Gastritis, Weight Loss, Nexium

[nanci]

Trying to get an app't with my gastro doctor but the earliest opening is July.  I'm suppose to update him today on how I feel.
Been taking Nexium, twice a day for a week now.  Worst time is the AM.  I'm functioning but not feeling great.  

My question is weight loss!  Four months ago, I stopped synthetic hormones and within a few months lost around 6-8 lbs.  With or without hormones, I always struggled with trying to lose those 5lbs!  

I started having very bad gastritis symtoms about 6 weeks ago.  I contributed this towards taking Motrin (3 at a time, 3 times a day) for a few weeks.  Long story but I was diagnosed with a bad bruise which ended up being a broken arm!

Anyway, here I am today with about a 12lb weight loss.  I'm very nervous about this.  I realize I'm not eating as much food and not high caloried or high fat food but before my symptoms started, if I ate the way I'm eating now, the weight would not be coming off the way it has been.

My question is, from a medical standpoint, is this normal?  What causes the loss, even if one is eating.  I would assume if anything, my weight would remain the same.    Could it be the Nexium contributing towards weight loss?  I read other posts about this but it appears these are from people who much younger than I am.  The older we get, the harder it is, isn't it?  I'm 56.  Can anywone shed some light and calm me down!  I'm thinking I have something more serious.  Last scope I had was 4 yrs ago.

[s.mcm]

I was on Nexium for about a month and did not lose any weight.  Sorry I could not be more help,  but I dont think it is from the Nexium.  Is it not possible it is from stopping the hormone pills?  When I stopped taking Elavil years ago I lost all the weight that I had put on when taking it.
good luck

[Lynn28]

I don't think it matters how old you are. Weight loss in general is not good, no matter what age. I too have gastritis and I've lost 15lbs THREE moths ago and have YET to gain one single pound back. So far, every test is fine, just this pain in the *** gastritis. It has to be the reason for the weight loss. We are ALL going through it.

-Jenn

[nanci]

That's just it Jenn - I am panic stricken it's something else like cancer.   I did once hear that ulcer sufferes lose weight but I don't believe I have an ulcer.

I just had lunch with a friend who commented on how thin I looked. Now I have't seen her in a few years but that wasn't the first thing I wanted to hear.

Do you know of others who lose weight because they have gastritis.  There has to be a medical reason for it.

[nanci]

I called the doctor's office today to give them an update
after taking Nexium for a week.  I told them I was no worse but
not much better and added the weight loss.  The nurse asked me
several questions and told me she would talk to the doctor who was on call - I probably would hear back late this afternoon.  The issue is they are totally booked for months and unless the doctor concludes it's urgent, you have to wait your turn.

Well, 1/2 hr later, they call back asking if I can come in next Thursday.  Sure I can but now more panic stricken then ever.  Telling them I've lost ten pounds in three months did it!  

I've searched all over the internet and don't find weight loss as part of a gastritis condition or even GERD or ulcers.

Do others with these conditions lose weight?  

I'm not vomiting nor do I have other symptoms other than the burning especially in the AM and just a feeling of not feeling
good!

[bible]

hello i take nexium once a day,i also have barrets esouphagus
what kind of diet do you recommend?

[bible]

I also experienced weight loss too since i took nexium.

[rucnateb]

i have chronic gastritis due to h.pyloyi infection,it has been a long year and a lost of 10 pounds.with ulcers,gastritis,inflamatory conditions you loose weight.

[Lynn28]

I know exactly how you feel. I think EVERYTHING is cancer, but don't we all. I too told my new GI that I had lost 15lbs and after endoscopy (2X) so much blood work, colonoscopy, X-Rays, etc, etc......everything came back fine, so the weight loss has to be due to not being very hungry as a result of the gastritis, TOTALLY watching what we eat and not eating "As" much, and WORRYING. Anxiety will totally cause you to lose weight without even realizing it. Your mind never stops. Please keep me posted as to what your doc says. You'll be ok ;-)
How long have you had gastritis?
-Jennifer

[Lynn28]

Nanci- Back in the day, a doctor use to answer the questions on this board. I have found MANY articles on gastritis and weight loss. Here's just one that just might help you ;-) I found it in the archives.
-Jennifer




Subject: Gastritis vs. weight loss
Topic Area: Ulcer
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Question Posted By: Eric on Sunday, July 26, 1998



Hi, I'm 26 and have recently been suffering from intermitten abdominal discomfort. It seems to come on more strongly after eating and is generally in the upper left quadrant but will radiate to the middle and even the right side. My primary care physician
has done blood work wich showed only a small concentration of helicobactor (I got the impression that this was not abnormal) but I had him refer me to a gastroenterologist who will be doing an endoscopy sometime in the future. I am currently on prilosec which seems to ease if not remove the discomfort. (I haven't taken any inflammatory drugs in the past).
My big concern is that my appetite has been significantly diminished and even when I'm hungry I don't feel comfortable eating a heavy meal. Traditionally, I have always been a big eater although I have kept my weight in check with a modest fitness program. My question is, these symptoms began about six weeks ago and since then I have lost about 15 pounds (which puts me at my ideal weight) even though I eat about half of what I usually do (excersize has been minimal), and very little dairy and meat, I try to keep up with eating, yet I still feel like I'm losing weight. Is this much weight loss unusual for someone with a decreased appetite and gastritis or a potential ulcer. If not, what could cause this.

