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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Constant recurring hunger pangs
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
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.
Constant recurring hunger pangs
by mitch161, Dec 13, 2006 12:00AM
For the past four months I have had constant recurring hunger pangs. I wake up starving in the morning and eat 4-6 bowls of cereal or porridge. I eat soup during the day, as well as lunch. In the evening I start supper about 7:00 and eat continually until bedtime at 9:30 or 10:00. For example, I am small and normally eat ½ a pork chop for supper. Now I eat 2-3 pork chops a night. Sometimes I awake during the night and have to go downstairs to eat something. I have gained 10-15 pounds in the past few months and am terribly uncomfortable. I also am so sick of the sight of food, I could scream.
If I do not eat, I get stomach pains which grow in intensity.
I also wake up every morning with nausea which may last for 4-5 hours. Then it does not recur the rest of the day.
I have been to the hospital and had all th4e tests: blood, endoscopy, CT scans, MRI, etc., and the doctors are stumped. None of them have any ideas for me. I also tried a Naturopath, but after a while he told me to go away because he could not help me.
I stay at home all the time because I have to eat. And I am getting anxiety attacks because there does not seem to be any help in sight.
If I do not eat, I get stomach pains which grow in intensity.
I also wake up every morning with nausea which may last for 4-5 hours. Then it does not recur the rest of the day.
I have been to the hospital and had all th4e tests: blood, endoscopy, CT scans, MRI, etc., and the doctors are stumped. None of them have any ideas for me. I also tried a Naturopath, but after a while he told me to go away because he could not help me.
I stay at home all the time because I have to eat. And I am getting anxiety attacks because there does not seem to be any help in sight.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Dec 14, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 14, 2006 12:00AM
You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation for your symptoms. The endoscopy and CT scan would rule out many of the major disorders that can be causing the symptoms.
You can consider more specialized testing at this point. A 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility test can be considered to rule out GERD and motility disorders.
Chronic nausea can be cause by delayed gastric emptying. A gastric emptying scan can be considered to evaluate this condition.
These options 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.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
You can consider more specialized testing at this point. A 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility test can be considered to rule out GERD and motility disorders.
Chronic nausea can be cause by delayed gastric emptying. A gastric emptying scan can be considered to evaluate this condition.
These options 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.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments (5)
by kucycoo, Dec 13, 2006 12:00AM
Has anyone had a bad experience while taking Doxycycline? I was taking it for about 7 days and developed severe pain when I swallow. It's always in my back about mid esophagus.
by yoshi, Dec 13, 2006 12:00AM
go to your doctor and ask him to give you a breath test for H Pylori bacteria,also check your stool for parasitic infection.
by Ms_Makita, Dec 16, 2006 12:00AM
To: mitch161
Has your dr checked your blood level or thyroid? both of those can increase your appetite also.
by Felix'sMum, Dec 25, 2006 12:00AM
To: Mitch 161
Hi, I have gallbladder trouble which causes biliary colic. It gives me the constant sensation that I am starving hungry...that bubbling, burning empty feeling in your stomach. I eat and eat although it doesn't help....it's almost instinctive to keep eating because my brain is reading the pain signals from my stomach as hunger and telling me to eat. It is possible you have a small gallstone stuck in the bile duct of your liver and perhaps other related gallbladder issues. Just a thought since I have a similar problem.....
by Felix'sMum, Dec 25, 2006 12:00AM
To: Mitch 161
..I forgot to say, gallbladder problems are almost invariably worse at night which may also be significant. Good luck.
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