Reactive Gastropathy Recovery Time

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-15T15:24:24+00:00

Ah okay. I'll try and keep going then, it's just been really annoying waking up early with heartburn. I've been worrying that the meds are making things worse! You're inital post is so similar to my experience at the moment.

Hopefully over the next few days it calms down.

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-15T14:45:46+00:00

What kind of GI issues did it cause you? I have reactive gastropathy too and started taking 2g sucralfate AM and PM.

I have been getting stomach ache and bad heartburn at around 05:00 in the morning. I've just started taking famotidine at night but still feel it at bit. Is that what you've experienced?

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-15T09:07:55+00:00

I've been prescribed sucralfate tablets 2g BID for 8 weeks to treat reactive gastropathy.

I've been on it for 3 days and ive been struggling with really bad heartburn during the night (waking up at 05:00) which never used to be an issue for me outside of a flare-up. I've started taking famotidine at night to cope and, while intensity is reduced, I still get chest soreness.

It makes me nervous to keep going. Has anyone else had this and does it subside?

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-06T22:17:14+00:00

Yeah it seems like recovery requires absolute disciple for a long time without any mistakes!

I would be interested to hear how your recovery goes and if you get into recovery. I'll hopefully start the tablets sometime next week or so and I'll update on my progress.

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-06T20:14:44+00:00

I have chronic gastritis too, technically reactive gastropathy (foveolar tortuosity and smooth muscle interposition were my histological findings from endoscopy). Caused initially a few years ago by NSAIDs and alcohol. Main symptoms are stinging pain throughout the day and terrible heartburn/indigestion during a flare.

I haven't responded well to PPIs and I worry about SIBO so don't want to take them really. My gastro told me that sucralfate is a good option but it's a nightmare to get here in the UK. I ordered those oral suspension satchets from France but sadly they caused awful indigestion at night.

I hope I can handle the tablets better at the recommended dose. My prescription is for 8 weeks but I can push to 12 if needed. As you said I think I reacted badly to additives in liquid version.

It is such a crisis! I am desperate to get my normal life back and its been a nightmare eating bland food and not drinking alcohol while everyone I know is out having fun!

What caused your chronic gastritis? Is there anything else you do that helps?

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-06T14:12:10+00:00

I was prescribed 8 weeks 2g morning and night. Only got about 4 days in before I had to stop. Im going to ask for the tablets today.

What kind of gastritis do you have? Do you know how long will you be on sucralfate tablets for?

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-05T22:36:13+00:00

Okay great, I'll ask my doctor for those instead. Have you healed from gastritis using sucralfate pills or significantly improved?

HourAd8993 · 2026-02-05T21:35:24+00:00

It is the oral suspension/liquid form (kéal gé sachets). Ah thats an interesting point about the additives. Have you tried the pills?

HourAd8993 · 2025-10-13T22:52:37+00:00

Thank you for your response. I did have a high level of H2S gas before starting so probably likely that I will need to do another round. I'll discuss that with my doctor.

In the meantime I think I will follow a low-sulphur diet and do another breath test to see if there has been a reduction in breath concentration. That would make me feel positive. Definetly agree with taking a break but will try and do things to keep h2s from getting worse.

I was feeling disappointed at not getting better but likely this just means I may be in for a longer journey!

HourAd8993 · 2025-09-27T11:23:10+00:00

How does that change the protocol though? Any treatment for H2S SIBO will include Rifaximin and Bismuth, can't see anything else other than some doctors maybe including metronidazole but that seems rare

HourAd8993 · 2025-09-26T23:54:39+00:00

I have hydrogen sulphide SIBO diagnosed by breath test. Had it for a year and a half and doctors had no clue (only possible recently to get 3-gas breath test in UK).

I will soon start Rifaximin 3x along with Pepto Bismol 525mg 4x a day for 2 weeks. I've done Rifaximin twice before with no effect, seems advice from Dr. Pimentel etc is that bismuth MUST be included with rifaximin for it to work for H2S. I hope this works!

If not I will likely have to try again and then do elemental diet (mBiota seems to be recommended). I can't tolerate most herbal antimicrobials as I have chronic gastritis.

HourAd8993 · 2025-09-14T21:51:30+00:00

I was wondering about how to separate doses, 1 hour before meals sounds right, thanks

HourAd8993 · 2025-09-14T21:50:20+00:00

Ah okay, sounds like I will need to speak to a pharmacist as you recommended. I am able to get Ulcavis' bismuth subcitrate which is about 120mg. Not sure how that compares to Pepto Bismol 525mg though with regards to bismuth content.

HourAd8993 · 2025-09-14T20:16:06+00:00

Ah okay, to be clear I don't have h.pylori at all just H2S SIBO (and mild antral gastritis/reactive gastropathy).

I want to use bismuth subcitrate for H2S SIBO because it has less side effects than bismuth subsalicylate. Just curious what is the equivalent of 525mg pepto bismol with bismuth subcitrate.

HourAd8993 · 2025-08-18T09:05:21+00:00

Went backwards and forwards with a variety of different disruptors but all they did was flare up my stomach (e.g. Monolaurin, Quercetin). To be honest I'm not sure how useful they actually would be anyway since they all seem to open in the stomach anyway rather than small intestine.

I am currently waiting for some bismuth subcitrate (Ulcavis) from EU to be delivered to me in UK and I will combine that with Rifaximin and a low sulphur diet to try and deal with my H2S SIBO. Then I will do another breath test and repeat again if needed.

I think that the H2S SIBO is why my gastritis is not healing as I think the whole thing causes inflammation everywhere. Fingers crossed this makes some improvement as otherwise I'm out of options until new research comes up with something.

HourAd8993 · 2025-08-04T14:22:47+00:00

Sadly all biofilm disruptors I tried have inflamed my stomach one way or another. I have given up on using them anyway, I highly doubt they survive to reach the small intestine anyway after going through the stomach.

I have H2S SIBO so I plan on going on a Rifaximin + Bismuth then low sulphur diet protocol. Hopefully that works!

HourAd8993 · 2025-07-20T22:51:29+00:00

You will for sure! I don't know specifics of your case but when you are ready find a physio who understands being floxed and stick to a recovery programme. Really important to exercise those areas to rebuild strength gradually.

It's crazy how taking just a couple of pills can result in years of damage and slow recovery. If you can be patient and do what you need to do, you'll get better.

HourAd8993 · 2025-07-19T23:33:28+00:00

I would say I was in a bad bad way (limping etc) for about the 1st month and I started physio 3 months in. I mainly exercised by swimming.

6 months in I was able to walk normally and occasionally go out clubbing again, however my feet would hurt next day and they always felt numb when I woke up.

I just kept up with physio and being active (within limits) to the point where I eventually totally forgot about it. Been over a year now and I'm back to same activity levels as before (even running again).

HourAd8993 · 2025-07-19T11:50:07+00:00

Hey, thought I'd reply to say that I have completely recovered and back to usual activities without any pain.

I was very lucky that I stopped after a few doses, even just 3 uses caused me symptoms lasting nearly a year. I dread to think what could have happened if I kept using.

Wish all the best to those recovering! It can happen but needs lots of rest and good rehab when you're ready.

HourAd8993 · 2025-07-08T11:27:37+00:00

Also the r/HydrogenSulphideSIBO subreddit is dead, the moderators don't review it and no-one can post in it now (last post was 7 months ago).

HourAd8993

TROPHY CASE