Please help me with my stomach ulcers!

[plifter]

(I posted this on the medical issues forum but C&C gets more traffic and I was hoping to get some information quickly before my doctor's appointment tomorrow morning)

I had an upper GI and colonoscopy. They showed "numerous" small ulcers in my stomach. The doc said there were so many he didn't bother to count them. He put me on Prevacid to let them heal. Well, that was 3 weeks ago. The first 2 weeks were OK. This week however has been total hell! My stomach is downright painful and the nausea is horrible. I've been vomiting and coughing up mucus. The Prevacid is supposed to reduce acid to allow it to heal but it doesn't do squat for the immediate discomfort. I called the doc yesterday and spoke to the nurse. She said to keep taking Prevacid and start taking Tylenol for the pain. I tried Tylenol and it hasn't helped one bit. I have a stressful few weeks coming up at work and a possible promotion could be on the line. Not only can I not afford to miss work, I also need to be able to perform my best. I can't perform feeling this bad. I'm going back to the GI surgeon tomorrow morning to see what can be done. Does anyone know if there is some sort of general prescription pain reliever that will work on stomach problems? I know there is dilaudid and morphine but I think both of those are a little too much and I have a history of opioid dependency. Preferrably I would like a non-opiate but I also need something effective. I don't think there's anything over the counter that is strong enough. I wonder if a weak synthetic narcotic like Ultram (Tramadol) would work for stomach discomfort? If you can suggest a medicine that might at least mask the pain and nausea, please respond. I've searched the web and have not been able to find any pain relievers other than dilaudid and morphine that are used for stomach discomfort. I would like to have an idea to suggest to the doctor in case he says there's nothing he can do for me. Thanks.

 

[silverstar1025]

I have no advice on this, but wanted to say SORRY. It sounds horrible to have to deal with. I hope you find something that helps.

 

[gotmilk]

Prevacid made my stomach feel like shit....

Plan old Pepto tabs worked awesome

 

[plifter]

Prevacid made my stomach feel like shit....

Plan old Pepto tabs worked awesome

I've taken liquid Pepto Bismol and it provides a small amount of relief for a very short duration.

 

[chewyxrage]

Dude, I've had the same shit....you just have to deal with it.


Don't look for any drugs to help you, just have to give it time to heal.

 

[plifter]

Dude, I've had the same shit....you just have to deal with it.


Don't look for any drugs to help you, just have to give it time to heal.

Oh man, that terrifies me! I was hoping for something to provide at least temporary relief to get me through these next few weeks at work.

 

[chewyxrage]

Oh man, that terrifies me! I was hoping for something to provide at least temporary relief to get me through these next few weeks at work.

What is your diet like right now? I found that adjusting my diet helped some.

 

[chewyxrage]

Do you drink?

 

[plifter]

Right now I'm eating a lot of rice and bread. I eat Frosted Mini Wheats and a Nutri Grain bar for breakfast. I drink orange juice with breakfast. Maybe I could cut out the OJ. I'm thinking I read somewhere that OJ can cause an upset stomach. However, I really love my morning glass of OJ. It's like the way some people have to drink coffee in the morning.

 

[chewyxrage]

Right now I'm eating a lot of rice and bread. I eat Frosted Mini Wheats and a Nutri Grain bar for breakfast. I drink orange juice with breakfast. Maybe I could cut out the OJ. I'm thinking I read somewhere that OJ can cause an upset stomach. However, I really love my morning glass of OJ. It's like the way some people have to drink coffee in the morning.

OJ is very acidic - I wouldn't drink it. Rice and bread should be alright, I know I ate a ton of soup when I was in pain for a few weeks.

 

[the_clockwork]

do you smoke? If so quit or severely cut back..
Diet has never been proven to link to ulcers. ALcohol inflames your stomach though so stop drinking alcohol for a couple weeks. Caffeine is linked to acid production too so stay away from that! When you become hyperacidic chew sugar free gum, this promotes saliva generation and will keep the acid at bay.

ask your doctor for a histamine receptor blocker

 

[plifter]

No smoking or drinking alcohol for this man. I've never smoked cigarettes and when I used weed I rarely smoked it. I used a vaporizer. I used to drink a lot of alcohol when I was younger but I stopped that many years ago. I go two or three years sometimes without consuming a single alcoholic beverage.

 

[the_clockwork]

No smoking or drinking alcohol for this man. I've never smoked cigarettes and when I used weed I rarely smoked it. I used a vaporizer. I used to drink a lot of alcohol when I was younger but I stopped that many years ago. I go two or three years sometimes without consuming a single alcoholic beverage.

what is your problem with mucus build up then? Why are you coughing up mucus? Mucus doesn't form in your stomach.. you mean bile?

I'd ask your doctor for a histamine receptor blocker then

 

[the_clockwork]

is this a gastric ulcer or a duodenal?

 

[the_clockwork]

hurry up and answer I'm leaving soon!

 

[Tatyana]

Were you tested for Helicobactor pylori?

A lot of stomach ulcers are from this bacteria, and can be cleared with antibiotics.

