atrophic gastritis

[lifegems]

hi All

i was diagnosed with PA approx 8 years ago with some atrophic gastritis. Which was mildly painful in and off. I SI for the PA but the pain in my tummy has got worse and more constant .. I’m not sure what painkillers I should take or if there’s anything else I should do ? I do drink kefir which I think helps but any advice much appreciated 😀

[jade_s]

Hi lifegems, I would suggest getting a repeat endoscopy. Assuming you haven't had another one since, 8 years is a long time to go between screenings, and as you may or may not know, atrophic gastritis puts you at risk for stomach cancer. And a periodic colonoscopy could be warranted as well.

If that's all ruled out, my first guess would be low stomach acid. Have you ever tried supplementing any type of acid with meals? Betaine HCl, apple cider vinegar, lime juice? I started out on betaine hcl but it stopped working for me. Now I drink about 1/4 cup of lime juice diluted in a glass of water, with large meals. You might need to start with a much lower amount - if you have any gastric irritation, the lime and ACV can burn at first.

Digestive enzymes might be useful too. I do not have much knowledge about them , but recently ordered some to try. Others here can give you more info on that.

[DiNL]

Dear Lifegems,

I am using a supplement with slippery elm, marshmallow root and glutamine in it. Glutamine is important to help strengthen your gut lining. It is made by Terra Origin and I can get it through iherb. They deliver to my country. I do not have any discomfort but am taking it as a precaution. I too was diagnosed with AIG but am asymptomatic. I am a member of an atrophic gastritis Facebook group and many people post that they get relief from taking gaviscon and also the marshmallow root and slippery elm. Hope this helps!

[lifegems in reply to DiNL]

Thanks so much ! I shall try. I live in Portugal so might not get same brand

[DiNL in reply to lifegems]

I also take digestive enzymes to help digest my food and I take a probiotic in the mornings too. It’s also helped my digestions. g

[lifegems in reply to DiNL]

What digestive enzymes do you take ?

[DiNL in reply to lifegems]

At the moment I am using Solgar - digestive enzymes

[lifegems in reply to DiNL]

Ok thanks

[scnuke]

The pain of atrophic gastritis is not only difficult to deal with, but also very frightening for me since mine causes pain near my chest and shoulder. I have had a heart attack and pain like that causes some very bad anxiety. For me, the triggers are alcohol, carbonated beverages, espresso coffee, and certain strains of medical marijuana, either edible or inhaled. When I have have an attack, the only thing I have found that helps is a pharmacy compounded GI cocktail. In it's simplest form is a 50/50 mixture of Maalox and 2% viscous lidocaine. Unfortunately, at least in the USA, there is a severe shortage of lidocaine that has been going on for months due to a factory shutdown. Perhaps in Portugal that is not the case and you could get a physician to give you a script for it. It is not a prevention tool, but a rescue medication to relieve the pain of an acute, unexpected attack.

[wedgewood]

I suggest having porridge ( PROPER OLD FASHIONED PORRIDGE ) for breakfast . There’s something in oats that is so good for the stomach ( beta-glucan) . My daughter’s doctor in Germany suggested this for her continuing stomach ache . He said he wanted her to have porridge for breakfast for a few weeks before he investigated further . Hey presto - her stomach problems were solved . I’m not saying that this will help everyone , but at least it’s not harmful at all and is cheap .

[lifegems in reply to wedgewood]

I shall try .. as soon as the temperature in Portugal has dropped ! Too hot yet 😀

[wedgewood in reply to lifegems]

overnight oats for hot weather !

[lifegems in reply to wedgewood]

😀