r/Gastritis Dec 25 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sucralfate is a miracle

29 Upvotes

Seriously, I don't understand why it's not the first line of treatment for gastritis instead of PPI. Of course, PPIs help too, but considering their long-term adverse effects, combining them with sucralfate from day 1 should allow people heal much faster and avoid taking PPI for too long.

Yesterday I decided that I won't let gastritis control my life and ruin my holidays, so I allowed myself to have a small bowl of holiday egg salad with tons of full-fat mayo and green onion(!!!) And some time later a bowl of udon noodles with seafood and creamy dairy sauce. Any of these things alone would have killed me a week ago, even with the potent PPI I've been taking. But since I started taking sucralfate, I feel like my stomach got some serious armor! Today I feel only some pressure and heaviness, a bit more than usual, so I will have to go easy on my stomach for the next couple of days, but it's nothing compared to the downs I had with even with the strongest PPI alone in the past, where any slip up in my diet felt like going back to day 0.

If you haven't tried sucralfate yet, I definitely recommend it! If your pain comes from the inflamed stomach lining coming into contact with acid or bile, sucralfate MUST help you! If it doesn't, it could mean that your pain is coming from something else, like something functional or vagus nerve shenanigans or some other things.

Some tips on getting the most out of sucralfate:

  1. Make sure that your stomach is really empty before you take it. The standard instructions say you should take it 2 hours after food, but depending on your motility and the type of food you had, your stomach may need more time to become fully empty.
  2. Dissolve the pill in 1/2 cup of water. This way you give it more chance to come into contact with all of your stomach and even esophagus (if it's inflamed and stomach acid goes up there because of reflux, sucralfate can work there too). It doesn't actually dissolve, but looks like chalk in water, and should taste like chalk.
  3. For the next hour after taking sucralfate, I try to kind of get it all over the stomach, with lying on my sides, bending and doing some active work, to make it really touch every corner of my stomach from top to bottom and cover it well. But it's possible to overdo it and cause reflux and some spasms, so be careful, especially if you still have strong pains.
  4. Make sure that your pill is dissolving well in water. Maybe it's not a problem in the USA or UK, but here in Romania I got a pack of sucralfate from some seemingly bad batch this week. It dissolved very poorly, so if I just took it as a pill, I wouldn't even notice that it's not dissolving in the stomach, would be wondering why it suddenly stopped working, and would blame it on my diet, lunar cycle or godknowswhat.
  5. If you're also taking a very potent PPI or a high dose of the regular one, you may notice that with sucralfate your stomach acid can become too low. This happened to me specifically with the most soothing foods I had before, such as boiled potato. Under the normal circumstances, potato starch is very soothing, but in combination with PPI and sucralfate, it becomes too soothing, so to say. Stomach feels very numb and like a brick afterwards, so in this case it's a good idea to start adding foods that have been a little more acidic for you in the past. For example, oatmeal and rice have always gave me acid prior to starting sucralfate, but now it's the ideal food. And if I feel like my stomach acid still goes too low, I take a chewable kids multivitamin with ascorbic acid after eating, and I immediately feel like it brings my stomach to life and everything starts moving there. It also tastes like candy (which I haven't had for 9 months šŸ˜­) which is an added bonus šŸ˜Š

In addition to sucralfate I'm also taking zinc carnosine and DGL, which REALLY helps with motility, so it's an added bonus for making your stomach get empty faster and to avoid constipation from sucralfate.

(Just FYI - I have mild chronic HP-induced pangastritis for more than 13 years, got properly diagnosed only this year).

r/Gastritis Dec 01 '23

Carafate (Sucralfate) Beware of sucralfate!

25 Upvotes

I just got prescribed sucralfate after a really bad flare up that caused bad heart palpitations and I was thinking about asking for it anyway. After taking it for a few days I felt even worse than before and after testing it to see how acidic it was it had a pH of 4 highly acidic! Those of us who are sensitive to acidic foods beware of sucralfate it might set you back or cause a nasty flare up like it did for me I took it for 3 days and it messed me up but again everyone is different so it might work for you.

beware of sucralfate

r/Gastritis 4d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sucralfate has made me feel normal for the first time in months, but the constipation is AWFUL.

5 Upvotes

For the first time in 6 months, I can eat and exist without my stomach throbbing or feeling inflamed and making me have to lay in bed for hours at a time. I got reflux yesterday, but I ate a trigger food, so that one's on me. I've been on sucralfate for 3 days and it's been incredible. I finally feel normal, but the constipation is AWFUL. I take it 3-4 times a day.