Thank you,
Eric

Dear Eric,

Left upper abdominal pain, weight loss and evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection all suggest acid peptic disease (gastritis or ulcer). Another possible cause could be gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis. Less likely possibilities would be related to the pancreas or biliary tract (ex. gallstones) or a gastric emptying disorder. I would continue omeperazole (Prilosec) for now, adhere to anti-reflux measures, analyze your diet for offending foods (caffeine, spicy foods, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, peppermint, citrus drinks), avoid all aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as naproxen, ibuprofen) and wait to see what the endoscopy shows. If you have evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection, I generally will recommend treatment. Although it may not relieve your symptoms, it's worth a try. I hope you feel better soon. Good luck.

This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568 our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.

[Lynn28]

Here's one more on weight loss.

http://www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/healthy/healthconditions/digest/gastritis01.html

[rucnateb]

I sure wish that dr. would still answer questions these days.

[gregd64]

I lost weight on nexium also...  stress/anxiety can cause weight loss .  count your calorie intake. If you stress yourself out some people eat excessivly and gain tons or weight but some stop eating and lose, they just don't realize they have started eating less..

[nanci]

Thanks for all the comments, I don't feel so alone now!

What irks me is I've been communicating with the doctor's office
for two weeks now (well, his nurse not him).  I keep hearing how busy and overbooked they are, vacation time and all.  I say one sentence about losing weight and get reaction within half an hour.

The glitch in all this, for me is I lost my first husband to cancer at a young age.  The most significant symptom was a 10lb weight loss in a month.  At that time, I didn't even think of cancer, now I think a cough is cancer!  

Does anyone know about the link of A Postive blood types being more likely to develop stomach cancer?  I read this a few times.  The medical profession doesn't know why.  The other factor is having low chlorestrol - mine is at 164 which is suppose to be good right, well, I had a doctor who practiced both general and holistic medicine tell me she wanted to see my chlorestrol up to around 200.  She said that what medical doctors neglect to tell you is low chlorestrol (the bad kind) is a link to cancer.  Has anyone ever heard of these things before!

[gregd64]

I have never heard of low colesterol being a cancer risk, I highly agree that certain types of cancer runs in the family though and that certain exposures to chemical hazards for long term are.  Stomach cancer typically occurs in people who are in who smoked/drank heavily or eat alot of smoked foods. sounds to me like you are just a little over nervous. Weight loss can be a sign of "many" things besides cancer, Stress can cause weight loss and it sounds like you fall into this catagory. The pain you get from stomach cancer, (my uncle who was 78 died from it) is pretty intense and he lost weight because he couldn't eat. He also notice blood in his stool before he went to a doctor. He caught his from being exposed to jet fuel/chemicals while serving 30 years in the air force.

[nanci]

No, I don't fit the profile meaning, I never smoked in my life, drink wine occassionally and don't eat smoked anything!  I'm not in severe pain, just discomfort.  Not vomiting nor do I see blood
in my stools - are you referring to bright red or black stools?.

I feel pretty bad today, have a new discomfort lower right side, some burning under my right shoulder blade and just feel blah!  I am so tired of feeling this way, it's been months and I could kick myself for not calling the doctor sooner.  With vacation time, it's almost impossible to get an app't.  They wanted to put me off until July.  I told them about the weight loss so there going to fit me in next week.  That's not very comforting, it seems a simple sentence like "I lost weight" perked them up enough to take notice!  I'm wondering if it's a side effect of the Nexium making me feel this way?  I so much want to stop taking this - I felt good for a few days then it started all over again so I don't know if Nexium is doing me any good, maybe more harm then good.

I admit I don't have much of an appetite but I'm making myself eat.  I'll weigh myself at night, then in the AM, and overnight, I lost 2-3lbs!  Where in the world does it go.  I never ever thought I would have a time in my life that I would be concerned about weight loss - I've spent the better part of the past ten years trying to lose five pounds!

[zinger]

nanci
you might want to have your gliadin antibodies tested for celiac disease a simple blood test to see if you gluten intolerant.

[hughes487]

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