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Posted 12/16/2006 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Well there is no forum here for ulcers, this is the closest that I can find...

I have been having pain about 2 hours after eating for the past 10 days, I finally went to the ER for it on Tuesday, they did a CT scan on me after drinking contrast and didn't find anything wrong with me.  They were looking for appendicitis or gallstones.  Based on my symptoms only the dr said he thinks I have an ulcer.

He prescribed carafate and prilosec for me.  Well after doing my own research I have found that these drugs are not breastfeeding safe, so I cannot take them.  (and I did specifically ask him for breastfeeding safe drugs)

I have found online that ranitidine is safe, at least one source said that, and when I called the ER again tonight they said Tagamet is breastfeeding safe. 

Um anyway I'm not really sure what my question is exactly.  I'm really not sure what to do for myself, I'm scared to eat anymore, it causes me severe pain after eating.  This afternoon at work I went to the bathroom and sat on the floor curled in a ball and wanted to cry because it hurt so much.  My stomach isn't hurting anymore, it feels a little burny but I can deal with that compared to the severe pain.  I feel so hungry but terrified to eat anything. 

I think the ulcer may be bleeding as well, because I have had dark stools for a long time now (maybe up to a few months) but I didn't know what that meant until I did research online. 

Does anyone else on here have/had an ulcer? 

I heard that it is almost always caused by H. Pylori bacteria and you need antibiotics to get better.  The ER did not test me for this. 

I also read that something called mastic gum is supposed to be very good for treating ulcers, does anyone know what this is at all?

Please help me, I feel like I'm going to die sometimes, and I've already been to the ER and they've done all they can do for me because they only treat on an emergency basis and a ulcer is not life threatening. 

I have no doctor, and no insurance, and no money!  :(

Posted 12/16/2006 5:14 PM (GMT 0)

Icepixycycle,

Well, I'm not sure I can help. I thought I had an ulcer for two years but it turned out to be heartburn.  You may have an ulcer or heartburn.  The only way to really tell is to have a gastro doc give you an upper GI scope...this is where he puts a tube down your throat and looks in your stomach. There is a breath test for H. pylori also.   I had it done and I didn't have an ulcer but the doc said it was heartburn. 

If you have an ulcer, black tarry stools could be an indication of some bleeding somewhere.  If you're breastfeeding, you're probably not taking alot of aspirin which is a no no for ulcers. Also, coffee, tea, sodas, and alcohol are no nos.    

Some things you could try to see if your symptoms get better are DGL licorice...it is soothing to the stomach and is a natural antacid...it's not expensive..you can get it online at Puritan's Pride for about $12 a bottle. Take a couple before each meal.  Danie has put out some threads on this site and she says it helped cure her GERD problems. Make sure it's DGL and not just plain licorice because the plain can cause high blood pressure.  L-glutamine is an amino acid that helps heal ulcers.  I don't know anything about mastic gum.  Drinking lots of water will dilute the acids also. 

If you have heartburn, the DGL will also help plus eating a more alkaline diet rather than too many acid producing foods will help also.  DAnie has put out some threads on this site about the alkaline diet. It is basically alot of fruits (not citrus) and vegetables with very little grains or white flour products.  Meats are also very acid producing. YOu can get protein from almonds and tofu. 

 One thing that you should really look at is the fact that you just had a baby and that can produce alot of stress, plus it sounds like you may some money issues also.  Many of your symptoms could be stress induced especially stomach problems are the number one target for stress problems.  Look at the Riverrotter thread and it talks alot of the mindbody connection to control pain symptoms.  You really need to reduce the stress because it can cause many of your symptoms.  I know that it can be hard, but find some quiet time to yourself (maybe during babies nap time) and get in touch with your inner feelings and try to confront any old issues where you might have repressed anger and sadness that is still harbored in your unconscious mind. These issues can cause the brain to produce pain symptoms  in your body.  John Sarno's book (Healing Back Pain) has helped alot of people with this.  It's about healing back pain but his techniques work for any pain, and even heartburn and ulcers.  I picked it up at the library.  I'm reading his third book right now and I think there's something to it. 

That being said, if your symptoms persist, you really need to see a gastro doc and have it checked out.  At least to eliminate what you don't have.  He'll probably tell you that you don't have any problems and then you'll know its stress related. 

I hope you can find relief soon... you have your hands full with that new baby.  Good luck.

sillylilly

 

Posted 12/16/2006 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply, you know what's weird?  When I was doing research about ulcers online last night, everything I found said they no longer consider stress to be a causative factor for ulcers any more.  I do have some stress but there's nothing I can do about any of it. I just started working full time about 2 weeks ago and I only get to see my babies ( i have a 3 year old and a 10 month old) for a small amount of time in the evening before it is their bedtime, because I usually get home between 6-7pm, the traffic is terrible in my area.  I wouldn't be working at all if I had my choice, but my husband has not been able to work the past 8 months, he's on the ulcerative colitis board (UC really SUCKS) is his name. 

I don't think I coudl really have just beartburn though, I had heartburn all through both pregnancies and it's not the same thing.  With the heartburn it was like I had acid coming up out of my throat and I always had to keep a glass of water on my desk at work to keep swallowing the acid back down.   The stomach is also sensitive to the touch as well.  I'll try to find out about the DGL licorice and see if it's something that I can take.   

Posted 12/17/2006 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I know they say that ulcers aren't caused by stress. You should have the breath test to find out if you have H-Pylori. Sounds like your plate is full plus having a hubby that has a chronic illness also. My husband has Crohn's disease and had to take early retirement this past year. All I know is that my heartburn started at an extreme time of stress and then my dad died recently so I'm taking care of my mother, plus my husband wants to move to Florida and all of a sudden I have full blown GERD symptoms with acid coming up on my tongue. I'm guessing it is the whole shabang of all of this happening at the same time that has caused my GERD symptoms.

Let us know what happens.
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