'VERY CONCERED'....Any Ideas?

[Jason27]

I've been having abdominal pain for some time now. I've been told I had gastritis, but the pain often tells me different. I've had an endoscopy, CT-Scan and Pelvic Scan twice, along with an abdominal ultra sound and blood work. ALL keep coming back fine. I'm on 80mg of PPI. Lastnight I went to dinner and had steak. (9pm)  When I went to bed, about 12:30 I kept on smelling this HORRIBLE smell. I went in to brush my teeth about a hundred times. STILL when I got back into bed I could smell this. My stomach felt queezy and finally I couldn't take it anymore. I went BACK into the bathroom and forced myself to get sick.....WELL, it felt as though GLUE was coming up. VERY thick and pasty. It finally all came out in GLOBS! What it was was the meat that I had at dinner. Not ALL, but enough and it was all chewed up. No liquid. I'm VERY CONCERNED! Could the 80MG of PPI be DRYING up my stomach to the point that it can't be digested? Would this do it, or something else? PLEASE, if anyone has any idea what this could be, please help! Has this ever happened to anyone before? I NEVER feel right when I eat...EVER! I'm sick of this and I'm calling my doc in the AM to give it to him!!!! I've HAD IT!

[reb]

p.s. If you do get tested for H. Pylori and it is positive, be careful about taking all the antibiotics, they can cause lots of problems (many posts here dedicated to pain after H. Pylori treatment!)

[Concerned lady]

I agree completely with everything the others said!

I'll do a "cut & paste" of some GASTRIC TIPS (without acid blocking meds!!!) for you. Run these tips by your doc, to be sure they are OK for you to try.

I wish you and everyone the best!
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Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[reb]

Hi, I was thinking, aside from your gastritis, being on PPI's may be what is hindering your protein digestion, since it decreases the acid in the stomach which is needed for digestion. I have read somewhere that being on PPI's for a long time isn't too great also. Suppression of acid levels is good for the growth of bad bacteria.
I had a combination of inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and intestine because of being on antibiotics killing the good bacteria in my digestion, and allowing bad bacteria, etc. to grow. (All my blood tests and organs were found to be normal too.)
I know ovegrowth of bad bacteria and candidasis (sp?) can lead to making gastritis worse, but I haven't heard that good bacteria does. Apparently probiotics (good bacteria) will help control the growth of bad bacteria. I had originally been on yoghurt too, but it wasn't intense enough to help- I needed probiotics. I also drink aloe vera juice which helps. I can't really recommend any particular brands because I live in the UK, and I don't know what is available where you live.
If you go to a health food shop and look for probiotics/acidophilus, etc. there should be some suitable stuff. (By the way, I am not some health food junky- its just that I tried all sorts of medicine to help me with my stomach troubles but none solved the problem, so I turned to the health shop.)

There are other tips for gastritis by concerned lady under: ( Boy with problems but can not find answers - mstev 4/24/2002
* Comment by Concerned lady - 4/25/2002)

All the best.

[Jason27]

Thank you for your reply. I've asked my doctor about the pancrease and he said that the blood work was not only good, but perfect. I went to the ER a month or two ago complaining of burning and pain. That was the VERY FIRST thing they were concerned about. They took blood work AGAIN and did an abdominal X-Ray as I was in BAD SHAPE. They said the blood work again was perfect and the X-Ray was as well. I'm sure if there was something wrong with the pancrease this would have picked it up. I've also had "several" CT-Scans as well as pelvic. All organs looked FINE. HMMM

About the flora being out of wack. How do I make it better? I drink yogurt EVERY morning. What else should I be doing/taking? Any brands/reccomendations?

Thanks Reb,
Jason

PS-Wouldn't acidopholus (sp) or probiotics hurt the gastritis? I read that too much lactobacilus (sp) overgroth, could make gastritis WORSE????

[maxie24]

With the the tests you have, anything serious would have showed itself..Was you tested for H pylori, and also the meds that you are on will reduce your stomach acid, try not to worry, it will only make your symptoms worst......Good Luck

[reb]

p.s. About the horrible smell, it could be "ketosis" which is related to protein digestion. It also happens in people that are either on a high protein diet, or very low calorie and their body  starts burning muscle (protein) rather than fat. Brushing your teeth won't help... it is related to the amount of "ketones" in your system from the breakdown of protein.... you can however try to get rid of the small by drinking lots of water to flush it out of your system. Otherwise, you may want to avoid protein for now. You may want to ask your doctor about problems related to protein digestion- I think the pancreas makes enzymes to break down protein. Otherwise, it could just be a problem with your digestive flora- have you been on antibiotics recently? That kills digestive flora and can cause problems with digestion of  protein. Hope this gives you some ideas.

[reb]

When did your pain start? Was there anything that triggered it? If you have gastritis, I am surprised you had steak for dinner, I'd advise you to go for something a bit more gentler on the stomache until it heals... if you are having trouble with digestion, many people have increased trouble with wheat and protein. Try things like baked potates, or even fish or chicken as protein in the meantime as they should be easier to digest than steak, otherwise just lay off the meat until your gastritis is better. "Concerned lady" has posted several suggestions on how to control gastritis, look up her posts.
All the best.