Stomach Problems

[Kittsoan1989]

Need some help here. For about the last 10 days I've been having some rather serious GI issues. For starters, I constantly have an empty feeling in my stomach - even when I've just eaten a full meal - my stomach feels empty, complete with hunger pangs, etc. In addition, whenever I do eat I large amounts of food I get nauesous, lots or burping and just a general "sour" stomach feeling. I've thrown up on two seperate occasions - both in the evening. Overall - I'm in ok health. I'm slightly over-weight (by like 10 lbs), I do smoke and drink a 3 or 4 beers each night (just want to cover all my bases). In terms of medicines - I'm prescribed Xanax, Klonopin and Remeron (for sleep) - take those as prescribed (sometimes a few extra benzos). I've tried antacid pills (tums and rolaids) - they help the sour stomach feeling but do NOTHING for this empty, hunger pang feeling - I'm sick of constantly trying to eat to get full and NOTHING happening. GAHH. I have an appt to see a GI doctor - but that isn't until the 2nd week in January. Hoping someone on these forums is smarter than I am and can help me diagnose these symptoms. It's real frustrating. Thanks in advance for all you guyses help!

[Alternate]

Only your Dr. would be able to verify anything but start with any changes you might have made: Have you been doing extra work where more calories needed?

A new exercise program or active hobby.

Have you changed your diet, even adding in the healthier veggies makes a person feel hungry soon after a meal.

If you eat large amounts this might be where you have bile come up (almost like vomiting) and sour stomach and indigestion.

Are you overeating to compensate for the empty feeling or like most people because you do so sometimes.

The beers may be irritating your stomach at this point.

And it is a stressful time of the year: the whole GI tract is sometimes sensitive to any kind of stress.

And, even if on meds for anxiety your body adjusts and any extra stress might override the medication and you get physical reaction.

And you need to check out uh what is happening on the end of the foods' journey.

Are you having some bouts of diarrhea - that leaves a person feeling like they are not getting enough food.

You don't mention what foods you eat but if acidic you might want to try to limit those: citrus juices, lots of tomato sauce, wine (maybe limit the beer), coffee/sodas, caffiene. Also spicey foods can act up on you: are you going for the extra hot chicken wings. Also greasy/fried foods.

You may not even have any change in diet but the GI tract might change in how it reacts to foods.

Some digestive systems get finicky with approaching middle age.

Also: any trips with different water, anyone who drinks same water you do having same symptoms, have you tried a new bottled water supply.

[Roswell1947]

Get that orange powder Metamucil and eat yogurt and bananas.
Do you exercise?

[Lumo]

Have you tried any stronger medications to control acid levels? Something like omeprazole?

Do you notice the hunger pangs or sour stomach feeling at any particular times of the day?

[MojaveJoe]

I've heard, never tried though, that some of the probiotic regimes have done wonders for people. Problem is, by the time they start to work you'll have your doctor's appt. I still think it may behoove you to research probiotics and see what you see.

[Loubitan]

There is a flu going around. It could be that simple.

[Kittsoan1989]

@Alternate - No diet changes other than eating more to compensate for that hungry feeling - lots of stress finals, X-Mas, family, etc. - Bowel Movements are Normal - I'm in my mid-20s so hopefully no middle age changes yet - Any ideas w/ those new facts in mind?

@Roshell10mg - EUGGHH - I might try some benifiber - I'm allergic to bananas though (hives, rashes, etc.) - I don't excercise per say - but one of my jobs involves canvassing -going door-to-door for six hour shifts -so I'm active 6 hours of most days

@Lumo - I tried the generic Zantac75 today - seems to be working somewhat, just leaving me w/ a NASTY headache - was thinking of trying the generic Prilosec but it said it takes 1-4 days for full effects - I WANT RELIEF NOW -are the two compatable (can I take Prilosec and Zantac)

@MojaveJoe - I'll pick some probiotics up - It couldn't hut

@Loubitan - That was a thought of mine too but most flus/illnesses like this are gone in 72 hours at most -I've been like this for 10 days.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep em coming - I really don't want to have to go to Urgent Care - I have Insurance but it's still a 100 dollar copay versus waiting to see the GI Doc which has a 5 dollar copay - GAH!

[crucibelle]

@Kittsoan1989 -- I've had the exact same symptoms you've described (minus the vomiting) for months, now. I don't have insurance, so I can't see a doctor, but I read online somewhere that the 'empty stomach' feeling could be caused by an ulcer. Tramadol is the only thing that helps my symptoms & is one of the main reasons I take it. I've tried proton pump inhibitors and other medications for acid, but none of those have worked.

