Chronic Gastritis

Hi

Nausea has always been my main GERD symptom and above all else that was what drove me to take PPI. A lot of the USA members swear by Carafate for gastritis - Denise can advise on that too.

There are some causes that should be ruled out - auto immune disease, Helicobacter, thyroid imbalance, coeliac disease, as well as the obvious excessive acid production. Some of us forty something ladies think our hormones might be adding to the mix too. And some say stress is a cause, though for me the trouble started a long time after the stress!

In my case no cause was found - allegedly it affects people who smoke, drink excessively, or have Helicobacter - I guess there is some other unknown cause.

Treatment usually takes the form of acid suppression and Carafate if you can get it. I feel DGL helps me, especially the chewable form which I use on waking.

Another member posted recently saying that they went for a second opinion for their GERD and were given an IBS drug which relieved their "GERD" symptoms - so may be your problems are all related?

MMM

Post Edited (mudmagnetmum) : 5/19/2012 5:57:49 AM (GMT-6)

You're welcome. Yes Omeprazole or Zantac is what may be on offer to reduce acid, if appropriate. I guess the chances are your upper GI troubles will be related to the problems further down...... wait and see what they tell you.

Hope things look up soon,

MMM


(Mum to 2 young boys!)

nah, I haven't even seen my Gp.. it was only one doc out of about 4 I saw at the hospital.. all the rest said the biopsies were clear so until I get the results in front of me I can't trust what's been said :-(

The doc that did say something didn't say anything other than "chronic gastritis". I had H pylori about 5 years ago and was treated with AB's. I haven't had NSAID's for about 2 months because they said NOT to take them because it isn't good to take them when you have IBD which makes me laugh because they are still saying that I don't have IBBD yet I'm still not allowed stuff that irritates IBD LOL

Hi Leebie,

Welcome to Healing Well!  I used to think I had chronic gastritis but my GI doc convinced me that it's "reactive stomach" instead.  He was willing to bet on it, which we didn't do.

Anyway, I feel your pain.  Before my Nissen surgery whenever my stomach got going it would send additional acid into my esophagus, and I'd have a bad stomach and esophagus which made it very difficult to eat.  It would always take at least 2 months to heal, and during that time I'd only be able to eat a tiny amount.  Inevitably I'd always lose at least 20 pounds before it was all over.  On top of that, my lungs would become involved (due to the excess acid reflux) and my asthma would get out of control.

I know how hard it is.

It's important to keep the acid down through the use of PPIs and/or Ranitidine (Zantac).  Also be sure that you're eating only bland foods.  No spicy or acidic treats in your immediate future.  There's something else that is important for you to remember.  When your stomach digests food, it actually mashes it, which means if you eat rough things that aren't chewed completely, they will irritate your stomach lining further as it's pushed up against it.  So keep your food smooth as well.

As far as Carafate goes...I'm not sure if it's available in the UK.  It seems as if I remember conversations stating that it isn't. Maybe it's just the suspension form that isn't available.

Anyway, here's the link to the thread about Carafate:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2421695

Best wishes!

Denise

Hi Leebie,

Your guess is as good as mine.  However, as with silent reflux, I suspect that the problem if left untreated, could eventually cause worse symptoms.  It's definitely a question to ask your doctor.  My guess would be it should be treated, but I certainly don't have a medical degree!

Good luck!  Let us know what you find out.

Best wishes,

Denise

Hi Leebie,

There are many who suffer from silent GERD who take medication (and I know of one who even had the Nissen surgery) although they have no symptoms that they're aware of.  It is a strange thing, but if your docs think it is in your best interest to treat your condition, then I wouldn't hesitate!

Good luck!

Denise

If nothing's bothering you, then its not causing any problem? Pls correct me...

Do I have gastritis? I have acute gastritis before..once but the GP thinks its GERD..so gave me meds for GERD.. and following after, I always thought those were GERD/LPR symptons with bloating, lots of air after eating, indigestion, burning sensation in tummy, dull ache for few secs in abdomen..

So is that gastritis? I 'feel' okay now..*touch wood* except for bloating on n off..

Sometimes I feel this forum ppl knows more than the doctors..

Hi Leebie,

That makes perfect sense.  Who knows?  There could be many, many people out there with undiagnosed gastritis that goes away by itself.  As long as they don't find other erosions, and you're not suffering, why not.  They may want to keep an eye on you, though.

Good luck with your next test.  Hope you can dodge the pills!

Denise

just an update with biopsy result..

Sections show fragments of transitional and antral-type gastric mucosa with a mild chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate withing the lamina propria. No definite active inflammation or Helicobacter-like organisms are identified. There is no evidence of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or malignancy.

summary: stomach - antrum: Mild chronic gastritis.


So I'm not worried at all Sounds like I maybe had some gastritis in the past (which I know I have had) and it's just left remnants..