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chronic gastritis and severe reflux for over a year....help!

sue
I am a 27 year old Canadian woman who has been living and working in Japan for the last 2 1/2 years.  For the last year and a half I've been having a lot of problems with gastritis and reflux and I can't seem to get rid of them.  I first noticed the symptoms last year when I felt a terrible burning in my stomach and had a lot of belching and heartburn after I ate.  I had an upper GI X-ray done and there wasn't anything wrong except for excess acid production.  I was given Zantac to take twice a day (75 mg at a time).  It seemed to help at first, but then a few months later the symptoms got worse.  I had an endoscopy done about 10 months ago and I was diagnosed with having gastris and some acid reflux. I was also tested for H-pylori at that time, and the results were negative. I was given famotidine (20 mg twice a day), but then when that didn't help I was given lansoprazole (30 mg after evening meal).  I took lansoprazole for about 6 months and it seemed to be helping, but in the last couple of months I noticed it wasn't nearly as effective as it had been at first.  The doctor changed my medication to omeprazole (20 mg twice a day), but I found it didn't help anymore than the lansoprazole.  In the last month or so, the symptoms have become very uncomfortable and distressing.  I'm continuing to take lansoprazole along with antacids the doctor recommended(Gaviscon and Maalox), but I still have trouble.  After every meal I have terrible burning pain in my stomach just below my ribs and I feel nauseous but never vomit.  Sometimes I have heartburn all day and my esophagus and throat feel really raw and painful from all the acid.  I am reduced to eating bananas and bread becasue any food with even a little acid or oil causes terrible discomfort. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night from the pain of reflux, and often the pain radiates up into my left shoulder. The doctor here told me that lansoprazole or omeprazole should have cleared things up, but I've been on the medication for more than 6 month and things are worse than ever. The doctor says my problems are caused by stress from my job and life in a foreign country, but I don't feel particularly stressed. I can't understand why none of this medication is helping me.  Can stress be a main cause of gastritis and reflux? Since the discomfort has been getting worse, I've started to worry that maybe I have a more serious condition like gastric cancer. My endoscopy was done about 10 months ago, but do you think I should have another one done? Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.  I'm so frustrated with this problem and I can hardly eat anything.  

Thank you!
103 Responses
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Avatar universal
Dear Sue,
We often evaluate patients who provide a similar history to yours.  The initial treatment and investigations includes H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and endoscopyto look for other causes for the symptoms.  If your endoscopy was carefully performed by an experienced endoscopist, it is very unlikely that you have developed a new condition.

In sutuations like yours, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the cause of the problem.  We would do an esophageal motility study and 24 hr pH probe tests to assess the frequency/duration of the esophageal reflux.  If there was still uncertainty regarding the cause of the symptoms, we would consider other possible etiologies e.g. gastroparesis, gall bladder problems, small intestinal pathology, infections.  the nature of the evaluation would depende on the history that we obtained.

