What Causes Nausea And Loss Of Appetite While Suffering From Gastritis?

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: Do I have Gastritis or Gallbladder issues? I started getting sick with Nausea and loss of appetite about 6 weeks ago. I had what i thought was the stomach flu because three members in my family had it. I was also extremely stressed because i though I had rectal cancer (morbid I know) but I have an anal fissure....go figure. So after stressing about that forever I got two weeks after being sick what my PCP said was Gastritis because I had terrible acid reflux. He put me on Prilosec x2 a day and within a week my nausea was gone and my appetite was back! But not researching Gastritis I wasn't watching my diet all that well and I had some coffee...bad idea! I also had some spaghetti...another terrible idea! So after a week on Prilosec (now three weeks of being sick) I did what my primary care physician said and tried tapering off of it so I went to only taking it once a day. I started getting a burning sensation in my stomach, so I called my GI (now at this point I've been sick for 4 weeks) My GI scheduled me for a EGD and told me to double up on the prilosec again. Now this past tuesday (5 weeks of being sick) I had my EGD and everything looked normal, he did a biopsy and no h pylori or abnormal cells. He did dialate my esophagus because i felt food was getting stuck but my esophagus, stomach and duedenum looked normal. I was baffled and also very grateful that everything is okay but I was still having symptoms. So once I talked to my GI's office they said I have a mild case of gastritis and it has not done any damage but we do need to get it under control. So they switched me to 40mg nexium and I've been following a strict diet for about 4 days now. Also during week two of being sick I was put on a Z pack and steroids because they thought I might have had a sinus infection and about day 2 of that is when the acid problems started.

Here are my questions: My pain is a burning sensation on and off all day and upper right to middle abdomen pain, is that normal for mild gastritis?

Can stress and antibiotics cause this? especially when my stomach was already weak from what i assumed was the stomach flu?

Also I sometimes have pain that radiates to my back and up into my right shoulder, is that normal for Gastritis? I did also have an abdominal x ray and ultrasound and everything is normal as well as all my bloodwork.

I guess Im just so sick of being sick! I want my life back, if this is truly stress related then Im never stressing again!!!

Last, how long does gastritis take to heal?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Genuine case of Stress Induced Gastritis

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing in
Appreciate the details you have provided making my job easier

Here is reply to your queries :

1] 2] 3] Yes it can be due to gastritis which has been aggravated by antibiotics, steriods, XXXXXXX in meals and stress - Backpain and should pain are non specific but do occur in gastritis in some patients - Xray and USG along with blood work are always normal in these type of situations

4] Stress makes you sick of being sick manage your stress levels with yoga or meditation

5] Around six weeks

I would suggest you take nexium 40 twice a day for six weeks followed by once a day for three weeks

Along with it take a probiotic twice a day for two weeks

Hope this helps
Do write back in case of concern

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (9 minutes later)

Okay thank you,

Why didn't the Prilosec take all symptoms away? Maybe on it for only three weeks wasn't enough time? Is nexium good? It's a prescription strength that I have and you think I should take it twice a day? Also while I was on the antibiotic I didn't take probiotic while I was on the antibiotic, that probably made things worse right? Thanks so much for your answers....one last question....will I ever be able to drink coffee again? :-(

Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Prilosec and Nexium are equally good.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Thanks for writing in again.

Prilosec and nexium both are good, but the duration has to be six weeks and during the same avoid aggravating situations.

Yes, antibiotics and steroids are known to precipitate symptoms.

For sure you will be able to consume coffee again.

Regards,
Wishing you a healthy life ahead.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (3 hours later)

Thanks,

I guess I keep reading about these people who have had this for years and lost so much weight, I've already lost 8lbs and I'm pretty small. I guess im atressing too much about it, especially since I really don't have damage. I'm just scared this can last so long.

Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stress is the root cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing in again
Yes the stress is the main cause of the same

Those who loose weight have bad gastritis which goes chronic

I would suggest you manage your stress levels and follow these instructions to keep healthy

1] Avoid spicy, fermented meals
2] Do not have heavy meals
3] Avoid smoking and alcohol
4] Wear loose clothes
5] Do not stoop
6] Do not lift heavy weights
7] Raise the head end of your bed
8] If Obese lose weight
9] If under stress - Manage stress levels by meditation and exercise

Hope this clarifies your doubts
Regards

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj