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.

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

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

Hi @afrochic,

I wanted to follow up and ask after you - how are you doing? It sounds like you are dealing with a lot and are frustrated, but you have found a very supportive community, and I’m so glad you reached out to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I’d also like to introduce you to a few members. Please meet @kinmeta @jestride @alfanny @amy5960 @nancyj1221 @saucy @dandl48 @travelgirl, who’ve written about intestinal metaplasia a while back.

And here’s a video which I think might interest you:
– Mayo Clinic video about Barretts Esophagus, Intestinal Metaplasia of the Cardia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTbeFAOVN8Q– –

I’ve heard Abuja is a beautiful city and an art hub? I really look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hi @afrochic,

International patients can request an appointment at any Mayo Clinic location online, here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international/appointments
You could also call one of our appointment offices. The contact information for all 3 Mayo Clinic locations (Minnesota, Arizona, Florida) can be found here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
The Clinic’s representatives/schedulers will ask questions to help direct you to the best specialist, either at Mayo or closer to home.

I’m thrilled to hear that you are coming to United States for grad school! Might I suggest you use these resources for insurance and billing questions. Or contact Patient Account Services for help.
– Billing & Insurance https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance
– Billing & Insurance (International patients) https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/before-arrival/international-patients
– Charitable Care and Financial Assistance https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/financial-assistance

Another incredible resource for information is the "Visiting Mayo Clinic” group on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/ Feel free to browse through the discussions, join in, tag fellow members and post your questions.

Do let me know if you need more information, and keep me updated with your progress – I wish you all success.

Stay away from strawberries and apples as they are acidic.

Hello All,

I have had a litany of mingled/undefined issues for roughly 24 months. For context, I'm a 36-year-old male in the military, physically fit and no pre-existing or inherited conditions. In September of 2019, I had a bout of SIBO for roughly 10-12 weeks. I've had hallmark SIBO symptoms 2-3 times prior to this over a 6-ish year period. Each time, they cleared on their own and they were correlated with elevated stress (deployments, moving family & eating VERY fast for military schools). I also took a low dose of Doxycycline for deployments (21 months over a 3-year period, 2010-2013). However, on Thanksgiving of 2019, I had enough of the symptoms and visited our Physician Assistant (PA) overseas to discuss treatment options. I was given Cipro for 3 days (500mg X 2 a day) and had instant relief for about a week. The PA refused to continue treatment and I returned home for the birth of my son March 2020. All along I had SIBO symptoms (bloating, gas after eating, constipation, foul smelling gas/stool, etc.). After caring for my wife and newborn son, I began diagnostics in May 2020. This is where my journey really began....

All of my blood tests (CBC, Metabolic Panel, Thyroid, Kidney, Liver function(s)) were normal. On my stool cultures (parasites, bacteria, and Fecal Occult), I was positive for H. Pylori. I was immediately put on triple therapy (2 X antibiotics & PPI (Omeprazole)) for 2 weeks. Shortly after, I had a colonoscopy (June 2020) that was completely clear, minus a small hemorrhoid from the constipation. I was breath-tested for H. Pylori and treated again with 2 different antibiotics (October 2020) for the positive breath test. Again, I was given the same blood panels, urinalysis (including 24-hour collection; all tests were negative for any anomalies. A few days after my 2nd round of triple therapy for H. Pylori (October 2020), I started to develop peculiar symptoms. My hands a feet, which were always cold my entire life, began sweating and I had weird/unexplained pain in my neck muscles. I literally woke up one day in October 2020 with the sweating and neck pain. Meanwhile, I still had inconsistent bowel movements, mostly misshapen, somewhat soft, and putrid. I often had bowel movements that resembled my food, to include color and texture. In 36 years of bowel movements, I've never experienced this.

In February of 2021, my GP referred me to Neurology and G.I.. Neurology ran additional blood work and extensive imaging, to include CT with contrast of abdomen & chest, and an MRI with contrast of brain/spine. Additional blood work tested for STIs, Tuberculosis, Lyme Disease, and Varicella IgM. All were cleared with the exception of the Varicella IgM. At this point, I had terrible burning pain in my back left shoulder and sporadic burning pain under the skin in my rib cage. I had no Shingles lesions anywhere, so the Neurologist diagnosed me with with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia and prescribed me Gabapentin (100mg x 3 a day) for roughly 60 days. A few weeks later, I started to develop warm sensations in my upper abdomen and severe heartburn. If I had a glass of wine, beer, or coffee, the discomfort was more pronounced.

In April of 2021, we were conducting a military exercise in the field and I was forced to eat pre-packaged food, typically LOADED with sodium and preservatives. At this point, the heartburn and warm (turned in to burning) sensation, became unbearable. I was finally able to see the G.I. doctor in late May 2021. I took additional stool tests (including H. Pylori) and all was clear. I was given an EGD in early June 2021 and was diagnosed with esophagitis, and mild gastritis in my lower antrum. The G.I. doc prescribed me 40mg X 1 a day of Omeprazole. I did not drink coffee, alcohol or eat acidic things like chocolate. My esophagitis cleared up within 10 days and I never had esophageal issues again. However, I still had gastritis pain. If I ate small amounts of food and drank water, within 1.5-2 hours, I had burning discomfort in my abdomen. My G.I. doc left me on Omeprazole for the next year. We tried stepping down to 20mg a day, but my symptoms got worse. Even with a nearly acid-free diet, I still had burning in my abdomen. I also still had inconsistent bowel movements.

