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How I cured my gastritis

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ines6375
ines6375

When I got diagnosed with mild gastritis (but no H. Pylori) and esophagitis, I looked all over the internet to find what to do. I did not find many accounts of people who have cured themselves successfully and how they did it. So I thought I would write my story once I am cured. Here it is. If you have cured yourself from gastritis too, please share your experience below as well.

Many people ask how long it takes to be cured. At first I started on dexilant for a month but I did not see any improvement. After a month I kept taking dexilant and I started the low acid diet in parallel. I got much better in 2-3 days. After two months on dexilant and one month on the diet, I felt completely good. Then I stopped the dexilant cold turkey and got a lot of pain and acidity back in my stomach. Now I regret I did not take the dexilant a little longer as my stomach was obviously not healed and not strong enough to go through the rebound effect of stopping dexilant. I regret also that I did not stop dexilant slowly taking it every other day for a week, then every three days for a week, .... I felt anxious about taking a medication that has so many side effects taken long term and I wanted to stop immediately, which was not reasonable.

Anyway there I was back at the beginning with stomach pain and acidity day and night. I felt pain related to the esophagitis as well which really scared me. I hesitated to take dexilant again but I decided to try to cure myself the natural way. Below I describe what I did. I got cured in approximately two months, getting slowly better week by week. After two months of natural cures I had no stomach pain anymore and no excess acid, I was able to sleep again, felt like a new healthy (and lighter -- I lost a few pounds) person. However after those two months, I felt that I needed to follow the diet another month for my stomach to get strong and be able to handle a less strict diet.

THE CURE

Books

Most of what I did is summarized in two books which I found very useful:

The first book is "Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure" by Jamie Koufman. This is the book I based my diet on. The only disagreements I have with the author regard dairy products that I stopped taking as they make the stomach produce more acid (very clear for me), and the use of ginger, manukka honey and aloe vera which I find too irritating and/or acidic (and I don't feel that they help). Also she does not talk about salt which is known to be irritating for the stomach lining in excess, I felt an improvement when I lowered my intake in salt. I will explain the diet more in details below.

The other book is "Ulcer free! Nature's safe & effective remedy for ulcers" by G. Halpern. I know you may have gastritis and no ulcers but the two conditions are related and what cures one usually cures the other too. I used some of the natural supplements recommended in this book. In particular slippery elm (this one is actually not mentioned in the book) and DGL licorice for stomach pain (coat the interior of the stomach lining), Zinc-Carnosine (reduce inflammation and protects stomach lining - I felt a great improvement after starting to take it especially with acid production at night), and cabbage juice (finished my recovery with this one, after two days I had no stomach pain anymore at night). I describe the supplements more below.

What did not work for me

Mastic gum hurts my stomach. It is supposedly helpful against H. Pylori which I knew I did not have (I had been tested).

Prelief removes the acid in food and stomach very efficiently but causes constipation.

Tums works well for 45 minutes but then there is a rebound effect with the stomach producing more acid.

Manukka honey hurts my stomach (Too acidic, Ph level 4, but maybe also because of the tea tree essential oil in it). It is supposedly helpful against H. Pylori.

Aloe Vera is too acidic (around Ph level 4), and I don't feel it is doing anything positive.

Ginger is irritating and I don't feel it is doing anything positive.

Probiotics helps with digestion but not really for the stomach.

Zantac works very well at removing the acidity but makes me feel dizzy and incredibly tired.

PPI worked very well at removing the acidity and pain in my stomach while I was taking it while doing the diet, but I had a bad rebound effect when I stopped (one must stop slowly by taking it every other day for a while). Also having too low acid in the stomach because of PPI might cause problems in the long term (problems with Calcium and B12 absorption, bacterial infection more likely).

39 likes, 3077 replies

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  • eric49486
    eric49486 ines6375

    Posted

    Or if a person doesn't have problem with gluten for many years, and today he is still OK with the food containing gluten. 
  • acakes
    acakes ines6375

    Posted

    Is Sucralfate (Carafate) any better than Slipper Elm? I'm able to take Slipper Elm just fine without irritation. I asked my doctor about Carafate and he let me have a prescription for it. I'm doing alot better on the PPIs. I can only take OTC strength though because I'm so sesitive that I can't tolerate anything higher.
    • ines6375
      ines6375 acakes

      Posted

      Unfortunately I don't have any experience with carafate, so I don't know what is best.
  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    I've just been diagnosed with grade A Oesophagitis (panendoscopy, colour pictures) with irregular OG junction ie...lower third has become damaged from stomach acid. My voice has been damaged for about a month too. Tried naturopathic approach but now taking Nexium on my GPs insistence. I know I have to cut out coffee, but I am totally addicted to caffeine, so am having my last one (its weak) as I write this...I read the advice above to cut caffeine.

    I am really new to all this.  

    I was really glad to find this thread and I am going to get hold of the books Ines ehad referred to in the OP. 

    Thanks for all the info.smile

    I had colitis and eventually have cleared the infection that caused that but have pain still and my stomach pain seemed to start up post a bash of antibiotics for diverticulitis (I actually don't think I have that) which then created the infection...so it has been mad and horrible. 

    I am getting sorted but am now taking Nexium 40mg 1x day because my GP insisted...she said if I don't I am heading for cancer so I got the message and am taking the Nexium. Tried Somac for a week but it gave me headaches. 

    Can't curently eat sauerkraut...was trying cause of the healthy bacteria...so anyway...I am so glad you are here, thank you. smile

    • skystarsriver
      skystarsriver

      Posted

      Forgot...am taking slippery elm as a tea about 3X a day...quite liking it and it seems to reduce my colon pain, which has no diagnosis except possible diverticulitis...which didn't show up in a colonoscopy a few weeks ago...so, I am very confused. 

      I read the advice about how to come of the proton pumps gradually ...I hope to just take the Nexium for 8 week and I will do as suggested with gradually stopping.

    • ines6375
      ines6375 skystarsriver

      Posted

      Hi Skystarsriver,

      What is an irregular OG junction? Is it the lower oesophagal sphincter not working properly?

      Inflammation of the oesophagus is pretty serious, it is better to take PPI as long as you doctor suggests than risk a cancer. 

      For your colon pain, have you tried a gluten-free diet? I used to have constant inflammation of the colon and it went away when I started a gluten-free diet (and following loosely the fodmaps diet). Do you think you might have IBS?

  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    Hi Ines I don't know the answer to the questionabout what it means...just have the report from the specialist...think it means the acid has damaged that area...there are coloured photographs which show very blotchy looking colouration and some lupiness and the junction is where the oesophagus kind of turns into the stomach, right at the "neck" of the stomach...can't get an appointment with the specialist til 5June (he's famous and supposed to be great so very popular. I will ask the GP when i see her in the next few days.

    I am having trouble with the medication...the Nexium...I woke up late last night with an awful pain in the stomach and have never had that before and today had nausea and headache..I think from the medication because I am not taking anything else.

    Am going to see the chemist before I see the GP and ask about the PP you used.

    I am very probably gluten sensitive, my mother can't have any grains with gluten. I lived in Japan for 20 years, no wheat at all and was very healthy but as soon as I came back to Oz had problems...obvious difference was wheat bread. Now am having some organic spelt, which I think is okay but I don't know. Yes, I think I have IBS now because I had c.diff before for 5 months. That is cleared up, but still have pain in my colon area but no explanation.

    I never ever had this sort of problem and was grateful to have a "cast iron stomach". I had thought to try a naturopathic approach but after I read what you wrote have realized (and after the GP's lecture) better to get the PP working and deal with the low acid diet...then do the naturopathy later after the crisis is passed.

    I am very grateful to you for sharing your story of your recovery and the steps you took backwards and forwards...it is most helpful and kind of you.

    biggest challenge currently is my coffee addiction...I love coffee and it could well be what coused the problem in the first place I imagine. 

    Best wishes and thanks again.

     

    • ines6375
      ines6375 skystarsriver

      Posted

      Hi Skystarsriver,

      I looked a little bit on the internet and the OG junction is simply where your oesophagus meets your stomach. So yours is irregular, I still don't know what it means. But this OG junction is also where your lower eosophagal sphincter is located. If you look on webmd, you will see that the lower oesophagal sphincter is a muscle between your oesophagus and your stomach that opens and closes to keep the acid in the stomach. Sometimes it does not work properly and that can cause burning of the oesophagus. It would be interesting to know if yours is working properly (ask your doctor maybe).

      You will feel a huge difference once you stop coffee. Unfortunately there are no real substitute for it. Chamomille is not exactly that strong. Linden tea and buckwheat tea are good too. Good  luck.

