Update. I thought I was getting better. The ulcer has gotten smaller and I was able to go on lower dose of meds. But that didn't work. I think the ulcer (hope) it is still getting smaller, but the lower dose of meds didn't work. The pain and all the problems came back, in the same way as last time. It was sneaky. So of course I didn't notice it at first. My back really was having some awful pain and that again covered up the ulcer pain. But this time I figured it out! So back on the higher dose of meds and it took a couple of weeks doing that to get the pain level down. My back got better, this ulcer really likes to hurt my back all over! Went to doctor today and I have to have my now 3rd tube down the throat test in two weeks. I thought I was done with it all. But the pain is just so bad, can't even press on the stomach without awful pain that goes all over my body! So another test. Surgery is still not 100% out of the picture here. I am more frustrated than scared or worried, but the thought of maybe having to have something like 1/2 of my stomach removed (which is something doctors don't really do much anymore or even like to) does have me pretty down! I am doing more things than I was able to before like going for walks and doing some yard work and house work. But doing things that I have to bend I get dizzy and the pain! So not a good update. But I have not given up. I just wanted this to be over. Since March this has been my life and the question everyone asks "How is the Ulcer?". Good question! One thing that didn't come back was the throwing up acid or even throwing up at all. So that is the only thing I don't have. Which is a good thing I don't! Never threw up so much in my life as I did with this ulcer!
You hold on and let them figure out what's going on in there. Ulcers are nasty things - and often take time to resolve. Hopefully, it won't come to surgery.
Thank you for all the positive thoughts. I need them! Being on this Star Trek Board helps to distract me and give me something fun to think about. I think I was on here today more than I ever have been. Thanks whoever started this board it helps a lot of people in so many ways. I am glad my husband thought I would like being on here. Thanks Mr. Silvercrest. Well, he does not have the Mr. on it.
I hope you are able to get this under control and start feeling better soon! Our thoughts are with you!
I have my 3rd test on Monday for the ulcer. I have to stay healthy. I don't have covid, but my husband does! So far I don't and can still get this procedure done. I just need to get this over with and find out something! But I have to stay healthy with someone in this small house with covid. We are doing our best to keep me healthy. He has the couch, his own sink for now, and lots of hankies, and hand sanitizer and clorox wipes on everything! This is so hard and I feel so sorry for him he has a fever, super sore throat and cough so far.
For a while I was unsure I could get the test, the timing was awful, my husband got covid on the 11th, my test was on the 15th. But I tested a big NO for covid so the doctors let me have the test. That really surprised me. After testing NO to the test I had to stay at home and away from people so I wouldn't get it. But it seemed okay to them that I was home with someone who had it. Didn't make a lot of sense. But whatever, I got the procedure done. I guess covid just is not the scary thing it was in a lot of ways?? I really thought I would have to cancel the procedure. Well, I made it thru my 3rd tube down the throat test on Monday. This time it really hurt, I think having so many 3 in only a couple of months has made my throat not want anymore. This one gave me a lot of trouble after. . But it is over and done with. I go back to the doctor in a couple of months to see how things are. The good news is the ulcer is still getting smaller. The bad news it will still hurt sometimes because of where it is in my tummy. I have to stay on the higher meds for a while. But no surgery in the future. I hope that stays true. This is sure a slow heal though. I didn't get covid until after the test was good and done. But yesterday I did test positive for it. But so far it is not too bad. My husband has had it for about 8 days now and he is slowly getting better. I am just getting started with it. But so far it is more like a bad cold than anything else. And so far the 3 shots I had for covid were way worse than having it. I really had an awful time with the shots! This summer it just seems like either me or my husband has had some health thing going on. It has been so endless. And we haven't been able to get things done around the house and yard like we need/want to. My husband just got over a broken arm and was back to doing more things and he got covid. So not the best summer to remember fondly. But at least I know the ulcer is still getting smaller. Well, that is it for now.
If it's getting smaller - it IS getting better. Having pain during the healing process is normal - annoying - but normal. As to Covid - it's slowly turning into another cause of the common cold (I think there were ~7 viruses, now...8).
The surgeon flat-out told us that what she's going through is not normal. Yes, it's getting smaller, but he didn't expect to perform 3-4 endoscopies before he could even be sure of the answer. There's still plenty of room for caution here. Thank you for the thoughts, though.
A couple of weeks ago I got my 4th tube down throat test done. It was good news. I was in a lot of pain recently thought the ulcer was coming back big again, but the doctor put the tube down my throat with a tiny pair of scissors and cut a suture that was sticking to my tummy. Every time I pushed in a certain spot it really hurt! And made me so sick. But now the suture is cut and not pressing I don't hurt anymore! The ulcer is getting so tiny! Looks like my body is finally absorbing it. I still have to stay on the meds for a while. We are coming up on Wed. the 8th to a year since it all happened. A year of pain, fear, no energy and lots of questions and too many tests! Looks like I am going to live for a while and not with an ulcer and no surgery to remove part of my tummy. So here's to it never ever coming back again! Hit the road ulcer! Happy One year, almost ann. to you ulcer. Be gone! It is amazing how something so small can really affect a person. I feel like quoting that senator in Iron Man 2 by saying. "It is amazing how much trouble a little prick can be." He said it while giving Tony his medal.
Thank you all for the good thoughts! And I didn't have to push the spot, if I bent down it would hurt. So glad not to deal with that any more.
Update. I went off all the ulcer meds in May. May and June were okay. July not so much. The awful back pain came back first. So I am now back on the ulcer meds again. I go for a tube down the throat and also one up the butt. So both ways in Oct. Not going to be a fun month for me.