What could it be?

These are my 19 year old son's symptoms since April:

1.  Nausea & vomits after most meals. Daily!
2.  Pain - gnawing, burning in navel area, up into the upper solar plexus'
3. Not much weight lose
4. Will get some relieve after vomiting and maybe when he lays on his left side.
5.  Will feel bloated after eating.

His first Gastro. doctor ran an endoscopy, stomach emptying test, ultra sound.  All came back normal.  He says it is nerves. My son is bipolar and does have anxiety, but I don't believe these symptoms would last for months on end after almost every meal.  The second Gastro. doctor didn't even examine my son.  Looked at the tests results ran by the 1st doc. and said it was nerves.  He put him on Metoclopramide.  It didn't help and when I saw what the side effects were I took him off of it.  The warning says not to take if you have depression!  I couldn't believe the doctor put him on it knowing he is BP!  Can you tell me what you think these symptoms might be?  Could he have an ulcer that did not show up on the tests?   What about celiac disease?   I have even thought about low functioning gallbladder???    

He goes back to the 2nd doc. next week and I would like some ideas to ask the doctor about.  I will say that my son has a terrible diet.  Mostly junk, high fat, & carbs.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I do agree with the testing thus far, as the endoscopy, ultrasound and gastric emptying test would thoroughly evaluate the abdomen for major causes of the symptoms.

A 24-hr pH study as well as esophageal motility test can be done as well, to exclude GERD and dysmotility disorders.  

These are more specialized tests that can be discussed with a gastroenterologist at an academic institution.

Celiac disease can be considered, and blood antibody tests can be done to exclude this possibility.

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 Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd