Ulcer treatment? Help?

I think I may have an ulcer. Owie, owie, owie. It burns all the time where my pouch is, and I vomit spontaneously with no rhyme or reason. Thankfully it's just foam, and I get the dreaded mouth watering as a warning so I don't spontaneously erupt in front of company. *sigh* But it hurts you guys! I can't eat much- I don't want to eat at all. This affects every moment of every day. Since my ex lost his job last November, we haven't had insurance (no, we had Cobra for 2 months- but couldn't keep up the $800 monthly payments). I've been taking Zantac twice a day, and that seems to help a little bit. Has anybody gone through this? What do they do to treat it? Please help, I'm so miserable.

I'm no doctor, but it sounds like an ulcer to me. I would try to see a doctor, some way some how....maybe they can give you something to try without sending you for those costly tests. I dont know how it works in CA, but I know that in Jersey they have low cost insurance through the hospitals. You have to meet certain criteria with income, and it is a pain in the azz, but its better than paying through the nose. You should call the hospital and ask some questions. Now that im thinking about it, when my fiance's mother was in CA, I remember her telling me about some state run insurance type program. Hope you feel better soon!

Michele- Very worried about this-- You should call and TALK to your surgeon (via phone so no bill) and explain the symptoms and the insurance situation, and see what he advises. Keep taking the Zantac or switch to Prilosec OTC. For a regular ulcer caused by h.pylori (a bacteria), they usually give a course of antibiotics and PPI (like prevacid, nexium or prilosec). Stay away from all NSAIDs (aleve, mortin, aspirin) as they aggravate stomach problems. By the way, most pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs as well, so if your prescribed something expensive, you can call the company and explain the situation. We are at risk for a GI bleed b/c of our surgery- which is VERY serious and can be fatal. It is REALLY important you make sure you are OK. And might be more economical in the long run. I am not the 'praying' type, but I will send lots of good thoughts your way. I am hoping you are OK, and I really thank you for trusting us to tell us your worries. I hope I am not coming off too "lectury". Love you a lot, sweetie. Andrea

Oh dear. I had no idea it could be serious, Andrea. I am emailing my surgeon right now, and if I don't hear back for a few hours, I will call. Not lectury at all honey- thanks for the heads up. Thank you too Tiffany! love you guys! Michele

Ditto what Andrea said! Zantac and Prilosec OTC!! One thing that might help immediately is to drink some aloe vera. You can get it at a health food store. It SHOULD help. I hear good things about it. Hope this helps and sweetie, I'm sooooo sorry that you are in pain. Sending prayers your way, C

Michelle, This burning that you have could be GallBladder problems. You have to have a ultra sound of your GallBladder, spleen, and Pancreas.. I had that horriable burning too. They thought it was my GallBladder but after testing I found out I didn't have a ulser or Gall bladder problems I still am not sure what caused it.. Could be I am and you are making more stomach acids than a small pouch can handle. I take Nexium now and it seems to be working. I haven't had that burning in months. But I know it fels like a freakin heat attack when it happening... It burned right through to my back!. .. Call your surgeon and tell him about the insurance problem. He is obligated to help you if you are in pain with or with out insurance now. You had surgery with him and he can make arrangements for you to be tested.. He would be somekind of ***** in my estimation if he turned you completly away. Don't take no for an answer. Ask him what you can do if all else fails go to the ER and tell them you are in pain.. Even if they bill you.. you can hold off on payment for a while. sending you love Peace Mo

GET THYSELF TO YOUR DOCTOR!!! We want you to be healthy. I'm no doctor, but, I understand the insurance issue but you could make it worse by not seeing the doctor now. Now it may be treatable with drugs, but if wait it could require more than that. Hope it goes well and you are feeling better VERY SOON!

Hi Michelle, I'm going through the same thing! I'm gonna see the surgeon tomorrow morning. Man, it HURTS. It feels like a slow burn on the inside for me... Caffeine makes it worse, I can't stand the thought of eating and water tastes gross too. I know he is going to get on my case about smoking as well which makes ulcers worse and feeds em. Crap. Good luck with yours - go get some treatment any way you can get it! I'm right there with ya honey... Love, Nan

Oh geez Nan, I'm sorry you're feeling it too! It sucks doesn't it??? I know that smoking is bad for ulcers, I tell ya I'm about ready to quit. Caffeine does indeed make it worse. A glass of wine temporarily helps though, but not worth it if I have more than a couple. Sometimes I'll take a sip of water and then go and throw it up. What a way to live! I didn't get to talk to my surgeon today but will call them tomorrow. Let me know what yours says, please!! Thanks you everyone for your advice and caring!

Well, I went to see him this morning. In major pain.. he's putting me on Nexium 40mg once a day and wants to see if it helps. I have to go back in a month if not to get scoped... What happened with you??