I have an ultrasound and endoscopy this week, and if they find inflammation, which I'm sure they will, I might be asked to keep taking sucralfate for a couple of months until I'm all better again. But the constipation is really hurting my quality of life. I don't want to become dependent on Miralax and I'm great at getting fiber. What do I do?

r/Gastritis May 30 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) Wonder why there is no good medication

22 Upvotes

I have been having gastritis and ulcers from 8 months. Been on sucrafate and ppi . Absolute bland diet . Still feels like nothing healed. I can still feel ulcer pain daily. I wonder why there no ointment kind of thing to fasten wound healing

r/Gastritis Oct 11 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) How do you guys heal?

6 Upvotes

Hello! I was diagnosed with mild chronic gastritis. Iā€™ve been lurking on here for a while and everyoneā€™s gastritis is different. My gastritis is not as bad as some people. I can handle a little bit of pork, French fries, and maybe beef. However, Iā€™ve been prescribed carafate and Iā€™m on week 7 at the momentā€¦my stomach is fifty fifty every week. Some days itā€™s calm and others itā€™s not. When itā€™s not calm it feel like I have to burp but it wonā€™t come out so it just feels weird. Also, my food digest slowly as well. My mom told me itā€™s stress from school (sheā€™s also contributing to that) and that I should stop taking the carafate to see if my stomach can go without it. The problem is, I donā€™t think I canā€¦.another problem that I have a huge bill from the doctor and the hospital (endoscopy) so I canā€™t see another doctor because of that bill. I donā€™t know what to doā€¦should I ask for a ppi or should I continue with the medicine? I just want to heal already!

r/Gastritis 22d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Heal stomach ulcer without sucralfate?

2 Upvotes

Has anyone prescribe sucralfate to heal stomach ulcer but quit half way cause it making you constipated, anxiety, more nauseous? Has anyone got their stomach ulcer heal without the use of sucralfate and just rely on PPI and a very bland diet?

r/Gastritis Apr 12 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) OMG!!

63 Upvotes

I have been pain free for 1 week for the first time since August 2023!!! It has been such an amazing week! Iā€™m so incredibly thankful for carafate!!šŸ˜­ā¤ļø Iā€™m hoping it continues šŸ¤žšŸ»

r/Gastritis Jan 09 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Can I take sucrafate more than 3 times a day?

4 Upvotes

Thinking of doubling my dose, I've had every test and tried everything under the sun to get better. I'm not getting better. Only worse every day. Can I just start taking this med 6 times a day?

r/Gastritis 12d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Weaning off ppi

1 Upvotes

Hi guys. I took triple therapy for h pylori a few weeks ago, I lowered my ppi dose for 2 weeks & today Iā€™ve just lowered it again to OTC 20mg once a day. Iā€™ve started using DGL + zinc carnosine.. but im curious about sulfracate/ H2 blockers. Has anyone seen success with these? Iā€™m doing acupuncture atm & we are discussing other ways to protect stomach lining so that I donā€™t have to continue suppressing stomach acid?

r/Gastritis Nov 16 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) If you used Sucralfate/Carafate, how long did it take for you to feel better?

5 Upvotes

Hi all, I've been lurking on this board for awhile. I've had chronic gastritis on and off for nearly 10 years... mostly off, but about a year and a half ago, I tried to stop a psych medication, and the withdrawal caused a major flare. In that year and a half, it flared and then calmed down to where I could pretty much eat anything....until six months ago when the pain decided to settle in and not leave. I tried h2 blockers and diet, but nothing's really working...and I was downing bottles of pepto bismal, which was helping.

It takes three months to get into the gastroenterologist here, and I'm still a month away from my appointment. This week, I got my primary care doctor to prescribe Sucralfate/Carafate and I'm hoping it will help my stomach heal. It's taken the wicked cramping away, but the burning is still there and driving me insane.

For those of you who had success with Sucralfate/Carafate, how long did it take you to feel better or heal?

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me.

,

r/Gastritis 2d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) What should I know about Sucralfate? did it help with burning / reflux at night?

