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Indigestion and nausea
Hi,
About 9 months ago I got really sick with indigestion, nausea, GERD symptoms, belching, upper GI burning, gas, and just plain sick for about 8 weeks. I thought it was something I ate. I went to the ED twice and had 2 different CT scans and they didn’t find anything. Since then, I have had this same problem chronically after I eat something that doesn’t agree with my stomach. I’m sick for days. Yesterday I had some French dressing on a salad and I’m sick as ever. I just can’t seem to shake this and it’s scaring me. I’m 53, had an endoscopy and colonoscopy 2 1/2 years ago which showed mild chronic reflux esophagitis and a completely normal colon. Labs good, and no other testing has come back abnormal.
I’m just so lost, sick, and scared.
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What does your dr say? Your post shows how frustrated you are. What happened 9 months ago to trigger all of this?
Have you tried eating VERY VERY bland foods and very little food?
It may seem like I am dismissing your pain and suffering, BUT that is definitely not what I am saying.
Drs have tried to blame many of my symptoms on GERD.. I don't have it. Sure I do once in a while but, for me, it's a symptom not a disease.
I have Celiac disease and Primary Sjögren's, and a million other issues. I mention these to explain that I eat a very very bland grazing diet. I'm in a recurring phase where water (filtered, bottled, hot, cold, etc) causes extreme nausea. Don't know why and I don't even bring it up to the doctor, it seems to give them more ammunition to blame it on mental health issues.
My diet consists mostly of: rice crackers, 7-up, some electrolytes (but must be Very diluted), meal replacement shakes (my daughter has done tons of research on them, so I can trust using them), gluten free English muffins. You get the idea.
I have learned that I have to read the imaging reports, myself, very carefully. Then research the internet myself, Then ask questions. For example: I had a CT scan w/contrast to prove that my two prior X-rays ( showed partial small bowel obstruction forming) were wrong. But the CT reported issues with my pancreas and that I have a redundant splenic flexure. NOT ONE DR mentioned these issues to me. I am 65, and I stayed with the same GI for 17 long painful years. He was great for the first 5+- years...after nothing he had me do worked, he just strung me along. Drs don't like to have patients with problems they can't easily fix and get praised for.
I really understand the frustration you're feeling. If prior to 9 months ago, you were feeling fine...my humble opinion would be, see a different doctor, now. I wish you well. Shelley
Hi. Have you looked into trigger foods or substances? It took me over 1 year and after adopting FODMOP foods to discover that any substance containing anything ending in "ol" is a killer for me. E.g., sorbitol, erythritol, etc. And fructans. Not fructose--fructans. Take a look at the ingredients in that French dressing. Chances are there may be a bad substance for you.
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1 ReactionI had similar issues in 2021. Eventually had my gallbladder taken out. There's a test to evaluate how efficiently your gallbladder is working.
I feel for you . I’m 11 years in . Chronic & daily . Many bad symptoms, many diagnoses, many GI Dr’s , tried it all ! Everything under the sun . Even Mayo Clinic Dr and testing .
Functional medicine Dr ‘s . Diets , you name it . My gut hates food and churns non stop , over 1000 deep wet gross belching daily .
Diarrhea, nausea now and some vomiting. It’s like ok , now what ? This is a horrible life .
You might be spot on. I went to the ED last night and they did an abdominal ultrasound and said I have a stone lodged in the tail of my gallbladder. Everything I read about gallstones is severe pain and I don’t have that so I didn’t think that’s what it was.
I have an endoscopy tomorrow and the ED doctor said they should be able to snip the gallstone out. He said I should have my gallbladder removed soon because I will most likely have more stones and problems later.
Glad you were able to figure out your issue.
If your mild chronic reflux esophagitis wasn’t properly treated and healed from 2-1/2 years ago, it may have progressed. You should maybe consider getting an updated EGD. Any increase in your Z-line dimension from last time will indicate if the esophagitis is still there and if it has progressed.
An EGD will show if your stomach or esophagus is ulcerated or inflamed. Typically, a gastroenterologist will also sample any suspicious tissues and have it sent to a pathologist and they will test for H. pylori at the same time. Not getting an updated diagnoses leaves you at risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus which is a precursor to stomach or esophageal cancer.
At any rate, follow a low acid diet, eat small portions, eliminate NSAIDS, coffee, alcohol and other irritants, don’t smoke, don’t lay down after eating for at least 3 hours, use PPI’s and other acid reducers judiciously until you get to a gastroenterologist.
BTW, have you been tested with a FOBT (fecal occult blood test) to see if your have any GI bleeding?
I am baffled as to how your gallstone can be removed by an endoscopy?? Good luck with it!!