Before your symptoms are labeled as 'stress-related' it is necessary to exclude all the likely treatable conditions.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I am having the same as the rest of you.
My doctor gave me a prescription that is called: BENYTL, this has worked for me for several years as I go thru these stomach pains. I lost weight and got rid of my stress and the stomah pain went away for a couple of years, but guess what? I am having stomach,side, reflux again, but I am under a lots of stress again, so I am back on Benytl. helps the irratible bowel syndrome also. Use olive oil in cooking, also garlic, for that helps the bowels. Good Luck and God Bless to us all this Season!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
My husband suffered from the same problems for a long time.  The reflux was unbearable at night.  One of the many things we tried was raising the head of the bed.  Not by adding pillows but by actually raising the bed.  My husband used pieces of 2x4's.  He cut one piece about a foot long and another shorter one say six inches.  He nailed the shorter one on top and we placed these under the headboard on the bed.  In the beginning the headboard acutally had to be placed on the top of the top piece which really brought up the head of the bed.  After the reflux was reduced by about 90% we lowered it to the bottom board where it still is today.  I'm not saying this was easy.  It's a little uncomfortable to sleep on (actually pretty uncomfortable) in the beginning but you do get used to it.  And it really seems to have helped him.  Try it.  At least it isn't another thing taken internally so it can't hurt!
Watch those symptoms.  About 5 years ago I took my husband to the hospital thinking he might be having a heart attack and it turned out the pain was from the reflux.  Two years ago he was making a 3 hour drive home from Connecticut and thought he was having trouble with reflux.  He drank Maalox and chewed tums and rolaids and didn't tell me when he got home.  The following morning we had to rush him to the hospital with a heart attack.  He never had the pain in the left arm just what he thought was reflux.  So stay on top of it.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
hi sue, i am sorry to say this but you seem to have joined that perrenial group of unfortunate sufferers around the world.(keep this in mind) WHAT WORKS FOR ME WILL NOT NECESSARILY WORK FOR YOU.Having suffered with gastro-intestinal problems since 1980 or there abouts i have noticed a few things.(1) the onset of my symtoms were and are always stress related.(2)i had to modify my diet during each course of treatment,which have included zantac, losec all types of antigas and antacids.(3)I only had to take the treatment for 4-6 weeks.(4)OH i have had peptic ulcer, gastro this gastro that you name it, included the dreaded ACID REFLUX.  THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY REAL CURE ONLY SUPPRESSION OF SYMTOMS
1) I TAKE GRAVOL 50MG FOR THE NAUSEA. IT WORKS.
2) I TAKE LOSEC FOR 4-6 WEEKS. IT WORKS. MG WILL VARY
3) I GO ON A BLAND VEGETARIAN DIET(NO MEAT) SMALL MEALS OF SOFT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES (PAPAYA,MANGO,PEAR(NO CITRUS)BOILED PUMKIN, IRISH POTATO,EGG WHITE(NO OIL,NO FAT)WHOLE WHEAT BREAD ONLY,AND GENERALLY ANY FOOD THAT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY IS OUT. I ALSO TAKE PREPULSID TO ASSIST WITH PERISTALTIC MOVEMENT.SPICES AND NUTS ARE OUT AS WELL.AS WELL AS ANYTHING THAT TAKES MORE THAN THE USUAL 3-4 HOURS TO DIGEST. PLENTY OF REST AND I IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE STRESS AND REMOVE OR MINIMISE IT. HAVE FAITH AND PRAY A LOT WHILE YOU EXERCISE AND PRACTICE WHATEVER RELAXATION TECHNIQUES YOU'R COMFORTABLE WITH.I ALSO FIND THAT ANXIETY INCREASES THE SYMTOMS  ALSO A FEW DAYS OF A LIQUID DIET ALWAYS HELP AT THE BEGINNING.IN THE ABSENCE OF SYMTOMS I GO ON A COURSE OF TREATMENT EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR WHO KNOWS SOME OR ALL OF IT MAY HELP YOU LET ME KNOW. GOD BLESS. nove.d@batelnet .bs
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Dear Sue

Consider your diet..And your life style. Look to your emmune system, you might consider more exercise. If you are not drinking water, In addition to your regular regimen, you might consider hyro - therapy and more exercise.  My research denotes our emmune system is the best for curing any disease. But it must be given time to work...I also suggest drugless therapy
as drugs according to research have side effects...Look for the cause of your condition...

I hope you feel better, all the best
Ahragon
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Sue,
Your symptoms sound just like mine.  I have had recurrent "heartburn" for several years, but in the last 6 months has gotten increasingly worse.  Usually pain at nite which feels like a knife stabbing me directly in the middle of my abdomen and pain radiating up over the left shoulder, also around the sides and into my back; lots of gas too.  I thought it was "stress" and reflux.  I was taking Prevacid for about 5 weeks with minimal relief and went to a GI specialist.  After listening to my symptoms, he told me he thought it was biliary colic--related to gallstones.  He ordered some blood tests and an ultrasound of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas.  My liver enzymes went up after an attack and my ultrasound showed gallstones.  I am scheduled to have a laprascopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) tomorrow.  I was looking through anything on the internet gallbladder-related because I'm a little nervous.  But with my tests, it seems pretty clear what the problem is.  If you want to contact me, my email is ***@****
Good luck and I hope you feel better!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
dear sue,
I have been dealing with the same symptoms as yours for 6 months
it is driving me crazy some of the things i have tried is pepsid
gaviscon,tums, I also had a upper gi and was told it was normal.
for the longest time i thought it was my heart and I even was rushed to the hospital because i thought it was a heart attack thay did every test you could think of and found nothing I to can only eat bread if I want to be symptom free. I feel like I am at the end of my rope it really has had a effect on my life and I feel bad for others who suffer if you come across anything helpful please write good luck
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I was reading about your chronic problem and find it hard to believe that with no medication help, that the Drs. aren't checking further for esophagial problems such as a weak LES muscle or for signs of Barrets Syndrome which I have after suffering for too many years with GERD. I am currently having a procedure done to help me called a Nissen Fundoplication, as I cannot take the medications, Prilosec and Prevacid without side effects, such as polyps in the esophagus from meds.
I had to have an EGD done for 5 years to monitor my Barrets and it should be done more frequently if you are suffering like you say you are.

I hope this helps you a little and you can e-mail me at ***@**** if you need to talk further.
Karen
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I was battling major digestive problems for over a year.  I thought I was dying!  I recently was referred to Bio-Flora from an herbalist.  I've been using it for just a little over one week and I feel like I've been cured!!!  The Flora I bought cost me approx. $30.00, but it's worth every penny.   Go to a reliable nutrition store and get this stuff!  It's a miracle enzyme!  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ***@****.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Sue,

  I'm sorry to hear about your undiagnosed problems. Just want you to know that my wife and I are with you, as my wife has been experiencing undiagnosed gastric symptoms for over a year now. She had her gallbladder removed Aug 1998, was treated for H-Pylori in Dec 1998, had bile duct stones removed and a sphincterectomy in Jul 1999. Her weight has dropped from 140 to 116 since May 1999. The most persistent remaining symptoms are upper right-side pain, itching, reflux, fatigue, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. Her GI still has no idea what her problem could be. Amazing. Isn't he the one who has been trained to diagnose and treat gastric disorders? Every test that he has ordered has been negative. We are nearing the end of the line as far as our expectations go. Hope things go better for you.
    Jack
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
or Canadians.. LOL sorry hun...
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hmmm.. Sue..I posted something below you, and in doing alot of reasearch on my own troubles, I have come across many many Americans living in Japan with the same problems you describe.
It makes me wonder if its something in the food there?
Maybe you should think on that? Like maybe sushi? the rice? There has got to be something that American people are eating or drinkiing in Japan that is causing this.
I just find it interesting that there are so many Americans in Japan, complaining of this. Coincidence maybe? I don't know. But maybe you should look into it some how, some way.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Makes me nervous when you say pain radiates.  Do you have any heart issues
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had this for 25 years and I finally found a miracle fix.  Find a place that sells aloe vera right off the plant. They are long and thick with prickly sides. Learn how to cut them up on youtube.com by searching for aloe Vera and honey drink . Add 2 teaspoons of organic honey and use 2 cups or more of non tap water but spring water or filtered water . Put it in a blender and drink that every morning on an empty stomach . After 25 years of suffering I felt a change in one day and after 5 days my heartburn is gone . Let me know if you need help

Jeff.***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Are already recover now? I have gastititris two years now..everyday pain
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi Bio Flora? what is it??? im living abroad in MX and i've been experiencing same problem, i've been tolled its stress
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I never got much heartburn either but have silent Gerd which u can research. I take zigerid 2 times a day and its evidently not working because the test done showed very high acid reflux, when I used previcid twice a day it worked until insurance wouldn't cover it any more and I went on the generic zigerid,but doctor called it silent Gerd and told me not to eat oranges or lemons nothing citris and no tomatoes or spices or fats.no pepperments of any kind.no tea or coffee only erble tea. said chewing lots of non peppermint gum produces more saliva to keep acid down also no cokes or carbonated drinks and chocolate or caffine.can have bananas and pineapple and apple juice and lots of apples whole grain breads plain potatoes lean meats nothing fried. hope this help  also drink aloe juice every day for stomach and bowels
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was told this is a tough surgery and can come undone and may not even work.what were u told?the name brand Previcid worked for me for years with Gerd than ins stopped paying for previcide and I went on generic zigarid 2o mg 2 times a day. drs now say I have silent Gerd and still producing terrible amounts of acid my previcid was 30 mg 2 times a day.I wonder if u have once been on name brand whether the generic will work.seems to be my case
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was told this is a tough surgery and can come undone and may not even work.what were u told?the name brand Previcid worked for me for years with Gerd than ins stopped paying for previcide and I went on generic zigarid 2o mg 2 times a day. drs now say I have silent Gerd and still producing terrible amounts of acid my previcid was 30 mg 2 times a day.I wonder if u have once been on name brand whether the generic will work.seems to be my case
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Peggy, where can I find the flora. ***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey sue

I have been hospitalized in bangalore manipal past two weeks wtout any diagnosis.have a hsitory of pancreatitis but ths time tats nt the case.severe gastritis.upper abdomen pain.epigastric region an pain is accompanied by nausea and an urge to throw up.after lots of diagnosis thoh its not final doctors are suuggesting eosinophilic enteritis.it might be a food allergy of some sort.everyone told me its stress but I wasn't particularly stressing either.let me know if it helps.some sorta rare food allergy.on my bad days I can't eat a thng.good days I ve been eating mashed potatoes n boiled rice.good luck.wil try keep you updated
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Heartburn - Prilosec - 0meprozal was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, GASTRITIS??!!?? was started.
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Avatar universal
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