Hi BarbaraA,Like you, I have a very sensitive/reactive stomach. In fact, before my Nissen surgery, I was hospitalized with terrible gastritis and esophagitis what caused my asthma to be out of control. My stomach was so bad I couldn't tolerate anything other than water and egg custard.
While my Nissen surgery has protected my esophagus, my sensitive/reactive stomach is still with me. When I have a flare, I use Protonix 40mg an hour before breakfast and an hour before dinner. This helps protect my stomach lining from acid. I have found Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix to be pretty much equal, but the GI doc put me on the Protonix after that hospitalization.
It's important to take the PPI properly to get the best results. Here's a link to a document that discusses how PPIs use, and how to get the most out of them:
www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/January07/Jan07FrankArticle.pdfWith my sensitive stomach, I am never without Carafate (sulcrafate) suspension. I find it provides comfort/pain relief, and aids in healing. It's tricky to get all four doses in because it has to be two hours before or after medication and/or meals. It helps to plan it out so you can take a dose before bedtime, and a dose when/if you wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning. The suspension form is expensive. If your insurance doesn't cover it, you can try the sulcrafate tablets. I've done that before...you can put the tablet in a medicine cup or shot glass and add a little water...stir with a toothpick, then throw it back like a shot. Still, if you can swing the Carafate suspension, I think it's best.
Healing gastritis takes time and patience. PPIs don't start really working at full effectiveness for a week or so. My GI doc told me (when I asked him when I could eat normally after gastritis) he said to wait until my stomach feels perfect, for two weeks. Then you can introduce more challenging foods back into your diet gradually.
Hang in there...you will get feeling better, but it takes a long time.
est wishes,
Denise