Mastic gum side effects

[Sharon]

Valerie, first you can't make something right, you just have to do your best. As for me, I honestly take no medication at all. I am familiar with the blood thinner your mother is taking which can also add to stomach distress. GERD is also a very serious disorder which does not help the H.pylori situation. I wouldn't think the Mastic Gum would interfere with any of her medications, but just not sure it would be as effective if she wasn't on so much medication. I would not recommend discontinuing the medication though because of her overall condition. What did the doctor recommend that she do? Did he offer the antibiotic regime for the H.pylori? I would think if he didn't the Mastic Gum may be worth trying. I know how she feels not wanting to eat, I didn't either but it was because everything I ate hurt me. I lost down to 105 lbs and looked very sick. I am up to 112 now and feel great after treating my H.pylori with the Mastic Gum. Please remember, you can't fix this, you can only help your mom by doing what you are doing...searching for answers. Sharon

[VALERIE]

THANKS MRS.SHARON , YES SHE HAS TAKEN THE TRIPLE THERAPY BUT THAT WAS ONLY FOR TWO WEEKS. NOW SHE HAS A PROBLEM WITH DRINKING WATER OVERALL MY MOM HAVE NOT EATEN A MEAL SINCE JULY SHE'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL SINCE JULY SO RIGHT NOW I,M LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDS. SO IM TRYING NOW THE ACTIVIA PLAIN YOGURT AND CINNAMON, VIRGIN PINE NUTS AND CINNAMON APPLE SAUCE SHE IS ONLY DRINKING THE BOOST AND EATING JUST SPOONS OF OAT MEAL ANYTHING TO GET HER TO EAT AND COAT HER STOMACH WILL HELP SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT AND BLESS YOU I WISH YOU WELL ALSO.I WILL TRY THE MASTIC GUM ALSO.

[RLG]

I have a 10 yr old son who has just tested "elevated" with Pylori. He's been upchucking on/off since February. Lately, he upchucks within an hour or rising in the a.m. on an empty stomach. Expelling nothing but clear fluid that burns and causes very loud belches while upchucking. He's lost 8 pounds this summer too. I took him to his Pedi & they ran tons of blood tests testing for allergy, celiac, etc. In all 3 of his stool samples, trace amounts of blood were found and the elevated Pylori. My son was a preemie at birth and has suffered with GERD and other GI issues on/off his 10 years of life. So, this upchucking is the newest issue. We have an appt. with a Pedi G.I. this week just to guarantee something else isn't causing the bleeding, but at this point, seems he may have a bleeding peptic ulcer caused by Pylori?? Still running tests. Anyway, I'm not fond of antibiotics, my son also has eczema, so when antibiotics start pumping, his skin normally goes ballestic. I'm interested in the Mastic Gum, but I've been told to take the pill or capsule, works better for killing Pylori. I've also found that Pinenut Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil will help to heal/soothe the bleeding ulcer, if in fact it is an ulcer. Is anyone familiar with the correct dosage for a child on the Mastic? Thanks. RG

[Sharon]

What a trial for you and your son. I know how concerned you must be. I was able to cure my H.pylori with Mastica Gum capsules and I believe I also had an ulcer because everything I ate caused me extreme pain and I lost from 125 lbs to 105 in a few months because I couldn't eat. I did not have the vomiting, and I was not tested for an ulcer but I still believe I had one. The Mastica Gum cured the H.pylori and I also never have any stomach pain and I have gained back to 111 lbs. I would be very hesitant too on using the antibiotics as they cause stomach problems in themselves. If you do use the Mastica Gum or antibiotics, be sure to give him a good probiotic to replace any good bacteria that could die in the treatment.

'I don't know about children and the Mastica Gum but I am sending you the website address for the product I used. When I e-mailed them with a question I had, they were prompt and informative, so I would suggest you e-mail them by going through their website and finding their contact information. It is www.allergyresearchgroup.com Having an answer from them on a child using Mastica Gum would be the best route to take. Good luck and let us know how things are going. Sharon

[Ktspirit4]

Have done the ATB treatment x2 for h-p -but still testing pos. Have been well w/no gerd symptoms for about 5 months and then Wham !! I ate Bran Bread and have been miserable since with belching and acid burning in my chest. Im thinking of trying the Gum (jarrows just bought it)but run low B/Ps like 100/60 . I have been on every med out there for G.I problems for say 15 yrs -

[Sharon]

Ktspirit4 - Have you tried going gluten free? Sounds like you may have an intolerance to gluten. I can't do any gluten products without having gut issues. What does your BP have to do with the Mastic Gum? You can check with the company that sells the product to see if it lowers the blood pressure, I wouldn't think so, but don't know. Would try gluten free for a month or so and if you improve introduce a gluten item back into your diet and see what happens. You could also have lots of damage from the antibiotic treatment and some probiotics may help that. Sharon

[ktspirit4]

Sharon thank you for been soooo helpful-I will do as you suggest and give it a test trial. I have not taken the gum yet ,Today I was symptom free of gastric distress and comfortably did my daily 4 mile hike.I will post back to the board with updates.....Kt

