Hiatal Hernia?

About a month ago, I was eating lunch at work, when my stomach became very bloated, and as soon as I got home, I proceded to vomit...the food appeared to be undigested, but then again it had only been a few hours since I had eaten.  I had been trying to bulk up, so I was cramming my stomach each day and taking protein shakes as well.  Even though I was getting minor indigestion from the shakes, I continued to take them.  As soon as I got sick from the lunch, I stopped my bulking regimen.  However, the bloating continued and even worsened in the ensuing weeks along with the below symptoms:

-belching
-acidic taste in mouth
-nausea in the morning (sometimes dry heaves..never any food in the vomit)
-early feeling of fullness when eating
-constant stomach gurgling
occasionally I would also get a headache, water eyes, dizziness, and tightness in chest.  Also, I don't feel as strong in the gym...getting tired easily.

I went to my doctor in Paris and I had an endoscopy done (I believe an upper GI, where the camera is put into your stomach).  everything checked out ok, no. h. pylori, irritations, etc.  However, the doc did notice a small hiatal hernia (2cm).  When I returned to the general practitioner, he put me on zantac, which did nothing.  Now I'm being prescribed nexium and domperidone, which I have yet to take until I get a second opinion.

Along with this problem, I have been a sufferer of GAD for 5+ years, and I have occasional bouts of anxiety or panic attacks.  Work has been especially tough to compound things.  I take clonazepam and paxil for this....very very small amounts (my current doc thinks they are below therapeutic levels).  

Perhaps I have been doing too much self diagnosing, which adds to my anxiety, but I have a feeling it could be gastroparesis (hopefully not).  Should I go in for a gastric emptying test?  any other test I should have?  Or is it simply anxiety getting the best of me?  

I appreciate your help with this matter.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree that a gastric emptying scan would be a reasonable next option.  

The upper endoscopy would rule out many of the major upper GI disorders.  I would also consider a 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility tests.  This can definitive rule out GERD as well as other motility disorders.

These options can be discussed with your GI 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_b

[Duchess47]

I recommend the gastric emptying scan.  It's totally painless and non-invasive.  I had the same symptoms as you and the gastric emptying scan revealed Gastroparesis.  The Domperidone is supposed help this disease.  Also, no fiber, no sugar, no fat and eat very small amounts of food over the course of the day, no eating until you are realy, really full feeling. goodluck.