After enduring chronic repeated stomach pain for over 5 years, and despite trying all kinds of alternative diet cures, (ie food intolerance approach), probiotics/kefir, tests done via a private Dr, supplements, I finally went to the free (NHS in UK) GP (who I had told repeatedly of it previously) and asked her to refer me to a gastroenterologist to have myself checked out.
I had told everyone for years that it was gastritis as I was diagnosed via endoscopy with that 11 years ago. I was staggered to be told by the Gastro that she thought I had NON ULCER (Functional) DYSPEPSIA as I had never heard of this despite having read a lot, and then found out that 60% of all stomach pain is diagnosed with this condition!!!
Effectively it seems it is a mystery with about 7 possible explanations. If it is this common why do they not know by now? It's seen a a kind of IBS for the stomach - irritable stomach then....in my case it feels exactly like having ulcer pain, and my stomach swells up and I cannot wear normal sized trousers as it's too painful to do them up at times. Other times it calms down, and avoiding acidic foods seems to help just like with a real ulcer. I also have IBS and have to avoid another set of foods for that. Clearly stress plays a role, but sometimes I am under stress and I do not have it, though with this condition we are always under stress I feel and as it's so painful I really feel down about knowing it's not easy to deal with.
Anyway, I have now had the endoscopy she ordered - there was a small hiatus hernia which is not thought significant (and I don't really have acid reflux now though I used to), and no other inflammation there.
Also the ultrasound found a gallstone, but no changes in the gallbladder so I am taking care not to overdo the fats though I know it's important to have some, as I have had a few bad sessions which I think were triggered by a lot of fat in a roast dinner.
Anyone else have this and find a good approach to dealing with it?
I had told everyone for years that it was gastritis as I was diagnosed via endoscopy with that 11 years ago. I was staggered to be told by the Gastro that she thought I had NON ULCER (Functional) DYSPEPSIA as I had never heard of this despite having read a lot, and then found out that 60% of all stomach pain is diagnosed with this condition!!!
Effectively it seems it is a mystery with about 7 possible explanations. If it is this common why do they not know by now? It's seen a a kind of IBS for the stomach - irritable stomach then....in my case it feels exactly like having ulcer pain, and my stomach swells up and I cannot wear normal sized trousers as it's too painful to do them up at times. Other times it calms down, and avoiding acidic foods seems to help just like with a real ulcer. I also have IBS and have to avoid another set of foods for that. Clearly stress plays a role, but sometimes I am under stress and I do not have it, though with this condition we are always under stress I feel and as it's so painful I really feel down about knowing it's not easy to deal with.
Anyway, I have now had the endoscopy she ordered - there was a small hiatus hernia which is not thought significant (and I don't really have acid reflux now though I used to), and no other inflammation there.
Also the ultrasound found a gallstone, but no changes in the gallbladder so I am taking care not to overdo the fats though I know it's important to have some, as I have had a few bad sessions which I think were triggered by a lot of fat in a roast dinner.
Anyone else have this and find a good approach to dealing with it?