I have just been treated with Amoxicillin, Flagy, and Prilosec for gastritis. At the same time I took (as directed) 2 iron pills a day. After suffering for 3 months I realized that the iron pills were continuing the gastritis and not allowing it to heal. I quit the iron pills and now need to quit the 2x Prilosec. How do I get off these meds and undo the damage from the high iron? I blame all these for weird, scary symptoms lately such as hair loss, skin peeling, purpura and assorted pains. Thank you for any suggestions.
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. This often relaxes the muscle sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus to cause reflux of stomach acid contents into the esophagus, which is painful and harmful. I presume the Amoxicillin and Flagyl were given for either stomach ulcers or suspicion of H. pylori in the stomach.
Iron is an irritant to the stomach lining, and will perpetuate gastritis as you have correctly guessed. For those who need iron, oral administration is the best way to do it. In your case, let’s get the stomach healed before you try it again.
Prilosec stops the production of acid in the stomach, which theoretically decreases that irritant. But it also will not let food (especially meat proteins) be properly digested. Meat proteins are also an irritant to the stomach lining. In fact, sometimes Prilosec is given when there is not enough acid to begin with, and taking it makes the problem worse.
Here are some tips soothe the stomach lining and facilitate healing:
- 1. drink lots of water, at least 6 to 10 cups per day
- 2. try aloe vera
- 3. coat the esophagus and stomach with a soothing oil. We use vitamin E oil in my practice, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon several times each day
- 4. try mastic gum
- 5. DGL (deglycyrrizinated licorice) wafers will coat the stomach lining and improve ulcer healing (you can get these at a health food store)
- 6. try to identify foods (sometimes excessive carbs or meats) that trigger the gastritis and avoid them
- 7. explore your emotional triggers and address them (what’s “eating” you?)
When you are able to let go of all the emotional and physical triggers, you will find that your body will partner with you in loving and repairing itself. Please let me know how you are doing with your healing.
Dr. Stan
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
16 responses so far ↓
1 Suz // Jul 8, 2010 at 6:59 am
For oil, coconut oil works for almost everything. Take 3.5-4 T coconut oil a day for a couple of weeks to see how you feel. Make sure it’s a virgin coconut oil bottled in glass. I get mine from wildernessfamilynaturals.com or tropicaltraditions.com. Whole Foods or Wild Oats will
also carry it.
You might also want to try some fermented foods at every meal like sauerkraut, kombucha (which you can make at home– look on line for a recipe), pickles, full-fat plain kefir or yogurt (don’t get the sweetened or low fat or fat-free varieties). Also begin taking digestive enzymes and a good probiotic like Dr. Ohhira’s,
I’m a holistic nutrition student and this is what I would recommend to my clients.
2 Delda White // Jul 23, 2011 at 3:54 am
Since mid April I have had terrible nausea. An endoscopy showed an inflamed stomach. The dr. prescribed a very low dose of Prilosec, which I’ve been taking for more than 2 weeks, with no improvement. I’d really appreciate some help. Thank you.
3 bridget Balfour // Jul 29, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Need advice for gastritis to heal
4 jota // Aug 5, 2011 at 12:51 pm
6 mo ago I was diagnosed with erosive gastritis and hiatal hernya with endoscopy. The H. Piroly biopsy negative. I took Omprazole and Carafete for 3 moths with only partial relief. I stopped all alcohol and meat from the diet but still have nausea and pain.
Do have any suggestions?
Jota
5 Elaine // Sep 12, 2011 at 10:25 pm
I am currently diagnosed with inflammed stomach and ibs.
my inflammed stomach was due to a h-piloyri bacteria which was treated back years ago but never got healed.
I tried DGL but get very nauseated after taking it.
The only thing that’s help is carrot juice daily with digestive enzymes ..the doc gave me Prosilec but I did noticed that my food just sits in my tummy for hours not being digested.
Please help.
Regards,
6 Tina // Sep 27, 2011 at 6:30 am
I have gastritis and hertia hernia. Diagnosed with endoscopy. My symptoms are gas and LOUD stomach growling. I didn’t know gastritis could be associated with loud stomach growls. I’ve had this for over 13 years. I’ve also been diagnosed with lactose and fructose intolerance, along with SIBO. I have a long road ahead of me because I don’t know which ailment is causing the stomach growling.
