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  • Gastric Ulcers

    For several years now I've had a problem with a gnawing pain in my abdomen that radiates up into my throat, especially if I haven't eaten in a while, or at night.

    I bought it up with my doctor who diagnosed a hiatus hernia, based on the pain and the fact I was grossly overweight. Nothing was done despite me asking if it was repairable. In fact they just outright ignored it.

    Well, I've lost a lot of weight now (79 lb) and the issue is, if anything worse.

    Also, at the start of the year i developed a nasty case of persistent nausea, for which no cause could be found, i had blood and urine tests, a course of antibiotics and a course of iron tablets in case it was a "mystery infection" and in case it was anaemia.

    In the last couple of months, i have occasionally developed a horrid, stabbing-but-not-quite pain in my upper right abdomen. I had a similar, but milder, problem before and it was suspected to be gallstones, but an ultrasound was clear.

    All 3 things have been dealt with completely separately.

    Last night i was reading a book that featured a character with an ulcer who fitted my symptoms, all of these things came together in my head and I thought "i wonder..." A bit of googling later and I seem to match many of the symptoms of an ulcer.

    So, for anyone who has/had an ulcer, what was your experience of it? What tests can I expect if the doctor agrees to investigate? What is the treatment like? Did you have to make any major changes to your diet or lifestyle? And does anyone know, is stress really a contributor to developing them? I do have a stressful lifestyle (Carer for a sick DH) that could be a factor.

    I have a doc's appointment on thursday anyway so I'll bring it up then. Not looking for a diagnosis, just other people's experiences.
    Last edited by Golden Phoenix; 07-22-2015, 07:49 AM.

  • #2
    Quoth Golden Phoenix View Post
    What tests can I expect if the doctor agrees to investigate? What is the treatment like?
    The most common test for ulcers is an EGD (AKA scope) where they put you under anesthesia and run a camera down your throat into your stomach. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the ulcer, but mild ones are usually treated with antacids and dietary changes (like avoiding spicy food).

    Even if your gallbladder ultrasound was clear of stones, the organ itself may be sick and nonfunctional. It wouldn't be a bad idea to see about getting a HIDA scan. So many symptoms for different GI problems can overlap (nausea, pain, vomiting, bowel issues) so pinpointing the problem can take some time. Good luck and I hope you get this figured out soon.
    I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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    • #3
      Stomach pain after not eating for a while... fasting... isn't that usually H. Pylori? And isn't that infection a common cause of ulcers? Sounds like you're on the right track. I believe the treatment is antibiotics. Once you knock it out you should take some probiotics and prebiotics to try and fix things in there.

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      • #4
        Quoth Aria View Post
        Stomach pain after not eating for a while... fasting... isn't that usually H. Pylori? And isn't that infection a common cause of ulcers? Sounds like you're on the right track. I believe the treatment is antibiotics. Once you knock it out you should take some probiotics and prebiotics to try and fix things in there.
        We can't make any assumptions off of symptoms, and we shouldn't suggest anything to manage it at this stage. She doesn't know for sure what is wrong with her, so everything is pure speculation.

        Golden Phoenix really should see a GI specialist (gastroenterologist). She needs a full workup that takes all her symptoms into account.
        They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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        • #5
          Trust me, you can have ulcers and test negative for H. Pylori. Mine are aggravated by NSAIDs. Golden Phoenix, you definitely need to see a GI doc.
          Thank you for calling Card Services, how may I take your abuse today? ~Headset Hellion

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          • #6
            I just noticed in the period thread that you use ibuprofen regularly. Not to be alarmist but you could have a NSAID-induced gastric ulcer. I would bring this up with a gastro ASAP.
            Thank you for calling Card Services, how may I take your abuse today? ~Headset Hellion

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            • #7
              Yeah, i know the ibuprofen is a bad sign, but it's the only thing that works on me, if this does turn out to be an ulcer I'll have to see what the doc can recommend that might work instead.

              Because of our health system (british) I'll have to convince the GP to refer me to a specialist, I'll explain how these were all treated separately but I suspect they are from the same origin and hopefully the combo of symptoms will get his/her attention.

              I think i'm a little young for an ulcer technically (29) but I'm guessing it's one of those things that can affect just about anyone too.

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              • #8
                Quoth Golden Phoenix View Post
                I think i'm a little young for an ulcer technically (29) but I'm guessing it's one of those things that can affect just about anyone too.
                I've seen 8 year olds with bad gallbladders, and the youngest person I've done a stress test on was 18. So yeah, wouldn't be surprised at a youngish person with ulcers. Just because something usually hits a certain patient population doesn't mean it always does.
                I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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                • #9
                  Well, i bought it up at the doctor's today and got an instant referral to a gastroenterologist.

                  Looks liek the combined symptoms definitely indicate an ulcer, whereas they were thoroughly confused when bringing them up one by one.

                  I had the choice of a Gastro referral or a referral for an endoscopy (i think that's the right one) but for the scope I'd have to try 6 weeks of acid suppression treatment first, then if it turns out it's not an ulcer i'd be sent to the gastro anyway.

                  I chose the gastro, it may take a little longer to get an appointment but that way if i'm negative for an ulcer, i'm not waiting around for another referral to get it investigated.

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                  • #10
                    Quoth Golden Phoenix View Post
                    I think i'm a little young for an ulcer technically (29) but I'm guessing it's one of those things that can affect just about anyone too.
                    I had one from age 13 to age 21, when they finally treated with antiibotics.
                    Honestly.... the image of that in my head made me go "AWESOME!"..... and then I remembered I am terribly strange.-Red dazes

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