Stomach ulcer

[Scarlett]

My Dad has just been diagnosed with this. Do you know anyone who has had one, and how much it has affected their life? He is on asprin for a heart problem and this could be what has caused it, although he has taken it now for 15 years!
Any advice?

[Poison-Ivy]

My mum had a stomach ulcer that unfortunately burst and she had to have an emergency op. The pain she was in was tremendous. She was in hospital for quite a few days. Happy to say she has made a full recovery and now leads a relatively normal life although there are some medications she is not allowed to take etc.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi Scarlett :o)

My husband has a stomach ulcer, they think it was brought on by the combination of stress of having a kidney transplant and the starting of steroids to stop the body rejecting the new kidney.
So far the ulcer hasn't really affected his life, he has had gastro problems but we think this has been caused by other tablets that he is on (he's on quite a few!) rather than it being the ulcer.
I think if your Dad finds certain foods aggrivate it then he should try to avoid them but other than that it hopefully shouldn't affect his life much.

[sugar plum]

Take advice from the Doctor, yes it sounds like aspirin has caused it.
I got one and spicy food is a big problem.

[tiggerblue10]

I have a stomach ulcer which flares up every time I'm stressed or eat the wrong foods. I get it once every 2 or 3 months and it keeps me awake all night. I have been know to down half a bottle of Gaviscon but that doesn't help. I have been prescribed drugs that nutralise acids in the stomach and this does help a bit by taking the edge off the pain. I have to take it as soon as I feel it coming on.

[smudge]

Hi Scarlett

Like Poison-Ivy's Mum, my Dad had a duodenal ulcer that burst & was rushed to hospital for an op. His Consultant said that apart from anything else, it didn't help that he'd been taking aspirin on an empty stomach! It was a very worrying time for us all, but he went on to make a relatively good recovery at the time.

I take after my Dad & have had two deodunal ulcers in the past, which were diagnosed at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. I was given medication each time & after following check ups, they finally disappeared (hopefully). I'll never forget the pain I used to be in & still have to watch what I eat. I never eat spring onions, or drink coffee - even tho' I used to love cappuccino!

I hope your Dad feels better soon Scarlett & anyone else suffering.

[smudge]

I remember it well tigger - climbing the walls in pain! I really do sympathise with you, as I still get flare ups & take Zantac or Gavisgon - usually late at night too.

Take care. -xx-

[tiggerblue10]

Hi Smudge, the pain is unbearable. Brings tears to your eyes and makes you double up. I usually get nausea with it and a pain in my right shoulder.

xx

[Eve]

As said above, horrendously painful and I felt very sick with mine, had it a few years back just after taking some cheap and nasty painkillers.

Hard to say about effect as I have IBS anyway but not very tolerant to alcohol, cows milk, lots of gluten, spicy foods etc... and try to avoid too many onions and such. Not good with big or heavy meals either.

I really should cut down on coffee as that's my main weakness. Peppermint tea is good for soothing your system.

After the ulcer cleared up I found peppermint tablets good if my system was grouchy, though you do get a bit of peppermint reflux :)

I tend to get a lot more pain if I'm stressed or worn out. Camomile tea is good for that and trying to get decent sleep.

[Scarlett]

The thing is, his main symptom is dark blood in the stools, and I don't think he has had stomach pain, so I think the docs may have even got it wrong. It doesn't really sound like what you are all describing! He also now has probs with his bowels- diarrhoea, even though he normally has the opposite problem! any ideas?!

[~Wingnut~]

Hi again Scarlett.

My husband had no symptoms other than black poo's too, he had no tummy pain but was having black diahorrea and the smell was just incredible! I have never smelt anything so bad in my life. It turned out the ulcer had ruptured and he was bleeding internally, hence the black stools. They treated him with medication and he was fine.