10 years of persistent nausea taking its toll mentally

[Justin]

First, some specifics: I am a 33 year old male in very good general health. Have never had any illnesses other than colds, no more than 2 a year. Always get a flu shot, can't remember having the flu since childhood. However 10 years ago I began experiencing sudden and acute attacks of nausea. No vomiting or diarrhea, just nausea. These days the acute espisodes are very rare (a handful a year) but I am plagued by persistent mild nausea. It doesn't make me bedridden, but often causes me to abandon a meal halfway into it. As a result I struggle to maintain my already very lean body weight (5'11", 147 pounds). Had every test done several times over to no avail. I will post about the nausea in the gastroenterology forum when there is room there. In the meantime I am concerned that this is taking a mental toll on me. The acute attacks are rare, but when they strike I become very depressed, thinking things like "I will never be free from this, I will never feel normal again." After all it has been 10 years now. Does anybody have any suggestions about how to handle the mental aspect of this? Thank you.

[HFHS-M.D.-H.G]

Dear  Justin,

                I feel sorry that you had to suffer from  nausea all through these years. Several medical disorders can cause nausea. It is important that you get a complete evaluation by a  physician for specific diagnosis and treatment. If you think you are depressed   to an extent that your daily functions are being affected, you may need to consult a trained Mental Health Professional.   A combination of medications and psychotherapy  helps in treating depression. Good Luck to you.

[Justin]

Thank you for the respone. Unfortunately there literally is no test left which I have not had done - from the obvious (endoscopy, barium, ultrasound, etc) to the less obvious (inner ear function tests, CT scans, etc). The final diagnosis was a vague one - "gastritis" or "nervous stomach."

[Breanne]

I'm just writing, because I read Justins story and I wanted to make a couple of comments. I have had the same problem for about 5 years now. I was also very concerned about my weight and my mental health. This defently does take a mental toll on you wondering if you are going to have a stomach ach for the rest of your life. This problem has become so bad for me that is has even stopped me from doing things that I enjoy in life. I'm 5'2' and I weigh 86 pounds. The doctors were concerned that I had an eating disorder. Which couldn't be farther from the truth. Anyways after exstensive test. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Maybe you should talk to a mental health worker who will then help you learn to relax and maybe your tummy troubles will go away.

[susanne]

I too have been having nausea (and some vomitting) for the past several months. I have had some tests (MRI and blood work) but have received no definite diagnosis. I can very much relate to the mental toll. I cried a lot today because this is the fourth day in a row that I have had nausea. The persistant feeling of discontentment makes me weary. I am not sick enough to go to bed but am not feeling well enough to do a lot of what I'd like to in a day.
Mine does not feel gastro in origin. I get a foggy feeling in my head with the nausea, leading me to think it's something like motion sickness or sinus or inner ear????
I have had migraines too and the headache doctor I saw said the nausea could be a "variant migraine" (no head pain - just nausea)
Right when all this started I was doing some psychological trauma therapy called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This technique uses eye movement to tap into the part of the brain where the trauma memories are and supposedly desensitizes you.I am still searching for an answer. I empathize with you. Take care.