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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Severe abdominal pain and nausea
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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Severe abdominal pain and nausea
by Darren31, Apr 03, 2004 12:00AM
I have been having this problem for over 3 months now. It started out as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. I went to the ER and had blood tests and stool tests done. Something came up where i had taken antibiotics earlier in the month for bronchitis and it killed all the good bacteria in my stomach. My main doctor started me on a pill that was to replenish the bacteria in my stomach. I dont remember what is was called, but i know alcoholics take it to stop drinking, and it makes them vomit. I took 250 milligrams for about 2 weeks and it didn't do anything. The next week the doctor increased the dosage to 500 milligrams which made me feel even more nauseas.
For about 8 days in February I thought it was going. I was able to eat pizza and soda with no problems, but then it came back. I have not been vomiting and i only have diarrhea once in a while. But the pain and nausea persists. The pain is located above my belly button mostly and occasionally below my belly button. The pain mostly comes on after i eat and continues for hours at a time. Sometimes it feels better when i don't eat at all. It also hurts when i am full from eating and i do get occasional gas.It seems to feel a little bit better when i am sitting down or when i am laying down.
All i really have been eating these past 3 months are oatmeal in the morning maybe with 2 pieces of wheat toast, for lunch its a salad with tuna and thousand island dressing or a turkey sandwich with lettuce,tomato,light mayo on wheat bread, also bananas and yougurt for snacking and for dinner i would have a baked potato with i can't believe it's not butter and some turkey or i would have some chicken patties w/ lettuce and thousand island dreesing on wheat bread.
i now see a gastro specialist. He did another series of blood tests and another stool test which came up negative for the problem i thought i was still having from the antibiotics that killed the good bacteria in my stomach. I also just recently went in for an upper endoscopy which i believe is also called an EEG. The test revealed a small red spot in my stomach which he took a biopsy of and said it wasn't the bacteria that he was looking for. Everything also looked normal. I will be going in for a ultrasound here soon.
I am extremely frustrated and want to go back to work which i have been out for more than 2 months now. I just want the pain and nausea to stop so i can live a normal life. Please help me what should i do??
For about 8 days in February I thought it was going. I was able to eat pizza and soda with no problems, but then it came back. I have not been vomiting and i only have diarrhea once in a while. But the pain and nausea persists. The pain is located above my belly button mostly and occasionally below my belly button. The pain mostly comes on after i eat and continues for hours at a time. Sometimes it feels better when i don't eat at all. It also hurts when i am full from eating and i do get occasional gas.It seems to feel a little bit better when i am sitting down or when i am laying down.
All i really have been eating these past 3 months are oatmeal in the morning maybe with 2 pieces of wheat toast, for lunch its a salad with tuna and thousand island dressing or a turkey sandwich with lettuce,tomato,light mayo on wheat bread, also bananas and yougurt for snacking and for dinner i would have a baked potato with i can't believe it's not butter and some turkey or i would have some chicken patties w/ lettuce and thousand island dreesing on wheat bread.
i now see a gastro specialist. He did another series of blood tests and another stool test which came up negative for the problem i thought i was still having from the antibiotics that killed the good bacteria in my stomach. I also just recently went in for an upper endoscopy which i believe is also called an EEG. The test revealed a small red spot in my stomach which he took a biopsy of and said it wasn't the bacteria that he was looking for. Everything also looked normal. I will be going in for a ultrasound here soon.
I am extremely frustrated and want to go back to work which i have been out for more than 2 months now. I just want the pain and nausea to stop so i can live a normal life. Please help me what should i do??
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 04, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 04, 2004 12:00AM
The upper endoscopy is known as an EGD - an EEG is a test looking for seizures. The EGD is a comprehensive test to evaluate for inflammation, masses or ulcers.
To further evaluate the nausea and vomiting, I would consider evaluate the gallbladder - any type of gallbladder disease can cause nausea and vomiting. An abdominal ultrasound is a reasonable first test. A 24-hr pH study can be considered to evaluate for GERD.
Another possibility would be delayed gastric emptying (i.e. gastroparesis). The most reasonable first test to evaluate for this is a gastric emptying scan.
These tests can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
To further evaluate the nausea and vomiting, I would consider evaluate the gallbladder - any type of gallbladder disease can cause nausea and vomiting. An abdominal ultrasound is a reasonable first test. A 24-hr pH study can be considered to evaluate for GERD.
Another possibility would be delayed gastric emptying (i.e. gastroparesis). The most reasonable first test to evaluate for this is a gastric emptying scan.
These tests can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Member Comments (2)
by Biskie, Apr 03, 2004 12:00AM
Have you been tested for celiac sprue?
by Darren31, Apr 09, 2004 12:00AM
this is an addendum to my previous story. I just had an ultrasound done and it turned up negative. Nothing there. So that rules out gallbladder. Also i have lost over 53 pounds. Forty five of the pounds i lost the first 2 months.
