Gastritis

Hello @afrochic and welcome to Mayo Connect,

I am glad to hear that you found this site while googling. I had the same experience several years ago and I have found a lot of support on Connect.

I can certainly understand your concern. The symptoms you mentioned are very uncomfortable and certainly worrisome. If you care to share more, could you tell a little bit about how these symptoms affect your eating? For example, do you eat small frequent meals, what about the consumption of fats, caffeine, etc.? Do different foods make your symptoms worse? What about your lifestyle, do you engage in a mild exercise like walking etc.?

I found a Mayo website on the topic of intestinal metaplasia, https://www.mayoclinic.org/search/search-results?q=intestinal%20metaplasia.

You have mentioned having gastritis for 10 years. Other than the endoscopies, have you had other gastric procedures and/or surgeries? What other types of health problems have you experienced? Is there a family history of gastrointestinal problems such as yours?

I look forward to hearing from you again and I certainly hope you find some answers to this troubling problem. Given your long history, have you sought a second opinion at a multidisciplinary health center (like a university medical center) or a Mayo facility?

Hi @afrochic Please let me add my welcome to @hopeful33250.

Teresa asks some good questions here. Your diagnosis does sound very troublesome. I am trying to figure out some gastric problems I have developed myself, but hopefully, the diagnosis won't be too serious.

I agree with Teresa about seeking a second opinion. That never hurts and it is good to know that you are moving in the right direction. If you are close to a major medical center, that is the best place to go.

Please do let us know your progress in confirming your diagnosis or finding it may be something else.
JK

Hello @hopeful33250
I'm so sorry to be replying one month later. I've been on a mental, emotional and physical rollercoaster. I have followed the dietary restrictions (no fatty food, fried food, coffee, sugary and processed foods, citrus etc to at least 98% faithfully yet I've come to see that what I eat or don't eat doesn't affect the symptoms. I eat bland foods like rice, potatoes, steamed vegetables and lots of fruits especially bananas, watermelon, blackberries, strawberries and apples. I am doing the best I can so far. Some days I'd get by with no symptoms only to be hit by severe nausea for the next 2-3 days. I do brisk walking but not daily. No surgeries done for any condition. I have siblings who suffer from IBS and also gastritis. But they all have it under control.
I live in Abuja Nigeria and have seen experienced gastroenterologists in the best hospitals in the city who have told me the line of treatment for my condition is PPIs and wouldn't change even if I flew to another country for treatment.

Thank you @contentandwell I'm so sorry to be replying after one month. I have sought a second, third and even fourth opinion where I live in Abuja, Nigeria. They all reach the same conclusion saying the line of treatment is the same all over the world. The second Gastroenterologist said not to worry too much about the IM diagnosis as we'll be repeating the Endoscopy in some months to make sure nothing sinister is happening. He placed me on more PPIs and advised to elevate my bed. The PPIs offer no lasting relief unfortunately so I've gone off them totally and now relying on my diet. Some days I feel no symptoms, some days I feel so terrible I can barely stand. About to start looking into herbal and naturopathic treatment. I think conventional medicine is limited in its knowledge and treatment of this condition.

Hello @afrochic, it is good to hear from you. I am glad to hear that your gastro endoscopy will be repeated again. That is probably important given your symptoms. It is unfortunate that you have not found more relief from medication and diet. Elevating the head of your bed is very helpful, I've done that for a number of years now.

Have you lost weight because of your problems with eating and nausea?
Is coming to the U.S. (to be seen at Mayo) a possibility for you if your symptoms do not improve under your current treatment?

I was recently diagnosed with gastritis (im17) i am to be put on omeprazole i just wanted to know if it really does help as i have gerd symptoms too such as coughing attacks acid/food comes up. I also worry that im not eating enough i barely want to eat feeling nauseous after i eat or when i see food

Try a product called (Fdgard) sold at Walgreens, Amozon,and now at Wallmart. I went through Mayo and was suggested I try this. It works! It is all natural ,so do not be afraid. I also was put on a Celexa med that helped me gain wait back and to eat again without anxiety? The Fd guard is $9. A week and not covered by insurance. Cheapest at Wallmart. Good luck.

@lemons252

Yes, the medication can help.

If the cause of your gastritis is Helicobacter pylori you will need to take a few other medications too. They should have tested for this during an endoscopy or other test.

You need to eat a blander diet during your healing time and maybe add an antacid.. mylanta, zantac, pepcid and a few others that I cannot remember the names of are examples. Avoid whatever foods (foods with high acid and spicy are usually culprits) and drink (again high acid contents like coffee (dark roast coffee has less acid if it is a must for you), tea (some herbal teas do not have as much acid) and sodas that make your symptoms worse.

Avoid alcoholic beverages and sodas. Do not take NSAIDS.. like aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, etc.

This article at the Mayo Clinic site might be more helpfu:l https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355807. The above is just from my experience. My GI doctor added carafate for a few weeks the last time I had a flare up.

Best wishes,
Zaroga

@lemons252 l know the feeling l was diagnosed with gastritis just last week. And put on 3 meds for my stomach, 1 for nausea and vomiting and 1 for pain. And the doctor gave me the list of what l can eat and not eat. I been working on my eating anyway because l was off of the omprezole because of acid reflux. But now it got to the point what do you drink besides water. I was talking to my brother and he said l need to start juicing. But you are suppose to eat small meals and stay hydrated. Eat fruits and vegetables but l have to make sure l have protein. So l use my instant pot, nuwave and microwave. And l try to eat beans not only to eat better but also for my liver. And l have oatmeal in the morning with a little whipping cream mixed in it. Just to get some dairy. And green smoothies are good to get extra fruits and vegetables. Praying that you get some relief.

I mostly drink carrot juice as theres no acid in carrots. Did omprezole make your acid reflux worse? i took my meds yesterday & i feel a little better thank god 🙂