What the heck is going on with me... Please - Help.

Posted by Beherrit @beherrit, Jul 31 6:30pm

Hello everyone,

I'm a 39-year-old male, and for the last 4 years I've been having recurring episodes that no one has been able to explain. I've seen multiple specialists and had an extensive workup, but I'm still searching for answers.

What happens during an episode

The episodes can happen:

Sitting at my computer
Standing
Walking around the house
While cooking
Occasionally after eating
I've even had them after waking up

The pattern is usually:

Sudden lightheaded/faint feeling (I've never actually fainted)
Excessive belching/gas (sometimes starts before I even eat)
Upper stomach discomfort
Sometimes chest discomfort near the breastbone or under my left collarbone
Heart pounding/palpitations
Heart rate increases (often 110-140 with activity)
Feel hot or flushed
Urge to urinate or have a bowel movement
If I urinate during an episode, it's often crystal clear
Yawning
Then I feel wiped out for the rest of the day with a heavy-headed feeling

One thing I've noticed is that belching often relieves some of the discomfort, but I still feel drained afterward.

Things I've noticed
I belch even before meals and sometimes wake up belching.
Drinking can sometimes cause pressure in the middle of my chest that improves after I belch.
These episodes used to happen almost daily when they first started.
Over the last few years they've gradually become weekly, although I don't know why.
I can still walk on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes and use a Max Trainer without symptoms during exercise. The episodes are more likely afterward or while standing around.

Medical testing
Over the last four years I've had:

Coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) - Calcium score 0
Echocardiogram
Multiple ECGs
Two 7-day Holter monitors
Tilt table test
MRI brain with/without contrast
MRI cervical spine
MRI thoracic spine
CT head
CT chest
Chest X-rays
Extensive blood work including cardiac labs
FibroScan
Complete neurology evaluation (cleared)
Complete cardiology evaluation (cleared)

Currently undergoing GI evaluation:
SIBO testing
Food allergy testing
Current health
Male, 39
310 lb (working on weight loss)
Fatty liver (improving)
Vitamin D: 18.1
Magnesium: 1.8
Vitamin B12 improved from 260 to 636

Average resting HR is around 86 bpm.

Other medical issues

I also developed:
Right-sided Eustachian tube dysfunction about 7 months ago
Right-sided tinnitus
Ear fullness/pressure

I'm in vestibular physical therapy, but they don't think my balance testing explains these attacks.

My question
Has anyone experienced anything similar where:

Excessive belching or gas seems connected to episodes?
Palpitations seem to follow GI symptoms?
You feel wiped out for the rest of the day afterward?

I'm not looking for a diagnosis over the internet, just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar or has suggestions for conditions I should discuss with my GI doctor.

Thank you for reading.

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I'd run my symptoms through a medical AI

REPLY

Those multiple symptoms which seem to be of different nature probably means it’s better to go to a hospital (not a private neurologist clinic unless it’s one in a hospital) which can assemble a panel of doctors who can review your case together. Don’t panic. One step at a time. I’m having daily seizures.

Cheers,
Louis

REPLY

I fully empathize with your distress. To my laywoman’s mind, the root of all your ancillary symptoms are from the belching that you are experiencing.

It may be prudent to check with a gastroenterologist. The digestive track can sometimes act like its own little person and throw its owner for a loop.

Just like a child growing up, it can act out its tantrums in many different ways and use different places in our body as its stage.

The belching may be a symptom of anything from a stomach infection to an obstruction.

In any event, the times of the belching is concerning and should be addressed.

Best wishes for finding an answer,

REPLY

It would also be advisable to see a GI doctor to discuss symptoms. I feel belching is sometimes needed, maybe not to the extent you have. But your exercising can contribute to muscle discomfort.

REPLY

What is your diet, exercise, stress like?
Sometimes things are misdiagnosed and can take too long
to figure out. I've educated myself and try to guide the doctors
for my help. Details matter but try to not overwhelm doctors with too many
at at time.

REPLY

Hello All,

So the last two months I work out almost daily. Max Trainer, Strength Bands, Treadmill. My diet isnt the greatest and can use improvements. Stress isnt too bad. I mean Wife, kids, pets. I have a happy life. I do have health anxiety ever since all this started and no one can figure it out.

I have had GI WOrkup recently, negative H.Pylori, Negative scope so nothing can be found. GI doctor said its not normal to belch a lot after 12 hours of fasting. Barium swallow test was also unremarkable.

REPLY

I hope you are taking a good amount of Vit D. Your level is pretty low.

REPLY

I have been taking 2,000-3,000 ui a day. When I wake up I go to the porch and sit in the sun for a little bit. Not sure how much it actually helps. But I have been trying to raise Vit D levels.

REPLY
Profile picture for Beherrit @beherrit

I have been taking 2,000-3,000 ui a day. When I wake up I go to the porch and sit in the sun for a little bit. Not sure how much it actually helps. But I have been trying to raise Vit D levels.

Jump to this post

@beherrit: When my vitamin d level was that low my doctor had me take 5000 units daily. Finally, after 3 years, my levels came up high enough that I was cut back to 2000 units a day.

REPLY

Not suggesting a diagnosis for you but your symptoms do remind me of a family member’s complaint from an abdominal hernia which induced similar symptoms of heart distress. An abdominal hernia being a weakness in proximity in the chest and heart could come across as a cardiac event. I am not certain of how you are evaluated for such a hernia so it can be ruled out but it’s worth the effort particularly if you have belching and other digestive issues at beginning of the digestive process. I may well be barking up at a tree and have lost the scent so I will say some prayers for that you that you find a remedy very soon. Peace and Good Health to you beherrit.

REPLY
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