppi before you felt a difference?
I felt some immediate relief as soon as the PPI kicked in but I was on a double dose for 6 months before I healed enough to reduce.
I have heard of people taking one every other night, and continually extending period w/o it. I 've also heard of people counting the beads.
What do you recommend? I'd love to get back down to 20mg maintenence dose.
1. The natural route is possible with gastritis. I don't know if healing takes longer but no PPI weaning needed.
2. No matter how bad things were I kept trying to add ingredients back into my diet.
3. Dealing with the mental and emotional aspect of this illness is very important.
4. While I say I'm mostly healed I remain vigilant with regard to ingredients I eat. I have certain trigger foods that I doubt will come back but I can eat out freely and safely now.
5. I've learnt that honouring myself within this madness was the most important thing. I always made sure my eating environment was achievable by contacting restaurants when necessary.
1. Sucralfate does not work together with a PPI. It only works in acid environment. Strangly enough doctors still prescribe them both!
2. If the stomach lining is inflamed a lot, cramps can be so badly that I get bile reflux with bile coming up into the stomach and even mouth. I was convinced there was something with my gall bladder but endoscopy and endosono showed it is only the gastritis ... and indeed the bile reflux fully resolved when gastritis got better!
3. There is always a reaction time between overeating/eating harmful foods and worsening of gastritis .. but afterwards it takes days or a week until things get better again!
4. Raw foods and unpeeled foods cause extreme bloating and aggrevate reflux and bile reflux!
5. Fluids like smoothies are not good for me.
6. Some antacids are aggrevating the situation a lot, amongst them antacids containing reactive hydroxides, carbonates or oxides! They are reacting in my stomach, make little bubbles and foam (I assume) and lead to reflux and worsening of symptoms plus worsening of gastritis in general!
7. Reflux is worse under PPI as gastric emptying is delayed ...
8. I cannot wear a bra, to tight! I have given up trying .. :(