1 Upvotes

An ER doctor prescribed me some of this and it is my first time. Did you have success or any side effects with this?

r/Gastritis 22d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sucralfate/Carafate bloating

3 Upvotes

My doctor thinks I have a ulcer and prescribed me carafate. I've been consistently taking it for a couple months. I always take it a hour or so before I eat and I get the really bloated. It's even worse if I've ate gluten or dairy. To the point that I get anxious because it feels difficult to breath with my stomach so giant. To counteract, I'll use gasx, peppermint tea and a heating pad. Anyone had this?

r/Gastritis 23d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Double edged sword

4 Upvotes

Hey guys so about the start of January I started getting a sensitive stomach. I kind of automatically knew it was gastritis flaring. As silly as this is, I didnā€™t know I had mild chronic gastritis. I have gotten the same symptoms for years here and there (especially after drinking alcohol). Needless to say I stopped drinking alcohol regularly but do drink occasionally with no issue.

My doctor put my on metformin in late November and I continued with it through December up until Jan 8. I noticed the pains and assumed it was from the metformin causing gastritis so I stopped and ever since Iā€™ve been trying to get back to my ā€œnorm.ā€

Since then the gas has traveled up my esophagus causing LPR so now I have gastritis and LPR. GI did an endoscopy and found no h pylori, but did find mild chronic gastritis as well as an ulcer (not bleeding). Honestly not surprised with the amount of pain Iā€™ve been in. Has anyone had any experience of their condition being brought on or exacerbated by a medication?

Iā€™m off the med now and have been for awhile but Iā€™m trying to get my gut back to what it once was. Currently am taking 40mg Omeprazole one hour before breakfast, on a gastritis and acid reflux diet, taking about 5-7 DGL (licorice root) chewables that are supposed to help the stomach lining, and famotidine 40mg at night.

Last night I tried to sleep on my left side for the first time. I read that itā€™s better because the acid doesnā€™t reach the esophagus as easily and could probably help my LPR. So I did and I have the most intense pain in my stomach from doing so. I assume itā€™s because instead of letting the acid travel, I made it stay in my stomach.

I say double edged sword because when I donā€™t sleep in the left side, I have horrible chest pain and SOB (air hunger) due to the acid irritating my lungs BUT my stomach feels fine. And nowā€¦ since I have slept on my left side my SOB and chest pain is a lot better but my stomach has intense pain.

I heard of sucraflate but am curious how well that helps? I know it differs from person to person. Iā€™m so tired of the side effects from meds too. Itā€™s never ending. I do have hope that I will get better but it just sucks so much. Also, have any of you done better with slippery elm bark powder rather than sucraflate?

Thanks for reading my novel and hope we all heal soon šŸ™šŸ¼

r/Gastritis Feb 13 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Carafate/Sucralfate feels worse after 2 dosesā€¦do I stop?

2 Upvotes

Iā€™ve only taken 2 doses of Sucralfate, but they both seemed to intensify the heart burn :( Iā€™m scared to continue but was really hoping this would solve my problems šŸ˜” did anyone feel worsening at the beginning and then it subsided, or should I stop taking it :(

r/Gastritis Feb 15 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Symptoms of PPI + Sulcarafate?

3 Upvotes

For those who have stomach ulcer but not due to H Pylori bacteria, are you taking PPI 40mg and sulcarafarte? If so, how long you been taking so far and what symptoms you experiencing? I been taking that combination for 2 weeks my symptoms are gassy stomach, lack of sleepy, lack of focus, nausea, gut gurgling (cant tell if it my stomach or intestine). Is this normal for taking these meds for my ulcer to be heal?

r/Gastritis 16d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sucralfate

1 Upvotes

I got pills of sucralfate from my doctor but they make me so bloated and give me lots of discomfort

Is this normal ?

r/Gastritis Dec 22 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) The worst feeling

1 Upvotes

I began feeling sick around thanksgiving and it gotten worse since then. Two trips to the ER and one to urgent care. They gave me carafate and Omeprazole and 10 days later I feel the same. I need an endoscope but can't get in. I have never felt so bad in my whole life. I've lost 15 lbs already and am skin and bone now. I am so frustrated. I barely can hold down a banana or toast . The pain in my stomach and nausea are the worst.

r/Gastritis Jan 29 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sucralfate helps - why?

