₦airaland Forum

Joshua62:
Hello to all,

This thread has really been helpful.

Sometimes last week, i developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, burning sensation in my throat and stomach, once i eat my stomach makes rumbling noise..at some point i had slight fever which i treated. I went for an Abdominal ultrasound scan and everything came out normal, the sonographer asked me why i opted for a scan, i told her my symptoms....She said the scan shows everything is good but i should consider "H-Pylori test''. I visited the family pharmacist and told him how i was feeling, he prescribed some drugs (Quoflux, sivoflush and albendazole etc).

I started taking the medications and realized that the stomach rumbling has reduced but yesterday night through this morning was a nightmare....The burning sensation in my throat was unbearable, on and off pain in abdomen, slight pain by the breast, weakness, palpitations, discomfort. What i had for dinner before using my drugs that night was Spaghetti with stew and a cold malt.....I had to boil water and add honey which i took in the midnight, that was what made me to sleep for some few hours.

I went online and saw many related symptoms (GERD, H-Pylori, stomach Ulcer etc). My wife is worried and i intend on carrying out a Barium test or Endoscopy as soon as possible. Even as i type, i still feel the burning sensation in my throat....am so scared to eat now.

Can anyone recommend a good center to carry out those tests?

Thanks

Hi there, Just relax. From all indications you have gastritis and GERD. An endoscopy will only reveal the extent of the problem and confirm diagnosis. It doesnt cure the disease. So try to see a Gastroenterology specialist in a specialist hospital for proper diagnosis or referral for an endoscopy. ( thats if you need it). Pharmacists are not specialists in diagnosis.

People live with GERD for years and heal without an endoscopy.

Leave everyone to handle their breakup the way they want.
If they wanna post motivational quotes, let them post. Finish. Keep your opinions to yourself and let women breathe..

@newgroom

1. What is the difference between GERD and ulcer?
GERD is gastrointestinal reflux disease. A more chronic form of acid reflux /heartburn. It occurs in d chest due to excessive stomach acid flowing up from your stomach into your oesophagus and maybe even up to the throat. This acid flows up your oesophagus because the spinchter that controls the opening from your oesophagus to the stomach is weak and isn't closing properly.. You can read more online.
Stomach ulcers are like sores in the stomach caused due to many things.. Stress, excessive stomach acid, bad eating disorders, and most commonly H. Pylori infection. etc.

2. How are the symptoms of GERD different from Ulcer's?.

GERD symptoms occur in the oesophagus and attimes the throat. You feel d discomfort more in d midchest. A burn, a heaviness, sharp pain that sometimes radiates to the back, behind your breast bone. In throat it can be very confusing because its symptoms are similar with other throat infections. You could get hoarseness in d throat, sore throat that, cough that feels like you have to clear your voice at all times. Yea. The cough usually clears when you get on ppis or those antacids.. Could take a while depending on how chronic d GERD is.

Stomach ulcer symptoms occur in any part of the stomach area depending on d kind of ulcer. Gastric ulcer pain is usually felt just above your navel in the upper abdomen area. It comes with cramping attimes but you feel d discomfort more intensely after eating any of those trigger foods. Duodenal ulcers occur in the small intestinal. The pain is usually intense and not easily diagnosed. Either way, you need a Doc to examine or properly recommend an endoscopy in extreme conditions to know exactly what the issue is.

3.The plantain therapy you mentioned, is it for GERD or ulcer?
This was used for acute gastritis years back. It worked then cause basically its an alkaline solution that helped to reduce the acid levels in the tommy and provide a coating for the ulcers to heal. I used it years back. Not used it in d past 5 years. Rather I've adopted lifestyle changes that work for me without living on PPIs and meds.

4. What is the best solution for GERD?

Healthy eating and lifestyle changes. Cant stress this enough. No fizzle drinks, no hot meals, no citrus and especially no fries. If u indulge for any reason let it be once in a while and have your antacids as backup around to neutralize the effect. Some antacids are not effective for GERD.
Ranitidine works but I heard the NHS as advised that pple should stop using as it causes cancers on the long run. If you keep your stomach acid levels low, eat right, and give your self enough time for food to digest b4 you sleep, you should get better over time. For meds, in my opinion PPIs work best for ulcers and H2 blockers are best suited for GERD. Im not a doc. Read online to understand these differences. Watch YouTube videos as well. Many Gastro doctors provide Indepth explanations with physical illustrations on YouTube.

5. What is the best solutions for Ulcer?
See a doc to get the right prescription for you if its bad and you dont feel well. Especially if you have bleedings and cannot tolerate food. And again, an healthy lifestyle. Dont junk.

