Anyone had a stomach ulcer?

[GoingToBedfordshire]

Hi,

I have had 4 bouts of what I thought was extreme heartburn over the last few weeks. Yesterday it happened again and the pain was on a par with labour, so I went to the doc. He suspects a stomach ulcer and is sending me for blood tests and an abdominal scan this week to investigate.

Just wondering if anyone else has suffered the same thing and what treatment they found to be effective. I don't drink or smoke and eat well, but am very anxious (have had CBT for this) so am assuming this is a major factor. I was prescribed co-codamol for the pain yesterday and also omeprazole, but one or the other caused me to vomit and feel very spaced out, so am keen to hear of what has been helpful to others.

Thanks, feeling quite sorry for myself as it is grim.

It was thought for along time that stress and bad food caused ulcers. But a nobel prize was awarded several years ago for the two doctors who found that most ulcers were caused by a bacteria

"Helicobacter pylori was rediscovered in 1982 by two Australian scientists, Robin Warren and Barry J. Marshall as a causative factor for ulcers.[31] In their original paper, Warren and Marshall contended that most gastric ulcers and gastritis were caused by colonization with this bacterium, not by stress or spicy food as had been assumed before." (from wikipedia).

so if it is an ulcer, usually a course of anti biotics sorts it out - but I'm sure your GP will tell you that

That's interesting, he did say they are sometimes caused by a bacteria, but I didn't get the impression that that was the main cause. Thanks for replying.

I see my GP in a week or so once my results are back, but in the meantime am still interested to hear from anyone else who has had this.

I hope it's nothing serious with you and they can sort it out easily.

I'm going to my GP this week as have had long term belching and acid. It's not going so think I'd best get it checked.

Sorry goingtobedfordshire, there are lots of people who still think that ulcers are caused by stress - but its basically an old wives tale. If anyone says you've got ulcers because you're stressed, say you're waiting for the biopsy to see if it's pylori bacteria, because that's usually the cause

(if it's an ucler - it may well be something else - I'm not a doctor - just know that people blame themselves for ulcers when it's not their fault, it's an infection just like any other).

That's kind of you coorong, thank you. I do feel shitty as in I have brought it on myself. Yes, hopefully it will be sorted with some anti biotics and all will be well. I was meant to be at a wedding today too, so feeling doubley rubbish about it all.

Juniper definitely go and get checked, that sounds v unpleasant. Sorry you're feeling ill too, hopefully the GP can help you out too.

You can buy ranitidine/zantac over the counter to reduce the amount of stomach acid.

Codeine is known to make a minority of people sick. But the omeprazole should be okay. Don't take ibuprofen, aspirin or any other non-steroidal analgesics.

I had a suspected ulcer in my mid-twenties despite a fairly good diet and minimal alcohol consumption. My mum was bothered with stomach ulcers too. I felt really rotten for several days but it gradually cleared up and I haven't been bothered with it since (20 years on).

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks choccoluva, that sounds hopeful, glad yours healed and hasn't bothered you since.

Will try those otc meds if it comes on again before I see the doc.

Thanks Going I will.

chocoluvva I'm convinced it's hereditary. My dad had bad stomach acid and ulcers so does my brother. My sister suffered for years with stomach pain and ended up dying of stomach cancer at 51. I'd beg her to go to the doctor but she'd just pop pills That's why I'm making sure I get checked. I'm 44 so not a million miles off her age.

The ranitidine are good, I used them but have run out now.

Can't you just take a course of pulls to get rid if them? Remember reading about 2 guys who gave themselves ulcers to prove was a bacterial issue.

Yup, antibiotics look like the most likely treatment.

Juniper sorry for your loss, that is so very sad. I do wish you well.

Thanks Going.

Omeprazole/lanzoprazole (spelling?) work to reduce the amount of acid produced, so beneficial for hiatus hernias/acid reflux & ulcers.
Not all ulcers are caused by H-pylori (it is thought 70% are caused by the bacteria H-pylori). If they are caused by H pylori then a four week intensive course of antibiotics can clear it up.Three of my siblings (and myself!) have reflux/hiatus hernias & my father had a stomach ulcer-his ulcer was cleared by antibiotics (he had H pylori)
A breath test (in nuclear med depts of hospitals) can establish the presence of H pylori.
Stress can make more acid -you can feel it welling up in times of stress & gripping/griping in your gut (more of a personal observation!)

Juniper sorry for you loss. I agree that these things can run in families. Another thing is if you do have reflux etc, a gastroscope is a good idea to establish the cause (Hiatus hernia/ulcer) & whether you have Barretts oesophagus (this is rare, but is a good idea to have it checked out-your gp will advise)

Thanks toldmywrath. I have horrendous stomach problems when anxious.I didn't realise how closely linked the gut and brain is. Of course I knew we get nervous tummy but not how very linked they are. My chest goes so tight it's awful. I'm on meds for it and they're great at stopping that. Still get the acid and belching though.

When I say didn't realise, I had it explained fully to me by a nurse. The chest was so tight my Gp sent me to rapid access clinic.

That sounds scary Juniper - can understand your anxiety around it.

Just wanted to update, as I had another bout of severe pain on Monday and Tuesday and went to a and e as it just wasn't passing and my gp had done as much as he could do. Turns out it is gallstones, not an ulcer. I had an ultrasound to confim that this morning. Will have the gallbladder removed and hopefully all will be well.

Thanks to those who posted here, it did help. Off now to search the boards for post gall bladder removal tips.

Oh no gallstones are awful but hopefully you'll get seen to soon. My sister had hers removed (not the one who died) and she's so much better after it. Good luck.

Thanks Juniper. It is bloody painful, so that gives me hope to hear your sis felt better once it was out.

Hope you get your stomach probs sorted too.

Good to hear you've had a definite diagnosis GoingToBedfordshire.

Hope you don't have to wait too long for your op.

I've just bought some health salts from Morrisons. I had a couple of glasses yesterday and one this morning and it's helping. I've taken the lowest dosage. Tastes really pleasant too. I've tried bicarb in water before and that helps but I don't like the taste.

@goingtobedfordshire I know this is a really old post but I'm wondering if your gallbladder removal solved your issues? I also have the same problems. I have gallstones but my pain isn't that of typical gallstones. I get terrible acidic type pain in my stomach as well as burning in my shoulder blade and stabbing in my upper right stomach. However nobody else seems to get the acidic/indegestion type pain I get. I'm scared ill have the surgery but the pain will remain as its not the route cause x

@Juniperdewdropofbrandy

The ranitidine are good, I used them but have run out now.

Ranitidine was withdrawn from use in the UK a few years ago - the first choice alternative now is omeprazole.