anyone have stomach or duodenum ulcers?

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:23 pm

Seems like I keep clogging this forum. lol.

I mentioned a while back I've had swallowing issues on occasion--where the food just seems to get stuck halfway down. I've also developed burning in an area just below my stomach, and I'm wondering if I've developed an ulcer. I see a new GI tomorrow, but am supposed to leave on a trip on Sunday--a conference where someone else will be preparing all food. Ugh. I've called the kitchen manager and been assured they would make meals to my specifications (white, overcooked brocoli/cauliflower/chicken), but after a rather intense relapse to find out the restaurant who assured me what I ordered was safe turned out to have their chicken soaked in soy, well, I've learned to be less than confident in others' claims of safety. And this is one of those dress nice, look pretty, be formal conferences, and one where I'll have a roomie--a writing partner who knows I've had "issues" but not much more than that. Thinking I might be forced to fess up to my less-than-glamorous symptoms. *sigh*

I'll decide whether or not to go after my GI apt. And yes, of course I purchased non-refundable and non-insured plane tickets.

Anyway, if anyone else has or has had ulcer issues, I'd love to hear your experience--what your symptoms were, how it was diagnosed, how it was treated, how long it took you to feel better, etc.

Thanks! And happy spring, everyone! We went from snow one week to 96 degrees the next. Gotta love midwest United States. ;)

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:39 pm

Jennifer any issues with your vision. Focus problems occasionally, double vision? Any weakness elsewhere, could be variable?

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Tue May 14, 2013 4:04 pm

Focus problems, yes, although not anything I can quite quantify. More like at times it seems to take more effort to focus on text, like my eyes and brain are tired, if that makes sense. No double vision. Weakness, sometimes, but only twice where it was significant--two days in a row, mid-afternoon to evening and just in my left leg, but now I'm fine. I assume those are largely due to taking too much pepto for two long, or maybe pepto sensitivity.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Tue May 14, 2013 4:46 pm

Jennifer it doesn't sound like too much, but weakness, random in nature in arms or legs, swallowing and focus problems can indicate muscle control issues. You may want to bring these symptoms up to your PCP, as well as your GI doc.

Do you find these symptoms are worse when you are tired and/or later in the day?

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:11 pm

Hi, John,

Thanks. I plan to talk with the GI tomorrow to see if he can tell me what symptoms pepto might be causing, but if I have more issues that appear to not be caused by Pepto, I'll seek further care. Tex had mentioned, when I originally asked about the swallowing problems, that I might have some sort of hernia. Oh, aren't GI issues fun? lol

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:38 am

I was not diagnosed with an ulcer but sure thought I had one. The gnawing pain, nausea, heartburn, etc. But it turns out I had some gastritis and immediately went on a low acid diet. Something I totally recommend for your symptoms. I got so much better when I went low acid and gave up all ibuprofen. As for the swallowing issue, that could be from a hiatel (sp?) hernia. Through endoscopy, they found I had a small one so no swallowing issues yet....but know a few people with the hernia who have that issue.

As for ulcers, my mother-in-law had one and they gave her Pepto for a little while and two antibiotics as a lot of ulcers are caused by bacteria. Sometimes ulcers can be caused by medications and just removing those can help with the healing without the use of antibiotics.

I was lucky that I just had a little gastritis as taking antibiotics, as you know, is not a good thing for us MCers. But sometimes is necessary.

Good luck!

Terri

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed May 15, 2013 9:12 am

Thanks, Terri! What is a low-acid diet? Right now I eat about four things--rice/meat (chicken, ground beef, or pork), overcooked broccoli and cauliflower, and about 1/4 C of almond milk a day. Oh, and olive oil. I've been eating like this since Oct as I get D whenever I try to add anything back in. Although, I've had two bananas this past week, and seem to be tolerating them ok. (I spaced each one out three days in between.) I'm on 6 mg entocort and 4-6 Peptos a day. I tried to reduce my Pepto to 2 on Sat. and had D with lots of mucus that took until just a couple days ago of upping the Pepto and eating straight rice and occasionally ground beef before leveling back.

I see a GI this afternoon and will ask him about all the possibilities brought up here. When I was originally diagnosed, they did a top to bottom scope, taking biopsies from my stomach, small intestine, and numerous from my large. My stomach and small intestine showed fine at that time. But things can change, I'm sure. I do know I have very weak veins (or at least, I assume due to extensive varicose veins, bruising, and hemorrhoids, the varicose starting at age 23). Not sure that would impact my stomach.

Do you have to be constipated to have gastritis? If so, I haven't been constipated in over 20 years, if ever.

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Wed May 15, 2013 12:17 pm

I now remember you doing the Pepto treatment How long now? I did 7 pills a day for 2 months, then weaned. And your diet seems good but I wonder if you are reacting to something you are still eating since your D comes back when lowering your Pepto dosage.

So my GI doctor told me to avoid the following for gastritis/ulcers:

High fat foods
Caffeine (decaffeinated green tea is fine for me)
Sodas
Citrus fruits and juices
Tomato and it's products
Pepper/Peppers
Fried food (that's been quite easy since I'm GF)
chocolate (I eat occasionally without issues)
mints

I have read online that processed grains like white rice and even meats can be high acidic. Even some oils. I haven't given those up as you know those tend to be staples in our MC diet plan. It's probably why I still get a little heartburn every now and then, but have been trying to limit the rice since I've been healing a lot. We just can't give up everything! It's crazy! Hope the bananas keep working for you....I never had a problem with them.

As for gastritis and constipation, I have no idea. All I can tell you is that I never had constipation and have had gastritis for some time now. I did get a little sluggish after my Pepto regimen in December, but just upp my fiber on those days and doing well. I just binged on corn chips and feeling a slight heartburn....but doesn't happen too often. I need to remember...moderation.

Interested to hear what your doctor has to say!

Terri

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed May 15, 2013 12:21 pm

Thanks, Terri,

I've been on Pepto since Oct. A long time, I know, and I'll talk to my GI about that today. You may be right about my diet. I see a nutritionist on Friday who, hopefully, can help me navigate foods.

The one thing I see on your list breaks my heart and makes my heels dig in on their own accord--coffee. My absolute favorite treat. :(

Thank you for the great info!