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Gastritis - Constant severe stomach pain

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jenny33426
jenny33426

I wondered if anyone could help me, since about January 2013 I have on and off had a dull ache in my stomach, sometimes flaring up to make me feel sick. I actually put this down to anxiety however in the past few weeks my theory has changed.

About three weeks ago my stomach flared up however to the worst pain I have experienced as yet, made me feel like I was going to be sick constantly and made me not know what to do with myself. I feel like there is a lump in my thought and my stomach feels tender and swollen when flares up feels like my stomach is on fire/knotted up!

The pain was so sever I went to the doctors (2 and a half weeks ago), my doctor felt my stomach and said it felt swollen, I told her the symtoms and she says she thinks I have gastritis and prescribed me with Lansoprazole 30mg tablets to take daily for 1 month, this however to date hasn't helped my stomach at all, the flare up comes and goes however the pain in my stomach is constant and the Lansorprazole is causing terrible upset stomach to the point I am worried to not be near a toilet.

I went back to the doctors on Tuesday 22/10 explained all of the above to her and she said I am to keep taking the tablets and she is happy to see me again in November (once the months course has been taking) however im in dispear with this pain sad HAD ENOUGH OF FEELING ILL and can't help but think the worse

Has anyone experienced symptoms same as above as I feel extremely on my own shouting and no one understanding what im going though

Comments greatfully received.

19 likes, 392 replies

392 Replies

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  • Olga2014
    Olga2014 jenny33426

    Posted

    It's amazing to read that I am not the only one who is struggling with daily stomach pains.  I feel so bad for each and every one of you because I know how terrible and frustrating it is to be in pain every day and not be able to figure out why it's happening. 

    I am 28 years old, I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't drink coffee or soda, I eat healthy and only drink water, I am not overweight either.  I should not be having such problems and yet I am in pain more days than I am not.  I have noticed that my stomach started to get upset in 2007 when I started to drink coffee more regularly, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it is now....almost 7 years later (I don't drink cofee anymore though).  I have cut out so many foods already out of my diet and already eat very basic foods such as rice and chicken, yet nothing seems to be improving the condition of my stomach.  I, as well, had MANY MANY tests done and everything comes back normal.  One of my endoscopies a few years back showed that I have chronic gastritis but the doctor's do not seem to be very concerned with that, maybe because my other tests came back normal...such as stool and coloncospy.  I have visited 3 different gastroenterologists and I try to do my own research and my poor mom also constantly sends me articles and solutions.  All of these articles only say that you have to watch your diet, but I already do!!! I don't eat acid, I don't eat fried food, I stopped eating spicy food, I started to avoid gluten.  WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?!!  This is so upsetting.  Last week I had a really bad pain episode and was up all night and I was so upset. The next morning I ran to my regular physician so that she could check me out while the pain was happening, I broke down in her office in tears.  She ran more blood tests and I did another breath test for hp pylori.  I am seeing her tomorrow to follow up.  I also sent an email to my GI almost a month ago, explaining to him that the acid reducer meds he prescribed are not working and I'm still suffering.  I asked what will be the next steps for treatment...I am still waiting to hear from him.  That's another thing that upsets me so bad is that no one seems to realize and understand the pain that we are constantly in and this waiting for weeks and sometimes months for appointments that do not provide any kind of solutions is just torture!  

    I feel like I am at the point where I do not care what I have to do in order to feel better.  I have no other health issues.  When my stomach doesn't hurt, I feel great! Such a difference!  But when it does, I have no energy, my stomach is bloated and I don't feel like doing anything, I feel disgusting and in pain.  I don't care if I have to get a surgery or stop eating bread or dairy, whatever I need to do!  This may sound terrible and of course I would never do it, but sometimes I feel like I just want to stab myself in the stomach because I'm just so tired of dealing with this every single day of my life and there's no one that can help me. Every time I call to make an appointment with my GI, he's always booked and I have to wait a months...how much longer will this go on!?

    I am sorry about the rant, I'm sure you can sense how frustrated I am with this, as I'm sure you are as well.  I really hope that we could be fixed so that we could go on having happy and healthy lives with no pain (I can't imagine what that will be like! It's been so long since I felt good).  Let's keep our fingers crossed.  I will run by my doctors some of the suggestions that I read on here..such as aloe vera and acidophilus, we'll see what she says.

    Good luck everyone!  If anyone has anymore good tips or advise, it will be more than appreciated!

