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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Could my syptoms be something other than Gastritus?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
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.
Could my syptoms be something other than Gastritus?
by CINDYRENOULT, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
Hi. I am a 33 year old female and have been experiencing stomach sickness for the past few years. I have had two endoscopy's and one colonoscopy in the past year. The results have ended up both being gastritis. The last endoscopy I had a month ago, my stomach was swollen so they took a biopsy and found nothing again.
It started Novemember of 2004. I thought I had food poisoning and then I didn't experience any sickness for about six months. Then last summer (2005) it started being a regular thing. The sickness I experience usually happens the morning after I have had some kind of alcohol. It doesn' matter if I have one beer or five. I wake up and feel absolutely fine and then about two to three hours later I start to get a headache and then my stomach feels sort of nauseous like I haven't eaten for 24 hours. I then start to get really hot and my headach gets worse. I feel like I have something in my throat. I have a foul odor in my mouth. My stomach nausea starts to come in surge's. I take tums, eat crackers, drink milk. Nothing works. It gets so severe that I actually start to shake and throw up and it doesn't make the pain and nausea go away. It can get as bad as me almost passing out and seeing stars. My ears start ringing sometimes. I feel like I am going to die. My arms from my shoulders down get numb. I get diarrhea. Suttle nausea will last for two to three days after.
My Dr. has given me Nexium and aciphex and none of these help at all. I don't have any symptoms with spicy food or fried food like you think I should because they keep telling me I have acid reflex. My attacks come on an empty stomach and even if I have eaten a bagel to try and put something in my stomach. I don't think this is acid reflex at all and I feel that my Dr. just isn't listening to me. These attacks used to only happen once in a while as I thought they were food poisoning. Now they happen every time I have alcohol the night before even if it is just one glass of wine with dinner.
I consider myself a very healthy person. I run six miles a day, take daily vitamins, wheatgrass shots in the morning, drink water all day long, eat healthy. Right now I am taking Aloe Vera, one ounce about six times a day to see if that heals anything. I have been taking it for two weeks and over the weekend I had some drinks with friends and woke up with an attack.
A friend of mine was telling me of a girl she knew that had experienced some of the same things. They found that her gallbladder was leaking bile into her stomach making her sick. I brought this up to my Dr. and he just looked at me funny. This is not acid reflex. I know people with acid reflex and they don't experience any of my symptoms. I don't know what to do. None of the medication works.
It started Novemember of 2004. I thought I had food poisoning and then I didn't experience any sickness for about six months. Then last summer (2005) it started being a regular thing. The sickness I experience usually happens the morning after I have had some kind of alcohol. It doesn' matter if I have one beer or five. I wake up and feel absolutely fine and then about two to three hours later I start to get a headache and then my stomach feels sort of nauseous like I haven't eaten for 24 hours. I then start to get really hot and my headach gets worse. I feel like I have something in my throat. I have a foul odor in my mouth. My stomach nausea starts to come in surge's. I take tums, eat crackers, drink milk. Nothing works. It gets so severe that I actually start to shake and throw up and it doesn't make the pain and nausea go away. It can get as bad as me almost passing out and seeing stars. My ears start ringing sometimes. I feel like I am going to die. My arms from my shoulders down get numb. I get diarrhea. Suttle nausea will last for two to three days after.
My Dr. has given me Nexium and aciphex and none of these help at all. I don't have any symptoms with spicy food or fried food like you think I should because they keep telling me I have acid reflex. My attacks come on an empty stomach and even if I have eaten a bagel to try and put something in my stomach. I don't think this is acid reflex at all and I feel that my Dr. just isn't listening to me. These attacks used to only happen once in a while as I thought they were food poisoning. Now they happen every time I have alcohol the night before even if it is just one glass of wine with dinner.
I consider myself a very healthy person. I run six miles a day, take daily vitamins, wheatgrass shots in the morning, drink water all day long, eat healthy. Right now I am taking Aloe Vera, one ounce about six times a day to see if that heals anything. I have been taking it for two weeks and over the weekend I had some drinks with friends and woke up with an attack.
A friend of mine was telling me of a girl she knew that had experienced some of the same things. They found that her gallbladder was leaking bile into her stomach making her sick. I brought this up to my Dr. and he just looked at me funny. This is not acid reflex. I know people with acid reflex and they don't experience any of my symptoms. I don't know what to do. None of the medication works.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 26, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 26, 2006 12:00AM
Acid reflux can certainly lead to the symptoms you are describing. However, symptoms should normally improve with Acephex and Nexium. Further evaluation can be considered to evaluate the upper GI tract. This can include an upper GI series and an upper endoscopy. An ultrasound can be considered to look at the liver and gallbladder.
If GERD continues to be considere despite negative testing, a 24-hr pH study is the definitive test.
If GERD is present and does not respond to appropriate medications, surgical therapy (i.e. a fundoplication) may be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
If GERD continues to be considere despite negative testing, a 24-hr pH study is the definitive test.
If GERD is present and does not respond to appropriate medications, surgical therapy (i.e. a fundoplication) may be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Try chewing gum,your own saliva contains bicarbonate which will neutralise acid in your stomach and the motion of chewing seems to do something good too.
This is better than drinking baking soda or taking alka selzer or any OTC acid reflux medication as it contains no salt.
If you are afraid of gaining weight chewing gum,then chew 3-4 together and dont throw them away,keep re-using it.
You should also keep an eye on your diet,what food you should avoid,certain exercise such as jogging,weight lifting are considered 'jarrring exercise' which loosens the LES and cause acid reflux.