Gastritis help - at wits end :-(

Posted , 11 users are following.

Hi all, new to the forum but just wanted advice. First of all I have to say I am a worrier and suffer with anxiety and have suffered with mild/moderate depression as a result. I currently take Sertraline for this (100mg) daily. Had it since 22 years old and am now 35

Anyway, around November last year I went to work and was overcome with severe bloating and stomach pain/gurgling. I noticed in the build up I was becoming board at work, drinking more tea/decaf coffee and eating rubbish food. Diet has never been brilliant but I don't decline fruit and veg. I went to see GP. She listened to my stomach and was amazed at the noise. She gave me buscopan. Ok for 2 days then bloat/pain returned. Went back and she referred me to see a specialist. I said I had private medical cover so within two weeks I saw a consultant gastroenterologist. Told him symptoms and he arranged for me to have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Had that a week later, the prep is awful by the way and I found the endoscopy worse than the colon. Anyway, it was noted on my info sheet that I had gastritis and I also saw the word dyspepsia? Was told by nurse to keep taking lanzoprasole. Specialist said make an appointment with GP to discuss results then arrange a follow up with him on 5th Jan. GP was telephone conversation and utterly pointless. She didn't have a clue as she wasn't the GP who first dealt with it!? Just said gastritis. So, I arranged the follow up with Gastro consultant.

Saw him 5th Jan. He came across very well and said basically said I have mild inflammation (gastritis) and that there was a marker for possible IBS. He said that the marker was when they inflated my lower bowel with air it didn't like being stretched? He said to take lanzoprasole and it may take some time to clear. I had blood tests prior to visiting him and everything came back normal. He did a bowel sample and pylori test and they both came back negative. He said there is no crohns or colitis present or anything serious. He was aware of my anxiety past/present. I'm worried he may have missed something? Celiac maybe? Would all tests he did show the warning signs of digestive problems/disorders?

I don't take lanzoprasole daily and only take Sertraline when I feel I need to. Tonight has been weird. I ate a lot of pizza with my other half and later on I felt weird, a bit sick and dizzy. Started to panic and now I feel weak. I just want it to clear up as I've got the left side under rib cage pain but thankfully I'm not burping as much. Stools are fine, regular and not painful. I am suffering with some pinching below my belly button both left and right side. Stomach still gurgles but not as bad as two months ago. I do get stressed easily and have had some prolonged grief at work. Today has been stressful with confrontation.

How long does it take to clear? Can anyone help?

I'm 6'3, just under 17 stone, I'm a smoker (roughly 4-5 a day) more at weekends, drink socially. Heart rate resting at pre exam check was 58 bpm and surprisingly 100% blood oxygen level and normal blood pressure. Digestive problems in family. Mum has diverticulitis and my sister has IBS.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks all.

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Hello, did stopping sertraline or reducing at 25 mg change anything ?… I have the same issues with sertraline (50mg).

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.