Hi,

It usually takes 2-4 weeks to feel some effect from the medication.

On top of that, how were you diagnosed? Was an upper GI performed?

As far as healing goes, everyone is different. A lot of people even after 8 weeks Of meds are still dealing with this for months, me included. Do not be surprised if you are dealing with this months down the road.

Stress/Anxiety makes this much worse. Try to keep calm, easier said than done I know but you have to keep your wits.

What is your diet like? You need to stay bland and no cheating unless you want pain. Make a food diary if what bothers your stomach.

give it another week, or two to see if the meds are working. Attack this with full force - and if you haven't changed your diet yet, do so. It's much easier to get rid of it that way. Yes, you will get rid of it.

One of the most important things - work on your anxiety. Its a MAJOR contributor. I find that even watching a thriller can set me off these days. Build a safe bubble around you and take it easy for a while - do whatever you need to do. Get rid of it, and you won't as easily if it keeps being agitated. best of wishes to you.

Thanks very much to both of you for your kind words...I've been eating extremely bland foods and had a flair up with a glass of wine which will obviously be a no-no from now on..

I've tried cutting back on the anxiety but it is extremely hard when you have these constant pains....Thank god for Ativan!

We all understand. When it is bad, I tell myself 'tomorrow will be a better day and it usually is.

Also, learn to say 'no' to things and snip toxic things/people out of your life. This is YOUR health and you only have one stomach.

I wouldn't try Aloe Vera and Maluka Honey.

Aloe Vera is very Acid and can make Gastritis much worse, i got horrible pain from it.
As far as i know is Maluka Honey only good if you have Helicobacter.
Take your meds, stay on a bind diet and relax (i know that's easy to say) and you will be fine!

See my post here:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastritis/advice/19328567-diagnosed-w-gastritis-3-weeks/page-2

Only replace "Omeprazole" with "Dexilant" in your case. They're the same kind of beast.

Also, cottage cheese is a good soother/probiotic, and Manuka Honey only irritated my stomach. It's effective for topical application on burns, though ;)

Just got home from the Health Food Store...Picked myself up a very good quality pro-biotic, something to heal the lining of my stomach and something to line my stomach before eating.....I'm $150 poorer but hoping this will do the trick

I tried all kinds of things for it and I was in pain for 6 months. Then my rhumy put me on a low dose of prednisone for 2 weeks and the inflammation and pain subsided. So far, so good but I do eat very bland food and very little meat. Veggies, fruit and grain are my diet staples. I am not one to promote prednisone but as I said it is the only thing that helps me.

Hi Chrissy.

Not sure if anyone knows whether or not you'll have it your whole life. It does seem that all of us have flare ups from time to time. Shihonage shared a link with you in his reply here. It has wonderful tips and advice. You really need to check it out, if you haven't already.

Trust me hon, it could be worse! I have a hiatal hernia, so whenever the gastritis goes haywire, it sends my hernia into a rage, and I'm doubly miserable.

I want to echo what the others said about reducing stress and anxiety. Yes, it is hard when your stomach is a mess and that makes you feel worse!

I drink Chamomile tea which has a natural muscle relaxant in it, and then take one Benadryl. I might get a bit sleepy, but the combination of relaxing tea and the benadryl calms everything down.

My last bout was a full month - that felt like a year. Keeping a food journal helped get me through a lot of it. Jot down what you ate and how it effected your stomach, and even write down how your feeling. It really does help. Keep your chin up!