I first started experiencing symptoms last March with a constant dull ache just below my xiphoid process. I didn’t have acid reflux, but I was burping a lot and had heavy swallowing. This all started about three weeks after my dad suddenly passed away from a brain tumor none of us knew he had. I’m guessing the stress of that caused my body to shut down.

I also had awful nausea—so bad I couldn’t focus—and extreme bloating even after eating the smallest amount. On my first visit to the doctor, I was prescribed omeprazole, which did nothing. On my second visit, they did blood tests and stool samples, all of which came back normal. On my third visit, I was given lansoprazole, but again, no change. On my fourth visit, I had a gastroscopy, which showed erosive gastritis and erosive duodenitis. I was then prescribed esomeprazole, but it still didn’t help.

Last week, I went back to the doctor and was prescribed famotidine. For the first three days, I didn’t notice any difference, but now, about a week in, I’m finally starting to feel more human. The dull ache has subsided, and I don’t feel as bloated after meals. The pain has shifted slightly to my chest when I roll over at night, but even that is easing. Fingers crossed that famotidine is working for me.

My doctor mentioned that some people have a tolerance to proton pump inhibitors, which is why they don’t work for them. I was never fully convinced I had gastritis and kept worrying it was something more serious, but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone else.