6. Those foods and drinks you listed that we should abstain from, are they for people suffering from GERD or from ulcer?
Those foods are drinks you be avoided as much as possible for anyone with either GERD or ulcer. Your Digestive system is all linked. And what you eat goes through the oesophagus first before it gets to the stomach.


I am not a doctor, and most of d things i write here are just from my experiences over the years and research. I've been lucky to also have amazing Doctors as well.

Hope i answered some of your questions in a way.

Juliearth:
I must commend you for your consistency. Its been years and you are still here sharing your thoughts. May God richly reward you. I was recently diagnosed with peptic ulcer (less than a week ago) and the reason is because I am coughing blood. I am worried because I haven't heard of anyone with ulcer cough out blood. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on this?

Hi there. Thanks for your comments.

For Ulcers its very rare that you cough blood. Its more frequent to see brown streaks of blood in the stool than for you to cough it out. How often does it happen? What are your other symptoms?

I dont know how your diagnosis was and what tests were done to detect peptic ulcer but I'd suggest you seek another doctors opinion. If possible a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive issues. Just to be sure there are no other underlying issues.

And if its an ulcer for real, then you need to get on treatment to stop d bleeding and prevent infection. I'm guessing the triple therapy treatment or PPIs and antibiotics would be prescribed. Please seek for another medical opinion if possible.

Machini:
All right. Thank you!

Honestly can't remember. I did this years ago.

Machini:
You have been such a blessing on here. kudos.

Please I wanted to confirm, the unripe plantain recipe, am I to consume the whole mixture or I'm supposed to sieve out the plantain particles and drink only the sieved water?

The first time I tried it about 2 months ago I took the whole mixture.

Thanks.

its best to sieve to avoid bloating or diarrhea

Haney2:
@geekybabe and 9jayes thank your for the prompt response.

So I have been off alot of food including the ones you mentioned. I am alil bit confused but my body doesnt take fruit well anymore. I took watermelon for 2 days and I felt weekness for the 2 days.

The plantain remedy is actually very effective, took it for 2 days and it was almost like magic...even the lump went to sleep but unfortunately I had another anxiety trigger yesterday which came with palpitation and everything is back.

I would like to know if the remedy can cause loose stool. I will be on my way to the hospital though soon.

Thank you once again, I will keep coming back.

Its possible that the plantain solution remedy causes loose stool. Especially if you dont make a fresh one in 3 days. Take the solution b4 meals and try to eat well too. You can send a pm

Haney2, first take a deep breathe.

Acid reflux /GERD is a different ball game. Its more difficult and scary because all the pain and discomfort is all happening in your chest and attimes you wonder if its your heart. Lol. With your research I'm sure you know now that it is really just Gerd and it can be Nasty.

The approach to managing GERD is different. Because even if you treat it, anytime you eat something that irritates your digestive system and causes acid to flow back up into your oesophagus, you are literally back to discomfort. The palpitations are bad. Spasms. Involuntary muscle reflexes. Back pain. Behind the breast bone. Mid chest. Lol. I know. Just calm down. You cannot even afford to had stress and anxiety to the mix. When i first had palpitations as a result of side effects from nexium, i was scared. I landed in d ER. But palpitations are not harmful. They are discomforting and irritating but not harmful. So dont stress. Jist focus on treating your gerd. The palpitations will go. Taking buscopan attimes helps with the palpitations and spasms.

Dont eat hot meals. Don't eat spicy
Avoid soft drinks and alcohol.
Avoid any kind of oily foods.
Eat soft meals and make sure you really chew your food completely before swallowing. Except for maybe swallow meals with draw soup.

At night, try to elevate your upper body and sleep on your left side. Read it somewhere online and it helps. There is also the dry cough that comes as a result of acid flowing back up into your throat. Be mindful of that and overtime once you identify your trigger foods, you will know how to manage your self. Keep a food diary. Trust me, it helps.

Anxiety and stress makes your stomach acid levels secret more. So just try to relax and not be too anxious. Play music. Meditate. And try not to think about it too much. Overtime you wont even remember the GERD is there.

There's this suspension that works like magic for GERD. Its called sulcrafate. (sold under the brandname Ulsanic). Not sure its in Nigeria, but u can ask around. but my doc recommended it for me and i have it as backup for days when i have flares. It is not an antacid like gestid and co. It actually treats gerd. If you can't find it, use gaviscon to get relief when you have heartburn.

If the unripe plantain solution helps thats fine. I used it years back. Your lifestyle changes are more important than remedies and overtime with adjustments, you'll get better.

