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I Have Been Diagnosed With A Stomach Ulcer And Multiple
Question: I have been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and multiple polyps within the last month, via EGD. I was doing well on Prilosec for the first week, but I developed a maxillary sinus and eye infection and was on Levoquin and prednisone for a week. Now that I am through with the course of treatment for the infection, my stomach is bothering me more than before the ulcer diagnosis. My stools are a dark yellow (ochre) and tend to be constipated with a lot of gas. I take milk of Magnesia to relieve the constipation. The pain I have is mostly left upper quadrant, but sometimes it is epigastric and radiates through to my back. I try to keep something in my stomach most of the time, drink plenty of water and herbal tea or decaf tea. I stay away from tomatoes, spicy stuff, milk, alcohol, caffiene, and stuff that is too greasy. At times I get hiccoughs after I eat, and occasionally I get nauseated. (Vomiting is what sent me to the doctor in the first place.) My nurse step-daughter wonders if I may not have gall bladder disease, but I don't seem to have difficulty with moderate fats, and my eyes aren't yellow.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Gastrointestinal motility needs to be enhanced
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. This is the cause of constipation and polyp formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Gastrointestinal motility needs to be enhanced
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. This is the cause of constipation and polyp formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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