7 Jen // Oct 8, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I appreciate the home remedies listed above. I’ve been diagnosed with gastritis since April, and my doctor prescribed Dexilant, which did not help - it actually intensified pain, with bad side-effects. I am all for home remedies and healing this the natural way, however it is taking a while! I will now try the Vitamin E and DGL tablets, and will report back! Have done some reading that food sensitivities may cause gastritis.
8 pat // Oct 24, 2011 at 6:29 pm
tried prilosec but couldn’t sleep. I cleaned everything in sight. would take it at 8:00 am but couldn’t sleep unil after 5:00 am next day.
9 Delda White // Nov 7, 2011 at 4:43 am
Since April I have had terrible nausea. Diagnosed in July with inflamed stomach. Prilosec did nothing for me. For several weeks have limited diet to Cream of Wheat and boiled potatoes. A little chicken noodle soup. Do I dare eat anything else?
10 Delda White // Nov 7, 2011 at 4:44 am
Since April I have had terrible nausea. Diagnosed in July with inflamed stomach. Prilosec did nothing for me. For several weeks have limited diet to Cream of Wheat and boiled potatoes. A little chicken noodle soup. Do I dare eat anything else?
11 Delda White // Nov 7, 2011 at 4:44 am
Since April I have had terrible nausea. Diagnosed in July with inflamed stomach. Prilosec did nothing for me. For several weeks have limited diet to Cream of Wheat and boiled potatoes. A little chicken noodle soup. Do I dare eat anything else?
12 Richard Warren // Nov 23, 2011 at 8:54 am
I have had an inflamed stomach on and off for quite a few years. I found that because of my age, I have low acid. The food does not digest causing gas, indigestion. When the food does not digest it turns into methane gas which irritates the stomach. Amneprozole, prisolec, and nexium given by doctors is anti acid and lowers your acid compounding the problem. I bought betaine hydrochloric acid and take it after meals. You can also buy Zypan from Standard process at a chiropractic office. Look up the phone for Standard process and see who sells it in your area.
13 Patty // Dec 15, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Fascinating to read the comments. Thanks to everyone. I agree that the OTC meds can be a problem, not a cure. I refuse to take any meds without a definitive diagnosis. (I’m a retired nurse practitioner.) Nausea is my main complaint. One thing that no one mentions, that I have, is no obvious gas. No burping. No farting. Where does the gas go? My stomach does growl. I do take pro-bio tics and attempt to eat a healthy diet. The most significant help has been acupuncture. It stops all of the G.I. symptoms. However, I must go every week. But hey, I’m now 74. Wish I had found acupuncture years ago.
14 Angela // Jan 1, 2012 at 7:32 am
I have been diagnosed with gastritis, barretts esophagus disease, and GERD. I havebeen tossing around many medications and keep winding back up with nausea, belching, farting, extreme back pain in the center or the back, and occasionally a soar throat. Any ideas of what I can do to help my problems?
15 Angela // Jan 1, 2012 at 7:34 am
I have had the Barretts for about 5 years now I forgot to mention that above
16 Ricky k // Feb 5, 2012 at 1:53 pm
2 years ago i sought medical attention for pain,nausea,bloating in my stomach. after taking nexium for 2 months there still was no improvement. After that, i was given tests and i was diagnosed with ulcerative pan-colitis.(very mild case) i was then put on lialda; 2 pills a day and told to stop the nexium. after a month or so i still had no relief from my original symptoms.(by the way, never did i experience any of the typical symptoms relating to U.C.) The dr. then put me on omeprazole 20 mg/day. after 6 months i still had no relief. I then had a upper G.I. scope and the dr. found mild inflammation of my deuodum. he said he thought i had too much acid production in my stomach so he then upped my omeprezole to 40 mg/day. another 12 or so months passed and nothing. after 2 years of my first visit i was finally switched to rantidine 150 mg/ 2x a day. currently i am to the point where i cannot eat anything without having pain in my stomach. Can someone please help me. i truly am at my wits end.
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