Persistant gastritis and stomach problems

[Painperson252]

I have been suffering now from stomach problems for over two years.  Ive really had enough of it.   how it is now is terrible.  I have gastritis and a hiatus hernia.  My stomach can settle down for a day then it will flare up.  I get severe burning pain where it feels inflamed at the top of my stomach.  I can get bloating and pressure in my oesophaghus.  The pain gets very bad and lasts all day.  I have trouble eating with it.  This pain keeps coming back and it is worse.  Its got worse over the past couple of months.  I take a PPI, Pantoprazole and Gaviscon but they don't seem to do much.  Ive seen the gastro several times and they have ruled out surgery saying that the reflux is not in excess and the Lower oesophagheal spincter is normal.  I was having reflux during the test I had for ph monitoring.  I don't understand this.  It must be the gastritis then causing all my symptoms?  Im at my wits end being in so much pain and I still don't know why.  Has anyone else been through this?  I don't know what to do.  I know I can be more careful with my diet.  I don't drink or smoke or take anti-inflammatory drugs.  The stomach problem was caused by anti-inflammatory drugs over two years ago. It gets so painful that I have to take Tramodol.  I just hope for a day to come soon when it will settle down and heal.  Thanks

[Isaac1976]

After reading your comments I truly regret. I am a new entry to stomach pain issues. completed endoscopy and doctor seeing the report congratulated me for not having any feared problems. report says antral gastritis. I felt much better after PPI & antacid consumption for 5 days. I just did 100 push ups day before yesterday and got the vanished pain more or less back. I love doing push ups and dumbbell exercises. shall I proceed in my life again or not makes me sad and many times , pain makes me dull and disinterested. I hope only god can heal all of us by His great mercy. thanks.

[Painperson252]

Thanks for your comments.  I had a ph test and it showed that I haven't got excess reflux.  I do get it though but as I have gastritis its proberly mainly due to that.  My gastritis flares up and its agony.  My gastro doesn't think surgery will help me so I don't know whats next.  Do you think hiatus hernias can get better on their own?  Some people do,my mother in law has one and she eats what she wants and Ive seen her bending and carrying on as normal with her housework.  She is on a PPI though she just gets occasional reflux.  I get loads of pain and some reflux if its flared up bad.  Ive cut out coffee and chocolate but no difference so far.

[jpek]

Sorry for your pain.  I understand and experience the same stomach problems.  Hiatal Hernias are brutal.  I only wish a doctor could experience the symptoms before they tell us "its not that bad, just change your behaviour".  

From what I have learned in the past couple of years, and I have done a lot of research, is that surgeries are avoided because;

A There are so many people living with hiatal hernias.  To begin to consider this treatable via surgery would overwhelm the health care sytsem.

B  Hiatal hernias are often caused by lifestyle issues, such as poor food choices, etc. Surgically repairing the issue will not change the lifestyle that caused the issue, and therefore would stop it from happening again.

C.  All the normal risks of surgery are considered to outweigh the benefits.

Here is the list of lifestyle changes that I have tried;

1.  Total diet change.  Lists of "acidic" foods are available on the internet.
2.  Dont eat or drink within 2 hours of laying down.
3.  Elevate the head of your bed to keep acid down.  (This helped for me)
4.  Avoid lifting.  (yeah right.  I am sure I can get the maid to take the garbage out LOL)
5.  Avoid anything that causes your stomach to be pulled up towards your chest.  Stress is a gut wrencher.  Monitor every activity.  I was surprised to find activities such as riding a mountain bike, or push ups were very hard on the stomach.
6.  Nothing tight around the waist or stomach.  This will cause the stomach to be pushed upward.

There are many lists like this on the net.  Google, and try to see what works for you.

I have a feeling I am not telling you anything you have not heard before.  But be aware, you are not alone, and you are not imagining your symptoms.They are real, and they suck.

If all else fails, surgery is available, but you have to pay for it, and assume the risks.  

I have been contemplating this for a long time.  

I wish you all the best,
jpek