How I cured my gastritis

Hi Farhad91647

And Yes!  I did have a relapse after thinking I was doing great after, say about 4-6 weeks.  I relaxed a bit in my strict diet and it all came flooding back.  I just went back to my trusted regimen and within about a week it started to feel better.  That was 2 weeks ago!  Today I feel great, better than I did when I thought I was good.  Hang in there and do what you were doing to get you to a good spot. I am fully committed to NEVER going back on PPI's, so that is not an option for me. I am not sure what else you are doing on your regimen, but I swear by the Zinc Carnosine, glutamine and slippery elm supplement cocktail.  Along with an alkaline diet.  I think the one thing that really helps me is that I take a liquid Calcium/Zinc supplement--really because I was on PPI's and everyone knows that calcium absorption becomes deficient.   Zinc is integral for healing, and this liquid really coats my stomach and helps with healing. I take that at around lunchtime.   Also I take 2-3 DGL's throughout the day when I need a boost.  The last thing I do before bed is take an H2 blocker (Pepcid) so I do not get a pool of acid in my stomach during the night.

Good luck and hang in there !

Hi barbarakemR,

Thanks for your comment. The thing is that I've had gastritis for nearly 10 months now, and I've had like 3-4 ups and downs. I reach a peak where I feel really good (to the point that I think I might be healed if this continues for a month) and then bam! because I relax the diet or sometimes for no reason things start to get back to near square one although with far less pain and overall symptoms. I was just wodering that this up and downs will cease at some point or not. Some days it just gets extremely frustrating. I just want to eat like a human being again without all the extreme discipline that is required with gastritis. I have been on a very bland diet this whole time. 

Why did you stop taking PPIs? I don't think I will come off them maybe months after I feel my stomach can handle almost everything.

Hi Farhad91647

I have had the gastritis for 3 years now.  The docs initially put me on PPIs, which honestly never really got rid of the pain completely. I started weaning off the PPIs only end of September of this year.   Prior to the weaning of PPIs, I went off 2-3x them and had the rebound acid which made my insides hurt again.  I am hoping that I can get off everything at some point, but right now I feel better than I have on the PPIs.  

The reason I went off the PPIs, and was reluctant to take them in the first place, is for a number of reasons.  Long term--say for years, it eventually has a really negative impact on the body.  For instance, there is the issue of vitamin and mineral deficiency, and for me it was that.  I have osteoporosis, and the high quality calcium that I take was not being absorbed, so then my body will then leach off my bones for the calcium it needs, making the osteo worse.  B12 also does not get absorbed, as well as iron and some other minerals.  Also, your body cannot properly break down food without the help of some acid, which is why I am okay taking the H2 blockers; it still lets your body have some acid.  I also started to have intestinal issues, bloating, gas, and just feeling awful--which the PPIs can also cause colitis for long term.  I am a health nut, so I want to heal my body and get off all the toxic meds.  

If you have not been on the PPIs for years, I would continue the PPIs, IN ADDITION to adding slippery elm, and zinc carnosine--a must have, glutamine, cabbage juice and DGL.  Along with an alkaline diet, or whatever you must do to get you to a good place.

Once you feel good enough to want to get off of the PPIs, you must wean slowly.  You can take PPIs morning and then H2s at night.  Then PPIs every other day with H2 until you feel good enough to then go down to H2 morning and night.  Your body will dictate how you feel on each step of the way.  If you are having no pain, that means your stomach and gastric lining has healed.  

I have not gotten to that point yet completely but am encouraged becaues it feels so much better than it has ever before since starting the PPIs with the supplement cocktail.  I think it is important to note that while you are on the PPIs, please take the zinc carnosine, glutamine and slippery elm, DGL, and if you can stand it, cabbage juice, or fermented cabbage sold in health food stores.  Because your body is not producing any acid, it clears the way for the zinc carnosine to work its magic along with the slippery elm.  So please try that along with the PPIs; it is only until your gastric mucosa heals will you feel any relief.

 

Wow, 3 years seems long. Gastritis is so different from person to person, and that's what makes it so tricky. Some heal fast some slower and some should manage. The problem is that the people who are fully healed (I mean 100% who can eat pizza, bear etc.) are rarely heard of again in forums. I just hope I can get rid of this at some point.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check them out. Are they really crucial though? I don't have much money to buy supplements unless they are super crucial. I mean, without any supplements I sometimes get to the point of being very healthy as long as I stick within a good diet: no pain, voracious appetite, quick digestion, almost feeling healed (but not entirely symptom-free of course). But then it all goes down. It is not like I eat pizza or anything, but just maybe a little too much or some slightly irritating food and sometimes for absolutely no reason. At peaks it feels awesome, but then when it goes down even driking water seems daunting.