      I had a strong reaction the first day I took dexilant: strong headache mostly but it really scared me so I stopped. I told my doctor who prescribed me Nexium but then after reading the reviews online of the two products I decided to try again dexilant and after that I never had problems anymore.

      I go back and forth to spelt. It causes me a mild reaction of pain in my lower belly, not as bad as wheat but still, it is there. In the US the brand "food for life" makes really good gluten-free bread.

       

  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    Thanks Ines...i think what irregular OG junction means damaged from acid  coming from my stomach. Grade A oesophagitis is the lowest grade ie the least serious...still it is serious if not treated apparently. Hence my attempts to use the various meds they have tried me on.

    I got taken off the Nexium today...had a really bad reaction to it. So, neither Somac or Nexium ...apparently some people can't take PPIs and the doctor said because I tend to have reactions to medications I am one of them, I should just take Zantac he said and they won't try anymore PPIs cause of my reactions.

    i am now taking Iberogast a herbal liquid drops mix that helps with acidity just before meals and looking for more options. Think I will try your licquorice thing too, will go back and look it up en the earlier parto of the thread.

    i got the book (that lists acidities) online...can't think straight at the moment, still a bit wiped out by the reaction to the Nexium and haven't had any for 2 days but it is a gathering reaction.

    Drinking a tea that has licquorice in it..we have a tea chain here T2...the one I am drinking is called Tummy T. And another, Roobos with vanilla seems good for me too.

    I am hoping t get this sorted out and recover quite quickly...don't want it to become a chronic problem as i really don't like to take medications.

    Thanks so much for the advice and information. smile

  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    So coffee free for a few days, seems to be helping but the reaction to the nexium is ongoing even though I haven't had them for 3 days now.

    woman in th health food store yesterday gave me datemaceous earth flour when I told her I was wondering if there is a good natural alternative to Zantac, which is now what the GP wants me to take for the oesophagitis...I haven't had any yet, not sure if it is a good idea.

    Feeling pretty wretched and hope the PPIs haven't triggered somthing lasting, 3 days is a long time for me to have these sorts of side effects. 

    Anyways, it is definitley a matathon and not a sprint with these GI problems. Now I have done a bit more reading I am sure I have IBS.

    Even with these side effects currently, it is way better without wheat flour and coffee so hopefully I may be able to settle it down if I keep reading and following advice here. 

    I am 64 and haven't had any GI problems ever before recently. 

    I had to take a lot of antibiotics when I had an infection that proved to be antibiotic resistant,...I think that is what has triggered these gastritis and oesophagitis problems for me.

    The IBD...probably way too much strong coffee and gluten from wheat I imagine.   Self inflicted! Whcih means if I completely leave off the coffee and wheat/rye I should improve pretty quickly?

    • acakes
      acakes skystarsriver

      Posted

      Skystarsriver... Yes, Gastritis is a big mountain to overcome. It's like a Prison. I can't tolerate PPI's either. I get terrible anxiety! I finally found one that I can somewhat tolerate (Prevacid OTC strength) but I am suffering through because it works. The natural way was just too slow for me. I had to take an antidepressant to help with anxiety and it also helps blunt the aide effects of the PPI. Sorry you are in this boat. What did Nexium do to you? I hope they come out with a PPI that is easier to tolerate. I have issues with H2 blockers like Zantac too.
  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    The Nexium gave me a headache that was intolerable, vomitting, extreme diahorrea and pain in the stomach.

    Still have the headache three days after stopping and the diahorrea. Really annoyed because I had an infection for 5 months that I finally cleared up about 6 weeks ago and got "normal" again...so not impressed. The GP said many people have this reaction to PPis I am not sick just need to recover.

    The Somac caused very bad headaches, I had to stop that too after three days.

     

  • skystarsriver
    skystarsriver ines6375

    Posted

    Sorry I don't know how to use the forum yet...meant to reply to the query above about the side effects for me.

    I seem to be automatically replying to Ines now...sorry Ines, unintentional...

    • acakes
      acakes skystarsriver

      Posted

      It's okay. I saw your post. Are you able to tolerate Zantac?
    • skystarsriver
      skystarsriver acakes

      Posted

      Hi, I am not yet taking it, still waiting for the side effects from the Nexium to settle down before I take it. I think it is four days now and I am getting there but have to wait til these side effects subside or I won't know if I am reacting to the Zantac. 

      Currently relying on the slippery elm and no coffee. 

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