Annie, think back to when your DH was in the hospital and seriously ill. As I recall you were under a good bit of stress at that time for several weeks, so I’m wondering if that somehow contributed to the start of your ulcer.

Anyway, I do think food is where to look. Having gone through a diagnosis for colitis last year after many tests, a colonoscopy, and many consults with my gastro doc, I modified my diet. It worked. Sometimes with colitis, it can just start and stop randomly, but food choice plays a huge part in getting things under control. Look at all the low residue type foods that don’t upset the system, such as potatoes, pasta, chicken, turkey, maybe mashed cauliflower, applesauce, asparagus asparagus, green beans.

Can you take Melatonin? I find a low dose helps greatly with my sleep lately.

I had a duodenal ulcer (diagnostically confirmed) back when was in my teens. Back then they treated ulcers with bland diets and over the counter antacids. Those didn't do much to bring relief. What did help was when I took control over my life years later. So Winter is giving out some good advice.

Some years later after giving having children, I started experiencing similar symptoms on and off. I just figured it was the ulcer acting up. Given my history of ulcer, doctors agreed. It took years for the doctors to find it was my gallbladder. My gallbladder never really developed stones, just sludge and it was actually clinically diagnosed by an ER doctor who went by experience, along with a blood test. The surgery was invasive unlike the outpatient kind we have today. I missed the new technology by about 5 years.

OP, melatonin makes me dopey all day. I've not been happy with even a small dose of it.

I'm thinking my issue is low stomach acid, not high. I find that even drinking plain water causes me to get worse, but not if I squeeze lime or lemon into it. I found adding a dill pickle with my sandwich helps. I may try the apple cider vinegar to see if that helps.

I did do the baking soda test and came back as low stomach acid, but that test isn't really that definitive.

I have read that a blood test for pepsinogen can be useful in detecting whether you have low or high stomach acid, but at this point, I'm not able to find a lab that will do the test. But it's another avenue I can pursue.

Also there is supposed to be a device you can swallow which will then transmit stomach acid levels which they can read, but that of course is not covered by insurance, and I'm not sure where to even find someone who can do that test either.

Very frustrating especially since this seems to be such a common problem.

Yes for me DGL worked quite well as well. For my sister it really does take the edge off her GERD. As long as she remembers to take it 20 minutes before she eats there is no associated discomfort.

Years ago I tried peppermint oil as well and had equal results to the DGL. This was after several failed attempts to control it by my doctor she actually surprisingly mentioned these two alternatives. Of course she wanted to monitor me which she did. Too bad she's retired. She was a very good doctor. I could I was able to discontinue everything after 3 months. I never had a recurrence.

So sorry for your pain. Good luck and I hope you find some comfort soon.

I'm hearing you all about stress. Yes when DH nearly died 5 times in one day, it was pretty stressful, especially since, at that time, I was also suffering from anaplasmosis which was putting physical stress on my body as well. Certainly I can trace the onset back to then which I attributed to the anaplasmosis and the doxycycline. Now I find it hard not to overstress about the pain I'm in, and watching and waiting, seeking clues from every twinge, wondering whether this glass of water will cause me pain or should I eat/not eat anything. It's hard not to be so self-centered. I do find that exercising does help distract me and I can get some relief from that.

I'm m sorry you are suffering, Annie. It sounds terrible. I hope you can find relief for it.

Annie, I agree with you about overstressing from the pain. It sets a cycle which is hard to break. I hope you find an answer, I'm working to find one as well.

I am so sorry, Annie. Your meditation practice is sure to become useful to you here, no?

Yes it is, Zalco, I have redoubled my efforts in that regard.

I spent a long time on hold and finally got to someone at our local lab and they do offer the pepsinogen blood test. Yay! I hope we can get that done. That will tell me if my problem is too little or too much acid...then we can treat it appropriately. Right now, it's still a shot in the dark. Docs just want to go with std protocol which is to throw a PPI at it. But if I have low stomach acid, the PPI will make it worse.

From my experience most GP's and GI doctors refuse to believe there is such a thing as low acid. Low or high, I just want a solution to my problem. I hope you can get the pepsinogen test with no problem, Annie.

