Question:
If I have an ulcer, are there food or drink limitations I should be aware of?

I have an endoscopy scheduled for Tuesday to look for a suspected ulcer, I have been having moderate to severe stomach aches for 6 weeks, I am 6 months post-op. I am able to tolerate all meats, vegies, fruits. I'm not a sweet-drinker, so water is my mainstay and I get a lot of it! Any suggestions as to what I can use to quell this burning feeling? Tums and Maloxx just aren't doing it and I suspect I will not be getting any treatment until follow-up Dr's appt. on July 12. Thanks very much for any help.    — Sandra E. (posted on June 30, 2002)

June 30, 2002
Hey, I'm pre-op and also have ulcers. As far as what you should and shouldn't eat, each Dr. will give you a diff. response. Some say no spicey foods, nothing with caffeine (this includes choc.), no asprin, and no tom. or any vegetable or fruit high in acid. And another Dr. will say what you eat has nothing to do with your ulcers. I would make an appt. with a Dr. asap and get you on medication to calm some of the acidity in your stomach. I take 1 tablet of PROTONIX everyday and it seems to be working fine. This is a medicine for GERD, but because GERD is related to stomach acid it helps calm my stomach. I also would look into ZANTAX - spelling, I think its sold over the counter and you could pick it up at your local pharmacy. Hope this helps.
   — Heather B.

June 30, 2002
Sandra, I will be 6 months post op on July 7 and around 6 weeks ago I was having terribe burning pain in my stomach. Well turned out to be an ulcer. I take carafat 4x a day and protonix once a day. You can take pepcid twice a day and that should help the acid that is causing the burning. I was told not to drink caffine,not too much dairy like milk(believe it or not) Veggies that are gassy like broccoli you need to see what you can tollerate. I hope I've helped alittle.Good Luck I hope you feel better.
   — Bonnie S.

June 30, 2002
I had several marginal ulcers. After the first one, I just call. I'm given Prilosec & carrafate. When my staple line disrupted, I had immense pain/burning. I used Maalox (specifically) during the day and carrafate at night. That helped lots.
   — vitalady