Heartburn And Treatment

Q: I have had a sour stomach and terrible heartburn..does this sound like an ulcer? For the last 3 weeks, I have had a constant sour stomach with burning heartburn. I eat Tums like candy and just started Zantac. It all started when I got my period (I am not regular, due to chemotherapy treatments and a bone marrow transplant 14 years ago...before this period, my last one was 7 months ago) I became very sick with this period (I never get sick with it) I was throwing up and twice I threw up a lot of blood. Ever since, every AM..after I have been up an hour or so, I get a sour stomach..and then the heartburn sets in. I do not feel like eating.and when I do, I just feel worse. I saw my oncologist and he wants me to go see a gastroenterologist..which I will, but right now..I am also going through some back problems and I am dealing with that at the moment..but tha'ts another story for another time...I am going through a lot of stress so that is why I am asking about an ulcer Can anyone in the group help me please?

A:The usual symptoms of a gastric ulcer are a gnawing stomach pain that is relieved by food (although food makes it worse for you) but can also include indigestion and heartburn. Throwing up blood (hematemesis) is a symptom of an upper

GI bleed, such as gastric ulcer. Whatever your back problems the gastric issue needs to take priority, my friend. I think this is beyond acid reflux. t sounds suspiciously like acid reflux, to me. Avoid caffeine, greasy foods and spicy foods for a while and see if that helps. Also eat several small meals a day instead of three large ones. Having many small meals and therefore less food at a time, in your stomach, may alleviate your symptoms, UNTIL you can see a gastroenterologist. The symptoms she exiibits: and the advice I gave her, came straight from a Doctor, to my daughter. Sorry if it doesn't meet your criteria. Regardless, she needs to see the gastroenterolgist , no matter what.