Possible Ulcer

Looks like I may have an ulcer. The pains I'm experiencing sound like an ulcer to my surgeon and everyone else I talk to. He prescribed me Carafate that I am supposed to take FIVE times a day - FIVE times?!?! Plus I am to take Prilosec for one week - take two pills a day and break them in half so they are better absorbed. And he also prescribed me Percoset to help with pain until the ulcer meds kick in gear. I'm 4.5 months out. Anyone else here having ulcer issues? I'm praying for a miracle here and that it just goes away with treatment. Trisha -85 lbs

Luckily I haven't had that problem, but I'll keep you in my prayers. Best wishes, Billie

Yes, I developed ulcer problems as well. My Dr. prescribed Prilosec 20 mg. 2x a day for 8 weeks. I felt better almost immediately. Hope you feel better soon.

Trisha, Funny you should ask this. Did you surgeon suggest an endoscopy to see for sure? I was having some pain last week for about 5 days, plus I was constipated and figured it was a bowel obstruction. Spent all day in the ER with blood work, and a C/T scan ( barium drink) and it was negative of anything surgical. My surgeon suggested a gastroenterologist to r/o an ulcer, although he didn't think I had one. What kind of pain are you experiencing? Maybe this will give me some clues. Hope you feel better.. Eileen -75 lbs.

Trisha, The Carafate works! In the year before surgery my reflux was so bad my PCP said I had "ulcerous erosions" and esophageal burns. He prescribed Carafate. I was annoyed I had to drink it so much, but it sure does the job ... helps in the healing of the lesions. I've ended up using it periodically ever since, but never as intensely as I had to in the beginning. I didn't take Prilosec, though, ended up taking Nexium ("the Purple Pill" and the best!) ... my PCP has me still taking that once a day (for the next six months, at least, in his opinion, and Dr. Argotte agreed), and I keep my Carafate around to use sometimes when I'm feeling raw or burny inside. Carafate doesn't work overnight, but it works relatively fast if you do the 5 drinks a day. (Your doctor does have you crushing it into about an inch of water, and drinking it, right?) Give yourself a week and see if you've some relief. I feel for you, girl, been there, done that and it isn't any fun. Feel better soon. Myra

Hi Trisha, Are you taking any other meds? I've been having pain for 2 months and I think we're finally figured out that it is the Ritalyn I was taking. I've been off it for about 3 days and I'm starting to feel better. I was beginning to think I had Colitis. I still may have it, but the pain is getting less frequent, but I'm off Ritalyn, so now I'm more depressed. But the pain, which felt like gas across my belly, was horrible. I had to take something over the counter with Simethicane (sp) in it like Rolaids or Maalox and I would get better almost instantly. But I had to do this many times a day to keep the pain at bay. Doc said the med may be making me spasm. Ouch. Feeling better today. Good luck. I hope you don't have ulcers, too. Heidi