YANMD but did I just give myself an ulcer?
December 2, 2009 2:35 PM Subscribe
YANMD but did I just give myself an ulcer?
I had what seemed like the flu for a bit: horrible, horrible body aches and a temperature, and ended up taking roughly the maximum allowed dose of ibuprofen (along with a bunch of valerian root) for two days. On an empty stomach.
I've recovered from the flu symptoms, but now I have really bad heartburn (on and off), that acidy/burny feeling at the back of my throat, my bowel movements are weird (constant, painful, small in amount) and there's a stabby pain when I bend over or move.
NB: I have IBS, but the symptoms have been manageable recently. I take Nexium daily, and have been for a few weeks now.
For those of you about to tell me to go to the doctor: it is currently manageable and due to the (awful) quality of my health insurance and my (barely-existent) income, I will go to the doctor when it is no longer manageable.
I had what seemed like the flu for a bit: horrible, horrible body aches and a temperature, and ended up taking roughly the maximum allowed dose of ibuprofen (along with a bunch of valerian root) for two days. On an empty stomach.
I've recovered from the flu symptoms, but now I have really bad heartburn (on and off), that acidy/burny feeling at the back of my throat, my bowel movements are weird (constant, painful, small in amount) and there's a stabby pain when I bend over or move.
NB: I have IBS, but the symptoms have been manageable recently. I take Nexium daily, and have been for a few weeks now.
For those of you about to tell me to go to the doctor: it is currently manageable and due to the (awful) quality of my health insurance and my (barely-existent) income, I will go to the doctor when it is no longer manageable.
It seems like there are some reports of gastrointestinal disturbances associated with valerian root.
posted by Midnight Rambler at 2:51 PM on December 2, 2009
posted by Midnight Rambler at 2:51 PM on December 2, 2009
You did not give yourself an ulcer. Almost all ulcers are caused by bacteria, and the ulcers that are caused by NSAIDS overuse aren't caused by two days' worth of use at recommended doses.
What you've almost certainly done is exacerbated the stomach issues you've been dealing with, so let your stomach and intestines heal. Stool softener might help, as might prunes or a fiber supplement.
A great (US only, as far as I know) OTC medication for IBS is Equalactin.
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:07 PM on December 2, 2009
What you've almost certainly done is exacerbated the stomach issues you've been dealing with, so let your stomach and intestines heal. Stool softener might help, as might prunes or a fiber supplement.
A great (US only, as far as I know) OTC medication for IBS is Equalactin.
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:07 PM on December 2, 2009
It doesn't have to be an ulcer for you to have damaged your stomach lining...which feels like an ulcer. What you did is somewhat akin to slugging a bottle of hot sauce and it sounds like you did some damage.
I suggest acidophilus. Get any old kind from a health food store. It'll be in a refrigerator. Take as directed on the bottle.
I had my first ulcer when I was 11 and after about 15 years of doctors and meds not helping, a hippie guy turned me on to this stuff. It's great and will probably help with your IBS/lower GI problems. Good luck and I hope you feel better!
posted by snsranch at 4:40 PM on December 2, 2009
I suggest acidophilus. Get any old kind from a health food store. It'll be in a refrigerator. Take as directed on the bottle.
I had my first ulcer when I was 11 and after about 15 years of doctors and meds not helping, a hippie guy turned me on to this stuff. It's great and will probably help with your IBS/lower GI problems. Good luck and I hope you feel better!
posted by snsranch at 4:40 PM on December 2, 2009
Just as long as we're not your doctor and everything, anecdotally- people often take *grams* per day of ibuprofen (many times the recommended dosage, in other words). I've done that, for months at a time, and never had any adverse reactions at all. On the other hand, I have had ulcers, and it doesn't sound like you have one of those.
So- that probably doesn't make you feel any better, but- worrying that you have an ulcer could certainly make you feel worse- so please don't worry about that!
It's kind of counterintuitive, but I've found that the master cleanse diet can help with those kind of acidic stomach conditions. (Putting almost *nothing* in there sounds like it'd make it feel worse, but I've had the opposite experience- it's helped a lot!)
It's certainly not for everyone, or every condition, but if you're trying to get by without seeing a doctor, it's possible it could help you feel better.
posted by hap_hazard at 5:09 PM on December 2, 2009
So- that probably doesn't make you feel any better, but- worrying that you have an ulcer could certainly make you feel worse- so please don't worry about that!
It's kind of counterintuitive, but I've found that the master cleanse diet can help with those kind of acidic stomach conditions. (Putting almost *nothing* in there sounds like it'd make it feel worse, but I've had the opposite experience- it's helped a lot!)
It's certainly not for everyone, or every condition, but if you're trying to get by without seeing a doctor, it's possible it could help you feel better.
posted by hap_hazard at 5:09 PM on December 2, 2009
I had a cold earlier this winter and royally pissed off my IBS. I am not a doctor, but that sounds like what happened to me, and it's going away with rest and increased fiber intake.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:46 PM on December 2, 2009
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:46 PM on December 2, 2009
I asked a friend of mine who is a physician. She says that taking that much ibuprofen on an empty stomach can indeed lead to a stomach ulcer. She says this is the stomach equivalent of scraping your knee, and is very common. It will heal readily, unless you are also infected with Helicobacter pylori, in which case it may not.
She says you may have symptoms for around a week or so. Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, don't take any more ibuprofen, avoid spicy foods, tomato sauce, orange juice, coffee, etc. Eat less-acidic foods and be nice to your stomach for awhile. If you really want to, you can pick up some omeprazole at your local drugstore.
We are not your doctor. :) But don't do that again.
posted by Maximian at 7:09 PM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
She says you may have symptoms for around a week or so. Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, don't take any more ibuprofen, avoid spicy foods, tomato sauce, orange juice, coffee, etc. Eat less-acidic foods and be nice to your stomach for awhile. If you really want to, you can pick up some omeprazole at your local drugstore.
We are not your doctor. :) But don't do that again.
posted by Maximian at 7:09 PM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thinkingwoman at 2:49 PM on December 2, 2009