"From my experience most GP's and GI doctors refuse to believe there is such a thing as low acid."

Competent specialists, like gastroenterologists, base their diagnoses and treatments on their many years of professional education and training, what they've learned from practicing, and what they learn from keeping current on published research and clinical findings.

Most of what they do is based on what they know or in tricky situations, on what they suspect, not on what they "believe". A patient who thinks they know more than a competent practitioner is either fooling themselves or isn't seeing a competent practitioner. If the second possibility is suspected, find a different doc.

Yes PattiG, my doc said that unless there's a specific cause for it ... like H Pylori ... there's no reason to think I have low acid. But that's what being sick is! Unless there's a cause for being sick, you should be well! He's going to order the test for me and that should help us nail down the diagnosis. At least hopefully enough to know what the best treatment is for my situation. He's not opposed to my trying natural treatments either...he doesn't think they'll work, but he figures they aren't going to hurt me. And considering they can offer so little help otherwise to heal this thing, I figure I'm no worse off and have a shot at being better off.

He's also going to have me tested again for the anaplasmosis to make sure that's not part of the equation any more and will recheck my liver function too.

Actually low stomach acid is common with aging, diabetes and hypothyroidism. The symptoms are typically heartburn and food remaining undigested for hours. Betaine & pepsin can do wonders to resolve the issue.

And yes, I had one of the dis-believing doctors try to give me PPI's also. That was the worst thing he could have done.

Raye, I also wonder if my lack of a gall bladder can contribute as, if I eat high fat food, there is no store of bile in the system waiting to help me digest it. Thus the food sits waiting while the liver produces more.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers are different, duodenal more common. Low acid secretion is not uncommon with gastric ulcers.

Thanks mdln...from the endoscopy: One 5 mm cratered gastric ulcer with pigmented material was found on the greater curvature of the gastric body. There was also surrounding inflammation/shallow erosions. Not sure how that lines up with what you posted.

In my 20's I had a bleeding ulcer and was prescribed an OTC antiacid and a bland diet. It didn't help. I found that homemade yogurt gave me relief and I eventually healed. In my 40's I was diagnosed with GERD and prescribed a PPI. I took it for many years until I decided I needed to wean myself off it. I took me 6 weeks of misery. I ate yogurt and sipped kombucha. Also based on a study I read, I take one low dose, time release Melatonin in the evening. So far so good...

We have a water softener system and we've had our water tested and it's got nothing in it except lots of potassium. I started doing research and yes, there is a correlation between high potassium intake and GI ulcers...perhaps another clue.

One of the dangers of taking gastric acid lowering meds when unnecessary is that sufficient levels of stomach acid are required to absorb vitamins from food. Long term antacid usage often results in a B12 deficiency.

"One of the dangers of taking gastric acid lowering meds when unnecessary is that sufficient levels of stomach acid are required to absorb vitamins from food. Long term antacid usage often results in a B12 deficiency.

Are you a physician? Are you suggesting that this approach, if prescribed while under the care of a physician, should be ignored?

No medical help from me, other than to say I've found repressed STRESS is often at the base of these ills -- the 'consequences' surface after the crisis has passed. Hope the pain eases for you; hard to *relax* when you hurt -- and don't know why!

Yes Raye, there are a number of nutrient and mineral absorption issues that come with low stomach acid. I'm going for my bloodwork on Friday which should help nail down the cause of my ulcer, hopefully, and then the doc and I can go from there.

Thanks Chisue...I know it's hard not to get stressed when you are unwell because you get stressed about being unwell! Vicious cycle!

Annie, I hope they get to the bottom of this. Trust your doctors and your instincts. Many times physicians are programed to think a certain way and that they don't look at variables. Hopefully, your doctors listen to you.

Elmer, do you trust every doctor you visit? If so, I would suggest you not blindly follow their treatments without questioning their reasoning.

I certainly would not.

Jane

There is such a thing as knowing how to find an expert and accept an expert's advice. It's something too many people don't understand.

