Acute Gastritis

[sunnyboy2018]

On 11/23/2019 at 8:43 AM, Sheryl said:

There are stabdard protocols which any competent GI specialist should know. You can also find them online. But try first to get tested. The treatment entails 3 different meds one of them usually flagyl or tinidazole for 10'14 days  and can be a little unpleasant (nausea).

It should be noted  that Flagyl is the only antibiotic that you really cant mix with Alcohol.

[scubascuba3]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

This is where again it is important to understand the difference between reflux and GERD. And also to understand the difference between symptomatic relief and actual cure.

 

Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened (due to age, certain medications etc) or there is increased pressure in the stomach (as from obesity, overeating or hiatal hernia) or both.

 

Drugs like omeprazole do not decrease the occurrence of reflux. They just make it less painful, or even asymoptonmatic, by making the refluxed  liquid less irritating to the esophagus.  

 

Reflux itself is not caused by  too much acid.  However  the pain and esophageal irritation resulting from reflux is due to the acid normally present in gastric secretions, so reducing the gastrc acidity will make the reflux less painful or noticeable. However, there is some suggestion that unusually low levels of gastric acid may, over the long term,  actually increase the occurence of reflux though it may be "silent reflux' i.e. not felt.  This last point is not fully established and needs more research.

 

Gastritis on the other hand is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach wall, with or without actual ulceration. Since the normal protective lining of the stomach is damaged/inflammed, ulcers easily form and even if not present initially will likely develop if the lining does not heal. It is a painful condition -- so much so that it can initially be mistaken for a heart attack -- and in order for the lining to heal it is essential that gastric acidity be controlled through acid lowering medications. These can and should be weaned off once the gastric lining has healed. So in gastritis, unlike in reflux, PPIs actually serve a curative function. If h. pylori is the culprit, though, other medicatons will be required as well.

 

If there is esophagitis present then the PPIs will help cure that in the same manner as described for gastritis.  Though it may recur if the underlying cause of reflux is not addressed.

 

There is a lot of "junk science" on the web around "acidity". As regards apple cider vinegar, its pH is quite similar to the normal gastric pH so drinking it, whatever else it may or may not do, is not going to change the acidity of the stomach.

 

 

 

 

Back to my point of using Acid cider vinegar, if Omeprazole (reduces acid) reduced symptoms of Gastritis , using the vinegar wouldn't help? because all you are doing is adding acid. If using Omeprazole made symptoms worse then i can see the vinegar being worth a try

[Fore Man]

Until three months ago, I experienced months on end of both gastritis and GERD.  The latter was largely caused by a small hiatal hernia that made my life miserable anytime after late afternoon and which masked the onset of gastritis that went undetected and untreated until I could not bear it any longer.

 

I was once placed on Nexium and knowing that its long term use was counterproductive to overall health, particularly to the kidneys and a contributor to bone weakening, I weaned myself off of the drug.  I finally relented and saw my gastroenterologist for treatment three months ago. He performed an endoscopy and immediately noted that my hiatal hernia had healed itself, after 15 years of similar, periodic endoscopic tests revealed its continued presence.  My esophagus was reddened but the tissues were otherwise normal with no signs of Barrett’s.  But he also discovered a large bruised area in my stomach lining which was diagnosed as acute gastritis. No HP was present.
 

It was vital that he treat the gastritis which was done by starting me on twice-daily 40-mg doses of Nexium...my old nemesis yes, but necessary because of the damage done to my stomach.  He also added a supplementary medication, gasmotin, which hastens the ulcerous healing of the stomach lining. After 30 days, the Nexium dosage was reduced to 20-mg twice daily and yet 30 days later, I was instructed to take one 20-mg dose before breakfast and discontinue gasmotin.  So far I am fine with the reduced meds and may even see if changing my Nexium to every other day might also work. But that would re-enter the shaky realm of self-medication and could bring on a relapse of everything all over again.  
 

I drink one or two latte type coffees every day and avoid any acidic foods, including all vinegar containing or tomato-based entrees. I hate taking Nexium at all, but I am a vastly happier man because of the drug and otherwise seem to live a very symptom-free existence. In retrospect I think that I caused or exacerbated my problems by doctoring to myself, assuming I was smarter than my physicians.  If you are experiencing regular GERD or reflux-like symptoms, get it properly diagnosed through endoscopic testing and turn things around before you cause irreversible damage.  Good luck and I sincerely hope you can find a long term cure that minimizes collateral or unintended consequences from the known side effects of medication. 

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Back to my point of using Acid cider vinegar, if Omeprazole (reduces acid) reduced symptoms of Gastritis , using the vinegar wouldn't help? because all you are doing is adding acid. If using Omeprazole made symptoms worse then i can see the vinegar being worth a try

Omeprazole not only improves symptoms but promotes healing of gastritis (unlike GERD where it only reduces symptoms but does nothing to sure the reflux).