[Lumo]

@Lumo - I tried the generic Zantac75 today - seems to be working somewhat, just leaving me w/ a NASTY headache - was thinking of trying the generic Prilosec but it said it takes 1-4 days for full effects - I WANT RELIEF NOW -are the two compatable (can I take Prilosec and Zantac)

That's quite a low dose of Zantak, I think something along the lines of 150mg twice a day is nearer the prescription strength, however if it is giving you headaches then it's probably not a good idea to take more.

Many people find omeprazole better, it might take a few days but I think it sometimes works quicker and maybe it would work out better in the long run anyway. Again make sure you are taking a decent strength. Not sure if they can be taken together or not.

[Kittsoan1989]

@crucibelle - I'm highly, highly allergic to tramadol unfortanately and I don't want to get started on ANY other pain pills again - It's too slippery of a slope

@Lumo - you're right, that is the lowest Zantak dose - just wanted to see how it affect me - I'll try two in the morning tomorrow - I took some Excedrin and that seems to have cleared up the headache well - I just want ALL these damn symtoms gone!

[crucibelle]

@Kittsoan1989 -- Oh, I totally wouldn't recommend anyone take tram for those symptoms, like I am. All it's doing is covering up the symptoms, anyhow.. not really treating anything. I hope your doc is able to figure out the problem quickly, and you can get some relief. Let us know (if you don't mind) what happens w/ that.

[Kittsoan1989]

@crucibelle - will do - as i said, i don't see the GI doc til mid-January but if these symptoms don't get better soon I'm going to have to break down and see an Urgent Care doc - it's expensive - but living this way IS NOT FUN - especially when I'm trying to deal w/ college and be a caretaker from my mother (that's a whole nother story though) - I'd try some Zantak if I were you though - it's helped me somewhat today at least!

[Lumo]

@...Lumo - you're right, that is the lowest Zantak dose - just wanted to see how it affect me - I'll try two in the morning tomorrow - I took some Excedrin and that seems to have cleared up the headache well - I just want ALL these damn symtoms gone!

Would be interesting to know if the Zantak fixes it. I've never noticed anything from it, tried 75mg a day and 300mg+ a day but didn't notice anything, good to hear that it works that well in some people.

[Kittsoan1989]

@Lumo - definitely not a cure all at 75mg but it has at least gotten me out of bed and able to SOMEWHAT function - not well - as I said, I'll try more tomorrow and report back

[Alternate]

@kittosoan1989, you are active in your work, but not more than usual.

You mention more stress now (finals? stressor) can make the GI act up on both ends.

Plus, you mention you get hives/rashes (although with bananas) which also is sometimes a stress reaction (or might contribute to it). If you have had allergy testing and they decided it was just bananas then disregard. If you get an allergic reaction/rashes to different things - then possibly more stress related. Which might point again to this being stress related GI problems.

Keep the tylenol (if you take it) gone with drinking more than a few beers a day until you check with Dr.

[Loubitan]

I all of a sudden feel like I am going to throw up now. What is the deal? My problem is that I just ate an entire box of Christmas cookies in two minutes.

[MojaveJoe]

I all of a sudden feel like I am going to throw up now. What is the deal? My problem is that I just ate an entire box of Christmas cookies in two minutes.

I can relate. I'm at work and my cubemate went home for the day at lunch. Unfortunately, he left a bunch of homemade peanut butter cookies and I ate them all! I wonder if I should pretend like some random person raided them or just come clean? Oops! I forgot to check for a crumb trail from his cube to mine! Be right back!

[alumni]

@crucibelle - will do - as i said, i don't see the GI doc til mid-January but if these symptoms don't get better soon I'm going to have to break down and see an Urgent Care doc - it's expensive - but living this way IS NOT FUN - especially when I'm trying to deal w/ college and be a caretaker from my mother (that's a whole nother story though) - I'd try some Zantak if I were you though - it's helped me somewhat today at least!

There's probably no really helpful purpose in scaring you with all of the possible medical conditions that can present with the symptoms you've described.
However, regardless of the anticipated expense, your best choice would be to see a physician well before your scheduled January appointment.
Most every gastroenterologist I've known will see a patient ASAP if there are problematic symptoms involving on-going vomiting and GI distress.
Trying to self-medicate with OTC medications can sometimes exacerbate a condition rather than helping it. If you've ever known anyone who suffered with an undiagnosed ruptured ulcer, you would have seen what can happen when a doctor visit is delayed.

[Kittsoan1989]

I know it has been a few days since I posted on this thread orginally. LUCKILY it seems as though the GI and stomach symptoms have resolved themselves. I'm hoping it was just a virus or some sort of infection - not a prelude to an ulcer, etc. Thanks for all the tips and advice though!

[GregoryGore]

When I was on Remeron I ate like a horse. Another drugs which caused the same symptoms were Mirtazapin and Zypreska. The best medicin for any stomach ache is Librax. I've had a scipt for that since I was 18 and it still works.