Is It Normal To Have Ulcer Like Symptoms When On Medication For Stomach Ulcer?

Posted on Mon, 17 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 Answered on

Thu, 6 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been on medication for a stomach ulcer for about 4 weeks now. First antibiotics, now a ppi (40 g once in the morning). I still have ulcer like symptoms. Is that normal after 4 weeks? Also, my dr said no specific diet was necessary and coffee was ok but in small amounts. I drink less than half a cup daily. Iwonder if i may need to stop? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: gastroscopy is necessary Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for the query. Have you had gastroscopy done? Please note that sometimes what seems to be an ulcer can be stomach cancer. That is why gastroscopy is necessary before treatment. Moreover even if gastroscopy were done and ulcer was diagnosed, when the treatment does not work, another gastroscopy should be done. 4 weeks is long enough for the ulcer to get healed. Please start with gastroscopy. You should definitelly avoid coffee (it stimulates stomach to produce acid) as well as fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate, fruit juices. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 hours later)

Yes ive had gastriscopy (and biopsy) done. This is how i was diagnosed .

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Please repeat gastroscopy. Sometimes H.Pylori does not react to antibiotics and different antibiotics are necessary. Also biopsy results can be false negative. Hard healing ulcer can indicate something more (a cancer) even if the first biopsy is negative. I do not assume that you have a cancer. Just want you to do not ignore it and be 100% sure this is just an ulcer. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar