The FastDay Forum

Hi all

Just wondering has anyone had an ulcer before. I was prescribed nexium for excess stomach acid in March this year - funnily enough it was for the same thing - drinking alcohol on empty stomach on a fast day. I did this last thurs - I drank 2 glasses of wine and a gin. I woke up in pain that night. I took a nexium the next day and that seemed to sort it. No problems over the weekend- had a couple of drinks and plenty of food Sat (not enough for a hangover or anything) and then sunday I had 1 glass of wine with eggs benedict and then had a big chinese for dinner. The dull burning came back that night. I rang my doc and she put me on emazole ( same as nexium) which I started Tuesday. Now obviously I know the cause - I abused alcohol which put me at risk and then ate crappy food. However, I have been on the meds since Tues and I don't really see an improvement. The only thing was it didn't wake me last night which it had done Sun, Mon and Tues so maybe that's an improvement. I am quite bloated and burpy but no other symptoms - no reflux, no severe burning. What I am terrified of is that I have done permanent damage. I'm not an alcoholic but this episode has woken me up to the fact that I drink a little bit too much and a little bit too often. I am changing my ways and have committed to that on "www.hellosundaymorning.org" (all of you check out this amazing website if you want to reduce your alcohol consumption, change habits or even take a break altogether for a while). I am adament that I will change my habits but I'm terrified it is too little too late. The ulcer came on really suddenly - so I know it had to do with drinking nothing but caffeine and then eating cauliflower rice with alcohol. I just am looking for some adivce to calm me - has anyone had an ulcer like this? how long did it take for the meds to work? did they work - what were you on? any other advice as your health is your wealth and I've never been so alive to the fact as now

I thought they' d discovered ulcers were caused by an infection. Apparently the alcohol aggravates the problem, but if you do have an ulcer, you should be on anti biotics . Some Australian scientist won a prestigious prize for proving that ulcers were caused by an infection and could be treated with anti biotics.

This seems to be true Sallyo which is why I have made an appointment with the Doctor for Tuesday morning. Apparently its H. Pylori bacteria. I'm just afraid I've done something terrible to my body and it is self inflicted due to binge drinking - a terrible culture where I come from. I'm just really scared

Heliobacta or something spelt similar is the bug which causes ulcers. Oh well maybe rethinking your fluids on a fast day will help you, ones which more suit your stomach. All the best try not to stress too much and it sounds like you have an understanding GP

I've had an ulcer. You need antibiotics, a acid suppressant like Omeprazole, nexium etc and some doctors also prescribe charcoal tablets as well. But teh antibiotics and tummy tabs should clear it in a couple of weeks. But, it will only come back if you continue to abuse your gut like that.

Personally I wouldn't waste my fasting day calories on anything except good healthy food. Alcohol is a waste of your calories. Think of the calories as being £'s or dollars. You have a very short supply of them on fasting days, use them wisely.

Ummm...how do you know you have an ulcer? Ulcers are usually diagnosed by having something like an endoscopy (where they put a tube down your throat and have a look at your stomach and gut). Have you had any tests? The symptoms you describe could well be an ulcer but could equally be from something like gastritis (where the lining of your stomach has become irritated) and the treatment you've been given should help in either case. You need to find out whether you do indeed have an ulcer (and it looks like you're doing that) but most of all be kind to your stomach - alcohol is an irritant and will really not help; it's not so much to do with fast days but if you have any sort of stomach ailment then it is wise to lay off the alcohol if at all possible as it will just aggravate the situation.