I'm told "You have an ulcer."

[jaykay777]

Following a hospital stay three years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The surgeon who attended me is now my gastroenterologist. I follow his instructions and have had no lower G.I. symptoms. Yesterday, under his direction, I underwent an upper endoscopy to find the cause of my recent upper G.I. symptoms. The person (nurse?) who discharged me said only "You have an ulcer," and made an appointment for me to see my gastroenterologist in a month. Can someone here suggest an online support group in addition this where I can get more information and support on the vague term "ulcer?"

[willow24 Administrator]

Hi it could be a gastric ulcer which is caused by erosion of the stomach wall by gastric juices. This can be treated easily with PPI meds (proton pump inhibitors) such as omeprazole. Many meds such as steroids and non inflammatory steroids like ibuprofen can cause/contribute to gastric ulcers.

UC does not affect the stomach, but Crohns disease can.

Im very surprised they didn't say they were going to notify your GP to prescribe some PPI meds.

If I were you I would make emergency appointment to see your GP before xmas, and get these meds. It will certainly give you a more comfortable xmas!

[jaykay777 in reply to willow24]

Thanks for your input, Willow. I have never taken steroids or non inflammatory steroids like ibuprofen. However, I see that I have been taking one of my heart meds, Carvedilol, with having food or milk at the same time. I'm going to take the two together starting today. I think I was once prescribed Omeprozole, but the prescribing doctor discontinued it. From now on, I'm going to keep a log of who prescribed what. I have an appointment soon with my gastroenterologist, so I'll check with him. I'm not very uncomfortable. I will ask whether mine is a gastric ulcer. From your description, I believe it is.

[jaykay777 in reply to willow24]

Willow -- Thank you, thank you, for mentioning Omeprazole. On rereading what you wrote, I took a second look at the sheet I was handed when I came out of the anesthesia. I had made the incorrect assumption that because I wasn't handed a written prescription that there was none. I was wrong. The sheet said to take the Omeprazole, so I called the surgeon's office and was told they had phoned in a prescription for it. Sure enough, my pharmacist had my Omeprazole ready. If I'd been alert and picked up the prescription on the day of the surgery I probably would have spared myself the abdominal pain I experienced yesterday.

[willow24 Administrator]

Im glad you have got it sorted now, and hopefully it will not take too long to heal.

Have a merry Christmas and a healthy 2017