Re: More Gut Pain!

 Ok yesterday about an hour after lunch about 1 p.m. or so, my stomach began to have pain and within a short time I had that gut issue again like I had before and mentioned here several days back.

It was a constant gnawing burning allover pain that would not abate. Digestive enzymes didn't help, ginger didn't help, calmag didn't help, water didn't help, ginger ale didn't help...I even chewed some pepto bismal tablets, something I HATE.... cause the pain was so bad and that didn't help!

I later had a bit of queasiness with it but the main thing was the overall pain that wouldn't go away. The pain even radiated to my sides and back!!! There was no position I could take where the pain was less. I even gave serious thought to going to the hospital.

After a miserable day in pain, I finally went to bed to watch some TV. Before I did, I took some plain old baking soda and water. THAT WORKED! Within 30 minutes the pain lifted and I had relief!!!

Now I'm wondering what is wrong with me? Is it an ulcer? I didn't eat anything weird, but I must've eaten something that triggered this. I figured it had to be irritation and inflammation of some sort. That's when I tried the baking soda and water to alkalize and calm it down.

Based on a few things you mentioned, including the time until the attack and the radiation of pain I really doubt if it is your stomach. It really sounds more like a gallbladder attack. Women are more prone to gallbladder issues due to the higher levels of estrogen and progesterone.

Also I don't think the baking soda had anything to do with the symptom alleviation. These attacks are rarely long in duration and it likely subsided on its own.

Every test I know of for ulcers involves nasty stuff like upper G.I., wires and cameras down the throat, etc. UGH. I am going to research more on ulcers today but my first stop was here.

Again I don't think it is an ulcer.

How does one heal ulcers?

If bacterial in origin then mastic gum and licorice root. 

For other ulcers cabbage juice, plantain bananas, gotu kola , and licorice root are all good.

How are they caused? Do I now have too much acid in my stomach?

No they are not caused by excess acid. The most common causes are H. pylori bacteria and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The NSAIDs lead to ulcers by inhibiting a prostaglandin needed to produce the stomach's protective lining. Without this lining the stomach acid can directly attack the stomach wall.

Should I take some oil of oregano or olive to kill the h. pylori bacteria that causes it?

If there were an ulcer this would likely aggravate it. Mastic gum would be my first choice followed by the licorice root.

Would any of the things I've been taking...the bitters, vitex, nettle leaf, yucca root, etc. contribute to this?

The vitex possibly if it is a gallbladder issue since the vitex raises progesterone and progesterone increases the risk of gallstones.

Should they be helping? I even had a milk kefir smoothie that morning which obviously had no effect on this later!

Bitters will help if it is a gallbladder issue. Lecithin granules and increased fiber intake will help.

This is all new to me, although I've always had a 'nervous stomach' my whole life. This may just be the end result of it! Input please.

Still the way you described it this time it does not sound like a stomach issue. And if it was a stomach issue the baking soda would have masked the symptoms immediately, not 30 minutes later. Sounds more like a gallbladder issue.