Stomach ulcer

[Daffodils07]

I have been taking ibuprofen for chronic pain for a while.
The past few days I have had really bad bloating,wind,burning gnawing pain in my upper middle (between the ribs and tummy button).
Went to the doctors yesterday and he is pretty certain it is either gastritis or an ulcer from using ibuprofen for a long time.
I have been given omeprazole 20mg twice a day.
Just wondering what else I can do to help with the pain and bloating as its really bad atm as I know it can take a little while for the omeprazole to work.
Tia

Hi, last year I had the same. I felt extremely nauseous too. Had an endoscopy and was told I had gastritis ( inflammation of the stomach lining) . I took esomeprazole as I couldn't tolerant omeprazole. I had to take the tablets for 4 months before I felt better. I also cut out acidic food , fizzy drinks and caffeine. I don't really alcohol but I think that can irritate the stomach lining to so would try to cut that out . What advice has your gp given you?

Just not to take any inflammatory meds, and if the omeprazole dont start to work in the next few weeks to come back.

That was like me... kept going back to the gp. Eventually got referred to a gastroenterologist who booked me in for an endoscopy and colonoscopy.Think the meds take a lot time to work. I think stress can make it worse too. I would try to avoid acidic foods....I took the esomeprazole for over 4 months ! But it did get better

It seems to feel ok between 8am -3pm and then the rest of the time its the horrible hunger gnawing pain and bloated with awful wind.
Been eaten plain food little and often.

I have the same also from nurofen,I can't take them at all now.

Manuka honey really helped me as I also found I couldn't take omeprazole. Also chewing gum after every meal for at least 15 mins.

Thank you to you both, I will try Manuka honey but I have a cracked tooth (adding to the pain) so no go to gum.
Just fed up as have a hacking cough,tooth ache and now this.
And paracetamol just doesnt help pain wise, im also still breastfeeding so can not really take anything else.

I get it from Aldi.

Thanks dame, Aldi is 2 mins away from me so bonus.

My gastroenterologist took me off all anti inflammatory meds such as ibuprofen and dicofenac. As I have a chronic condition it really restricted what I could take for pain.

Been on lansoprazol for 2 years now and endoscopy which took 6 years of fighting for showed nothing. Omeprazol worked for a year and before that was ranitidine.

I kept a food diary and worked out peppers and citrus flares it. I often take gaviscon during the day to settle things too.

I took I teaspoon 3x a day. Could feel a difference after a couple of days tbh. Red bush tea is a natural anti inflammatory too which really helped.

I had a very similar problem 10 years ago - it's never really gone, tbh - sometimes seems to have cleared up then flares up again. Omeprazole cleared it up originally - make sure you take it consistently, if you miss doses it won't work as well. I know omeprazole and esomeprazole are supposed to basically the same thing but I've found esomeprazole is more consistent/gives better support throughout the 24 hours. (You can get it otc as Nexium.)

Now I find Silicol Gel really helpful. (Doesn't completely stop flare ups but makes them much shorter/less severe and most of the time I don't need to take esomeprazole.) Don't take ibuprofen/asprin ever (if I'm really ill I'll take baby paracetamol - and because I take it so rarely it actually works!). No alcohol/coffee - you'll work out what other food/drink trigger you as you go along.

And yes to stress being a major trigger. Does the time of day it flares up coincide with your busiest/most stressful time of day?

Daft as it sounds, I've also found a small bowl of porridge really helpful - I tried it because I've seen it suggested on a number of forums.

Thank you so much dame, and life Im not sure why it doesnt hurt so much at that time.
Tbh I do lead quite a stressful life as have two sen children and a toddler who doesnt sleep.
I dont drink alcohol or coffee and very rarely have tea.
I do find eating helps (little and often).

I take ranitidine as well as the omeprazole. 300mg twice a day - it definitely helps and you can get it over the counter in Zantac or generic form (75mg tablets). Also cyclizine, as I get associated nausea. I also find Smints or Extra Strong mints help with heartburn

gaviscon liquid is a god send to me i have chronic gastritis - works after 10 minutes.

Gaviscon over the counter, you could (perhaps after seeing your GP again) double the omeprazole dose to 40mg once daily, and stop all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen).

Ulcer pain can be aggravated by stress, smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods. It's probably worth avoiding those things (if you can) for your long-term health anyway!

John thanks for your input, I dont smoke and I dont drink.
Im on 40 mg (20 mg twice a day) and have stayed away from anything spicy although stress is a bit harder to.
Have stopped all meds apart from the omeprazole and paracetamol, I have got some gaviscon so will give that a go :) feeling a tad better today, still feel bloated but it isnt as painful.
Thanks again

Gaviscon double action is the best