anna
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Post by anna on Dec 29, 2011 17:02:35 GMT -5
Twice in the last few months I've ended up in the hospital, in screaming abdominal pain and nausea, and there have been several lesser episodes where I didn't go to the ER. Both times I've insisted on a CT scan with contrast because of course the specter of bowel obstruction is always on my mind. At the first ER visit, the diagnosis was food poisoning, which made sense because I had bought some bad steak tips and only ate a bite or so before I threw them out. But the diagnosis last night was gastritis, which agrees with what Dr. Smith (my DS surgeon) suggested has been causing my frequent symptoms.
So, I'm avoiding spicy foods (which I love!) and alcohol, which I especially love during the holidays (bacon Bloody Marys and Red Stag Egg Nog FTW!).
But I'm just curious if I'm alone in this, or if it's something other DS'ers are struggling with. I don't recall hearing anyone mention it, but I've been a bit scarce from the forums for the last year or so.
Just for those who don't know me: I'm three years out and loving my DS! I don't have time for the boards because I work full time at the paper, and spend my evenings in rehearsals and performances for local community theatre.
Any insights or commiserations about gastritis?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 18:10:30 GMT -5
I developed gastritis and esophagitis in the past several months. Turned out to be due to undertreated GERD. My magic pill, which has made me a happy muncher again, is called Dexilant. Love it, love it, love it.
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anna
Junior Member
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Post by anna on Dec 29, 2011 20:08:00 GMT -5
Thanks, EN! How was your pain? Was it excruciating, or more like heartburn? I would just never have expected gastritis to feel like this did.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 20:13:12 GMT -5
It varied from basic pressure to pretty freaking awful. Sometimes I could feel the spasms vibrating everything.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 20:29:48 GMT -5
My gastritis was diagnosed based on late night and middle of the night nausea and puking, confirmed by EGD. Rx - more PPI. It worked.
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anna
Junior Member
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Post by anna on Dec 30, 2011 10:13:58 GMT -5
Thanks, Diana! I may have a struggle with my PCP over this because he freaking HATES PPI's and doesn't think I should ever take more than one a day. He wants me to guzzle Mylanta I guess.
I still have to wonder if this isn't something else. The pain was unbearable. I had a dear friend over that I literally see once a year on Christmas when he's in town. I had just served an awesome meal...Cajun Turducken and an amazing tossed salad. I took one bite and I was suddenly not a part of the world anymore. I excused myself to the bathroom where I contemplated suicide for a few hours until my husband finally insisted I go to the ER. My friend's Christmas gift is still under the tree.
I'm going to go with the gastritis diagnosis though; eliminate all things spicy and alcoholic, and take extra antacids.
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Post by larra on Dec 30, 2011 10:47:56 GMT -5
It sounds like you may need a new pcp. PPI's are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the USA and the world. If someone just has the occasional twinge of heartburn, antacids may be fine, but for diagnosed gastritis you need something that will get the lining of the stomach to heal, and antacids alone (or with insufficient PPI's) would not meet the standard of care IMHO.
I do agree with avoidance of alcohol, which irritates the lining of the stomach and would interfere with healing, and with spicy foods, and or course no NSAIDs or aspirin. And no smoking!
How does your pcp feel about carafate? Might help, along with all the other stuff.
Larra
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anna
Junior Member
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Post by anna on Dec 30, 2011 15:45:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Laura. I'll talk to him about carafate next week when I see him. Sorry, Larra! I do know how to spell your name!  |
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Post by girlygirl1313 on Dec 30, 2011 22:19:14 GMT -5
I am experiencing what I would label as mild gastritis. I'm not experiencing intense pain like some of you guys but I can feel pain around the lining of my stomach. I take a PPI. Could it just be a matter of switching to another PPI? And EN I see that Dexilant is a delayed/dual release... I guess it's still working well though? Even my vites (mainly the acidic Vit C) causes tenderness/pain.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 0:53:28 GMT -5
I am experiencing what I would label as mild gastritis. I'm not experiencing intense pain like some of you guys but I can feel pain around the lining of my stomach. I take a PPI. Could it just be a matter of switching to another PPI? And EN I see that Dexilant is a delayed/dual release... I guess it's still working well though? Even my vites (mainly the acidic Vit C) causes tenderness/pain. I have had to double my PPI, then switch PPI, then double that over the space of 2-3 years. I have been stable on twice a day Protonix for 2 or 3 years now. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 10:04:43 GMT -5
I am experiencing what I would label as mild gastritis. I'm not experiencing intense pain like some of you guys but I can feel pain around the lining of my stomach. I take a PPI. Could it just be a matter of switching to another PPI? And EN I see that Dexilant is a delayed/dual release... I guess it's still working well though? Even my vites (mainly the acidic Vit C) causes tenderness/pain. Dexilant is really cool stuff! First layer is immediate release, and the second release comes when a certain acidity level is reached. Works beautifully. A few other folks here use it....Tracy comes to mind as a fan. |
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