 

As I explained ACV has basically the same ph as stomach acid so won;'t affect acidity one way or the other. If it has any beneficial effect it is not because of its ph.

[justin case]

On 11/28/2019 at 11:03 AM, Sheryl said:

There is a lot of "junk science" on the web around "acidity". As regards apple cider vinegar, its pH is quite similar to the normal gastric pH so drinking it, whatever else it may or may not do, is not going to change the acidity of the stomach.

lol, junk science, worked for me while 3 experts and 6 months did nothing

 

the LES does not close correctly if there is not enough stomach acid

 

it is not the stomach acid that is the problem, it is the rotting food and gasses that come up

 

did the OP also have problem of food sitting to long in the stomach

 

the pyloric sphincter at the end of the stomach, WILL NOT OPEN to move the food if there is not enough stomach acid

 

The pyloric sphincter, or valve, is a strong ring of smooth muscle at the end of the pyloric canal which lets food pass from the stomach to the duodenum. It controls the outflow of gastric contents into the duodenum.

 

 

I lost all faith in so called expert MD's with outdated info & science ...

 

it takes about 20 years for the medical trained Md's to EVENTUALLY catch up with new info

 

 

No big pharma company will invest millions or billions in clinical trials to prove or disprove ACV as there is not patent to be taken on...

 

 

Take EVERYTHING you hear from an MD with a big grain of salt, look up things yourself

 

look up the freaking side effects of most medications ... they all stop or alter a NATURAL enzyme ... oh my god, how can this not go wrong ...

 

anti depressants with side effects of suicide for example

 

 

those PPI's were never ment to be taken more than 2 weeks, in case there is an ulcer.

 

 

H. pylori, every body has the bacteria and can be killed or lowered by mastic gum

 

 

if you really have late evening reflux,  1/2 teaspoon of baking soda will neutralize acid for a few hours ...NO SIDE EFFECTS... off course, have to take this 3 hours away from food

 

 

[thetefldon]

Many thanks for the contributions to my original post. Can i just remind posters I have endoscopically confirmed acute gastritis. I do not have reflux and my esophagus is normal as are other parts of my anatomy examined during the procedure. The only problem encountered is with the stomach lining. I am currently prescribed omeprazole 20mg before breakfast. Since my post my condition has improved slightly. I have yet to get tested for h. Pylori.

[Sheryl]

You will naturally feel better in omeprazole but does nto mean cause is earadicated. Testing (or pre-emptive treatment) for h. pylori is essential.

[Fore Man]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

You will naturally feel better in omeprazole but does nto mean cause is earadicated. Testing (or pre-emptive treatment) for h. pylori is essential.

That why my gastro prescribed gasmotin.  Combined with Nexium, I am a new man after 90 days of a step-down dosage regimen. Now taking Nexium 20-mg before breakfast and have experienced zero symptoms. Yes, PPIs are not healthy long term, and I may try to adjust to one 20-mg every two days, but am worried about slowly reprising my gastritis symptoms again. There are less invasive medications, such as H2 blockers, but for older men they usually create added difficulties for those experiencing enlarged prostate syndromes. 
 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, Fore Man said:

That why my gastro prescribed gasmotin.  Combined with Nexium, I am a new man after 90 days of a step-down dosage regimen. Now taking Nexium 20-mg before breakfast and have experienced zero symptoms. Yes, PPIs are not healthy long term, and I may try to adjust to one 20-mg every two days, but am worried about slowly reprising my gastritis symptoms again. There are less invasive medications, such as H2 blockers, but for older men they usually create added difficulties for those experiencing enlarged prostate syndromes. 
 

 

 

Would be interesting to hear from guys who weaned themselves off PPIs such as Omeprazole. Personally I'm on 20 mg every other day, with no symptoms, I'll try every 3 days soon

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Would be interesting to hear from guys who weaned themselves off PPIs such as Omeprazole. Personally I'm on 20 mg every other day, with no symptoms, I'll try every 3 days soon

I did it. Wasn't easy.... the reboubd effects can be as bad as the original symptoms (and can be hard to tell the 2 apart).   I had to use an H2 antagonist along with gradual dose reduction

 

[Gulfsailor]

Just a quick warning: don’t wait with testing for h.pylori when starting a PPI. PPI’s increase the risk of a false negative h.pylori test significantly. 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I did it. Wasn't easy.... the reboubd effects can be as bad as the original symptoms (and can be hard to tell the 2 apart).   I had to use an H2 antagonist along with gradual dose reduction

How did you do the gradual dose reduction?

[Sheryl]

As I recall since I could not find the 10mg strength (which would have helped) I did first alternate days then every 3. But couldn't swing it with that alone & had to use H2 antagonist. And lots of Gaviscon.

 

Certainly left me wary of taking PPIs again othet than on very occasional basis. I had no choice then as had gastritis & ulcers (h. Pylori).