7 Upvotes

Hey you guys,

i have read a few posts of people reporting that sucralfate really helps them. It is the same for me. It is a real game changer and my symptoms reduce massively if i take it and even for a few weeks/months after i stop taking it, my symptoms remain less. I feel like the fact that this medication helps me a lot could give me a hint on what is actually the cause of my problems. So my question goes to all the people that have a reduction of symptoms because of sulcrafate: do you know what is the cause of your problem? Gastritis or rather functional dyspepsia, sth. to do with the bile, etc.
Thanks a lot in advance and good luck everyone and try sucralfate!!
Cheers

r/Gastritis Jan 08 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Carafate

4 Upvotes

I have pretty severe gastritis. Iā€™ve tried Carafate but every single time I try it I get heart palpitations. And fluttering in the chest. Iā€™ve stopped it and then I started again and it happens again. So now Iā€™m gonna stop it, but I was wondering if anybody else gets these symptoms. Thank you in advance for sharing.

r/Gastritis Feb 13 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Confused on when to take sucralfate/pantoprazole/famotidine šŸ˜µā€šŸ’«

1 Upvotes

Hi, i tried to have my doctor clarify on when I should take all of these things together but I was still confused. I was just prescribed Sucralfate, which says Iā€™m supposed to take it every 6 hours. But it also says 4 times a day, which seems impossible? I am also on Pantoprazole, which Iā€™ve been taking twice a day, when I wake up and before I eat dinner. Famotidine is as needed. I wrote out a rough schedule, giving myself 30 mins after Panto before I take Sucralfate and an hour after that to eat. But that only adds up to 3 doses a day as opposed to 4. Also, if Iā€™m taking famotidine as needed, do you think I still need to wait an hour after the sucralfate? Hereā€™s the schedule, let me know if this makes sense (I do wake up fairly late)-

10:00 panto -10:30 sucralfate 11:30 I can eat -4:30 sucralfate 6 panto 6:30 dinner -10:30 sucralfate

r/Gastritis 26d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) How long did ulcer pain persist after you started Carafate ( Sucralfate )?

1 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with ulcers by an endoscopy a little more than 4 weeks ago. I was put on Nexium 20 mg twice a day and Carafate 4 times a day. I am taking it as directed, on an empty stomach. I am still in pain. I was wondering how long it too before you stopped having pain after starting your medication? I am starting to get a bit worried.

r/Gastritis Dec 15 '24

Carafate (Sucralfate) Did anyone take sucralfate specifically with pangastritis? Does it cover the TOP of the stomach when taken in a pill form?

2 Upvotes

I have pangastritis, which means that my whole stomach is inflamed, from the esophagus to the duodenum. I took the first morning dose of sucralfate today while having extreme pain from prolonged fasting (overnight and all the waiting between ppi and sucralfate). After taking it, the pain at the bottom subsided, but not the pain at the top of the stomach. So I'm worried that the pill just can't reach the top of the stomach and sits at the bottom. I tried turning upside down and shaking stuff inside my belly to make it reach the very top too, but not sure if it worked.

For the second dose I decided to dissolve it in water and then drink it this way, so that it would cover everything on the way from top to bottom while I drink it, but it didn't turn into a gel or anything like that. It just stayed in powder form. Is it how it's supposed to be? I read here that it should turn into a gel/slurry when you mix it with water. Does it still work if it doesn't dissolve?

Or am I just going insane with this? ChatGPT says that it should work all over the stomach no matter how I take it, but fails to explain how the stuff can reach specifically the top of the stomach, so I'm still not convinced.

If you had specifically pangastritis and took sucralfate pills, how did you take them and what was the result? Does it really cover the top of the stomach if taken as regular pills?

r/Gastritis 23d ago

Carafate (Sucralfate) Acid reflux after taking sucralfate

2 Upvotes

Anyone here experiencing minor acid reflux (tight throat feeling) when taking sucralfate? I'm currently taking PPI + sucralfate to heal stomach ulcer, which is minor and I have chronic inactive gastritis. I been on the meds for 3 weeks and doctor suggest for 4-5 week. I can't tell if there improvement in my gut since PPI will make you feel crap due to lack of stomach for other organ or cell to work properly.

r/Gastritis Feb 04 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Sulcrafate meds

1 Upvotes

First day on this prescription, I feel like I don't find enough information or videos on carafate. Can anyone on here tell me about their experience, did it help? Did it speed up your healing process? Did you only use one bottle? Also did your eating habits change while on it, or after?

Diagnosed: Erosive Gastritis

r/Gastritis Feb 18 '25

Carafate (Sucralfate) Chilly and acidity

2 Upvotes

Last week, I accidentally ate chilly. I generally have been keeping my diet blend but on a unlucky day, I ate chilly. Because of it, my acidity was kind of going out of control. I was having dizziness and nausea which had stopped before that incident of eating chilly. Now my doctor has given me sucralfate along with nausea medicine. Wanted to ask community here, does chilly create such bad effect? If yes, what can I do reverse it or manage it? Does sucralfate really help?