Stomach ulcers anyone? I have questions...

[poohandwendy]

Hi,

After a few days of horrible abdominal pain, I was dx with ulcers in my stomach and esophagus (via endoscopy). I was given Prevacid, Belladonna, Sucralfate and Darvocet.

I am confused about diet. I really do not eat a spicy diet to begin with. Is there anything to avoid? Everywhere I turn, I am finding conflicting information about the role diet even plays in ulcers.

I am not stressed or elderly...so why do I have ulcers?

I am not even sure what questions to ask...anyone here suffer with ulcers? Did your pain come on suddenly? Did you have trouble getting them to heal? Were you given an antibiotic? (I have read that bacteria may play a role in ulcer formation)

Any thoughts?

(btw, I was given an abdominal ultrasound, so the rest of my organs aren't the cause of my pain)

 

[poohandwendy]

Just wanted to add, I haven't had any heartburn, acid reflux or any of the 'normal' characteristic symptoms I have read about....just abdominal pain. Wierd...

 

[tiggersmom2]

HI! ,

Yes, my father suffers from ulcers. Many ulcers are caused by the H. pylori bacteria and the antibiotics will cure these (about 85% are caused by this bacteria). Unfortunately my Dad is not one of these people. One thing that bothered my Dad's ulcers was dairy products. My father's favorite drink is milk - guess what - milk produces MORE stomache acid as it is being digested and causes a whole lot of problems for ulcer sufferes.

My Dad also SWEARS by Gaviscon extra strength, he says it calms the WORST pain he has ever had and it is over the counter!

BTW - His only symptom is also stomache pain

 

[torismom]

Some ulcers can be caused by a bacterial infection.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/

My son has been diagnosed with this. He just has the bacterial infection and not ulcers. So, I have been reading up. Maybe this info will help you. Hope you are feeling better.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I had ulcers, took the meds they gave me, and they healed up with no problem and the pain diminished. I think everyone is diff in what foods bother it, and as it heals, you'l figure out which bother you.

I didn't find any specific foods that I needed to avoid, really, though I did cut down on coffee until healing got better.

Good luck! Hope you find relief soon!

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks for the quick responses, I really do drink alot of milk...so I guess I should watch that. I am not a coffee drinker, so I should be ok there. I guess it will be trial and error with figuring out which foods bother me.

What confuses me the most, I guess, is that this just sort of came out of no where.

I just started having horrible abdominal pain on Tues afternoon and it hasn't let up. (The painkiller is starting to work now, though) One thing that may be playing a part is that I haven't eaten much since the pain started. Maybe my empty stomach is making things worse?

Do uclers usually cause an 'attack' like this? I guess i would have assumed there would be stomach problems before this happened. I can't even tell you the last time I had a stomach ache that required even pepto bismol (I haven't even had heartburn since my last pregnancy...10 years ago).

The weird thing is my endoscopy pictures look like my stomach/esophagus have the chicken pox..you would think I would have been symptomatic before now....

Thanks for the good thoughts!

 

[Miss Kelly]

May I ask where your pain is? You said stomach pain but didn't specify where. I ask because I've been hurting on my lower right abdomen and they still haven't diagnosed what is wrong with me.

Thanks!
Kelly

 

[tiggersmom2]

Yep, when you don't eat your stomache produces more acid, so get something in that stomache now! Do you know if it is a duodenal ulcer or is it in a different location?

 

[canwegosoon]

Been there done that...I know you have to really watch the caffiene. Also after I finished the meds treatment which was like 2 weeks of 7 pills a day. I felt a lot better...and was totally -as in zero- pain for almost 3 years. Just starting to get pain and choking sensation back. If your mouth starts to feel like foil is in it due to the meds, drink a little cranberry juice, it really works. Good luck...hoping you are pain free soon!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

Originally posted by Miss Kelly
May I ask where your pain is? You said stomach pain but didn't specify where. I ask because I've been hurting on my lower right abdomen and they still haven't diagnosed what is wrong with me.

Thanks!
Kelly

My pain is pretty much central about 2 inches above my navel.

Do you know if it is a duodenal ulcer or is it in a different location?

I have a bunch of them(looked like about 10-15 small ones), they were all over the place including my esophagus...I am not sure if any were by/in the duodenum.

.

 

[Aimeedyan]

That is unusual that they came on so quickly... interesting. At least the cause was found quickly! It took a long time before having mine first discovered. Did you get to take home pics of them? I showed mine off, LOL =)

I had another scope done about 3 months ago and I'm all clean! So they eventually go away...

 

[poohandwendy]

Also Miss Kelly,
Stomach ulcers are really simple to diagnose with an endoscopy (they put a tube down your throat and look around)...I actually had no idea what even happened or why I was there when I 'woke up'...it was great, although my throat was slightly sore.

Ask your doctor about it...an ultrasound also is a great diagnostic tool for abdominal pain. (I had both and also chest/abdominal xrays).

 

[poohandwendy]

Originally posted by Aimeedyan
That is unusual that they came on so quickly... interesting. At least the cause was found quickly! It took a long time before having mine first discovered. Did you get to take home pics of them? I showed mine off, LOL =)

I had another scope done about 3 months ago and I'm all clean! So they eventually go away...

Yeah, it came on all at once (this made him suspect it may be my gallbladder, but that checks out fine)

My doctor ROCKS! He did the xrays, bloodwork and endoscopy all in the office the day of my appt. (yesterday). He has an on-call anesthesiologist who helped with the scope. I also had the ultrasound today, in the office (the tech was too busy yesterday). I was really fortunate that I didn't have to be referred all over the place for tests and such. He also is really good about reviewing test results...while you are still in the office rather than calling later.

I didn't ask for the pics...I should have, my kids would love that!!

I have to say, my stomach was rather pretty...very clean and shiny....LOL. (well, if you take away the ulcers)

 

[tiggersmom2]

Sounds like you have a peptic ulcer (ulcers). The most common cause of these besides H Pylori is stress and aspirin tx. Right now ANYTHING that is hard to digest is going to cause you problems.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No stomach ulcers but Dh suffers from GERD for a long time. He takes no meds but watches his diet very carefully now. He knows his triggers.

His triggers are tomato (in any form). So no sauce spaghetti, pizza, BBQ etc...

Herbs! Basil esp...so NO HERBS, includes pepper.

No marinades, spices of any kind.

Eating here is like eating BLAND.

I hope you heal and get to resume your life!