I think I have ulcers

[78222]

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I tend to get stressed and anxious far too easy and whenever I do, it causes a nuclear war in stomach and intestines. Anyone have any tips? I've tried pretty much every over the counter product and saw a gastro guy yesterday (but he only gave me fancy antacids). So far the only thing that helps is the hookah (which isnt so healthy) and relaxing - which is impossible when I even think about medicine.

 

[md2010???]

I tend to get stressed and anxious far too easy and whenever I do, it causes a nuclear war in stomach and intestines. Anyone have any tips? I've tried pretty much every over the counter product and saw a gastro guy yesterday (but he only gave me fancy antacids). So far the only thing that helps is the hookah (which isnt so healthy) and relaxing - which is impossible when I even think about medicine.

hi there,
i think i have a similar problem. whenever something stressful happens, i just start getting these horrible stomach/intestinal pains, writhe in pain and can't fall asleep until i make myself puke (sorry, gross but true). so far i've asked all kinds of doctors and they've suggested everything from antacids (which did nothing) to tranquilizers (no way Jose, i'm not going down that alley). so far i don't really mind cause it only happens once every few months or so. but i worry that it might happen the night before some really important day (like a test, G-d forbid). So far i know i don't have ulcers, cause ive been checked out.

does any of you oh-so-knowledgeable SDN people have any advice? My parents told me to quit coffee. so far i've been doing well with that. but it sucks cause it takes me a while to get going in the morning.

sigh...any advice?


PS. what kind of antacid did the doc give you? mine just said 'zantac" or ranitidine 150 mg, which did nothing.

 

[trudub]

Ranitidine isn't an antacid, it is an H2 Blocker. The next strongest drugs would be to go to a proton pump inhibitor. Maybe you should see the doctor that prescribed ranitidine and update him/her on the situation.

 

[MissMichellie]

Hi. I have had a long history of gastointestinal problems.

One possible cause: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I am very sensitive to different foods and beverages, and stress makes it much worse. Not much you can do really, there are some advice for over the counter products but stress management is the big key (I still haven't seemed to figure out what works for me completely). Check it out.

I had a small ulcer in the past, confirmed by an upper GI series, that was NOT caused by H.pylori. This was more difficult to treat. If you do have an ulcer, or suspected of having one, your doc should test you for H.pylori (simple blood test). Most ulcers are caused by this little guy and is treated with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, usually. I was on both ranitidine and prilosec at different times for quite a bit of time before the ulcer ultimately healed.

I currently have a really irritated stomach lining, confirmed by an upper endoscopy (the pic of my stomach lining wasn't too pretty...really inflammed), which feels like an ulcer. I have to just watch what I eat and drink (no coffee is just TOO hard for me so I limit myself to when I am completely exhausted...somehow I think when I start med school this August that limit is going to increase), and I am taking 40mg of Prilosec 2 times a day. This is quite a bit and i wouldn't recommend it without your doctor's approval.

After all that, my advice would be 1.stress management (you will hear this from your doc over and over, believe me), 2.in times of high stress, really watch what you eat and drink...maybe monitor your intake and you may be able to find something that triggers your GI distress, 3.try not to worry about having an ulcer unless it is confirmed by your doc (you may have an irritated stomach or sensitive to stress, or certain foods/beverages); however, if you do think you may have an ulcer or it something serious, work with your doctor to try to confirm or rule out.

 

[mjl1717]

try relaxing , i know its easier said then done. take a few deep breaths whenever there is a potential stressful situation and say to your self "i wont let it get to me" also from my understanding the most benign would be the H2 blockers ranitidine or even pepcid thats over the counter.

 

[rainking]

Hi. I have had a long history of gastointestinal problems.

One possible cause: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I am very sensitive to different foods and beverages, and stress makes it much worse. Not much you can do really, there are some advice for over the counter products but stress management is the big key (I still haven't seemed to figure out what works for me completely). Check it out.

I had a small ulcer in the past, confirmed by an upper GI series, that was NOT caused by H.pylori. This was more difficult to treat. If you do have an ulcer, or suspected of having one, your doc should test you for H.pylori (simple blood test). Most ulcers are caused by this little guy and is treated with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, usually. I was on both ranitidine and prilosec at different times for quite a bit of time before the ulcer ultimately healed.

I currently have a really irritated stomach lining, confirmed by an upper endoscopy (the pic of my stomach lining wasn't too pretty...really inflammed), which feels like an ulcer. I have to just watch what I eat and drink (no coffee is just TOO hard for me so I limit myself to when I am completely exhausted...somehow I think when I start med school this August that limit is going to increase), and I am taking 40mg of Prilosec 2 times a day. This is quite a bit and i wouldn't recommend it without your doctor's approval.

After all that, my advice would be 1.stress management (you will hear this from your doc over and over, believe me), 2.in times of high stress, really watch what you eat and drink...maybe monitor your intake and you may be able to find something that triggers your GI distress, 3.try not to worry about having an ulcer unless it is confirmed by your doc (you may have an irritated stomach or sensitive to stress, or certain foods/beverages); however, if you do think you may have an ulcer or it something serious, work with your doctor to try to confirm or rule out.

i agree prilosec.. stress increases gastric acid secretion and so does cigarette smoking.. eating too much and the wrong foods.. the anxietyu in medical school can be truly overwhelming which increases gastric acid secretion.. which in turn leads to poor diet.. smoking... etc.. vicious cycle... cant do anything about the anxiety inducing things in medical school. but you can decrease gastric acid secretion with a ppi.