    • jlandry200
      jlandry200 Olga2014

      Posted

      Hi there, my name is Jared and I reside in Barrie Ontario Canada. I am 26 years old and have been suffering from similar g.I problems for over seven years. Gone for abdominal ultrasounds, c.t scans, mri's upper g.i's, celiac screens among many other tests, and the results always come up as normal regardless of the fact that I wake up every morning with excruciating stomach pain. I have been told I have non-ulcer dyspepsia which basically means they can't specify the problem and they don't have a treatment option. I have been taking 25mg of amitriptyline every night which is meant to block pain signals being sent from my brain to my stomach but has provided minimal relief. The only medication I have found to be somewhat effective for my problem is buscopan, an anti-spasmodic which seems to be one of the few things that temporarily ease my pain. I have also tried altering my diet, cutting out fat and fried and acidic foods but I didn't see much relief.

      It is kind of funny how common this problem is and yet everyone who goes through this has a very similar experience. Endless trial and error with no real answers or assistance from physicians.I believe this problem is caused primarily by the preservatives, the GMO's, the BPA and all the other man made chemicals they've created to make our food taste better or last longer.I hope that one day they are able to treat people of theses unbearable issues. I hope everyone here can find relief in some way and any helpful info on this matter would be appreciated

    • zombie_killer
      zombie_killer Olga2014

      Posted

      Your stomach problems sound a lot like mine, I don't know what to do and I have been dealing with this for so long my anxiety has picked up about it and the doctor is running out of options let me know if you have found some relief. Not only to let my doctor know but just so I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel
    • jammyc1973
      jammyc1973 Olga2014

      Posted

      Hi I know this post his old but I cannot believe how similar thoughts I have at this moment in time. I had terrible pains 3 or so years ago for months on end. I was so down. I then found one probiotic in the morning and aloe Vera at night worked wonders and my bought severely reduced to about once a quarter and the longest being 2 weeks. That was however until 5 weeks ago when I had a sudden flare for no reason. I too just want to stab my stomach and see what's going on. It may go off for an hour and I'm totally different and positive. It's like a light switch. I'm now getting very depressed and emotional (I'm a 44 year old man!) and it's starting to affect my family as I'm very irritable. I just hope I can get back to how I was but I'm not helping with getting stressed. Going back to Dr's as feel this cannot just be IBS. Hope you got sorted.

  • jenny33426
    jenny33426

    Posted

    Hi All,

    Just to let you know, i am yet to make any progress as yet, after 2 months of waiting my consultation with the stomach specialist is finally tomorrow morning! It can't come quick enough!

    Nothing has changed with me if I am honest, i have been keeping a food diary (nothing is standing out that could be causing my stomach problems can happen one week but not the next if i have eaten the same things).  I have been taking my spoon full of Onken Natural yogurt 3 x a day for over a month now, I have also been drinking 2 x peppermint tea a day too (apparently good for your digestive system) unfortunately still not cured.

    Every day that goes by I am just getting used to the fact that this is going to be with me forever, it makes me miserable and things that i should enjoy aren't enjoyable, I had my friends wedding for example last Friday, Thursday my stomach flared up terribly again ALL DAY! luckily it went down by Friday however i was sitting on the edge of my seat all day worrying it was going to flare again sad.

    I definately understand all of your frustrations.

    Maria - its interesting how you say that your husband got these sympthoms after getting ill on holiday as that is exactly what happened to me! I went on holiday September 2012 got really ill (extrememly bad diorea for 24+ hours) ever since this holiday my problems started, intermitantly at first till October last year where i have it every day!

    I am lucky that i am strong minder and no matter what i power through and live my every day life, I continue to go to work with the pain and out with friends, however some days its torture but I am determind not to let this get the better of me!

    Fingers crossed for tomorrow and see what the consultant says my next steps are!

    I will keep you all posted.

    Good luck to you all - PLEASE keep us all posted if any of you get a miracle cure!

     

    • maria46367
      maria46367 jenny33426

      Posted

      Hi Jenny, my husband was back at hospital this morning and has come away feeling a bit more optimistic.  he saw a different consultant who is doing some more blood tests and stool samples.  He said that he will check again for the h.pylori bacteria as despite my husband having already taken two courses of the treatment for the bacteria following his illness on holiday in Feb 2013, some forms of it can be resistant to particular antibiotics. He is also going to get his Gp to prescribe some different medications so I will keep you posted.  He mentioned as well that there is a part of the stomach which still cannot be seen from either an endoscopy or a colonoscopy so he is looking into this as well.
    • jenny33426
      jenny33426 maria46367

      Posted

      Oh great, thanks for the update Maria! That does sound positive! I really do hope they get to the bottom of your husbands stomach problems!