 

[plifter]

hurry up and answer I'm leaving soon!

gastric

 

[plifter]

Were you tested for Helicobactor pylori?

A lot of stomach ulcers are from this bacteria, and can be cleared with antibiotics.

The doctor didn't tell me anything about this so I would assume I was not tested for it.

 

[velvett]

Were you tested for Helicobactor pylori?

A lot of stomach ulcers are from this bacteria, and can be cleared with antibiotics.

Beat me to it!

A round of cipro could do the trick.


As a side note get something else from the doctor other than prevacid.

I think Protonix is MUCH better and I have an antacid that I have some samples of that I loved (I'll track it down for you and get the name).

 

[velvett]

Oh and check if you are taking any other pharacueticals that have the tendency to tear your stomach up. I was pumped up full of so many drugs that a glass of water consumed too fast would leave me in wretched pain and slumped over the WC.

 

[rykertest]

serious post here. My cousin and my best friends dad had very bad ulcers and their doc told them to drink a large glass of apple cider vinegar each evening before bed mixed with some water of course. They both swear by it and within a month had no more problems and no more pills.

 

[Tatyana]

The doctor didn't tell me anything about this so I would assume I was not tested for it.

GET tested.

I am sure it is fairly non-invasive, a blood test, I will find more info on it later and post it up.

It is quite routine for diagnosing and sorting ulcers in the UK, but sometimes things seem to work quite differently in the US.

 

[plifter]

Thanks for the replies. I just got back from the GI surgeon. He had another drug in mind. He gave me sucralfate. It's supposed to coat your stomach really well. I just took one so we'll see if it works in an hour or so. He said he rarely prescribes it outside of the hospital. I wonder why. I read the papers that the pharmacy gave me and it doesn't seem to have any major side effects.

 

[Bikini Mod]

GET tested.

I am sure it is fairly non-invasive, a blood test, I will find more info on it later and post it up.

It is quite routine for diagnosing and sorting ulcers in the UK, but sometimes things seem to work quite differently in the US.

They should have done it during the endoscopy. They simply swab the tissues while they are already in the GI tract. <--- that test is totally conclusive and because they are already there to assess the level of damage, it isn't invasive. A blood test is not conclusive enough.

Sulcrafate is worthless garbage. THAT is why it isn't commonly perscribed. It is a drug that docs give "their whiny patients" when the incompetent docs don't know what to do next.

It is VERY EASY to treat Helicobacter Pylori but if the doc is an incompetent boob get ready for years of unnecessary misery and suffering. If a doc can't diagnose and treat something that simple then I shudder to think what would happen to a patient who has complicated GI issues that require more knowledge and attention.

Oh wait... nevermind.

 

[the_clockwork]

If it's a bacterium that causes the ulcer, which it is more than 90% of the time, you just have to keep taking the meds and suffer through it. It will heal

 

[Basic_wonder]

It takes time to heal and it is a bitch ...

Tips I learned

Dont eat fried food
no spicy food
no acidic drinks
I pretty much stopped eating anything that was not plain. Plain chicken sandwich, etc ....

Zantac helps me, its the lower numbered one, the 150 screws up my stomach even more ......

 

[plifter]

The doc said I had a problem with severe over-production of acid. He didn't mention the H bacteria and I would have thought that the endoscope test would have turned that up. The carafate is providing some degree of relief but it's not 100% relief. It's made things more tolerable. I guess now I just need to sit back and let these ulcers heal. I have another follow up appt. with the doc in 2 weeks.

 

[Tatyana]

The doc said I had a problem with severe over-production of acid. He didn't mention the H bacteria and I would have thought that the endoscope test would have turned that up. The carafate is providing some degree of relief but it's not 100% relief. It's made things more tolerable. I guess now I just need to sit back and let these ulcers heal. I have another follow up appt. with the doc in 2 weeks.

They have to look for H. pylori in a biopsy of the stomach with a microscope.

You can't see bacteria with a camera used in endoscopy.

Your stomach would produce more acid in response to the bacterial infection (see the bit in bold and large below)


Your doctor sounds like he needs to update his clinical knowledge to be honest.

There are other tests, non-invasive ones, including a blood test.

More information on peptic ulcers from NHS direct.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=425&sectionId=7


Here is a small exerpt.

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)

About 95% of duodenal ulcers and 80% of gastric ulcers are caused by the bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori).

H. Pylori is a very common infection in humans and more than a quarter of people in the UK carry it, although few develop ulcers. Scientists are not sure why H. Pylori does not cause ulcers in every person carrying the infection. It is probably linked to the characteristics of the infected person and the specific type of H. Pylori that they are carrying.

H. Pylori spreads through food and water. It is also found in saliva, so may be spread through mouth to mouth contact, such as kissing. Most people pick up the infection during childhood, although it is becoming less common due to better hygiene standards.

H. Pylori lives in the sticky mucus that coats the lining of the stomach and duodenum. It produces an enzyme called urease which neutralises stomach acid (makes it less acidic). To counteract this, the stomach makes more acid, meaning that irritation of the delicate lining is more likely. The bacteria also weakens the protective mucus so that it is less able to protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum.

