I was recently diagnosed with gastritis once again, lost count how many times I have had it in the last 6 years. Doctors have changed my omeprazole to lansoprazole to see if that helps, given me anti-sickness medication and a liquid to try each time after I've eaten to try and stop the pain. She is also referring me to a gastroentorologist, but that could take months or even longer.
i found out my gastritis is being caused by a hiatus hernia, but they won't do anything to fix the hernia. I never had gastritis before the hernia and have lost count how many times I've now had it. i am now scared to eat, as every time I eat and drink I get more pain, am in pain when I don't eat and have heartburn all the time.
I have been told in the meantime to only eat plain foods and drink water or coffee only. It is affecting my mental health. Does anyone have any tips for reducing the pain with gastritis? How long the referral might take? And what I can try and eat in the meantime, so I can eat without fearing I am going to be in more pain as am scared to eat because every time I do I get more pain.
Any tips would be most helpful as I need to find a way to cope with this, as at the moment I can't, and don't want to keep feeling the way I do.
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I can't tell you how long a referral might take, but might have some tips re: diet?
When I was 12 (a long time ago as I am 70 now!) I had gastritis. I remember the gnawing ache in my stomach, and the constant "hungry" burpy feeling. My mother just took me to the family doctor (no specialist referral)
He told me I had to eat a very bland diet. That and some huge pills which I had to suck not swallow did help me recover from it by that Christmas (it started in early Autumn I think). My memory is not perfect for so long ago, but I do remember the foods I had to stick to.
Basically: mashed potatoes, white rice (but many people didn't eat rice or pasta then) but I suppose that would include white pasta now. White bread toasted. I was allowed butter, milk, but I don't think cheese (sorry I have forgotten) and not sure about cream. No-one ate yogurt so unsure about that too, Probably would have been okay.
I was allowed plain cooked meats and fish but no sardines or canned fish, and no pork, lamb, or bacon. My mother used to steam white fish like Plaice or haddock for me. My meat had to be simply grilled, boiled or steamed too, so no roast meat. No chips, crisps.
Meats like chicken, turkey, beef, liver, were okay. But as liver was horrible boiled I didn't eat much of it.
Eggs were fine but boiled or poached only. No fried foods at all.
No onions, leeks etc. No smoked foods, sauces, condiments, gravies, anything with vinegar. But I was allowed salt. Jams were out, but honey was okay.
I would guess no alcohol either but that didn't apply as I was only 12. No pepper, and no skins on vegetables or fruits. Fruits were supposed to be cooked, but I could eat raw grapes so long as they were peeled. No citrus fruits. No Coca cola or lemonade etc. I drank just water or peppermint tea.
No nuts, and hardly any "roughage". No chocolate but was allowed boiled sweets I remember, and sponge cake. No fruit cake with dried fruit. I could eat as many plain crackers or biscuits as I wanted. I remember "Rich Tea" the most boring biscuits! Digestives weren't allowed on the diet, as the doctor said they would be irritating for my stomach.
Most vegetables were fine, but peeled if there were skins (as in potatoes), soft-ish cooked or steamed. Cauliflower was out, and so were salads. Nothing raw.
I have probably forgotten a lot of foods that were and weren't allowed.
As far as I recall, I started with symptoms in the Autumn or maybe possibly late summer (?) I find that difficult to remember properly, It did start with the beginning of a new school term, so there could have been some stress involved.
I do however remember my mother really wanting me to be better by Christmas, because she couldn't bear the idea of me not being able to have a traditional Christmas Dinner, and eat the Christmas treats! As far as I can remember, I did manage Christmas dinner so must have improved a lot. Whether it carried on much longer after that I am not 100% sure, but don't think it did.
She also gave me slippery Elm tablets she bought from a mail order herbal company.
I had a private intolerance test which showed I was intolerant to wheat, dairy and gluten, plus cucumbers and tomato’s and beef…. I am Trying to re introduce the foods but unsuccessful still felt bloated so continue as I am.
I have the same as you iv been every were with this know under the pain management in on morephin but it still does not take the pain away I no some are on gabapentine and thay say that it can help but it no good for me so I started to Mack my Owen soup which as all the goodness in it so I woo try that if I were you
I will try that thank you, as I am not even be given any painkillers to help with the pain, and I am not sure what I can take and doctors won't prescribe me any painkillers
Hi, I've had this off and on for a long time and I also have hiatus hernia [which seems to be one of the causes of gastric reflux for me but in no way would I say it causes gastritis athough it could exacerbate the nausea.] and it doesnt cause me upset all the time.
I would recommend checking reliable websites such as this one
Also starting the Monash University low fodmap regime which will identify your trigger foods. For me it was fatty foods, onion and garlic mainly. For many it is lactose and gluten and unfortunately a lot of these things come on in later life. I am 73. You can get the fodmap app for your phone or computer for a very reasonable cost. It helps a lot to attend group or online sessions with a nutritionist or see one individually.
H. pylori is a bit difficult to diagnose even with tests but it is worth going through the antibiotic/ppi regime once to see if the pain /discomfort goes.
I find moderate alcohol use is OK but generally it's better not to have it or fizzy or caffeinated drinks [I have decaff coffee and fruit or herbal teas.] Ginger in any form especially in a tea can help, I find peppermint tea doesnt work but sucking peppermints often helps with nausea.
Gastritis can sometimes be used as an umbrella term for any stomach upset...... hope you get it sorted.
I’m now paying a nutritionist for gut advice- so far she’s been very helpful. She told me about a device called Iqora - it’s supposed to help strengthen the muscles which will help keep HH in place- you can’t do this under your own conscious control. The device is approved by NICE and should be available on prescription. I asked my GP and she said she would have gladly prescribed it but it was not in her list as available to prescribe. So I’m off to buy my own - a mere £145. It’s costing me a fortune for private advice but I’m taking matters into my own hands since NHS has been unhelpful, to say the least.
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