      I will keep you posted how I get on tomorrow

    • lettie1964
      lettie1964 jenny33426

      Posted

      Hi jenny33426! My name is leticia and I started having stomach pain and I thought it was because of my back diet. Because I don't eat very much and it's the pain it's right in the middle of my stomach and it goes to my shoulder blades. And I also have fibromyalgia and that doesn't help but I can't take the pain anymore it hurts so bad in the makes me throw up sometimes especially if I eat something. I don't like to eat so it makes it harder on me and I'm getting scared because this is the first time I'm reading that a lot of women and men have the same problem. I feel your pain because my pain makes me cry😪 I haven't gone to the doctor for the stomach pain I'm scared he's going to tell me I have something bad and then I feel like I did it to myself for trying to being a crazy diet! I'm 50 years old and sometimes I feel like I'm definitely not going to wake up. I just can't believe all the people that have the stomach pain just like mine I thought I was in makes me feel good reading and trying to find an answer!I pray you're doing better and you don't have the pain no more hopefully they fixed two maybe you could give me the answer? You friend Lettie Davis Cali
    • liz29921
      liz29921 jenny33426

      Posted

      I have never done this before on a site, Are you still suffering because I maybe able to help? or at least give you another idea that maybe you can check up on. It may have been covered I'm not sure but please reply if you want
    • MerrittMichael
      MerrittMichael liz29921

      Posted

      Can you message me about your suggestions? Chronic gastritis sufferer, hpylori neg, clean diet, no stress, and PPIs cause pain, not help. I feel at a complete loss.
    • celine15139
      celine15139 MerrittMichael

      Posted

      Hi MerritMichael

      I've no idea if you're still using this site but I'm in the exact same boat as you.

      I've just been diagnosed with chronic gastritis , H pylori negative, no vomiting or passing blood, the PPI's I've been put on seem to aggravate my stomach.

      My stomach is incredibly inflamed, I'm beside myself with pain and can only take water and extremely plain food at the moment.

      Did you find any answer or solution to your situation?

      Thanks

  • jenny33426
    jenny33426

    Posted

    Another update;

    On Friday 25/04 - had an appt with my stomach specialist, explained that i am still getting upset stomach every morning, occassional bouts of my stomach bloating excessively (once a month or so) and the odd days weekly that i just generally don't feel well.

    Next step he said is capsule camera! basically a tablet that you swallow that has a camera in it and takes images throughout its journey through your digestive system! amazing ay!

    Now its another waiting game to wait for this appt to come through.

    Even though i have already had the Endoscope and Colonoscope this goes through your small intestines to see if there is any kind of disease there (the others can't go through your small intestines.

    Will keep you all posted! the never ending journey continues!

    • jennjenng
      jennjenng jenny33426

      Posted

      Hi Jenny, 

      I found your post very interesting. I too have been suffering from the exact same symptoms you have. It's been going on for nearly a year and so far the docs are no help. 

      About 2 weeks ago I had enough and took myself to emergency. They did an ultrasound and said everything looked fine over than the fact that I have gallstones. The doctor said however that my symptoms are not likely caused by that and that I probably have an ulcer. She prescribed me Pantoloc and said to keep taking it 2x a day until I feel better. Then stop, see if the symptoms return, go do the breathe test for h.pylori and we'll go from there. Ugh. 

      I really didn't feel great about her "diagnoses" so I went to see my family doc. He suggested that it's the gallstones and that I should see a surgeon. He put in a refferal for me but says it could take months to get in. Not to mention that I'm not sure my symptoms match that of gallstones. Sigh. 

      Im so lost. This is really ruining my quality of life. I hate living in pain and I have no clue what to do about it. 

      Did is you ever take the aloe? 

      I hope we all get relief soon! 

    • jenny33426
      jenny33426 jennjenng

      Posted

      Hello Jen,

      Sorry to read you are also suffering, its unbelievable how many people seem to have very simular syphtoms and also struggling for a diagnosis! Frightening really!

      The only advise i can give is to persist until you are happy with the outcome, as your the one suffering in the pain its easy for doctors to fob you off!

      No I have tried aloe yet to be honest, at the moment I am not taking any medication, and my stomach just goes in waves of feeling ok and then bad other days! I just take each day as it comes until my next appt for the capsule camera.

      I hope you find some answers/relief  soon also !

       

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