I ended up at the emergency room this morning, amazing how fast you get seen when you're having chest pain. They hooked me up right away with an EKG to make sure it wasn't my heart and all was fine there. I went back for chest x-ray and bloodwork and it came back that I have a stomach ulcer.

Honestly I'm not surprised in the least with all the stress I've been under. I'm taking pepcid and watching what I eat to see what it does, he said more than likely it'll heal on it's own in time.

In the meantime I'm just taking tylenol for the pain and dealing with it. FUN FUN...

Oh and just an FYI Ibuprofren is NOT good for ulcers and I'd been taking it around the clock since last Wednesday so I probably made it worse trying to treat it myself.

Thanks for all of the advice. If anyone has been through this (stomach ulcers) I'd love to get some ideas on foods that don't hurt because right now pretty much EVERYTHING is really hurting me yet I'm starving.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 12:12 am:

Wow, I'm sorry. Good thing you went in and got checked out. If it was your heart, you would want to be in the emergency room. Good thing it wasn't. I don't know what you should eat, though.

Ibuprofen can be hard on stomachs, that is why it is recommended to take it with food.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 12:50 am:

Glad to hear it isn't life threatening. Good luck recovering!

By Nicki on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 01:13 am:

I'm so glad it wasn't your heart giving you trouble. Ulcers are so painful. I had one years ago. Do you have a follow up appointment with your regular doctor soon? When I had trouble, I was given a prescription for Tagamet, which of course is now available over the counter. It seems you will need something to help your stomach heal and return to normal. As far as diet, I had to cut out caffeine and eat mainly starchy foods that were easy to digest. Sort of like when you are dealing with the stomach flu. Crackers would probably be my first choice. I imagine your doctor will give you advice on diet, both while you're recovering and long term.

I'm sorry you are going through so much. Stress can really take it's toll. I hope you are able to eat something and start feeling better soon!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 07:15 am:

I hope you are seeing a gastroenterologist about this. Some (not all, but some) ulcers are caused by a particular bacteria, and can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Only a good look at your stomach (done by putting a tube down your throat under athesthesia) and taking some samples can tell what is causing your ulcer.

And, of course, I am very sorry you have had to deal with this and very, very glad it wasn't something life-threatening.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 07:42 am:

Ditto Ginny! We went through this with Jen 2 years ago, though hers was not caused by bacteria (H Pylori, I think?). Glad to hear it's not heart related though. Ulcers can be serious though, so take care of yourself!

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 07:59 am:

Amazing how fast you are seen when you are having chest pain, and you aren't too young of a woman... although, you are still very young... but I was in my very early 20's... I've had not so good experiences here, but I'll leave it at that!

I'm so glad it was not your heart and that you were able to get answers so quickly!!! I would definitely follow-up on it, but I'm very happy for you. You must be so relieved!

By Happynerdmom on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 08:21 am:

How scary! I'm glad they found the cause. Hope you feel better soon.

By Cat on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 08:50 am:

I'm so glad it wasn't heart related. A very good friend of mine had a stint put in his heart last week (for the third time). He really scared us. He's already had two heart attacks and he's only 40. Take care of yourself, Girl.

By Debbie on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 08:59 am:

My ds did not have an ulcers, but the start of them(lesions in the stomach) Yes, please follow up with a gastro doctor. My ds had these lesions because of too much stomach acid(he has reflux) So, it is not just stress that causes ulcers. Like someone else mentioned, they can also be caused by a bacteria. There are two types of medications, ones that prevent the production of acids and ones that actually heal. I don't know which one pepcid is, but you should be on one that heals. My ds was on Prevacid for 8 weeks and then switched to a medicine that just prevents acid production.

So, I would definitley follow up and see a gastro doctor.

By Debbie on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 09:02 am:

Oh...and as far as foods.... ds can not have chocolate, gatorade or fried foods. We have to limit his intake of fatty foods, high acid foods(juice, tomato sauces, certain fruits, etc) I would stick to foods that are as bland as possible right now. I am really suprised they didn't give you a list of foods to avoid.

By Dandjmom on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 09:43 am:

Christlyee.

I too suffer form an ulcer, I use the word suffer because when it get s irritated adn starts to hurt, I took feel it in my backa dn upper chest. like someoen said there are different kinds. But as far as foods, i cant' eat or drink a lot of acidy foods. they irriate the sotomach. i sometimes take medication before I eat certain food that i knwo if gioing to cause me pain, it helps sometimes.

And with me stress seems to cause irritation also,this week has been a stressful week in the house with the kids just really acting up so a lot of hollering at them + a major headache= me taking cimitii=dine ( tagamet ovre the counter) arounfd the clock.I prefer this over the purple pill and zantac, they didnt' really do too good for me . you can get doctor prescribed cemitine in higher dises( my doctor started me off on 800 mg to get it under control adn the tapered me off to 400) and now that i'm on 200 milligrams i just buty themover the counter.

I've made it to the point where I only take them as needed which isnt' always a good thing, becue when I stick to taking i pill twice a day the medicane seem sto be in ym system and sometimes when I eat those foods that I knwo will hurt thye dont.

and also havign a empty stomach will cause it to hurt also. on mornings when i'm rushing i keep dry cereal in my desk , it takes the pain right away. I hope you find what works for you and you fell better.

Oh i've also found that taking my medicine(pills) with chicolate milk( just dont'like white) helps also.

And someoen onece told me never tried it , but they told me that goats milk would take the ulcer away.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 11:59 am:

No advice, just HUGS!!

By Tink on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 12:25 pm:

Christy, my mom was just diagnosed with the bacteria that Karen mentioned and I would really suggest seeing a gastro, if you aren't already. A vast majority of ulcers are caused by this and, while the medication isn't a walk in the park, it means that you won't have to deal with recurring ulcers. Her doctor has her on a bland diet, mostly rice and pasta, small amounts of dairy, low-acid fruits and veggies and small but regular portions of protein until her lesions heal and the bacteria is flushed from her system. His biggest no-no was spicy or acidic foods. HTH {{{Christy}}} I hope you're feeling better soon.