Recurring gastritis??

[eastern4200]

I'm a 29 yo male. Last December, I had an awful episode of intense nausea/stomach pain that began the morning after a day/night of heavy drinking and that lasted for several days. I finally went to a doctor and was diagnosed with Gastritis (an upper endoscopy was performed). I was also diagnosed with GERD. I tested negative for H-Pylori.

Lately, I've been feeling upset stomach/slight nausea/slight GERD symptoms again. Not as severe or sudden as last December...but I've been noticing it for the last few weeks. The past few days, the stomach pains have been more pronounced. I'm worried about what's going on, specifically:

* I've read that H-Pylori is the reason for 90% + of gastritis cases, but I don't have H-Pylori....and yet it seems like I keep getting gastritis. I've been healthy my whole life....am I right to worry that this suggests something is wrong?

* What is the relationship between gastritis and GERD....is it that gastritis can cause GERD, or is it more the other way around -- that GERD leads to gastritis?

* Is it common for people to have recurrent gastritis and NOT have H-Pylori?

* Does EMOTIONAL stress/anxiety cause gastritis flare-ups?

Back in December, it was like an acute episode...cam eon suddenly and lasted 4 days or so. This time, it's more a general feeling and it's lasted for a few weeks. I'm just trying to get a handle on how alarming this is. Thanks...

[gis6783]

A related discussion, gastritis and emotional stress was started.

[mtp6061]

A related discussion, Stomach burn, stomach pain, postprandial pain, weight loss was started.

[eastern4200]

OK...but what I'm asking is if -- given the fact that gastritis without H-Pylori is uncommon and given that I have now had it (at least) twice -- does this suggest that something more serious may be going on, that there's an underlying cause? Or is it not unusual to find a case like mine...where it would be just gastritis/GERD flaring up, without a more serious underlying cause?

[jencovey]

I feel like my life is over. I can’t eat, can’t sleep and the only thing that takes away the severe stomach pain is red wine. I have been missing so much work, and the stress over the bills not getting paid just makes it worse. The pain first started in March of ‘04. I ended up in the ER, got a prescription for Prilosec and changed my eating habits, courtesy of a book - The Schwarzbein Principle. I took the pills for a year. It worked. Until December of ‘08. The pain came back. I went back to the ER, got more acid reducers and nausea pills. I stopped taking them. It made it worse. I saw a primary care physician and had an H Pylori blood test done. Negative! But I have all the symptoms!!! I have been looking up natural cures and don’t want to see another doctor (I don’t want an endoscopy and I don’t want to do triple antibiotic therapy) - all the testimony I have read says it makes it worse. I don’t have health insurance anyway, and I’m still paying old hospital bills over this (which does not help with the stress).Drinking red wine - particularly Merlot is the only thing that actually makes the pain GO AWAY. You have to drink at least 4 glasses at a time, though. I did research on red wine and H Pylori...and I’m not crazy! For me, it’s best to drink it when the pain first starts. Researchers say moderate red wine consumption helps reduce bacteria in the stomach. Preventative drinking does not prevent the pain, though. And you end up toasted. If you wait until the pain is completely full blown, you will vomit from a combo of the pain and drinking. What kind of life is this? But, I will not quit until I beat it. H Pylori......Kiss My Butt!
Below is a list of my symptoms, triggers, what I’ve tried so far and what I am looking in to...
MY SYMPTOMS:
Severe upper stomach pain (sometimes feels like an elastic band of pain that wraps around and includes middle back pain).
Nausea / Vomiting
dizziness
lack of appetite
lack of sleep
missed work
anxiety...nervousness, irritation
irregular heartbeat, or tightness or pressure on chest (feels like high blood pressure).
bloating
depression
weight gain in mid-section ( but I am not eating!?!?).
MY TRIGGERS:
pills- Aleve, aspirin, acid reducers, allergies...etc....
greasy or fried food
fast food or restaurant food
sugary food
man made carbohydrates... breads, pastas, cereals
stress
coffee
physical activity (bending, lifting or reaching)
lack of sleep
hard liquor/beer
anxiety
WHAT I HAVE TRIED SO FAR:
Proton pump inhibitors - Pepcid  AC, Zantac and Nausea pills etc...
Maalox and Prilosec .ALL THESE, DID NOT WORK.
HELPS: red wine for the pain, for eating: yogurt, manuka honey, chamomile and lavender tea, apple cider vinegar shots, though quite nauseating... relaxing cd’s, lavender epsom salt baths, vinegar rubbed on site of pain, taking it slower...
WHAT I AM LOOKING INTO:
Broccoli sprouts (not the florettes you buy in stores), aloe vera juice, mastic gum, grape juice, licorice root.
I hope this helps anyone. Keep fighting!! You can win!!

UPDATE! ALOE VERA GEL REALLY DOES HELP!!! BEEN PUTTING A CAPFUL IN HERBAL(CHAMOMILE) TEA ABOUT 4 TIMES A DAY ON A SCHEDULE OF 7AM 11AM 3PM 7PM 11PM.( DIRECTIONS SAY 1-3 TIMES A DAY)...I AM DOING 4 DOSES AS MENTIONED ABOVE. NO PAIN FOR A WEEK. WOW!!!! IT HAS NATURAL HERBS ADDED THAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT HELP FIGHT THE BACTERIA. IT TASTES MINTY.
I HOPE I CAN HELP! It is not too expensive either...got it at the local health food store for twelve bucks for a bottle...you can get it online too, though at: vitacost.com/lily of the desert/stomach formula (aloe vera 80).Sorry, tried to post a link..I know you are not up 2 searching....I just wanna help. Try It. Please. My email is ***@**** me know if I helped you...

[Kevin Pho, MD]

H Pylori is the most common cause of gastritis, but drugs, alcohol, and autoimmune causes can lead to gastritis as well.  Causes other than H Pylori cause a minority of gastritis cases.  

GERD caused by excessive acid production can lead to gastritis-type symptoms.

Although certainly possible, I am not aware of a definitive relationship between anxiety and gastritis.

With the diagnosis of GERD, optimizing proton pump inhibitor therapy, like omeprazole, can be considered.  A 24-hr pH study can be discussed to quantify the severity of the GERD.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

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 Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd