If you have had an ulcer, please share some information

[OceanAnnie]

Did that happen to be generic Prilosec (omeperazole)? Whenever I take the generic I get dry mouth--bad. The name brand does not do that to me.

It may have been because it was a generic. It was protonix, I don't know what the regular name for it is.

I'm a lifelong ulcer sufferer, along with GERD.

I've noticed that mine run in "flares". Sometimes I can wean myself on a little chocolate and some coffee, but if I feel a little icky, so I go back on the bland diet. It's a total trial and error. Somethings hurt, somethings don't. Most of the time I need to avoid salads, tomato based sauces and ketchup and greasy foods. Alcohol too.

All the good stuff is bad

I've also found that some meds work better than others, and sometimes it's almost like I develop a "resistance?" and have to try something new. I'm on Protonix right now, which has been a total lifesaver.

I felt the same way about protonix at first. It was a lifesaver. I was so glad to be able to eat without pain, nausea, and vomiting. I didn't always have the vomiting problem, it was dicey. Didn't know if or when. But the pain and nausea were pretty much constant before protonix.

But, I had the side effects of headache and dry mouth. Even with carrying a drink with me everywhere, I always felt parched. I couldn't take anything for the headaches because it would irritate my stomach. It was a trade off for me, one thing for another. Granted the headaches and dry mouth weren't as bad as what I was dealing with, but I just wanted to get back to feeling like myself.

 

[jamimb]

It may have been because it was a generic. It was protonix, I don't know what the regular name for it is.



I felt the same way about protonix at first. It was a lifesaver. I was so glad to be able to eat without pain, nausea, and vomiting. I didn't always have the vomiting problem, it was dicey. Didn't know if or when. But the pain and nausea were pretty much constant before protonix.

But, I had the side effects of headache and dry mouth. Even with carrying a drink with me everywhere, I always felt parched. I couldn't take anything for the headaches because it would irritate my stomach. It was a trade off for me, one thing for another. Granted the headaches and dry mouth weren't as bad as what I was dealing with, but I just wanted to get back to feeling like myself.

I was on Protonix for a month and while it did cause the stomach pain to cease it also caused some very scary heart palpitations so Im off of it now and trying to find a med that works as good but without the nasty side effect.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I was on Protonix for a month and while it did cause the stomach pain to cease it also caused some very scary heart palpitations so Im off of it now and trying to find a med that works as good but without the nasty side effect.

I wish you well. I hope you can find something that works for you without the scary side effects!

I wouldn't wish the stomach pain on anyone. I'm glad to be able to talk to people that have/are gone through the same thing.

 

[jamimb]

I wish you well. I hope you can find something that works for you without the scary side effects!

I wouldn't wish the stomach pain on anyone. I'm glad to be able to talk to people that have/are gone through the same thing.

Thanks so much for the kind words! I would never wish this pain on anyone but it is comforting to know that others have been through it and survived!

 

[PatsMom]

I've had a few ulcers. My latest one is healing now (I hope). I take Nexium all the time for GERD and I've added carafate for the ulcer. I don't really follow a particular diet. I avoid acidy foods like tomato sauce. Also chocolate and peppermints are triggers. I limit myself to two cups of coffee a day (can't give it up entirely). I don't do soda at all.

The pain was more in my chest than my stomach. I think it must vary depending on where the ulcer is located. I have a great picture of mine that was taken during an EDG looking for something that was causing anemia. Wasn't the ulcer since it wasn't bleeding - turned out to be bladder cancer - but it still got me a definite diagnosis.

My pain wasn't usually awful because I take the nexium anyhow. But my doctor was concerned that I was having any at all while being on the Nexium. The carafate is a pain because I have to time it around some of my other medications and also with eating. But it seems to work pretty well.

I have taken lots of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in my life - motrin, aleve, aspirin. And a few prescriptions like Indocin. I was not good about making sure that I ate or drank a glass of milk when taking the drugs and that is what I am paying for now. I cannot take the NSAIDs which stinks because I have arthritis. The only thing I take is Celebrex and my doctor has to justify that once a year to my prescription drug carrier. And even then I have a pretty steep co-pay.

 

[mster425]

Hi!

I had an ulcer from H Pylori 5 years ago. After the antibiotics I took Prilosec in the AM and Zantac at night for a month or two.

Check with your MD because I don't think you need to be doing the BRAT diet anymore, just avoiding foods that will stress your stomach, and it never hurts to call and ask!!

After about a year of NO oranges, lemonade, tomato sauce, anything acidic, I slowly noticed I could handle those things and eat them a lot
now (I'm drinking coffee with a huge fruit salad right now!!

Once or twice I have had to go back on Prilosec for a few weeks- stomach burning all the time, feeling sick and nauseous, that kind of thing, but no major relapses, knock on wood!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I've had a few ulcers. My latest one is healing now (I hope). I take Nexium all the time for GERD and I've added carafate for the ulcer. I don't really follow a particular diet. I avoid acidy foods like tomato sauce. Also chocolate and peppermints are triggers. I limit myself to two cups of coffee a day (can't give it up entirely). I don't do soda at all.