After seeing the Neurologist and G.I. doc, I was referred to a Rheumatologist (October 2021). My blood was tested for immunodeficiency markers and the standard CBC & Metabolic panel. All levels were normal and no inflammatory markers. B12 & vitamins were also normal. By this point (October 2021), I had developed throbbing/burning pain in my outer left thigh/hip. It would sometimes radiate down to my lower thigh. I also had pain in my genitalia that would come and go and random. I did notice the pain in my hip and genitalia were typically correlated. I was given several digital rectal exams and they were all negative. The Rheumatologist finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia in October 2021. I was given Lyrica (150mg X 2 a day) & Cymbalta (30mg X 1 a day). I was also still taking Omeprazole (40mg X 1 a day). We tried tapering again, but I would develop extreme abdominal pain.

In March of 2022, I was given a HIDA scan which came back clear. I performed additional full-spectrum organ tests, all negative. My GP also ordered a Lyme disease test again which came back positive. However, the Western Line Blot was negative. My GP said I must have a cold or something and that's what caused the false-positive. I was referred to pain management (acupuncture, yoga) as a last resort. In June of 2022, my G.I. doc performed another EGD and I still had mild gastritis in the lower antrum. She increased my PPI (Protonix this time) to 40mg X 2 a day. This made the burning sensation FAR worse. After 2 weeks, I decided to go back down to the 40mg X a day and the symptoms became tolerable. I was also given a cystoscopy for genital pain in June 2022. This was also cleared.

I sincerely apologize for the LONG post, but I'm at the end of my rope here. My hands and feet sweat constantly (I have to wear sandals or socks in my house to avoid slipping). I still have the unexplained pain in my neck, back of my head, left thigh and genitalia. I still have inconsistent bowel movements (smelly, oddly shaped and sometimes covered in mucus and fluffy). I also still have burning sensations in my stomach which I attribute to unrelenting gastritis. No matter what I eat, 4oz. of unseasoned chicken breast, low-acid fruits, etc., I still get the burning sensation 1.5-2 hours later. My ears ring randomly and I have fasciculations (muscle-twitching) all over my body at random. I get the twitches just under my skin in my eyelids, deep in my thighs, arms and legs and face round my jaw. I can only describe it as fast vibrations, like a taught rubberband being pulled then let go. These symptoms have persisted for nearly 2 years and they DID NOT start until my SIBO-like issues in late 2019. Since 2021, I constantly have viral infections, usually respiratory (including sinuses). I'm fully vaccinated for COVID & boosted, but tested positive with symptoms, twice (January 2021 & January 2022).

I would appreciate any recommendations on testing/diagnostics... Again, I'm at the end of my rope. I have 4 kids and I struggle EVERY DAY to keep a smile on my face. I'm constantly in some form of discomfort or pain and my daily live has ground to a nearly a halt. None of this runs in my family, even dating back to my Grandparents.

Thank you!

Summary of Symptoms:

-Inconsistent bowel movements (mostly mild constipation or oddly-shaped foul-smelling stools)

-Sweaty hands and feet

-Foul-smelling body odor while running/working out (never even used to wear deodorant prior to this)

-Unexplained tissue/muscle pain just under the skin or deep in (left thigh, both sides of neck and genitals)

-Burning in right abdomen 1.5-2 hours after meals

-Unexplained foul/hot gas; I eat the same healthy meals everyday, yet randomly produce hot/smelly gas

Medications

-40mg X 1 a day of Protonix

-150mg X 2 a day of Lyrica (seems to help with the nerve pain)

-Tapered off 30mg X1 a day of Cymbalta (had withdraw symptoms for roughly 10 days; miserable)

Diagnoses

-Fibromyalgia

-IBS

-Mild antral gastritis

List of Diagnostics

-Nearly a dozen CBCs, Metabolic Panels & Organ Function Tests (All negative)

-STIs (All negative)

-TB (Negative)

-Lyme Disease (Positive), but (Negative) Western Line Blot

-IgM Varicella (Positive), but no Shingles lesions

-Immunodeficiency Markers (Nuclear Antibody, ESR, RA, etc.) ALL NEGATIVE

-Cystoscopy (Negative)

-HIDA Scan (Negative)

-Colonoscopy (Negative)

-EGD (Antral Gastritis both times, GERD once)

-Radiology/Nuclear Medicine (CTs, MRIs, and X-Rays all Negative)

-EMG for Neurology (Negative)

-Nearly a dozen Stool Cultures (All Negative, sans H. Pylori in 2020)

I’ve had gastritis for many years. I’ve been on omeprazole for more than 30 years and have had a 2mm hiatal hernia for 40 years. Never in pain until a few months ago. I had an EGD in 2/21, showed the gastritis and 2mm hernia. After months of significant pain, I just repeated the EGD. Gastritis is worse, hiatal hernia now 5mm, and they found “multiple” polyps. The largest was a whopping 2cm. Not cancerous, thank the Lord, repeat EGD in 3 years. What? I’m smart enough to know this needs more aggressive treatment, but what?? I cook all my own food, eat pretty healthy. Definitely need to lose weight. Getting ready to purchase a bed that raises the head up. But what more should I be doing? And what could be causing this?

Are you on 40 mg in the a.m.and 40 mg in the p.m. ? No alcohol/caffeine and no foods that aggravate GERD. Some people get chronic gastritis. I guess mine was an acute episode. I also had chronic cholesterolosis until a surgeon removed my gallbladder.

I take tirosint capsule and cytomel daily. Cytomel dissolves fast and the tirosint is “gel” so it is absorbed easily for my stomach issue. They are both more expensive than other meds I have tried but way easier on my stomach so I would rather pay more and no stomach stress.