Ulcer questions

[BethanySublime]

1) Can ulcers heal on their own?
2) I know stomach acid can cause ulcers, but is an empty stomach more acidic than a full stomach?

A few months ago, I was almost positive I had an ulcer, but I never went to the doctor cuz I'm broke.  It started after I started a new job where I often went without food for the 8 hours I worked, and then sometimes after work I wouldn't eat much either because I was so hungry it felt like eating would hurt.  After a little while of this, I completely lost my appetite - EVERYTHING just seemed like it would hurt my stomach, except milk & bread, and even if I was dying of hunger, I specifically wanted to NOT eat (and it's definitely not anorexia, although I was eating about that much).  So I was really hungry for a few months straight basically.  I lost a lot of weight and my stomach was in constant pain.  It felt of course hungry, but just uncomfortable in general, and like I said, every food and the thought of every food made my stomach hurt (especially anything acidic, spicy, greasy meaty, and fruits & veggies), and the pain was always debilitating in the morning, and I threw up blood once (although that may have been due to ecstasy).  Eventually I lost too much weight and I felt unhealthy from the lack of food, so I started to force myself to eat until my appetite eventually came back.  Since then I haven't had constant stomach pain, but I occasionally get a new burning pain at the top of my stomach that lasts for a few minutes.

SO if I did have an ulcer, do you think it was caused by having an empty stomach too much?  and does it sound like it went away since my stomach doesn't hurt as often anymore?

[kzbraunstein]

I have been experiencing severe chest and abdominal pain for two nights now. It lasts between 4-8 hours ... I am fairly certain I have ulcer(s) in my stomach or duodenum somewhere but I don't know how to treat them. I keep hearing and reading so many different remedies from several sources; is milk bad for it or not? does cayenne pepper really help or aggravate? Should I avoid taking antacids or not? I can't sleep on my side or stomach, strictly on my back and this is killing me. If I turn even for a second the stabbing pain returns. I have quit smoking a few weeks ago but I am afraid that this is serious because it is extremely painful and doesnt go away quickly or easily. I eat a ton of salt which I have stopped doing for the past two days ... I just need some suggestions to help me be able to sleep at night and function during the day. I'm 20 years old and feel 80. Please help.

[bip]

maybe you do have an ulcer or your stomach is aggavated from not eating.  I know your broke but try to get some help to see a doctor. That is the only way you will find out what is wrong with you. If your starting to feel better  wait and see if you start feeling pains.