The pain was more in my chest than my stomach. I think it must vary depending on where the ulcer is located. I have a great picture of mine that was taken during an EDG looking for something that was causing anemia. Wasn't the ulcer since it wasn't bleeding - turned out to be bladder cancer - but it still got me a definite diagnosis.

My pain wasn't usually awful because I take the nexium anyhow. But my doctor was concerned that I was having any at all while being on the Nexium. The carafate is a pain because I have to time it around some of my other medications and also with eating. But it seems to work pretty well.

I have taken lots of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in my life - motrin, aleve, aspirin. And a few prescriptions like Indocin. I was not good about making sure that I ate or drank a glass of milk when taking the drugs and that is what I am paying for now. I cannot take the NSAIDs which stinks because I have arthritis. The only thing I take is Celebrex and my doctor has to justify that once a year to my prescription drug carrier. And even then I have a pretty steep co-pay.

That was me too. If I had a headache or any pain, I'd take a motrin on an empty stomach. I took the gelcaps. I had some in my purse in case of headaches. I know there were times I took them with very little water and an empty stomach.

I was on BC and headaches were a side effect. And bloating. So everything kind of erupted at the same time. It took a long time for me to have an, "aha" moment. I'm paying for it now too.

Hi!

I had an ulcer from H Pylori 5 years ago. After the antibiotics I took Prilosec in the AM and Zantac at night for a month or two.

Check with your MD because I don't think you need to be doing the BRAT diet anymore, just avoiding foods that will stress your stomach, and it never hurts to call and ask!!

After about a year of NO oranges, lemonade, tomato sauce, anything acidic, I slowly noticed I could handle those things and eat them a lot
now (I'm drinking coffee with a huge fruit salad right now!!

Once or twice I have had to go back on Prilosec for a few weeks- stomach burning all the time, feeling sick and nauseous, that kind of thing, but no major relapses, knock on wood!

Well, I guess I'm doing a modified BRAT diet. I have branched out to grilled chicken. I stay away from caffeine, fried, greasy, or high acid foods. It's helped a lot. I miss those things, but the relief is wonderful.


** Thank you to everyone that has shared their experiences. It helps to hear about people that are on the other side (healed). I hope those people that aren't healed, will be well soon.

 

[PatsMom]

If the protonix bothered you, did you ask for a different drug? The carafate some have mentioned does help quite a bit, not only to encourage healing but with the pain. It requires a prescription and it is a name brand drug so the co-pays aren't cheap. And I believe it is pretty pricey if you don't have prescription coverage.

There are also OTC acid reducers such as Prilosec and Prevacid that might be useful for you. Especially if your problem turns out to be GERD and not an ulcer. Have you had an EDG? If not, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. If you have prolonged GERD it can contribute to a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus. I have it and I have to do the EDG every year to monitor for changes.

Good luck! Its almost trial and error to see what works for food. At least it was for me.

 

[OceanAnnie]

If the protonix bothered you, did you ask for a different drug? The carafate some have mentioned does help quite a bit, not only to encourage healing but with the pain. It requires a prescription and it is a name brand drug so the co-pays aren't cheap. And I believe it is pretty pricey if you don't have prescription coverage.

There are also OTC acid reducers such as Prilosec and Prevacid that might be useful for you. Especially if your problem turns out to be GERD and not an ulcer. Have you had an EDG? If not, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. If you have prolonged GERD it can contribute to a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus. I have it and I have to do the EDG every year to monitor for changes.

Good luck! Its almost trial and error to see what works for food. At least it was for me.

Oh my goodness! It sounds like you have really been through it! I hope the worst is behind you.

Right now, all the symptoms that sent me to the doctor has been quelled. I think the change in diet has helped and the treatment I am currently taking. I took a leap of faith with the non-conventional treatment. I had decided if it didn't work, I'd just go back on the protonix until my appt. with the specialist. I have a month's supply.

I had an ultrasound and a MRI with contrast. The MRI did show some swelling in the gall bladder tubing, so it could be something with that. But it would be surprising to me. My symptoms started out as episodic then progressed to every time I ate. After taking the acid reducer it was gone. I don't know if a gall bladder problem would respond to that. Anyway, I guess the specialist will give me a bunch of tests. Not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to some answers. I'm hoping I will have healed quite a bit by then.

 

[Jaime4004]

I was diagnosed with "peptic ulcer disease" a few months ago. Didn't get an endoscopy to confirm, just based on symptoms. H Pylori negative. Took carafate four times/day and pepcid twice/day for a month. Worked like a charm! Hopefully it won't come back. I have noticed that spicy foods now give me GERD symptoms, where they never did before (except when pregnant!!). I still eat them, just pay the price later.