A phenomenon seen online, and in this forum all the time, is people doing Google searches and thinking that the results provide them understanding, insights, and context. No, they only provide word matches. Someone reading information about a subject they're otherwise unfamiliar and uneducated about fool themselves into thinking that that views learned from others or from pieces written by other similarly unqualified individuals provide insights. They don't. This is the same folly as the fools who listen to talk radio and take what they hear from propagandists and make health conclusions about vaccines.

As to how to take expert advice - the first task is to find an true expert. Whether it's a contractor, a designer, a lawyer, an adviser of another kind, get recommendations from people who know enough to know the difference between the best and the middling. For physicians, get recommendations from other physicians (not just your PCP recommending the X specialist down the hall or at another location of the same group practice). Be prepared to drive unless you live in an urban area with several medical schools and lots of choices.

If you have a question about what an expert doc recommends, get a second opinion from another expert doc. Not from your neighbor, your best friend, or from a Google search. If you're not going to accept the advice of what the expert tells you, you haven't gone to an expert or you need to take a long look at yourself in a mirror and realize that you may be one of the people who don't know how to find and accept expert advice.

Doctor’s sometime say the worst thing a patient can do is start googling their symptoms.

IDK, nothing wrong with seeing all the possible scenarios as long as you don’t choose one of those for yourself.

Eight years ago, my optometris found an issue after taking the visual field test. I googled and brain tumor came up as a posibility. Went through all the hoops, and yes it was a brain tumor.

I find the good, knowledgable and secure docs don't mind patients who google. I find the insecure ones are those that don't want to be challenged. I find that being able to ask knowledgable questions is a time saver so we can get right to the heart of the matter....so the doc doesn't have to go to the chart and say: this is your stomach. I also don't waste their time with nonsense like syndicated articles from local papers, but rather look for actual published studies by Drs. or websites from the medical associations who deal in those specialties or high-flying medical organizations like Harvard and Cleveland Clinic. When I told my kidney doc what I was reading on line, he said, "What web sites do you use?" I told him and he replied, "Those are the same ones I use." He wasn't the least bit bothered by my questions.

Run don't walk from any doctor that doesn't want you to learn about your health and/or doesn't allow you to ask questions! Those are big, red flags of incompetence.

There is a night and day difference between asking questions versus questioning advice. My comments were about those who doubt and second guess advice they receive or think as untrained civilians they have any hope of being on a par with what an expert knows by doing internet searches or talking with other untrained amateurs.

Years ago, I almost fell down the basement stairs. I say almost because when I started to fall, I grabbed the door jam with my right arm which kept me from falling head first. However, doing that broke my shoulder joint. Having been propelled forward and stopping the motion, snapped my shoulder. I thought it was dislocated, my husband brought me to the ER. After X-Ray, the Orthopedist on call, said I broke the ball joint and literally had no shoulder joint. He gave me the options. Two were surgery to replace the ball joint. He also explained that doing that would still limit use of my right arm and require replacement every 10 yrs. The ball-joint wears out and requires surgery to replace it every 10 yrs.

He then explained that if I did nothing, my muscles would take over the use of that arm. I would not have the motion I had before, but putting in a new ball-joint would only be 10% better then doing nothing. My husband said he wanted other opinions. We left with my arm in a sling and a lot of pain.

He made calls to top orthopedists in NYC. It would take time to get appointments but because my husband was a physician they squeezed me in. I was in a lot of pain.

Over that week, I saw three of the top orthopedists in NYC. Two suggested surgery and wanted to schedule it immediately. I told them what the doctor said in the ER. Each one agreed the ball joint would have to be replaced in about 10 yrs because it was my right shoulder and my primary arm. They disagreed with the suggestion of the first doctor.

We then met with the third orthopedist at Columbia. He looked at the X-rays and said, either decision would basically give me the same outcome regarding movement of my dominant arm. I would have more movement with the artificial joint but continuous surgery approximately every 10 yrs. He agreed with the original ER doctor that muscle would replace the joint to a limited degree if I did nothing. He also pointed out that putting in an artificial joint in the shoulder would cause eventual arthritis over the years. Doing nothing would not. He said, 'the ball is in your court.'

The doctors who disagreed contacted my husband. They said I'd never be able to write, drive with my right arm, lift anything, etc. etc. We were so confused. We could have met other 'experts' but a decision had to be made fast.

