It’s kinda complicated

Posted by kaitlynottum @kaitlynottum, Mar 1, 2023

I’ve had this aching, gnawing pain in my stomach for the last day or so. Pain kept increasing so I went to the ER today 03/01/23 and they couldn’t tell me anything other than that it could norovirus but I don’t have the classic symptoms. I had some diarrhea but then I haven’t had any symptoms besides the stomach cramping, nausea feeling and feeling like there’s possible food chunks stuck in my chest and up to my throat.

I’m finally passing gas but I’ve had stomach issues my whole life but this feels miserable because I have the feeling of wanting to eat but not wanting to push my stomach.

I have no idea what this could be if it’s anything, I just knock on wood it isn’t norovirus. anyone who has had that, what was your experience?

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pml | @pml | Mar 1, 2023

Hi Kaitlynottum,
What you are experiencing sounds awful! I have no idea what you may have. However, I have a home remedy that may help. It is both a laxative and promotes the release of gas. It's merely a teaspoon of baking soda (more if you feel you need it.) mixed in a full glass of water. Drink it all. It tastes terrible but if you want, you can add some lemon or lime juice for a better flavor. However, it is natural and does work. It releases gas and it is a laxative. Stay near the bathroom! My mom gave me this all the time when I was growing up. (I'm 76.) I still use this when I feel it's needed. It works great!

Another thing that may make you feel better is Gatorade. It has a lot of electrolytes which is beneficial for dispelling gas and our bodies need electrolytes.

Also just drinking a lot of water helps pain etc. Often we do not drink enough water.

A heating pad or a hot shower may also help with the pain.

Good luck! I'll say a prayer for you.
PML

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 6, 2023

May I offer a correction…baking soda aka sodium bicarbonate is relatively safe except if you are taking certain medications and the list isn’t short. Please verify you are not taking any medications that it would interact negatively with. Also, electrolytes are necessarily for our bodies to function as they help produce the electrical signals our hearts produce. They do not have anything to do with our GI system though. Gaterade as a drink contains fructose, potassium and sodium as electrolytes but not all of them. The fructose sugar will draw water into your GI system causing you to possibly pass gas. Good luck.

pml | @pml | Mar 6, 2023

In reply to @jenatsky "May I offer a correction…baking soda aka sodium bicarbonate is relatively safe except if you are..." + (show)

Regardless, it all worked for me and I'm 76 and healthy!
PML

epm | @epm | Mar 7, 2023

Could it possibly be Diverticulitis?

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Mar 7, 2023

This won't help much, but I learned after an overnight stay in the ER with stomach pain - half of all such cases go undiagnosed. They gave me some pain medicine that helped and put me to sleep. I woke up and the pain was gone. Anything lasting more than a day should require a visit to the Dr.