Keep well..

9jayes:
I'm fucking tired of dis ulcer, the pain is too much, stomach and chest burning to the back. My always come with malaria or typhoid

Cos the malaria meds and the typhoid meds are powerful. if you dont eat right while taking those meds, the stomach ulcer will flare up again

awesomemrs:
@ geekybabe ... Thanks for the write-up?

Does ulcer makes one stomach rumbles before and after eating too?

Stomach rumbling happens to people I guess. Either when you are hungry, or when your stomach is digesting. It is normal. It only becomes an issue if it is happening too often, and discomforting or causes pain.
Ulcer is not the sole cause of a discomforting stomach rumbling, but most pple with stomach ulcer have very frequent stomach rumbling, especially around the navel area as in the case of gastritis.

If you have not been diagnosed of ulcer, and you dont have ulcer symptoms, It might just be an intolerance to some certain foods that causes the rumbling. eg lactose intolerance. You might need to identify what foods trigger the rumbling or what habits trigger it. Then eliminate those foods.

Do you have diarrhea after the rumbling? Do you feel nauseous or bloated constantly after eating? Asides the rumbling is there an intense pain ? Then if your answer to any of these questions is yes, you might want to talk to a doc.

[quote author=blkmum700 post=88389453][/quote]Blkmum700,

I'm not a doctor, but from the results u shared and a little google research i did, seems its gastric ulcer. Meaning d pain is usually in front of your abdomen, maybe close to your upper navel area. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Honestly, gastritis is about the easiest ulcer type that can be managed as long as you fully understand your body and your triggers.
For the weight loss, you are not loosing weight due to your ulcer. You are loosing weight due to the many meds you are taking, loss of nutrients and stress. You are anxious and stress and that only makes ulcer pains worse.

Lets start with the meds you are taken. PPIs, e.g nexium, omeprazole, rabeprazole or lansoprazole. I've taken either of these at some point in d past. Lansoprazole is about the only one I have used with minimal side effects. Nexium sent me to the ER. What docs will not tell you is the nasty side effects that these meds have on the long run. They are meds that you should only take for 14 days or maximum of 28 days at a stretch and then you wait for your stomach to heal. Taking them for 2 or 3 months at a stretch isnt effective cos your body creates a dependency on them and it becomes difficult to stop. Some of them have side effects ranging from dry mouth, to heart palpitations, to tinnitus, to lightheadedness and insomnia. Long term ppi use has also been associated with magnesium deficiency, which could affect your bones in later life. So even though u are so focused on the ulcer, the meds could be doing much bigger problems. Gradually reduce your doses when you want to stop.

If you have to take any of these PPIs, take them in d morning before your breakfast. They are most effective then. Dont take them after a meal. PPIs work best on an empty stomach and can suppress the acid and make your tommy ready for the day.

Antibiotics. These ones do more harm than good. I haven't taken any in my tommy for over 5 years. They mess up your gut. They kill good bacteria that is supposed to aid digestion in your stomach. They make you weak and can even cause weight-loss. If your doc recommends it as part of your treatment because of h.pylori infection, it shouldn't be for more than 2 weeks. Afterwards just discontinue pls. Stay with PPIs for the rest of your treatment and dont randomly buy antibiotics to self medicate.
You can do without them. I relocated to a country where you need a doctors prescription for most meds and that was when i realised i needed to break my dependency on meds. And i can tell you, you can do without antibiotics for ulcer.

For the food, trust me, your stomach cannot handle semo well because it is heavy and it is loaded with gluten and your stomach is sensitive due to the ulcers. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, and every food made from wheat, wheat flour has gluten. Semo is made from wheat so it has gluten. Same as bread, cake, and most baked goods. You may not get a doc to tell you all this, except maybe a gastroenterologist who has a versatile experience treating digestive problems. So you might want to reduce the quantity of semo, and rather focus on amala, rice, or choose pounded yam/poundo yam instead of semo. Yam doesnt have gluten. If you have to eat swallow, avoid egusi. Take ewedu, okro instead. Ewedu, also known as slippery elm, is used to treat ulcers and digestive issues in some parts of the world.

If you have to eat pap, make sure it is not hot. Lukewarm maybe. Try and get more fibre into your meals. Number 1 source of fibre for me is oatsmeal. Go and buy quaker oats and let it be a regular staple in your meals. I have oatsmeal almost everyday for breakfast. Its simple to make and you will get used to it. If you can tolerate milk, use milk with the oatsmeal in minimal quantity. If you can't, try tigernut milk, or any plant based milk like coconut milk or almond milk. This maybe quite expensive in Nigeria so u can use normal milk in minimal quantity.

