Constant Belching

[4thChild]

I began belching on Aug 26th and have had constant belching every day since.  Lying down at nighttime provides relief.  I have had the following tests: Upper GI, CAT Scan, 2 EGD's, Hida Scan, 2 Gastric Emptying, 24PH and Esophagal Manamotry.  My stomach has delayed emptying (viral?? I don't have diabetes) at 35% in 2 hours and my gallbladder empties only at 13%.  I also have pain on the right side of my chest, inside my right ribs and behind the right shoulder.  In your opinion, what is causing this intolerable burping?  I'm at a point where I simply cannot tolerate it.  I don't have nausea or vomitting, but have lost my appetite along with 30 pounds since Aug 26th.  Any information you could provide to help stop this burping would be more appreciated than I could say.  Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation of the upper GI tract.  Irritable bowel syndrome can cause an increase in gas sensation and can be considered if there is not a clear diagnosis.

A low gallbladder ejection fraction (<35%) can lead to atypical gallbladder-like symptoms can some studies have shown that removal of the gallbladder may be helpful.  

You may want to discuss these options 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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[NICK_ROGERS]

You do not mention H.Pylori - this can cause belching/bloating.
can be checked via bloood tests and sample taken from a scoping.

[Allfieldsarerequired]

FYI-my dad had a triple-bypass and his only symptom was burping. He did not have classic chest pain and did not have a heart attack. The burping went away after the bypass surgery. My theory would be that gases from his blood were leaching out of his vessels due to the pressure they were under trying to beat blood thru clogged arteries. He spent a considerable amount of time and money chasing the GI cause. He also had a resumption of burping years later at which point they determined another lesser artery was becoming blocked but it was treated without surgery. Burping went away again.

[TJV]

You said you had delayed gastric emptying -- that is most probably  the cause of your burping and other symptoms.