Did you also experience this sort of up and downs? Pretty much like a roller coaster. You can never trust it.

Will the minerals, B12 and other good stuff be abosrbed well if I take a little lemon juice with food? strangely enough I can drink a little bit of lemon juice (maybe 1 or 2 teaspoons) in water with no irritation at all. 

I am surprised that no one has recomended to findout the CAUSE of

the gastritis. Only agastroscopy augmented with a biopsy that can do

that. Taking PPI in the morning and  H2 in the evening, then a bunch of supplements with totally unknown action is foolhardy to say the least.

If you have pain in spite fo the PPI, then the pain might come from the

esophagus or hiatus hernia, or a bacterium called heliobacter which

surprisingly can live in  a highly acidic envirionment but can be cleared away with antibiotics. So look for the causes and do not use supplements with unknown effects even if recommended by a friend.

A gastroscopy can be done in  a doctor's room, it requires no general anesthesia and is painless, although it is not the most comfortable. procedure. An experienced specialist needs only 1 minute to assess

the results. The biopsy is needed to see the heliobacter, and also

the epithelium (cell surface)  damage, if any. If you are really squeamish, it could be done under general anesthesia in a hospital with a one-day admission.

Hi ian21671, 

I have done all the tests right after I got my gastritis. Gastroscopy and biopsy. No Heliobacter, just "mild" gastritis, although there is nothing mild about it. Doctors are really in the dark when it comes to gastritis it seems. The cause was excessive alcohol consumption. 

I only take PPIs on doctor's recommendation and no supplements. Most of the people who I've read that got to a good point did it in the traditional PPI way. 

Excellent. I commend you to go the proper medical way, without weird supplements. It looks as though there were no adverse findings

about gastric reflux and the esophagus.

PPI will eventually clear up the gastritis without any special diets.

Remember that PPI is not stopping the secretion of gastric acid, only

reduces it.  Usually it is not necessary to take it beyond two years.

In an earlier comment, the patient still had pain in spite of the PPI taken. This is why I recommended gastrocopy.  Of course, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption could cause gastritis and a whole slew of other ailments.

 

That is right. I don't usually drink, nor do I smoke. It was just a specific period, but that did it. 

By "clearing up" do you mean back to normal? I know that after being "healed" there will follow a period of stomach sensitivity. I just hope that I will be back to eating like a normal human being at some point. To talk to someone who has gone through this and can now eat everything would be a great relief and hope.

Right now I am on strict diet and can eat or drink ONLY when hungry otherwise I will have discomfort. For me strict diet is THE most important healing factor. I just wanna get to a point without the ups and downs even if it means I still have to remain within a diet, though less strict.

Is this roller coaster effect part of this gastric drama? Will there be a point after which there is stability even though not full recovery?

I did all the exams as well and they could find no cause. They said it is related to functional dyspepsia which really means they don't know what is going on. I did get sick after experimenting with Indian food, eating lots of tomatoes etc.

The gastritis is gone now but my stomach gets irritated very easily. I found prescribed medication helpful to get cured and natural supplements helpful to manage light irritation when I eat something spicy/acidic now.

Did you have ups and downs?  are things rather stable now?

What do you mean when you say your gastritis is gone? 

Yes I definitely had ups and downs, usually I could associate the downs to something I ate that I know I should not have. When I say my gastritis is gone I mean the inflammation of my stomach is gone. I don't have constant pain anymore. But I do get acid reflux and irritation sometimes if I eat too much spices or irritating things but it is fairly mild and most of the time I feel good.

Well that's nice to hear. It is reasobable to assume, I think, that if you keep with the good diet the sensitivity will also fade off at some point. Fingers crossed. 

So are you sort of out of the roller coaster? No downs like before? Do you think they are inevitable part of the process or should be avoided at all costs even though that sounds impossible, or achievable only by not trying anything new for quite, qutie, some time?

Yes I am out of the roller coaster. Most of the time I feel perfectly fine with no symptom of anything. I just get easily irritated but irritating food but it is not gastritis, much milder symptoms and they don't last.

Yes I think it is best to avoid the downs as much as possible to give your stomach a chance to recover. But we are humans and adhering to a strict diet 100% of the time is very challenging, so be kind to yourself if you slip. I think it is best to adhere to a strict bland diet until you are completely cured and a few months after. Then you can try things one at the time and see how you feel. Many people have to be careful forever to a certain extend but it gets easier, you just learn how much irritating things you can tolerate without too much problems.

 

You are right, it is very very hard, almost impossible to go without a slip. Sometimes it is not even a new food but the same safe foods, but a little bit of overeating sends all the symptoms back. But you also had the slips and even with them got where you are now, so there is hope.

Yeah, I hate the fact that the stomach might not get back to its pre-gastritis normalcy just because of one stupid mistake (in my case). Or maybe it will in due time, you never now. So strange that this part of the body is so exceedingly tricky to heal. I know it is always busy and has no time to rest etc., but months, or years? oh Come on!

I have devised a method in the good periods when I want to try something new. First half a teaspoon (sometimes less), then 1, then 2 and so on. When established as safe, it enters the diet. Like one time I wanted to try canned peaches, I tried 1/4 it was okay, half was also okay. But when I took one, I sensed a strain on my stomach and I knew it's better just to leave it for a better time. Nothing happened, but it would have if say I had 5 or 6. This way there is a greatly reduced chance of having a flare-up or relapse or whatever.

Nothing weird about those supplements! Allopathy has only been around a short time but herbal and so called alternate remedies have been around for thousands of years !!

Hi Ian

I have had two upper GI's, a barium swallow with air contrast, and delayed gastric emptying test.  I have no H.pylori, or other junk. Biopsies were clean.  I have a hiatal hernia which I learned to reduce by myself (go to You-Tube for tutorials).    The PPIs and H2 morning and evening were to get myself off of the PPI's, weaning down to the H2s and the supplements beef up the gastric mucosa and heal it without the interference of the gastric acid.  This is short term supplementation to not to have to take PPIs long term--they are a cause of a host of other illnesses not to mention vitamin deficiencies.  I have done a lot of research on these supplements that have been tested by well-know researchers.  It helped me, so I was passing it on so it may help others. It is not for everyone. 

Hi Ian

I was on PPIs for two years and my pain was getting worse, so in addition to other reasons, I got off the PPIs.  Feeling much better now. 

 

Just for clariication, PPIs stop the production of gastric acid, H2 blockers reduce it.   And I agree, not a good idea to take for more than a few years.  I also had 2 upper GI's, and went by my gastro's recommendations, which in the long run did not clear up my pain.  Not until I introduced the supplements did I improve. My gastritis was not as severe as some of the other post people.  But even in mild cases, it causes pain.

Barbara,

Your symptoms and struggles sound very similar to mine. I have had stomach pain almost 3 years. So bad at times I can't sleep or get out of bed in the morning. I took Dexilant (PPI) for over 2 years along with H2. The PPI wasn't helping much so we decided to stop it due to the potential side effects. Taking 400mg of Cemitidine was helping but only if I was very careful with my diet and I still had pain. Like you I've had all the tests done. At first they found 6 ulcers and a very small amount of Barretts. A follow up endoscopy showed that had all cleared up once I was on the meds so they were definitely helping but the pain was still there. I had just gone through a very stressful time in my life and I was frequently skipping meals so I think that's what got me here. I am not a health nut like you. I think it's great you are so disciplined. I just don't have that in my personality. I have tried DGL and I like it but I'm not good at taking it regularly. I do occasionally take Slippery Elm, turmeric and probiotics but probably not regularly enough to fix my pain.

I did read earlier on this blog

Sorry. To finish . . . I read earlier on this blog that someone had success with a tricyclic antidepressant. Because I'm willing to try just about anything at this point I asked my GI doc about it. He wasn't comfortable with it, said something about affect on the heart which I can't find anywhere in the side effects online, so he wouldn't prescribe. I also have terrible migraines that seem to somehow be connected to my stomach pain. So I asked my internal medicine doc and he gave me Welbutrin in hopes it will help the headaches. It didn't and it didn't help my stomach. I asked my rheumatologist and she had personally taken amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, so she prescribed it. I am feeling 90% better. I was constipated before and now I feel so much more regular. My pain is completely gone in one month but I will have 1 day of pain of it drink alcohol. Before it would take a week to recover and that's from 1 glass of wine.

Of course I'm not a doctor and I can't tell you why or how this has worked for me. If others are at the end of their rope it might be worth a try.

I am truly hofrrified that you were given amitrityline for stomach ache.

I can't fidn words. Might as well take any unrelated medication,

and see it will help.?

If the pains were caused by stress-induced spasms, tricyclic antidepressants might actually be helpful I guess. I know they are prescribed for IBS and studies have shown good results from them. 

