It's back!

The pain of the ulcer is a specific, easy-to-identify feeling. It's not a stomach-ache. There's no buildup. There's just this intense feeling that my stomach is expanding and cracking along its surface.

I felt these pains a few times after the ulcer 'healed' in June. Once I tried taking an Aleve, felt the pain, downed a few antacids and a Prilosec. The pain ceased, and I swore of Aleve for good. Next, I ate a particularly greasy Patty Melt at a diner. (Yes, it was delicious.) And 30 minutes after eating, the pains hit. Once again a few antacids and a Prilosec made them stop (after about 30 frightening minutes). There was a third incidence, very similar. And then last Saturday, it happened again. Only I couldn't get the pains to stop.

And I couldn't identify a particular culprit. I concluded I'd just eaten too much. So now I'm back on Nexxium and will see the doctor on Monday to discuss.

How do I know when this thing is cured? Will I ever be able to take Aleve again? If not, what alternatives exist?

On the bright side, I am enjoying another batch of Nilla Wafer pudding. Yum.