Living with an ulcer

[killerbyte]

So after I left the hospital from COVID I ended up being rushed back to hospital because of a bleeding ulcer.

Turns out that H. Pylori decided to do a number on my stomach and left me with a nice little ulcer. Cue the 21 days of antibiotics and Proton Pump Inhibitors.
And now I have to watch what I eat for the next 3 months (well 2 months and 2 weeks).

I want to find out if there are any other members on the forum who are living with ulcers or who live in fear of it returning.
I am trying to find new and interesting foods to eat that don't cause my stomach acid to eat my stomach lining.

 

[Goosfrabba]

No ulcers but I do struggle with acid reflux. I use a herbal remedy, Iberogast, to help manage the acid my stomach produces which helps.

Not sure what meds you are on but if you are still struggling, perhaps give it a go

 

[AchmatK]

I have a gastric ulcer and it comes in waves. Stress has a big impact on it but I'm managing it fine. I take Ameprozole 20mg for a week but only when my symptoms appear which is maybe 3 to 4 times per year. Been living with it now for about 10 years.

 

[Magnum]

So after I left the hospital from COVID I ended up being rushed back to hospital because of a bleeding ulcer.

Turns out that H. Pylori decided to do a number on my stomach and left me with a nice little ulcer. Cue the 21 days of antibiotics and Proton Pump Inhibitors.
And now I have to watch what I eat for the next 3 months (well 2 months and 2 weeks).

I want to find out if there are any other members on the forum who are living with ulcers or who live in fear of it returning.
I am trying to find new and interesting foods to eat that don't cause my stomach acid to eat my stomach lining.

Had a tough life. Had ulcers since late teens. Nothing too serious. Will definitly get worse as time goes on.

 

[N@t3]

Been drinking alot of coffee and tea, and not the recommended daily intake of water and the kidney pains and back pains where excruciating.

 

[killerbyte]

I have a gastric ulcer and it comes in waves. Stress has a big impact on it but I'm managing it fine. I take Ameprozole 20mg for a week but only when my symptoms appear which is maybe 3 to 4 times per year. Been living with it now for about 10 years.

I am currently taking Ameprozole 30mg. Want to stick to 20mg and take it daily for the rest of my life since I have always suffered from heart burn and this would reduce the risk of ulcers and eliminate the heartburn.

 

[zubheir]

I am currently taking Ameprozole 30mg. Want to stick to 20mg and take it daily for the rest of my life since I have always suffered from heart burn and this would reduce the risk of ulcers and eliminate the heartburn.

I have a condition called a hiatus hernia. I was diagnosed 8 years ago.
I take lansoprozole 15mg 2 - 3 times per week.
Ive had ulcers many times.

Let me tell you the side effects of proton pump inhibitors after 8 years of use.
Your eye sight gets worse
Weak bones
Cognitive issues, you cant concentrate like adhd
More ulcers due to low stomach acid you will have more bacteria in your gut
Dry mouth
anxiety

You need to eat a clean diet called a BRAN diet and stay away from citrus fruit, caffeine, smoking, alcohol, spicy food. Instead eat apples, banana, pasta, rice, any form of bland food. Theres a GEL called mayo gel, its a suspension gel that coats the stomach take it before & after you eat or as needed it really helps with ulcers.

Dont mean to scare you but Ive suffered over the years so I know what im talking about.

Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen they cause ulcers and make it worse.
In fact ulcer patients should never take them again. Most important do not stress as thats the number one cause of ulcers.

I tested negative for H.pylori yet still get ulcers.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions.

 

[nazmo]

So after I left the hospital from COVID I ended up being rushed back to hospital because of a bleeding ulcer.

Turns out that H. Pylori decided to do a number on my stomach and left me with a nice little ulcer. Cue the 21 days of antibiotics and Proton Pump Inhibitors.
And now I have to watch what I eat for the next 3 months (well 2 months and 2 weeks).

I want to find out if there are any other members on the forum who are living with ulcers or who live in fear of it returning.
I am trying to find new and interesting foods to eat that don't cause my stomach acid to eat my stomach lining.

I had the exact same bacteria causing ulcer. problem was I was in my 20s and 2 doctors misdiagnosed it, this caused a lacerated ulcer and i was hospotalised.

Same as you, course of antibiotics and PPI's.. got rid of it.

10 yrs later I had a bleeding ucler again (not as bad).... this was as i was repeatedly taking asprin for a tooth ache. Basically... other than aspirin and ibuprofen. I can eat anything. Its literally ONLY asprin/ibuprofuen that affects my stomach lining. Its actually something I never think about it, except pain medication.

Dont stress about it, its actually not serious or life changing if you know what to avoid. Food affecting ulcers is a misconception. Strong foods only increase the pain when you have an ulcer, but it wont cause one.

 

[killerbyte]

I have a condition called a hiatus hernia. I was diagnosed 8 years ago.
I take lansoprozole 15mg 2 - 3 times per week.
Ive had ulcers many times.

Let me tell you the side effects of proton pump inhibitors after 8 years of use.
Your eye sight gets worse
Weak bones
Cognitive issues, you cant concentrate like adhd
More ulcers due to low stomach acid you will have more bacteria in your gut
Dry mouth
anxiety

You need to eat a clean diet called a BRAN diet and stay away from citrus fruit, caffeine, smoking, alcohol, spicy food. Instead eat apples, banana, pasta, rice, any form of bland food. Theres a GEL called mayo gel, its a suspension gel that coats the stomach take it before & after you eat or as needed it really helps with ulcers.

Dont mean to scare you but Ive suffered over the years so I know what im talking about.

Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen they cause ulcers and make it worse.
In fact ulcer patients should never take them again. Most important do not stress as thats the number one cause of ulcers.

I tested negative for H.pylori yet still get ulcers.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions.

Thank you for the list of side effects.

I will need to investigate and speak to my GP about long term use. I don't want any of those side effects.

I have been eating the foods that you suggest and staying away from those ones you recommend staying away from. And I plan to do so for the next couple of months, then resume a balanced diet where I do not have any of those bad things in excess.

So maybe I will take the PPI for the 3 months to help with the healing and then keep it in the cupboard in case of emergencies.

 

[zubheir]

Thank you for the list of side effects.

I will need to investigate and speak to my GP about long term use. I don't want any of those side effects.

I have been eating the foods that you suggest and staying away from those ones you recommend staying away from. And I plan to do so for the next couple of months, then resume a balanced diet where I do not have any of those bad things in excess.

So maybe I will take the PPI for the 3 months to help with the healing and then keep it in the cupboard in case of emergencies.

Thats a good plan.

I have no choice I have to take them due to my condition even tho Ive reduced my intake as much as possible.

Ulcers heal after about 8 weeks, the gel helped me the most.

 

[killerbyte]

I had the exact same bacteria causing ulcer. problem was I was in my 20s and 2 doctors misdiagnosed it, this caused a lacerated ulcer and i was hospotalised.

Same as you, course of antibiotics and PPI's.. got rid of it.

10 yrs later I had a bleeding ucler again (not as bad).... this was as i was repeatedly taking asprin for a tooth ache. Basically... other than aspirin and ibuprofen. I can eat anything. Its literally ONLY asprin/ibuprofuen that affects my stomach lining. Its actually something I never think about it, except pain medication.

Dont stress about it, its actually not serious or life changing if you know what to avoid. Food affecting ulcers is a misconception. Strong foods only increase the pain when you have an ulcer, but it wont cause one.

My go to pain pill has been Gen Payne for the last 2 decades. But that contains ibuprofen so I won't be touching that every again.
I never want to be rushed to the ER vomiting up blood ever again.

 

[nazmo]

My go to pain pill has been Gen Payne for the last 2 decades. But that contains ibuprofen so I won't be touching that every again.
I never want to be rushed to the ER vomiting up blood ever again.

So because the IDIOT gp's didnt diagnose an ulcer. they gave regular stomache painmeds.. this caused the ulcer to worsen to the point it bled badly. crapping and vomiting blood was the scariest experience of my life. And I was nervice for months after, just like you are.

The key is PPI's will allow your stomache to heal. if you finish your course, and you still feel hints, just ask for an extention. be warned though, your mind will play tricks on you.

So on my second ulcer. the specialist said I had a "hypsensitive stomache to aspririn or any painkiller that affects the stomach lining" .... you might not even have this, so before making this call, chat to him/her. It sucks that i cant use the good stuff. Paracetamol and Codeine is the best I can do.

 

[DapperDanMan]

Theres a GEL called mayo gel, its a suspension gel that coats the stomach take it before & after you eat or as needed it really helps with ulcers.

Ulcers heal after about 8 weeks, the gel helped me the most.

To add to that point, if you take a pre-meal (and pre-exercise) supplementation of micronized glutamine powder, your digestive system as well as membrane cells get protected in various manners, and they get built up as well - and virtually without side-effects!
Important: To maximize the benefits, get the unflavoured versions.
Nutritech 300g bottles are sold at Clicks for approx R139 each.

 

[Leno]

Has anyone weened off long term PPI use?

I have been on them for about 5 years, currently on 40mg Nexium generic

I think a problem is most of the old H2 meds have been discontinued here (one of the popular ones was recalled last year ranitidine/Zantac ) and as I gather you would slowly move over to those as part of the process

 

[nazmo]

Has anyone weened off long term PPI use?

I have been on them for about 5 years, currently on 40mg Nexium generic

I think a problem is most of the old H2 meds have been discontinued here (one of the popular ones was recalled last year ranitidine/Zantac ) and as I gather you would slowly move over to those as part of the process

I weaned off on both occasions within a few months. Why are you still on them? In theory once the ulcer heals, you dont need them, unless you overproduce acid? or is the damaged area still at risk?

 

[Leno]

I weaned off on both occasions within a few months. Why are you still on them? In theory once the ulcer heals, you dont need them, unless you overproduce acid? or is the damaged area still at risk?

I'm on them as my acid was reaching my throat at night causing all sorts of problems

I want to stop them as I experience a brief relief but after a short while it starts again and I have to up the dosage. I also get side effects, omeprazole was the worst (bad anxiety and muscle pains)

 

[nazmo]

I'm on them as my acid was reaching my throat at night causing all sorts of problems

I want to stop them as I experience a brief relief but after a short while it starts again and I have to up the dosage. I also get side effects, omeprazole was the worst (bad anxiety and muscle pains)

aaah

i occccassssionally get acid coming to my throat. but only mid discomfort. then i buy OTC lansoloc, for a few days. then usually im OK for a while.

 

[zubheir]

I'm on them as my acid was reaching my throat at night causing all sorts of problems

I want to stop them as I experience a brief relief but after a short while it starts again and I have to up the dosage. I also get side effects, omeprazole was the worst (bad anxiety and muscle pains)

It seems like you have a similar problem like me. Have you been for an endoscopy to see what the issue may be?

 

[Leno]

It seems like you have a similar problem like me. Have you been for an endoscopy to see what the issue may be?

Yeah went for one of those wonderful procedures hehe although I think they were mainly ruling out an ulcer
so they said it looked all clear

 

[LCBXX]

Yurra...I didn't realise having an ulcer was this serious or bad to live with!