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My Gastritis - Continued
Hi All, read your posts this morning (was out since Friday and not on line).
To answer questions on how long I've had it. I was correctly diagnosed alittle more than four years ago, via scope and biopsies. I was prescribed Prevacid which I took off and on when I had symptoms. I would get symptoms for a few weeks, take Prevacid for a few weeks, be fine then stop. I always seem to have mild symptoms but because I don't like taking meds at all, never took the PPI consistently.
This past spring, I fell while walking and was mis-diagnosed. I was told I had a bruised arm when in fact it was broken so for about a month, I took large doses of Advil. By May, I was in bad shape. I lost 15lbs, was unable to eat, up all night with chest pains, stomach burning, very tired and cranky. Had a scope in July and the diagnosis was Chronic Gastritis with Intestinal Metaplasis. IM is a precanceous condition. You can imagine how I flipped out.
The doctor assured me that IM in the stomach region is not the same as having it in the esphogagus. IM in this region means pre-Barretts. IM in the stomach means tissue change which indicates healing.
I've had a consultation recently with my doctor and he tells me that there isn't much I can do and he sees this condition day in and day out, that even yearly scopes aren't necessary. That I should take Prevacid daily, 15mg in the AM and PM. I recently started taking Carafate which I had read about. My doctor told me that it's really prescribed for people with ulcers but I could try it. It helps some.
To answer questions on how long I've had it. I was correctly diagnosed alittle more than four years ago, via scope and biopsies. I was prescribed Prevacid which I took off and on when I had symptoms. I would get symptoms for a few weeks, take Prevacid for a few weeks, be fine then stop. I always seem to have mild symptoms but because I don't like taking meds at all, never took the PPI consistently.
This past spring, I fell while walking and was mis-diagnosed. I was told I had a bruised arm when in fact it was broken so for about a month, I took large doses of Advil. By May, I was in bad shape. I lost 15lbs, was unable to eat, up all night with chest pains, stomach burning, very tired and cranky. Had a scope in July and the diagnosis was Chronic Gastritis with Intestinal Metaplasis. IM is a precanceous condition. You can imagine how I flipped out.
The doctor assured me that IM in the stomach region is not the same as having it in the esphogagus. IM in this region means pre-Barretts. IM in the stomach means tissue change which indicates healing.
I've had a consultation recently with my doctor and he tells me that there isn't much I can do and he sees this condition day in and day out, that even yearly scopes aren't necessary. That I should take Prevacid daily, 15mg in the AM and PM. I recently started taking Carafate which I had read about. My doctor told me that it's really prescribed for people with ulcers but I could try it. It helps some.
I think you are doing the right thing. I have two GI Specialist that I can see if needed.
Keep us posted.
Keep us posted.
I just made an app't with a specialist at Northwester University Hospital in Chicago. This is the fourth doctor I've been to in four years. However, I want a clear undestanding of Intertinal Metaplasia and options I may have. And, I want to cross reference what my doctor here is telling me. My doctor is supposedly one of the best in the area and gets high marks from other patients and doctors. But, for my own peace of mind, I want to try one more.
A second opinion with a specialist is always in order if you're not getting results.
A second opinion with a specialist is always in order if you're not getting results.
I just can't accept your doctors answer. There must be something else to help us. I just pray that maybe stem cell will be possiblity for people like us. I am desperate to over come this nightmare. Have you seen more than one doctor?
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