Eat vegetables. Cabbage, carrots, efo riro with minimal oil. Oily foods will cause pain for you after eating. Increase your fibre and vegetables. I don't know why banana upsets your tommy, but it works for many people. If you can, instead of eating the fruits, make a smoothie by blending the fruits together with water or any other liquid. Drink d smoothie gradually. That way its easier for your tommy to digest the fruits.

This is a lifestyle change but trust me, you need to focus on healing your gut and focus less on d ulcers. Dont eat heavy. Eating 7 times a day in bits is better than eating 2 heavy meals. And please while at it, try to sleep well and dont stress.

I hope i have been able to share a little. Do your own research online. Watch YouTube videos and read books to understand your digestive system and how you can overcome ulcers.
All d best.

blkmum700:
Hello,Sorry this is coming late,I'm currently facing similar issue,have had my ulcer for the past three years and have been to many hospitals with no cure,I also try differents traditional med , in the process spent almost 3m already,if I was told ulcer is going to gulp that's much,I wouldn't have believed the person,I have done lot of test including endoscopy and bought drugs still not cure,I'm currently getting tired,Please are you cured yet and what did you use to cure your ulcer ?

Hi there. Sorry about your ulcer. What exactly is the diagnosis? gastric ulcer or duodenal? The approach to each is different and I will tell you that what really works for ulcer healing is your diet. Medications like antibiotics when prescribed will only treat infections if your ulcer is infected. Ulcer meds, usually referred to as PPIS, e.g Omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc will only surpres stomach acid secretion. But your stomach still needs to heal while it is digesting foods you eat. What are you eating and when are you eating what you are eating? How much of food do you eat at a time and are you avoiding the foods that trigger the pain?

Anyways, you can check the first post on this thread where I listed certain foods to avoid if you have an ulcer, and also foods to eat.

It doesnt matter what medications and natural herbs you use, As long as you do not choose healthy habits and eat right, stomach ulcer can be really difficult to get over.

Avoid oranges and citrus fruits. Avoid fried foods of any kind. Avoid nuts, chips or any crunchy snack like chinchin. Start your day every morning with a glass or two of warm water to dilute your overnight stomach acid and make your tommy ready for the day.

be mindful of your breakfast. Start with something soft and easy to digest. Like pap, oats, or a cup of smoothie. Dont start your day with a big plate of rice and beans or yam and fried egg. Eat in bits. Dont eat any heavy meals at least 5 hours before bedtime. and take lots of water. Eat bananas a lot. Bananas, cucumbers, these are fruits that will help you heal.

WordFamous:
Ok so I and my wife applied for SA Tourist visa on the 10th of March and we got our passports back with visas on the 18th.

Funny thing is SA has banned all local and international flights in and out of the Republic.

This has got to be one big joke, right?

Lol. You pple still wanna travel in d midst of all this. Btw, the president said that all visas issued prior from the 18th of march onward are now revoked. So dont bother traveling. Whether u r from a high risk country or not. Some passengers of some flights are currently stranded at the airport in joburg now and they are desperately looking for flight to go back as they were not allowed entry.
SA is not smiling now.

mroyato:
Cost of living in CPT depends on the neighbourhood you are looking at. As it is with every city in the world, some areas are cheaper than the other depending on a number of different factors. Unfortunately, Capeetown is one of the most expensive city to live in the republic.

Straight to your question, I will give you the average cost of certain goods and services in CPT.

1. Housing: Averagely 5k for a room with shared facilities like kitchen and toilets.There are cheaper ones and there are also houses on the higher side.

2. Food: Depends on how you choose to eat. R300/day if you like to eat out. Groceries vary according to brands and shops. Usually cheaper at shoprite, pick n pay, etc

3. Clothing: Mostly buy clothes during sales. Men shirt R150, Sneakers R600 to R1000, Jean's R150 to R250, Women dress R100 to R250, Women shoes R150, Women bags (Regular)R300.

4. Taxi: Depends on distance and period of the day, (Peak and off peak periods). Usually between R9 to R20 for short distances. Uber and Bolt also available with varying prices according to time of the day and distance.

That's all I can think of for now.

Thanks a lot for these pointers...

Possible areas would be Century city or Milnerton. Preferably an apartment that is ensuite, no sharing.

Transportation should not be an issue.. Seems its relatively fair.

Hi guys.. Please i need someone who currently lives in CPT to provide some information about cost of living and other details.. Preferably someone who has bn living there for at least a year.. Thanks