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Posted 5/21/2013 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
about 6 months ago I was diagnosed with gastritis. I had had nausea on and off for about 6 months prior. Since then the nausea had reduced greatly and I hadn't really had any trouble with it.

Last week I was given Carafate to try for my GERD, which the doctors thought may be bile reflux. Now a week later I am suddenly hit with nausea, I have been pretty much eating the same foods for months and didn't eat anything out of the ordinary before this started.

I am currently on Nexium 80mg and Ranitidine as well.

I read that Carafate can cause nausea in rare cases as a side effect so I have stopped taking it, but I find it strange that a drug designed to help with this sort of thing actually makes it worse?

Does anyone here have gastritis? Do you get sudden flare ups for no reason whatsoever? I don't know if I ate a bit of dodgy food or something, Ive been going to the toilet more than usual but not had diarrhea
Posted 5/21/2013 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
I've had gastritis flare ups for no reason (that I'm aware of), carafate clears it up for me.
Posted 5/21/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I also have gastritis, with nausea being my primary symptom.  The theory is it's from taking celebrex for inflammatory issues, but not sure as my symptoms didn't go away when I stopped the celebrex.  I've always tended to eat acidic foods (e.g. use balsalmic vinegar a lot) and also have a big sweet tooth which perhaps contributes to inflammation in general.

Having said that, like you, I'll be fine one day and then will feel awful with nausea (and now watch what i eat).  I have been taking tecta (PPI) and also manage it with zantac. 

I've heard good things about nexium and I know others here swear by carafate (which I haven't tried as it's prescription).  I'm with you...it's ironic when a medicine has side effects for those of which is it trying to help.

Posted 5/21/2013 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Its been two days of nausea now, not sure how long everyone elses takes to clear up.

How long du reckon I should stay off Carafate to rule it out as the possible cause? I read that it needs acid to work anyway, so with the amount of ppis Im on I dont think I was getting much benefit from it.

Im going to try taking some ginger supplements I heard they are good for stomach and are anti inflammatory too.
Posted 5/21/2013 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
andy,

Carafate coats for about 4 hrs, so it should be well out of your system after 2 days. I don't believe carafate needs stomach acid to coat.

Posted 5/21/2013 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy,

As someone who has a reactive stomach and has had some very bad gastritis over the years, I understand how hard it is.  While I know that everyone reacts differently to medications, I'd be willing to bet that the nausea was coincidental to taking the Carafate, rather than caused by Carafate.  Carafate doesn't really get into your "system"...it is a coating agent that is designed to protect your stomach as it heals.  The coating lasts at most 6 hours, so it's long gone. 

I find Carafate very comforting to my stomach, and I'd be willing to bet that the "nausea" symptom listed in the paperwork was not caused by Carafate either.  People in studies have to report ever symptom, (my allergist said that even a stubbed/bruised toe was recorded in a drug study he participated in) and people who have gastritis get nausea.

Be sure to stay away from anything acidic, alcohol, or rough things that don't chew to a liquid. Stick with a bland, soft diet. The stomach mashes foods as part of the digestive process, so if there are un-chewed chunks/sharp pieces, they'll irritate your stomach further. 

Sorry to hear you're struggling.  Hope things get better for you soon.

Hang in there,

Denise

Posted 5/21/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks both, I guess Im starting the Carafate again then, I was taking it for a week without any real difference so maybe it is just coincidence.

I wish I had acidic food and alcohol to cut out, havent been able to have either for 7-8 months!

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 5/21/2013 8:25:14 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/21/2013 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi andy if you would like a ginger product to help your tum please try Rochester ginger cordial. I buy it from Holland & Barrett it costs £3.99 and you can dilute it to any strength you feel will help you. I take it luke warm about an hour before bed it is so soothing. Hope this helps.
Posted 5/22/2013 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
Well I started the Carafate again yesterday and the ginger. I seemed to get some immediate relief from one or both of them.

But this morning the nausea was AWFUL! Argh the only consolation is at least I dont have heartburn as much! But I much prefer heartburn to nausea.

I took a big swig of Gaviscon before bed and some H2 an hour before. Stomach was empty. Im thinking maybe I actually made my stomach alkaline and this has irritated it? Going to stay away from it for now and hope it starts to get better.
Posted 5/22/2013 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
andy,

I get nausea when my stomach is empty, and I have a hiatal herina.

Posted 5/22/2013 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy,

Bile is very alkaline, and can definitely cause nausea.  Do you have any nausea medication?  Zofran or Phenegran are two meds the people around here have found helpful with post-op nausea that can occur.  For severe nausea and stopping vomiting during a stomach bug, I find Compazine suppositories to be best.  (Once wrapped, you should try to avoid repeated retching or vomiting.)  I've had 3 stomach bugs since I was wrapped and each time vomited once, and then immediately started the Compazine.

Be sure you're taking the Carafate suspension properly.  It should be taken an hour before meals, two hours after meals, and two hours before and after medication.  You need to wait a half hour before or after antacids like Maalox.  Carafate was developed for healing ulcers, and is the go-to protective coating for bile reflux.  Hang in there.  With time the gastritis will heal and you'll feel better again.  Baby your stomach with comforting foods and be sure to chew, chew, chew whatever you eat until it's a creamy consistency.  This won't be forever.  Try not to project the way you're feeling into your future.  Use your skills!

Hang in there!

Denise

Posted 5/22/2013 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise

sounds quite complex trying to get the Carafate timing right. I usually take my PPIs 30-60mins before breakfast and evening meal, so guess I should take the Carafate 2 hours after each of them.

For nausea I only have domperidone & ginger, but not sure it particularly helps as it just emptys my stomach faster which definitely doesnt help with gastritis. Suppose it helps me not lose so much weight though.

Think Ill go see my doctor on Friday and if the nausea is still bad maybe ask them for something. I think I may see a dietician as well as its been over a year now since my gastritis started and even though its got better at times, its never properly gone. Im thinking maybe i have an intollerance to something in my diet thats causing it to keep flaring up.

Ill definitely take your advice on the chewing, I tend to inhale my food so should work on that :p I also tend to eat and drink piping hot things because it eases my esophagus inflammation, but going to try letting everything cool to luke warm in future.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 5/22/2013 8:21:50 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/22/2013 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Andy,

Yes, the Carafate dosing is the most challenging thing about taking it.  I found if I woke up in the middle of the night, it was a good time to take it prior to taking morning meds and eating. 

BTW, here's a great resource that provides information to ensure you're getting the most out of your PPIs:

http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/January07/Jan07FrankArticle.pdf

You may have trouble getting in all the doses of Carafate, but try to figure out a way to get in as many as possible.  I took all my meds as early as possible so I could take a dose at bedtime.  Just experiment and see what works.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 5/23/2013 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I tend to wake up frequently in the night so will try taking a carafate then.

Last night my stomach actually seemed to have improved, then I bent over funny and got little shots of pain in my stomach. Guess that confirms its the gastritis and not some stomach bug.

This mornin when I first woke my nausea was a little better, but then after having some bananas and white bread, I lied down and did some relaxation as it usually settles the stomach but the nausea just seemed to get worse.

Come to think of it I started eating this white bread just over a week ago, used to eat a different brand of brown bread. Maybe there is something in this bread that has set me off. Im going to try going back to my old brand and hope that my stomach settles down.

This really doesnt help my depression or anxiety but Im holding up ok for now. Really hope I start to see some improvement though, at the moment I have to sit reclined for pretty much the whole day as walking around sets off my stomach.
Posted 5/27/2013 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Well I started taking Carafate in the middle of the night (usually wake up about 4am ish briefly) and WOW, pretty much since I started I have pretty much no nausea in the mornings. Still taking the ginger and everything, get the occasional instances of nausea and pain in the stomach but its easily bearable now.

Thanks for the tip Denise
Posted 5/27/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy,

I'm so glad to hear that!  Middle of the night doses work great if you wake up anyway.  Like I said...with a reactive stomach, I'm never without Carafate suspension.  I has provided relief for me often, and I'm sold on it.  I spoke with a new GI doc who indicated that some in his field don't think that it works.  I know for a fact that it does, and I told him so.  It provides real relief, and has definitely helped with healing. 

Best wishes,

Denise

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