I made the decision to work with the original orthopedist from the ER. He was the chief Ortho at the hospital.

30 yrs later, I do not regret my decision. I never had the surgery, I did a lot of physical therapy to strengthen those shoulder muscles and can do everything those other two 'experts' said I'd never be able to do. I have no pain in that arm. I do have some limitations with movement, but nothing anyone would notice. I certainly can drive easily, I can raise the arm but only about half-way. But I have learned to compensate and don't ever think about it.

I'm sorry to write such a long story but I want to point out that you can meet with '10 experts' but you still have to decide who to trust, what decision you make with your health is your responsibility.

Elmer, I wish you well. Blindly following 'experts' without doing research on your own is not something I would ever recommend to anyone. I recommend getting second and third opinions, it further educates you. There are too many different opinions and you need to research what each one says and decide for yourself.

I have to say, I've started the cabbage juice and I am feeling better. I have a vitamix and just whirr it with water. I leave it to run and it turns it into the consistency of sherbet in the fridge, so I eat it with a spoon. I eat about 1/2 cup and find it very soothing to the tum. Doesn't taste wonderful, but not bad either...it tastes like cabbage. And am still using the zinc carnosine. I hope to add the aloe vera juice starting tomorrow. Today I get the blood test for stomach acid and then we'll go from there based on the results.

DH is back in the hospital again, but not so serious this time, thank goodness, and I'm doing what I can to not let this worsen my condition. He and I need to take turns at being sick...we can't both be sick at once!

Annie, I am sending my best to you and your DH.

jane, I'm glad your shoulder function is acceptable for you. As for my words, I think you may have misunderstood what I said or I didn't express myself clearly. It's my view that untrained/uneducated amateurs are not qualified to second guess the advice of an expert and thinking one can do so is folly. Instead, advice can be calibrated by getting a second opinion or even several second opinions from other experts. That seems to have been what you did, not a personal "research" analysis. Have I misunderstood your words?

Best wishes to all whose friends or family are in the hospital, for speedy discharges without need of return.

Dang it, Annie. I hope your DH’s stay in the hospital is quick and uneventful. And its good to hear you are finding things that give you some gastric relief. Keep us posted.

I dont think there is anything much harder than finding food that keeps our digestive system happy when things go awry. Of course my statement comes from someone who ate pretty much anything she wanted to eat all her life.

Waiting to hear your test results, further diagnosis, potential treatments.

Hoping to hear positive news about your hubby. Gosh, life's ups and downs sure can feel like we're on a rollercoaster.

adding my best wishes for you both too

Sending concerned and caring thoughts your way.

My best wishes to you and your husband...hoping for a healing resolution for you both.

Best wishes for a quick healing for you and your DH. So sorry for your health trouble. Hugs to both of you.

Fingers crossed, Annie. It seems this year has been one of strife and stress for so many. Here's hoping that your tummy and hubby feel better.

Jane

Hope you are feeling better. I reread the posts and did not see you mention what symptoms you had before being diagnosed.

Thanks Dolly I had persistent stomach pain up near the rib cage. It didnt move at all. Some days were better others worse and then it became more persistent. it just ached

I'll be dedicating my rabbits tomorrow night to you and your sweet husband.

Annie, hoping your husband is doing well and that you are feeling better. I hope the blood test will shed some light on the resolution of your ulcer.

I was just wondering if you had any results from the blood test that would aid in your healing. Are you still taking the zinc carnosine and cabbage? I hope you are feeling better.

Thanks PattiG....I have gotten the results of my blood work back and everything is normal, so that's good. I am still taking the zinc carnosine and the cabbage juice which seems to help some, but I can't say as I'm better yet. Still having good days and bad days. I've upped my meditating and I've also added sucralfate to help coat the ulcer and protect it from stomach acids, but I fear there is no quick fix for this.

Thanks so much for asking.

As much as I am on this forum, I seem to have missed this thread.

Stress is something I think so many of us live with and not all of us handle it smoothly.and

I hope you continue to feel better each day, Annie and I hope DH is doing well.

Yeah, be careful with googling....you may find out you have the plague!!