Surgery as last resort

[Boston_Bean]

looking for anyone who can share with having stomach ulcers that fail to mend after many medications at home and two inpatient hospital stays for over 21 days of IV plotonics?   I'm now being told that surgery is the only hopeful solution......  Has anyone had such surgery?  I need to know if the situation may re-occur after the surgery.  Did they too take a portion of your stomach and small intestine out?  I currently have 7 ulcers.  Thanks


This discussion is related to Length of time to heal Ulcers or stomach irratation.

[CalGal]

Could any of this be due to bile reflux? And do you still have your gallbladder?

Also, a soft diet may not be a GERD diet. There are certain foods that tend to produce more acid release than others. You could check out the list at gicare.com.

[Boston_Bean]

CalGal--thanks for shaing your knowledge. Good to know about the gastrin levels.  
There are no other pre-disposing factors that could contribute to these ulcers.
I no longer smoke and alcohol 2x year.  Stress is now said to have no association with ulcers so, that eliminates that.  Was taken off Methotrexate as a precausion 2 months ago.  As for diet, I continue to eat soft food diet.  (mashed pot, jello, soup, & scrambled eggs)  since August of 08 I experience 5 out of 7 days of vomitting.  EVERYDAY AND ALL DAY nausea.  It has been out of control.  That was the final symptom which warrented my visit to GI Specialist to start.  
I do have appt next week for 3rd opinion.  

Thanks again...

[CalGal]

Boston, I assume you've changed your diet and made lifestyle changes, too? And there are no other pre-disposing factors that could add to causing the ulcers?

[CalGal]

Gastrin levels will remain high for about 2-3 weeks ater IV of PPIs, but you should have them rechecked just to make sure. If you're on oral PPIs now, fasting serum gastrin levels generally will be found to be at approximately 2 to 3 times baseline,f but not more than that. If the level is elevated, it could mean that gastrin could be a source of your problem.  

Do find out about the type of surgery.

[Boston_Bean]

CalGal, yes my gastrin level (2 weeks ago) was at an elevated 265. Normal range 0-99
I was told that it was due to the Platonics I was getting via IV.  I also have had everyother tests done from biopsy's to cancer testing.  Everything remains negative.  In re: to the surgery issue, I have not gotten into detailed convo about that as of yet since I am still obtaining 2nd 3rd opinions .  Surgeons just stated that cauterization  was not a
option as my stomach is so ulcerated and now have 2 in my esophogus....  Based on ulcer locations, portion of stomach and sm intestine would have to be removed.... I need to get more info on that.  

[CalGal]

Boston, have they checked your levels of gastrin? If that is high, even if you have surgery you'll continue to have problems, so please make sure that that is ruled out.

What form of surgery are they talking about? And if they're talking about taking a portion of the stomach and intestines out, what portions are they talking about? Find out exactly what operation they're planning because the type of operation can make a big difference in the after-effects.