I don’t understand what a colonoscopy would do to help, but an endoscopy, which examines the stomach and upper gi tract might reveal the problem. During this procedure they will take some samples to be sent to the lab. This could possibly reveal an ulcer, or any number of stomach issues. I think this would be a good place to start. The endoscopy is painless other than a slight gagging feeling. I have constant, bad stomach pain as a result of my stomach working too slowly. This causes irritation of the stomach lining. I was prescribed domperidone and I have to take it every day. It has solved my stomach pain.

Does he have a regular gi Dr that’s done gi testing? Is he losing weight? There’s a good anti nausea medicine my son takes called compazine. Has he tried that? Sounds like gi should be done asap.

As a Crohn's patient for 40+ years (the first diagnosis was Ulcerative Colitis) I would say that you have some good tips here. I would look at stomach problems and rule them out, because this does look like a stomach problem. If none of this pans out, go to the old home remedies like diet and teas before bedtime. Also the acid reducers (stay away from the PPIs). I take Famotamine, 20mg. every night. Maybe the stomach can't handle the morning acidity. Just my thoughts.

My husband just reminded me of another important thing. Colostrum. You can buy it at the health food store and it is relatively inexpensive. It protects the lining of the stomach and it works! I won't go into the science but it is there if you want it.

@n8trmom
Look up gastroparesis and see if this doesn't sound like what your son is going through. Is he by any chance diabetic and taking the diabetic shots like Wegovy that a lot of people started taking for weight loss? They are saying those can cause gastroparesis.
I was one that got it out of the blue, but I was in my late 30's to early 40's. I don't know what caused mine, but I know what it feels like to have an attack that ends in non-stop dry heaves that won't stop without going to ER for IV medication.
Does he almost always feel full, like he ate a full meal?? If so, good chance he has gastroparesis. It is an issue with the digestive system when it is very slow in digesting the food he eats. When I start to have an attack my upper abdomen, under my ribs, but more centered, gets extremely hard and starts in spasms. If I don't catch it when it first starts it goes into vomiting and diarrhea and then dry heaves. My GI wrote me a script for Phenergan Suppositories, since nothing goes through the stomach. I lay down to keep it in and when the mouth starts getting real dry I know it is working and I am able to fall asleep and when I wake up the horrible pain is gone, but it feels like someone kicked me in the abdomen for several days.
Very small amounts of food for meals, with more meals each day is how I handle it. I use a lot of bone broth to keep my protein levels up, and use ginger tea to keep the stomach settled and aid digestion. I also use yogurt but only the varieties made without dairy. Does your son have a lactose intolerance?? Good luck in getting him better. It would be difficult to go through at that young age.

Could it be gastroparesis? Or I'd or ibs?
Just some common things that could lead to. If anxiety is also in mix then explore FND, AMPS.

Not saying he has any of these just things to explore as alot of them have similar treatments (except ofcourse crohns)

Hi Have you tried Peppermint Tea, I take this three times a day. You can also get Peppermint tablets to take with water. Good for Nausea, Bloating and Indigestion. I have Irritable bowel syndrome, which is also helped by Peppermint. You could try cutting out all dairy products and wheat which causes a lot of problems with the digestion system. Hope this helps.

I am diabetic, age 75 and have had severe upper abdominal pain for a year that my GI doctor has not been able to solve. I have had numerous imaging and an endoscopy 8 months ago but nothing has revealed the cause. The GI doctor recently discussed the possibility of neuropathy. I now eat small meals easy to digest foods and take Ozempic once weekly. The GI doctor put me on amatiptoline and protonix. Nothing has helped, I feel hopeless with this constant pain. Please offer suggestions.

Has your son been referred to a gastroenterologist? I would start there so they can begin testing to rule out any medical conditions. You just have to be an advocate for yours and his health and keep on the medical team until you get a diagnosis and begin treatment. Good luck. It's so frustrating.