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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
To Jenn and JCLingo - Biopsy Rpt
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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To Jenn and JCLingo - Biopsy Rpt
by nanci, Aug 08, 2002 12:00AM
Doctor's office called - the biopsy report showed negative for
H-pylori. I have chronic gastritis, no cause stated.
So, I'm sort of back at square one again. Feeling better but not great. If I had to compare it to how I feel today to how I felt last month, I am better.
We talked about the next step and after talking for quite awhile, she feels I'm a canddiate for Protonix and perhaps Paxil to calm the anxiety this has caused. I know you take Protonix Jenn and like it. The nurse did explain that what works for one may not work for another. She herself takes Protonix and likes it alot. She has bad reflux and the Protonix has improved her quality of life.
I'm confused about the Paxil though - never took anything like this but she outlined why doctors are prescribing this now for stomach disorders. Briefly explained, she said that patient complaints such as stomach disorders, joint pain, headaches, etc are sometimes triggered by the seritonin in your brain and these SSSI's (Paxil, etc) intercept this to put a wall up against the anxiety so it helps in the healing process. If you don't feel the anxiety, you'll heal faster. Of course, I'm explaining this in layperson's terms and she was more indepth in the explanation but this is the way I understand it.
So, I can incorporate a good diet and try the Protonix but I'm on the fence with the Paxil. Oh, and he won't prescribe Paxil directly. He siad I either see my primary doctor or he can refer me to a phychiatrist. What do you guys think?
H-pylori. I have chronic gastritis, no cause stated.
So, I'm sort of back at square one again. Feeling better but not great. If I had to compare it to how I feel today to how I felt last month, I am better.
We talked about the next step and after talking for quite awhile, she feels I'm a canddiate for Protonix and perhaps Paxil to calm the anxiety this has caused. I know you take Protonix Jenn and like it. The nurse did explain that what works for one may not work for another. She herself takes Protonix and likes it alot. She has bad reflux and the Protonix has improved her quality of life.
I'm confused about the Paxil though - never took anything like this but she outlined why doctors are prescribing this now for stomach disorders. Briefly explained, she said that patient complaints such as stomach disorders, joint pain, headaches, etc are sometimes triggered by the seritonin in your brain and these SSSI's (Paxil, etc) intercept this to put a wall up against the anxiety so it helps in the healing process. If you don't feel the anxiety, you'll heal faster. Of course, I'm explaining this in layperson's terms and she was more indepth in the explanation but this is the way I understand it.
So, I can incorporate a good diet and try the Protonix but I'm on the fence with the Paxil. Oh, and he won't prescribe Paxil directly. He siad I either see my primary doctor or he can refer me to a phychiatrist. What do you guys think?
A little background on me: I've had a sonogram, endoscopy w/biopsy for H pylori, and various other tests in the last six months. I do not have GERD, H pylori, fungal or parasitic infection,IBS, etc. etc. I do have a hiatal hernia, gallstones (with no reduction in function), and a wide variety of symptoms that make/made me miserable.
On the advice of my family doctor, when none of the prescription meds the Gastroenterologist gave me were helping, I tried activated charcoal. It has really helped, and I've been able to stop taking the prescription meds the gastroenterologist had put me on. The activated charcoal seems to absorb the excess acid, and it definitely prevents the horrible gas I had been dealing with for so long. The pain/discomfort is almost gone.
It may not be of as much use to you, but have you tried activated charcoal? It might be worth a shot.
She is rattling about the doctor prescribing Celexa, takes a week to get into your system, take one a day, every day, etc., etc. I was absolutely livid! I called back, held on for 10 minutes and chatty Amanda gets on the phone is isn't even my doctor's nurse. Doctor is out but he wants me to take Celexa and if that doesn't help, then to call a mental health number on the back of the card (whatever card that is). I took a deep breath (why beat her up) and told her that I was very uncomfortable starting a drug without at least speaking to the doctor about it - I have a ton of questions, like side effects. Her response, well, you may have some diarrhea; maybe some nausea, difficulty with sleep but it all should pass> Okay, next question, why Celexa and not something else, how does this differ from other SSRI's. She didn't know said that maybe the doctor took this from the top of his head. Okay, so when can I talk to him - he's out of the office until 8-19 and he's booking into October. I ask about stopping if I don't like it, should I stop abruptly, she said "I don't think so, you should wean off them". And how do I do that! Ummm, maybe you should take 10mg a day instead of 20mg.
See where I'm going with this!
If you come across anything, let me know and I'll do the same.
My daughter in law took Paxil for three months after she lost her twins to a premature delivery. She said it helped alot but the mistake she made was abruptly stopping it. So, that's very important.
I talked to my husband about it and he thinks I should try it but I sure don't want side effects.
Could your sinus draining be from allergies? I have alot of drainage in the AM but I have four cats and even the expensive in house air filter system we put in doesn't help completely
I have a dull pain on my right side and the nurse said it was my stomach, it's a winding tube so your discomfort is surely the after affects of the scope.
Let me know what you decide - maybe we can do this together!
Thanks for your comments and I may agree some but not completely. I do know people who have benefited from anti-anxiety medication with no side effects. There is always the exception I guess. And, you sound just the way I did up until about a month ago when I began to realize that maybe I can't lick this alone.
I don't know anything about charcoal but will do a search. Gastritis is a different disease (if it can be called that) from GERD or hiatal hernia. Some of the treatment protocols are similar but not entirely. I tried DGL and that didn't help at all and may have made me worse. GERD sufferers swear by it!
I have family members who have taken anti-anxiety meds on a short term basis (3-6 months) and they told me it helps, not an eye opener sort of help but a vague overall feeling of well being. And, SSRI's are non addictive from what I've read.
Did you have a bad experience or know someone who has?
As for parasites, how were you tested? I think I may have that problem but won't tell you how I know that because you'll think I'm nuts but I have a strong suspicion.