If you have no kidney issues try sodium ascorbate, i took a high dose of 2000 mg every day for 3 months and i was cured from my antral gastritis

You are right. They are approved for IBS. I have been diagnosed with IBS with constipation so I'm surprised neither GI doc I've been to had recommended it now would they prescribe it when I asked. Amitriptyline has been around for many, many years and as far as I can tell it has very mild side effects, none of which I am experiencing. In fact constipation is one of the side effects and I am experiencing the exact opposite. 

Magnesium tablets helps with sluggish bowels, i.e. constipation. 

Kim

That is great news the tricyclics worked for you. It is amazing that some things work for some people and some do not.   Just be careful with the Barrett's.  I know this thread started out as ines trying to wean herself off the PPIs and the supplements she used to do that. 

If you are still having discomfort and are off the PPIs, try zinc carnosine and slippery elm.  

Interestingly, when I first got the gastritis bad enough to go to Urgent Care, I was also going through a stressful year--losing my job and having to go back to school. I actually felt my gut "acting up."  So I really think stress and life exacerbates these things.  It has been determined that there is a mind-gut connection, and books on the subject as well.

So glad you are on the mend !

I don't have antral gastritis so I'm not sure this supplement would be suitable for me. And it certainly isn't cheap.

Are you now fully free from all inflammation? can you eat everything?

Funny that the docs tell me stress alone won't cause it. They say something medical has to be going on but then they ruled everything out. I did try slippery elm, magnesium, zinc, etc. I'm telling you, and everyone else on here, I'd all else fails see if your doctor will try nortriptyline or amitriptyline. It has helped me immensely.

These medications are normally use for nerve issues like neuropathy and sometimes for depression.  I used them for nerve issues and they both gave me side effects like rapid heartbeats and tremmors so I had to change.

This makes a lot of sense because, according to my research, amitriptyline should increase norepiniphrine, and norepiniphrine helps prevent the stomach from making so much acid. Very very interesting, thanks for sharing.

I didn't know about the norepinephrine. Probably part of the solution. I think the combination of the nerves not overreacting and the norepinephrine. It definitely has helped me tremendously.

I actually saw a GI doctor who told me I have functional dyspepsia and wanted to prescribe me a very low dose of PPI and anti-depressor for the stomach pain. I did not want to go that road but just wanted to mention that some GI Drs do prescribe anti-depressors.

I believe the anti-depressors are for anxiety and stress. Stress can activate gastritis and so on. So you can have the perfect diet, but if you have stress you can get gastritis and reflux. 

I decided to ask my doctor about this. He said amitriptyline is used for nerve pain and prescribed me 25mg to be taken daily at bedtime. I noticed a huge difference right away. I was actually able to sleep all the way through the night for the first time in ages. However, I was very very tired during the day. Now I am only taking a half a pill at night and it still seems to be helping a lot without the side effects.

I've been an anxious person my entire life.  I'm sure anxiety plays a role in my symptoms.  Here's something interesting:  a few weeks ago I was having a flare up of symptoms (stomach burning, bloating).  Then I caught a cold.  I was sick for a few days -- and during that time, I had no symptoms of gastritis.  About a week later, I began feeling the symptoms again.  Something else I've noticed is that when I eat more calories (about 3000) than my usual diet (about 2400), I feel calmer, a little more tired, and fewer symptoms of gastritis.  I'm trying to eat more to gain some more weight.  Has anyone else experienced this?  And I came across a study that found functional dyspepsia in 95% of people with anorexia, and in 55% of people who are "constitutionally thin".  So could it be that anxiety increases restrictive eating/dieting (as was the case with me), and too much dieting leads to more anxiety and then a problem with the gut (functional dyspepsia); and then the functional dyspepsia makes gaining weight more difficult because eating become uncomfortable?  After eating 3000 calories a day for a week or so, I'll start to see some weight gain.  But then I'll start to worry that this food or that food might be increasing my risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, etc., and I'll start to reduce/eliminate certain foods again.  It's the anxiety that fuels the unreasonable thoughts (worry) about disease and early death.  And that anxiety just perpetuates the functional dyspepsia.  Has anyone else had these thoughts?  

Here's that study:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3436054/

It said 90% of anorexic people had functional dyspepsia, not 95% -- sorry:

"RESULTS: 90% of patients affected by anorexia nervosa, 83.3% of patients affected by bulimia nervosa, 90% of patients affected by ED not otherwise specified, 55.6% of constitutionally thin subjects and 18.2% healthy volunteers met the Postprandial Distress Syndrome Criteria (?2, P < 0.001). "

Everything you said is correct and I agree with but what I'm curious about is that you mentioned when you were sick you didn't have the usual symptoms! Thats very interesting! I wonder if anyone else has made this observation!