H. Pylori bacteria can also attach themselves to stomach cells. This further weakens the stomach's defence system and causes inflammation in the affected area. Medical treatment to completely clear H. Pylori from the stomach is needed to stop ulcers coming back.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines for minor aches and pains, such as headaches and period pain. They include aspirin and ibuprofen. In people with peptic ulcers that are not caused by H. Pylori, NSAIDS are often responsible.

Some NSAIDS are can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription. Other types are only available by prescription, for example diclofenac, naproxen and meloxicam, which may be used to treat conditions such as arthritis.

NSAIDs reduce your stomachs ability to make a protective layer of mucus, which makes it more likely to be damaged by acid. NSAIDS can also affect blood flow to your stomach and how well your body is able to repair cells.

Genetic factors

Some people have a family history of peptic ulcers, which suggests that genetic factors may be involved in their development.

Smoking and drinking alcohol

Smoking and drinking can contribute to the development of peptic ulcers because they irritate the stomach lining and reduce mucus production.

Stress

Stress probably does not cause ulcers, but it does worsen the symptoms if an ulcer is present. Stressful situations worsen symptoms because your stomach produces more acid in response to stress.

 

[Tatyana]

They should have done it during the endoscopy. They simply swab the tissues while they are already in the GI tract. <--- that test is totally conclusive and because they are already there to assess the level of damage, it isn't invasive. A blood test is not conclusive enough.

Sulcrafate is worthless garbage. THAT is why it isn't commonly perscribed. It is a drug that docs give "their whiny patients" when the incompetent docs don't know what to do next.

It is VERY EASY to treat Helicobacter Pylori but if the doc is an incompetent boob get ready for years of unnecessary misery and suffering. If a doc can't diagnose and treat something that simple then I shudder to think what would happen to a patient who has complicated GI issues that require more knowledge and attention.

Oh wait... nevermind.

TreatmentHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)

If you are H. pylori positive, getting rid of the bacterium is the first stage of treatment for a peptic ulcer. The treatment is sometimes called triple therapy because it involves three medicines, two high dose antibiotics and a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) which is a drug to stop your stomach making so much acid. All are usually taken for one week.

The antibiotics kill the H. Pylori bacterium. At least two high doses are needed because it is hard to get enough antibiotics into your stomach lining where H.Pylori lives. The PPIs reduce the amount of acid that the stomach makes, allowing the antibiotics to work better.

Examples of Triple Therapy treatments include:

Amoxicillin 1g, clarithromycin 500mg and PPI all taken twice a day for one week. This is the most commonly used combination.
Metronidazole 400mg, clarithromycin 250mg and PPI taken twice a day for one week. This combination is useful for people who are allergic to penicillin.Healing peptic ulcer

For most people with H.Pylori, one week of treatment is usually enough to ease symptoms and encourage the peptic ulcer to heal. Other people may need to carry on taking an acid reducing medicine for 2-4 weeks.

If you are H. pylori negative you will only need to take an acid reducing medicine. This usually needs to be taken for 4-8 weeks to ease symptoms.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole, are commonly used acid reducing medicines, as they are fast acting and extremely effective.

H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine, are an older type of acid reducing medicine. It is less common to treat peptic ulcer with these drugs.

Preventing peptic ulcer recurrence

Symptoms of peptic ulcers sometimes come back, despite getting rid of H. pylori. If your symptoms recur regularly, you may need to be referred to a specialist. On demand therapy may be used. This involves taking a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) each time symptoms recur, but just for a few days until they have cleared up again, or for a short 2-4 week course. However, the manufacturers don not recommend using PPIs in this way.

Gastro-protection for Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause peptic ulcer if they are taken for a long period of time.

People who need to take an NSAID but are at risk of developing a peptic ulcer, for example, the elderly and those with a history of peptic ulcer, may be offered gastro-protection medicines. They help to prevent the damage caused by stomach acid.

Medicines that can give gastro-protection against NSAIDs include:

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). These medicines stop your stomach making so much acid and are the most commonly used for gastro-protection.Misoprostol encourages your stomach lining to make more protective mucus.H2 Antagonists reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. Although they have often been used in the past, recent studies show they may not be that effective unless taken at double dose.

 

[Bikini Mod]

Thanks for all the information Tatyana. Where were you 14 years ago? LOL

I've been through all of it and then some, had every GI one could imagine. It is only now after YEARS of unbelievable agony and several trips to the hospital (last time I was near death) that I have decided to try alternatives to conventional drug therapy as it did nothing or very little to help.

Seems that the types of GI problems that have been plaguing me since childhood are becoming more and more common (or maybe I am just getting older and so the rest of the world has gotten older ) . I suppose that for the rest of the general population that is merely getting older and having things wear out they can feel comforted that there have been more studies, etc to gain knowledge to help the population.

For those of us who are genetic freaks (eating right/living right and STILL rotting from the inside out) I suppose we will just plug along trying to gain relief hoping that we won't be checking out too soon. I know I gots alotta shtuff to do before my time is up.