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Am I allowed to vent here about a medical issue? I have an ulcer and haven't eaten in 8 days. (self.general)

submitted 1 year ago by FlyingSquid to c/general

60 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm not asking for advice or sympathy, I just need to vent.

So near the beginning of the year, I started dry heaving every morning. I'd get up, go to the bathroom, feed the dogs and then it happened. Nothing ever came up. I was concerned, so I made a gastric appointment, but, of course, that was months away.

In the intervening time, I stopped eating. I didn't eat for 21 days. I was living off of Gatorade and Ensure. I could drink, but the very thought of eating made me feel sick and actually trying was just not possible.

But then that stopped and I just went back to the heaving and had to wait until June to see the gastric doc. Actually a nurse. She scheduled me for a scope in July, which is when they discovered the ulcer. They put me on Protonix, which is a protein pump inhibitor. It did precisely nothing about the heaving.

So now I'm not eating again. I got an emergency meeting on Monday with the doctor who did the scope and he was totally unconcerned and told me, for a $50 copay mind you, to add Mylanta to my medication and call him in 2 weeks. I can barely choke it down and I'm still heaving and I'm still not eating.

And I can't even drink Ensure anymore. I did last night and felt so sick. Also I fucking hate Gatorade so much, but I found out that the reason the taste is so strong is to cover the awful, awful taste of whatever the electrolyte mixture is because you can totally taste it with Propel.

My wife did research and loss of appetite is indeed a symptom of gastric ulcers, which may be why the doctor didn't seem to care, but wow does this suck.

No other appointments with any other gastric doc within a 90 minute drive is available within the next two weeks. Two weeks from Tuesday will be another 21 days. Maybe I'll go for a new record this time.

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[–] pedal2dametal 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have similar issues like yours.

Ulcers can form in the upper GI tract due to excess acid production, or lack of food, or chronic acid reflux due to hiatus hernia or insufficient gastro-esophageal valve closure. Each needs different sets of treatments. But if the treatments are not working, then you need to get tested for H. Pylori infection on one of the ulcers. It's a bacteria that really needs antibiotic treatment for it to go away, else the ulcer will persist indefinitely. To diagnose H Pylori, you need a an endoscopic biopsy done of the ulcer. Demand the doctor to get yourself tested for h pylori.

If possible, peanut butter is a good nutrient. Has good proteins and fat, and is easily swallowable. Avoid caffeine, tea, smoking, alcohol, anything citric, candy, sugary products, pineapple, papaya, hot (as in chilli hot) foods, chilies, chocolates, etc.

I wouldn't recommend Gatorade, as often has added acids for the flavor, which is not good for your GI tract right now. You can get unflavoured Oral rehydration powders over the counter, and use those only if you are dehydrated or feeling weak. Surviving on just salts and sugars is not good. You need macro nutrients for the wound to heal..

Ensure is fine, but not enough and very sugary. As I said earlier, have peanut butter. If you can have green leafy salads with some feta cheese, that is very good. I know it's very difficult to feel like eating amid the constant feeling of uneasiness and nausea, but you need to find some space in between. Maybe when it is the least worse.

[–] RecursiveParadox 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is accurate, can confirm. Did both investigations into the PPIs when they went OTC and have severe reflux, been scoped twice (fun!)

[–] pedal2dametal 1 points 1 year ago

Did you find a remedy?