[Sharon]

You are welcome Kt. I know how bad gastric problems can be, have suffered with them most of my life. I believe I have had H.pylori for several years until it finally just took over. My good bacteria could not get to the H.pylori because it buries itself in the lining of the stomach. If you haven't done a search on H.pylori, you should do that, it is a very bad bacteria and can cause ulcers and potentially stomach cancer. I am glad you are going to try the gluten free diet. I could have had all the test to find out, but that is expensive and sometimes doesn't show anyway, that is why I did the elimination diet and then introduced it back after a month and oom...stomach problems immediately after eating something with gluten. YOu can also do a search on gluten intolerance and find a lot of information.
I am looking forward to see your results. Sharon

[MAZ]

Mastic gum is totally safe for everybody. It is an everyday food ingredient in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

[Sharon]

Maz, that's great that Mastic Gum is used daily in food, however, we are speaking of supplementing with it to specifically kill the H.pylor bacteria and to use as a maintenance plan once a year after the bacteria is killed.

In the USA, I don't think they use Mastic Gum in any of the foods, so don't know if the supplements can be used daily indefinately, as it is not part of food. Sharon

[Nicholas]

I have had H polori for about 10 years and no one seems to be able to help. Bern from doc to doc and had many cameras down the throat Been on countless antibiotics and all seem to make me feel worse. I have Evan seen a physc doc as people think I am a hipocondriac. But all I want to to get on with my life and a cure feels so far out of my reach. There has to be an easy way to get cured. Or at least some to take this seriously. Right I am waiting to see a gastro docter 3 month wait would you believe.

[Sharon]

Nicholas, have you tried any natural treatments? Do you take a probiotic daily? Do you have an ulcer as a result of having H.pylori so many years? Sharon

[Jane]

Don't be afraid of DGL raising your blood pressure. Licorice does, but DGL has had the fraction that affects blood pressure removed. Good luck.

[John]

Hey,
I'm 18, and i've been suffering from a peptic ulcer for a year now. Doctor started me on pepcid, which only worked for temporary relief, nothing more. After a visit to Europe i had a camera tube inserted down to my stomach and the results were a minor red-ish color, nothing that major according the this Doctor. I took omaprazol for a couple of months which acted as a shield against the acid reflux and was once again on temporary. Return to the states, new doctor started me on Zantac, and once again negative results. Pain persists, its getting in the way of everyday life, and its quite frustrating. I am going to attempt mastic gun after another visit to the doctor to end my prescriptions for Zantac. Should i even try mastic gun? Would amazon be a good place to purchase it?
-John

[Sharon]

John, have you been tested for H.pylori? I would do that before I start any Mastic Gum treatment. If you have an ulcer it could easily be caused by the H.pylor bacteria, but if I were you I would want to be sure I have it. The Mastic Gum is good for ulcers too, so that is up to you. As for purchasing on Amazon, I don't know what product you would get. If you have a local health food store I would check that out or you can order it from a vitamin company on line. I buy mine from www.iherb.com They are very reasonable too. It is not a cheap supplement. Sharon

[John]

Thanks for your input Sharon. I have been tested as far as i know, blood results came back negative. I know for sure i have an ulcer because of my symptoms and medication percribed, should i try the mastic gum even though it was not caused by the H.pylor virus?
-john

[Sharon]

John, from all I have read about Mastic Gum it can be used for ulcers. Below is some information I had in my H.pylori file, the study was focused on the H.pylori but has several references to Peptic ulcers. You will have to get past the technical talk, but it is a well documented study. It was done by the New England Journal of Medicine, so I know they aren't selling anything and they aren't selling anything. http://www.nutricology.com/proddesc/experts/M... Hope it helps a little. Sharon

[Sharon]

John, here is some more information that might help
http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C196137... Sharon

[John]

thanks a lot Sharon, i really appreciate your help. I will probably try Mastic Gum after a visit to the doctor to end my prescription for zantac. Also, which mastic gum should i try? the one by Jarrow? or another other kind?

[Sharon]

Jarrow is a good brand, I decided to buy the best because of the investment I was making in killing the H.pylori. I use the AllergyResearchGroup brand. You can get it at www.iherb.com It is hypoallergenic. I researched the company www.allergyresearchgroup.com and actually talked with them by e-mail about their product and also a preventative program against the H.pylori which tends to reappear in people prone to it. I am just finishing my preventative which is once a year for 30 days, 1000mg a day.
I would suggest that you take a good Priobotic while taking the Mastic Gum because just like an antibiotic it can possibly do away with some good bacteria. I use Natro Biobeads which can also be ordered from Iherb. They don't require refrigeration. I take the Mastic Gum before bed and the priobotic in the morning. I thought of another possibility with your stomach problems. Have you ever considered that you might be Gluten intolerant? I can't do any gluten without pain. Just a thought. I think gluten products can also irritate an ulcer. Let me know how you are doing. By the way, I am not connected with either Allergy Research Group or I-Herb, they are just great companies. Sharon