Is Treatment Possible For Ulcers In The Stomach?

Posted on Mon, 24 Aug 2015

Question: Hi I had an endoscopy done yesterday and the paper says he found two ulcers in the Antrum of my stomach. None near the esophagus or deudeum. He took a biopsy. I'm in a lot of pain and I am on Prevacid just started that instead of the Zantac. I do smoke but I was heavily taking goody powders and 800/1600mg of ibuprofen every other day. I've also lost over 148 pounds (not related to this) but I've stopped all NSAIDS I'm taking my Prevacid and I'm trying to quit smoking. What can I do to heal these ulcers and will they heal? I don't have results yet from biopsy and I'm very scared. I'm 32 mother of 4 and I'm terrified any advice would be appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
the ulcers are probably related to the NSAIDs

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

using NSAIDs is one of the most important risk factors for ulcer development. Smoking slows down the healing process.
Prevacid is a good choice to promote healing by reducing stomach acidity. You haven't mentioned Helicobacter pylori? If you have this pathogen in your stomach then you're going to need eradication treatment as well. I'm sure the gastroenterologist has done the test, despite the obvious cause (the NSAIDs).

The biopsy will probably be OK, the odds are not against you!

So in conclusion, you've got to use a proton pump inhibitor (like prevacid), complete Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment (if it's present in your stomach) and try to avoid smoking and alcohol. I'm pretty sure that everything will be OK!

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm glad to know I'm on the right track with the medication because Zantac and all the others did nothing for me. I've only had 6 cigs today and I usually smoke a pack so hopefully I can wean off them ASAP Bc I sure want the healing to begin and quickly. This is very painful I've never had such an issue even when I was heavy at 293 pounds now down to 129. I was scared Bc I was losing weight recently and I didn't want to lose anymore I'm small enough. My doctor hasn't said anything yet about the H. Poylori bug but I'll see him on 8/27. He was very great just didn't give me much information I left feeling terrified something bad was wrong do to the pain I deal with daily. So my only question is will these 2 ulcers heal or is this a life long issue I'll have to manage? Thank you again for your time ❤️

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
the ulcers will heal

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!

If the biopsies are indeed OK and you abstain from using NSAIDs then the ulcers will heal. Just keep using prevacid and reducing smoking and everything will be fine!

Kind Regards!

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar