Why am I nauseated 24/7?

[jillstras]

Since May of 2009 I have had 7 surgeries.  I have been in and out of the Hospital more than 15 times.  I have had part of my small bowel removed twice.  I have constant nausea daily, 24/7.  I have been to more than 7 doctors and no one can tell me what is going on. I have had blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, etc. with no avail.  I have upper abdominal pain right under my rib cage on the left side.  I pass horrible smelling gas and have horrible smelling, oily stools.  It looks like there is a layer of grease on the top of the water when I have a bowel movement.  I have been on home care IV fluids since December to keep me alive.  I have had zofran, phenergen, reglan, different muscle relaxers, pain medicines, and anxiety medications, but my nausea and vomiting do not ever go away.  I have had 2 endoscopies, 1 colonscopy, and an upper G.I. scan.  The test results have all been normal.  

I have recently started having horrible headaches sine the beginning of January and I have never had headaches before in my life.  I have had pregnancy tests and I am not pregnant.  The only thing that gives me a little relief is when I go to the ER and have phenergen injected through an IV but the nausea soon returns.  No doctor I have seen has been able to help me or find out what is wrong.  I am wondering if any of you medical professionals out there have any ideas of what this could be.  

I know my body and I know something is wrong.  I feel as though the doctors are just masking the symptoms (or trying to) but they are not finding the root problem.  I don't have a gallbladder and I had gastric bypass 6 years ago.  I continue to lose weight because I can't eat and really don't want to because it makes me sick.  I am 5'9, 25 years old, and 148lbs.

If anyone has any suggestions or helpful guidance please help!  I need to know why I am feeling this way.

[jillstras]

I just wanted to give an update of what is going on with me.  They have finally figured out what is wrong and it's going to require major surgery.  I had gastric bypass 5 years ago and with the scopes I had done last week they were able to see that it was closed badly and is leaking.  I have extreme bacterial infections throughout my intestines because of this, and many other problems.  To fix it they have to go in and do a complete gastric bypass revision.  They have to start from scratch and it will be as if I have an entire new bypass with all new parts.  My entire digestive system is going to be rebuilt.  I will have 4 feet of small intestine removed, a new stomach pouch made, and then they will connect everything back up.  They said that if I don't have this I will die a slow death, but there is no doubt that it will kill me.  They are 85% sure that this will fix me and also about a 94% chance that I will live.  Those are not perfect guarantees but it is either that or die, so I'm choosing to fight.  I go in for surgery in 2 weeks and we'll go from there.  They are planning on a 12-14 hour surgery, a 1 1/2-2 month Hospital stay, and about a 6 month recovery.  This is a huge process, but to save my life it is something that I absolutely have to do.  So thank you for all your concern and support!  Please keep me in your prayers and I will continue to keep you all updated.  Thank you so much again!  I feel like I have truly made good friends on this site.  :)

[jillstras]

You really give me some hope.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to write me about your daughter's experience.  I am so glad she is feeling better.  I have an inhaler and I am going to try it this week to see if it helps.  I also went and bought the vinegar last night so this morning is the test  :)  I hope you have a great Sunday and thank you again so much.  I really can't express how much I appreciate all and any suggestions!  This is really the hardest thing I have ever gone through and I will take even the most minor relief!

[ericnliz]

Yes, she still gets nauseated sometimes.  Before starting inhaler she felt bad everyday for most of the day.  She had numerous reflux episodes daily 15-20.  Now  usually when she gets a cold she may have a couple episodes. She does still frequently feel nauseated 4-5 days per month but we take that over what it was. She was almost disfunctional.  She has been on the inhaler for10 months now.  We don't think it is a cooincidence even though all her dr's have dismissed this, even the asthma dr. doesn't understand it.  I have not looked recently but there was nothing we could fine that linked asthma to stomache problems so I bet your dr will dismiss it too.  When we take her off the inhaler her symtoms come back in a few days.  We don't know if it is the Flovent that she takes or if it is her asthma being under control is.  Like I said she never had nor does have any of the typical asthma symptoms.  She is very active and never has shortness of breath except for that one attack???  This may not be your problem at all but we have not been back to her speciallist in 10 months now!  She is only 8 years old.  

The vinigar thing does work.  From what I have been told part of the reason why pregnant women like pickles.  It help ease the cramped stomache by digesting food faster.  I hope something works out for you. After watching our daughter suffer for 3 years it was a blessing she had the asthma attack.

[jillstras]

Thanks so much for the suggestion!  I will definitely try the vinegar.  I'll admit it sounds disgusting but I am willing to try anything right now!

How is your daughter doing now since she has her inhaler?  Is she ever nauseated anymore?  I am excited to call my doctor on Monday and see what he thinks.  Thank you again!

[ericnliz]

Hi,  Ok maybe this is just a coincidence but our daughter has been suffering from very similar symptoms.  After numerous specialists, tests, including 3 endoscopes, numerous medications, nothing helped.  She was actually scheduled to have her stomach valves reshaped to help with emptying.  But then one day she had an asthma attack at school!!??? She didn't have asthma, never had any sign of it. No weezing, shortness of breath (until this attack), etc. We took her to our sons asthma dr. whom we have a lot of respect for and sure enough she was diagnosed w/ moderate asthma.  She was put on a daily inhaler and almost all of her stomach issue disappeared.  Don't figure we don't understand and neither do the dr's.

Now here is another thing that we learned. The mjority of up set stomaches and reflux is not caused by too much acid (like the medical feild wants us to believe) it is caused by too little.  Not enough acid does not let food digest and it sits in stomache and gets foul.  Try taking a tablespoon of white vinagar.  It wont hurt you and it might even work.  This is an old wives tale remedy but it works.     Good luck with you!

[jillstras]

Thank you so much for the help!  I have an appt. with my doctor and this gives me a great start of what to talk to him about!  I truly appreciate it.  :)

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Commonest cause of chronic nausea is acidity. Take omeprazole (empty stomach in morning) and antacid gel and see if it helps. Liver and kidney dysfunction is another cause. Hence kidney and liver function tests should be done. Other causes are diabetes and hypothyroidism. Electrolyte imbalance too can cause nausea. IBS, gluten or lactose intolerance, parasites in gut too can be the cause. A stool test should be done for worms, giardiasis etc. Also if nothing is found then food challenge test to detect food intolerance should be done. Increased sulfites in diet and steatorrhea too should be ruled out. Sulfites are present in all juices, molasses, yellow dye in ready made food stuffs, and red wine. Sulfites are present in lesser amounts in mashed potatoes made from dry powder, pickles, tinned shrimp, cookies, crackers, and readymade pie dough.
If you have been taking these things in a good amount, then cut down the intake. Also take a lactobacillus preparation and yoghurt with your meals. In all probability the smell will go. If it persists, then talk to your doctor.
Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Do consult your doctor. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!