7 years of unexplained severe stomach pain

[Christie Lee]

When I was 13 years old I began experiencing severe stomach pains, I am now 20 years old. It is a burning, cramping pain in the area around the esophagial sphincter (in the upper area of my stomach), this often happens when I eat. Sometimes the pain literally takes my breath away or wakes me up at night. I also suffer from involuntary spit up. Out of nowhere contents of my stomach will come up and I generally spit it out. Its not quite the same as vomiting. There is no gagging. I have had 2 upper GI's and 2 endoscopies, a Monometry test and a PH test. I have also had a test done to measure the strength of my esophagus, at this time they did determine I have a weak esophagus. I have basically gotten no answers and I am often dismissed when doctors cannot figure out my problem immediately.  At 13 I was told I had chronic Acid Reflux, in the last couple months I have been told that is not the case. I have tried several medications... Tagamet, Zantac, Prilosec, Pepto Bismol, Aciphex, Tums, Rolaids, etc. Occasionally Gaviscon offers some relief. I am beginning to feel that I will never receive any answers and that is very disturbing... I have tried medicine, strict diets, even mental health medicines as they thought it could be stress related. Still no answers...

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Various types of upper GI disease can lead to these findings.  You clearly have had a comprehensive workup which would rule out many of the major, and uncommon, causes that would lead to the symptoms.  

Chronic acid reflux would be detected via the pH test.  If medical therapy like PPIs are not helping, surgical options can be considered.  

Imaging studies like an ultrasound and/or CT scan can be considered to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.  

A second opinion can be considered at a major academic medical center.

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_

[princessbuttercup]

Hi I am in the same boat as you..... I am 43 and never remember feeling well....when I was a kid I would eat and then feel totally sick right away...and my mom used to tell me I was faking it to get out of doing the dishes..... I have found that I feel better when I don't eat... or don't eat flour, sugar, caffeine, or dairy products...that doesn't leave alot to eat....and yet I am still overweight....I am currently in extreme pain in my upper left side and it has been on and off for a year now and I went to the ER and when they decided it was not my heart they could care less.....went to a gastro and he did the scope and stretched the esophogus and I felt better for about 1 week ...and now it has just reached a horrible pain.... I just want to give up....I can't keep going like this.....anyway I am seeing a surgeon on Thursday this week... to get my galbladder out.....but what if it is not even my galbladder and I am still in pain after or worse they rupture whatever it is during surgery and I die.... I am so scared.....

[lizziecee]

I have Crohn's and breast cancer, but my much loved 78 yr old husband was suffering from severe problems after eating - anything. He was up 3/4 times a night with gastro pain and got through a half litre of Gaviscon in a month. He decided he would cut out all dairy, and he is now so well. It may not be the solution to your own problem, but I am just clutching at straws in an endeavour to help you. Le't hope the doc on here can be more informative.
Take care.
Liz.

[JoyCollins]

Hey Christie,

I am so sorry you are having such problems. My daughter who is 17 has been in severe upper stomach pain since Feb. She had her gallbladder removed at the age of 9 (never was told what could of caused this). Ever since she has suffered with extreme chronic nausea. Nausea so bad that she could barely get out of bed. We have seen about 20 doctors throughout the years to find out about the nausea. No help? Septemeber of last year she started throwing up after meals and having severe stomach distention. In Feb. of this year, severe upper stomach pain. right between the breast bone. She is having to take narcotic pain killers just to ease the pain (it never takes it away). We have had all the blood work and normal test. CT scan, Hida, capsule endoscopy, MRI, gastrogram. Nothing is showing up. We have been at a research hospital since March. They did the CT and Hida and determined after seeing her for five minutes that it was probably stress related. I about lost it. They tried to put her on Effexor.  When these doctors can't diagnose you in 15 minutes or if a pill will not fix it they want to raise the "stress" card. Well, I had her evaluated last year and the psychologist said she was fine. Something is terribly wrong with Lindsay but we just haven't found out what. We have an endoscopy scheduled for Thursday ( I had to demand this test to be done). They didn't want to do one becaue one had been done in Sept. However, I told them that her pain wasn't happening in Sept. In the meantime, my daughter is suffering so much with this unexplained pain. She has dealt with the nausea for 9 years. She barely attends school (she has a homebound teacher) eventhough she wants to so badly. She is an athlete but had to sit out the last part of the season of softball because of the nausea and throwing up. She is a real trooper and her faith keeps her from being so depressed. PLease let me know if you find out something or if you just want to email me or Lindsay at ***@****.

Does anyone out there have any other avenue that hasn't been explored?????????

Thanks,

Joy

[lizziecee]

Hi Joy -The only thing I can  think of is coeliac disease. When I was tested some 37 yrs ago they did it by endoscopy of the small intestine and took biopsies. The went progressively to the large colon. I was on prednisolone for some 30 yrs, with the attendant side effects and would not want a 17 yr old on these. For the past 6 yrs I have been on methotrexate - an immunosuppressant, which is keeping the disease, and symptoms in remission. I do hope you find the reason for your daughter's pain and nausea soon. In the meantime, I would suggest she drink anything with ginger in - I had FEC chemo 4 yrs ago for breast cancer and couldn't eat because of the nausea. I drank non-alcoholic ginger ale, ginger beer ( also non-alc) and occasionally green ginger wine topped up with ice and ginger ale. It did help.
Liz.

[JGraham]

My wife is having almost the exact same problems been to the hospital many times for them to do a few tests and send her home with some more meds that dosnt help. I am waiting for them to say its stress but if they do i will blow up on them because only stress we have is caused by the pain she is going threw and the doctors not working to find the real cause. They keep telling me the tests show nothing like my wife is faking and it is causing us to argue and fight more less because i can't help her. I gave her your email in hopes maybe you and her can work together to maybe help her and your daughter maybe even just talk about what has been tested and what should be tested. I hope the best for you and your daughter...

                      JGraham

[happygirl49221]

A related discussion, Why do I have stomach Pain? was started.