severe gastritis for 12 days

[HGFP]

hello, I hope some of you can help. I went to A&E with stomach ache a week ago. Stomach ache that has prevented me from doing anything. They diagnosed me with gastritis and sent me home with omeprazole. After 4 days of taking it, the pain was still there and I just couldn’t manage it at home so went back and they doubled the dose after doing a CT scan and finding nothing else. A week in and not only I’m not better, the omeprazole has given me lower abdominal pain that has been excruciating at times. Can I swap omeprazole for lansoprazole and see if it makes a difference? At this point I’m desperate for some help as I can’t cope with the constant pain

[scnuke]

So sorry that you are suffering so much. I know all too well how debilitating that pain can be. I found that at least for me, GI cocktail was the only thing that gave me relief. It is a mixture of Maalox and Lidocaine, sometimes with an antifungal medication thrown in for good measure. You can generally only get it in the ER, but my doctor wrote an Rx for me that was filled at my pharmacy. They mixed it up in a 16oz bottle so I would have plenty on hand. It was the only thing that saved me from many trips to the ER when I would have flare-ups. Thankfully, my gastritis has calmed down and I haven't needed any for a couple of years, but it was a lifesaver at the time. Good luck with it and I hope you find some relief.

[HGFP in reply to scnuke]

Thank you so much for replying. Was that cocktail painkillers? And if you don’t mind me asking how has your gastritis improved? Did it just happen on its own?

[scnuke in reply to HGFP]

The Lidocaine numbs the inflamed nerve endings and helps the acute pain decrease. The Maalox helps to reduce gas and pressure. The basic solution calls for a 50/50 mix of 2% viscous lidocaine and OTC Maalox or similar anti-gas product. In the USA, the lidocaine requires an Rx. If you can get access to the viscous lidocaine, you can easily mix it yourself. My gastritis has improved dramatically over the course of a few years. Alcohol is a trigger for me that causes a flare-up if I have more than one drink in a week. I SI 1mg hydroxo B12 twice/day and that has helped me more than anything else. Other than that, I don't follow any special diet. I eat LOTS of red meats to keep my iron levels up and take daily vitamins and folic acid. Oh, and also avoid most anything with any capsaicin. Even the mildest hot sauces can cause a flare-up. But never as bad as it was a few years ago. I am lucky to have doctors that work with me on this journey.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Hi HGFP. Suggest that you speak to the dispensing chemist about medication.

Whilst PA is a type of autoimmune gastritis that leads to problems absorbing B12, and hence to B12 deficiency, one symptom of which is macrocytic anaemia.

And please remember that HU isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.

[expatkerry]

I also found that Omeprazole made things worse (having PA means lower acidity anyway, it never made sense to me to take a drug that lowered it further) and I agree with scnuke alcohol, spices, coffee etc make things worse. I found camomille tea really helpful (not the tea bags but the full flower heads you can buy in good health stores).

[HGFP in reply to expatkerry]

Thank you

[HGFP in reply to expatkerry]

I’ve moved to lansoprazole see how o get on. There’s very little doctors seem to do about this yet it’s been the worse thing I’ve gone through so far. 11 days of constant pain, no eating and no sleeping

[Jillymo in reply to HGFP]

I am sorry to inform you Lansoprazole is no better than Omeprazole. I have been on lansoprazole for some years now and have endured some serious inflammation due to taking it !

You might find this an interesting read posted on HU by WiscGuy........ mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/5/662

Rexz has offered some very sound advice which I will be following up when I next see my gastrologist.

[Rexz]

Well OK, "possible" Gastritis. I say possible because the only information is that they've done a CT scan and from that they've determined Gastritis? A CT scan will only show thickening walls of your stomach which "may" be caused by Gastritis. Since they diagnosed you with Gastritis, did they do a stool test for H-Pylori? H-pylori bacterial infection is the number one cause of Gastritis by far. Approximately 98% of Gastritis cases are do to H-Pylori. This type of Gastritis (thickening walls from CT scan) caused by H-Pylori, will be located in the gastric antrum or the lower part of your stomach. Upon a Gastritis diagnosis they should automatically test for this and eradicate with antibiotics. This Gastritis is perfectly curable. Can you find out where the thickening walls are located within the stomach?

IF the thickening walls are located in the upper part of the stomach in the upper body and fundus then this would be a much rarer form, about 1 to 1.5% of cases are Autoimmune Gastritis.

It is important to ask, ask, ask your doctor/GP which type of Gastritis they've diagnosed you with as the treatment for each are different

With autoimmune Gastritis (AIG ) which is your immune system attacking your Gastric Parietal Cells, these are the very cells that are producing stomach acid that your prescribed PPI is now also suppressing. You need gastric acid, I know because I have none since my oxyntic mucosa is no more.

What I know is PPIs like Omeprazole or antacids should, normally, not be prescribed for those with AIG.

You may want to ask for an endoscopy/gastroscopy to confirm your gastritis diagnosis. Ask your GP to test your fasting pH (acid level) of your stomach. They can do this during endoscopy. You can also indirectly check stomach acid levels by having your serum Gastrin tested, a simple blood test. If Gastrin is way high over normal then that is indicative of low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

Just a very large note: I'm no doctor but rather have been through all this myself so "I know a thing or two, about a thing or two"

I suggest having a real conversation with you doctor about getting some further diagnosis.

Final note... Gastritis can also much less be caused by environmental influences like too much, alcohol or smoking. Yes, hard to believe...smoking, but it is known that some amounts of smoke do get into and irritate your stomach.

Hope that helps some. Rexz

[HGFP in reply to Rexz]

Thank you. I appreciate your response. I had h pylori last year that was treated with antibiotics so I have asked for a test again although I know it’s very rare to have it back. I do need to see a specialist as the way they’ve diagnosed me is by elimination and I’ve been bed ridden for almost two weeks now

[Jeep13]

try a meat diet. Only eat meat with a slice of sourdough bread. Try it for a week I’ll bet within days you will start to feel better. Meat and eggs. No potato’s no rice no vegetables. Just meat and eggs. Good luck. Hope you feel better soon

[HGFP in reply to Jeep13]

That goes against any anti-inflammatory diet and surely would make me worse?

[Jeep13 in reply to HGFP]

Red meat is good for the gut. I’d try it. You have nothing to lose. If it works great if it doesn’t you stop. 2 weeks of this diet. I’m on week 2 and I’m feeling better. My gut is responding and generally I feel better. I have PA so I get no B12 benefits from all the meat. I inject daily.

[pickle22pickle]

Sorry to hear of your suffering. You can do what you want but from my experience doctors guess these things and just throw drugs at symptoms. If you have pernicious anaemia PLUS need help with other things they can rarely piece the two together or connect them as one thing so they try this and if it fails they try that and so on. Which is why I started to research all of the things re my own health and how I could prevent it getting worse and hopefully make it better without having them wasting a year or more trying various things that are useless. I found that when I had a bad stomach a dihycodeine would help for about 12 hours, especially when it was bedtime and the stomach stopped me from getting to sleep. No doctors thought of it or understood it. But it works for me. I also take choline because all of those anti chologenic drugs make it more likely you lack enough choline, which can also mean you get or are more likely to get dementia. There are many knock on effects they overlook or do not think of because they are so focused on that one symptom. So you need to look at the dominos as they fall and calculate which ones will fall next if you do this or that. Hope you feel better soon.

[HGFP in reply to pickle22pickle]

Thank you. I agree with you re doctors guessing and just sending you away with drugs. It’s a quick fix for them I guess

[Hedgehogs15]

I had Losac which is an acid suppressant. It made me worse so now I just take peptic when I get acid or heartburn. I don’t think taking antacids regularly help with your B12.

I try with diet and don’t eat after 6pm . It helps with my pernicious anaemia but I think stress and life get in the way sometimes.

Also doctors who try to change how often you get your B12 jab.

I wish you better x

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Gentle online hugs to you.

Just wondered if you'd been referred to a gastro enterologist.

The doctors need to find out what's causing the gastritis.

GUTS UK ( a UK charity) have info on gastritis including possible causes.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

PA (Pernicious Anaemia) is an autoimmune condition that can lead to autoimmune gastritis (AIG).

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society) have lots of useful info on their website.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Some people on this forum get treated for high levels of stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria) with PPI drugs such as omeprazole and then find out that they actually have low levels of stomach acid (hypochlorydia) or sometimes virtually no stomach acid ( achlorhydia).

The symptoms of high levels and low levels of stomach acid are very similar so I hope your doctors have considered both possibilities.

NHS link about acid reflux

nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn...

Link about hypochlorhydia

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

Look up "bicarbonate burp test" for a way to check if stomach acid is likely to be low.

NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) in UK have published guidance on gastro /reflux /dyspepsia in adults.

Search for "NICE gastro reflux dyspepsia" to find it.

Do you have any symptoms consistent with B12 deficiency?

See lists below.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12info.com/signs-and-sympt...

theb12society.com/signs-and...

I left detailed replies in this thread which you might find useful.

Help Needed! Have I got Pernicious Anaemia?

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I'm not a health professional just someone who suffered for years from unrecognised and untreated B12 deficiency.

[HGFP in reply to Sleepybunny]

It is so kind of you to give so much information. Thank you so much. I’m hoping to get referred to the gastroenterologist department of my local hospital tomorrow so I will ask all these questions thank you

[Sleepybunny]

People with coeliac disease can develop gastritis.

Coeliac UK website has useful info on diagnosis of coeliac disease.

coeliac.org.uk/information-...

[Statesideheather]

Hello. I'm sorry you are feeling s***. Your stomach pain, is it in left side? Is it an ache or burn? Do you enjoy an evening cocktail? So many things can be at play. And the quick fix to *this* can cause *that*. Balance is key, imo. I often turn to turmeric for relief of inflammation, which in turn tanks my iron levels...causing me other symptoms. Just an example of how difficult finding the balance can be. You know your body. A doctor only knows what you share and what lans show. It is a lot of work to find the sweet spot of feeling perfect! Dilont lose hope.

[Statesideheather in reply to Statesideheather]

Apologies for typos (fat fingers) 🫣