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The Ask A Doctor message board provided a medium for sufferers of Heartburn and Gerd to ask questions about medical and surgical options for heartburn and receive answers directly from experienced Gastroesophageal surgeons.
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From: Michael
While I might agree with you that the PPIs cannot directly cause gastritis, is it not true that because these meds are SO effective (shutting off anywhere up to 97 to 99% of one's acid), that they can allow opportunistic bacteria (other than Helicobactor Pylori) to begin the gastritis process. My stomach has been a MESS since late February. Had a barium swallow, ultrasound, blood test, helicobactor test, and a colonscopy). Only things that were found were evidence of the acid reflux, a hiatal hernia, one gallstone(ruled out as the problem by three doctors), and a negative on the helicobactor. I took the Prevacid for about seven weeks, then switched to Zantac, but my stomach is still acting up (abnormal appetite, occassional "warm" sensations, and morning stomach aches). Haven't thrown up in all this time, but my stomach is driving me crazy, and my doctor conceded that the PPIs could (in SOME people) contribute to gastritis. But if it is my gallbladder generating bile reflux, how can I determine this, especially when my doctors didn't seem to give that serious consideration?