 

[samenewme]

hi there,
i think i have a similar problem. whenever something stressful happens, i just start getting these horrible stomach/intestinal pains, writhe in pain and can't fall asleep until i make myself puke (sorry, gross but true). so far i've asked all kinds of doctors and they've suggested everything from antacids (which did nothing) to tranquilizers (no way Jose, i'm not going down that alley). so far i don't really mind cause it only happens once every few months or so. but i worry that it might happen the night before some really important day (like a test, G-d forbid). So far i know i don't have ulcers, cause ive been checked out.

does any of you oh-so-knowledgeable SDN people have any advice? My parents told me to quit coffee. so far i've been doing well with that. but it sucks cause it takes me a while to get going in the morning.

sigh...any advice?


PS. what kind of antacid did the doc give you? mine just said 'zantac" or ranitidine 150 mg, which did nothing.

My gastro had me go off dairy. I realize that ulcer symptoms are not a usual lactose intolerance symptom, but it worked for me. The difference is incredible. Try it for a week. Don't forget cheese and ingredients in prepared foods. It sucks, but it's a cheap cure if it works for you.

 

[rainking]

Hi. I have had a long history of gastointestinal problems.

One possible cause: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I am very sensitive to different foods and beverages, and stress makes it much worse. Not much you can do really, there are some advice for over the counter products but stress management is the big key (I still haven't seemed to figure out what works for me completely). Check it out.

I had a small ulcer in the past, confirmed by an upper GI series, that was NOT caused by H.pylori. This was more difficult to treat. If you do have an ulcer, or suspected of having one, your doc should test you for H.pylori (simple blood test). Most ulcers are caused by this little guy and is treated with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, usually. I was on both ranitidine and prilosec at different times for quite a bit of time before the ulcer ultimately healed.

I currently have a really irritated stomach lining, confirmed by an upper endoscopy (the pic of my stomach lining wasn't too pretty...really inflammed), which feels like an ulcer. I have to just watch what I eat and drink (no coffee is just TOO hard for me so I limit myself to when I am completely exhausted...somehow I think when I start med school this August that limit is going to increase), and I am taking 40mg of Prilosec 2 times a day. This is quite a bit and i wouldn't recommend it without your doctor's approval.

After all that, my advice would be 1.stress management (you will hear this from your doc over and over, believe me), 2.in times of high stress, really watch what you eat and drink...maybe monitor your intake and you may be able to find something that triggers your GI distress, 3.try not to worry about having an ulcer unless it is confirmed by your doc (you may have an irritated stomach or sensitive to stress, or certain foods/beverages); however, if you do think you may have an ulcer or it something serious, work with your doctor to try to confirm or rule out.

i think you have gastritis in which prilosec is good for...

 

[betty7]

Hello, the GI problem you described sounds very similar to what I have been going through the last couple of years. I have been diagnosed with IBS, irratible bowel syndrome. I used to basically guzzle pepto bismal but it didnt work. I have been to a GI doc quite a few times, gone through the awful colonoscopy (which was normal) and have found some very specific things that work for me. My GI problems are heavily correlated with stress. I have:
1. Increased my exercise levels which has helped stress levels (lots of yoga)
2. My electric heating pad usually really helps me
3. I was prescribed an antispasmotic for my digestive track: hyoscyamine.
After trying lots of OTC meds, I finally came to the conclusion that my digestive tract was spazzing out, hence the heat and anitspamodic really have helped me. Eating out at restaurants or consuming large amounts of food (which seem like normal amounts to most) trigger my symptoms, therefore I tke my meds b/f an occasion like this and it almost always prevents it. Also decrease alcohol and caffeine as much as you can.
Good luck!! I completely empathize with what you are going through 🙂

 

[MD2b20004]

I tend to get stressed and anxious far too easy and whenever I do, it causes a nuclear war in stomach and intestines. Anyone have any tips? I've tried pretty much every over the counter product and saw a gastro guy yesterday (but he only gave me fancy antacids). So far the only thing that helps is the hookah (which isnt so healthy) and relaxing - which is impossible when I even think about medicine.

I had ulcers for two years myself and YES stress does contribute to the disease although we all know its due to the bacteria H. Pylori. Which does not mean much because once you test for H. Pylori positive, which I am sure you did, even after your ulcers go you will always be H. Pylori positive which is not something to be scared of. What I can tell you from my first hand experience is first, put your anxiety in check before it takes over your life like it did to me. I ignored my anxiety for 10 years playing Mr. tough guy and thinking its all in my head or its just a school stress until it got to the point where I am at now where it took over my life and I am on all these controlled substances to battle my seizures, panic attacks, extreme anxiety, etc...

So deal with your anxiety first, stay away as much as you can from caffiene, especially coffee. Stay away from fryed food as much as you can, and stay away from carbonic/acidic products as much as possible. Also drink a lot of water and get as much rest as you can with your schedule. Fortunately, my ulcers lasted two years and left me alone, only if my dumb a$$ would of acknowledged how bad my anxiety was back then (1999-2001), I would not be losing time from my life now. But hey, live and learn. There is a reason for everything in life, and I just learned the hard way, but no way will I let my anxiety take over my life again. Treat yourself and your health the best as soon as possible, dont wait for more symptoms or until things get worse.

Thanks.
Mike