pain after eating

[dingy19]

My granddaughter returned from Africa, after a two week stay, over a month ago.  During the flight back to the U.S., she became sick.  She cannot eat without a lot of pain.  Doctors have performed all sorts of tests with negative results.  She is back in the hospital as I type and not much attention is given to this condition.  The weight loss and the pain is becoming a very large issue but there seems to be nothing the medical profession can do for this young, once vibrant girl who happens to be an RN.  Anyone have some suggestions?

[boron]

When someone comes back from Africa, and get sick, the first thought is infection. Weight loss may be due to lost appetite, pain which prevents her to eat, or malabsorption, which may be due to intestinal infection. Stool tests for bacteria and parasiters, and blood tests for typical viral diseases from Africa should be done. Now I don't know what tests she already had.

[dingy19]

Graddaughter has had all the blood and stool tests.  Negative.  She has had scans, as well.  This morning, doctor is going to coat real food, have granddaughter eat, and follow the food until it begins to pain her.  This test was scheduled for August 12th but since she was admitted to hospital, again, for out of control pain, the doctor decided that he would go ahead with this procedure now instead of making her wait until scheduled date.  That's nice.  At last, something is being done to follow up on this case.  She has been admitted to the hospital two times and both times released before having any answers.  She does not have loss of appetitite but scared to eat because of the pain that follows.  Thus, loss of weight and dehydrtion.  We shall see what happens with the procedure that is to take place this morning.  Thank you for your in-put.

[boron]

If pain is shortly after eating, it may be
- gastritis or ulcer, dx is with upper endoscopy.
- gallbladder related, if the pain is like a cramp holfding her for some minutes or hours, pain occurs after a fatty meal
- aneurism of abdominal aorta, dx with ultrasound. Hert beat may be heard through abdominal wall with the stetoscope
- stenosis of pylorus - stomach exit. Dx: gastric emptying test or X-ray with barium swallow

Where exactly is the pain, can it be felt by pressuring on the spot? Diarrhea, blood in the stool or black stool? Pale stool?

[dingy19]

Thank you, boron.
After uppper G.I. yesterday with icetobe (sp?) with food and following food under survey, determination is "gastroporesius" (sp?) - massive regurgitation- the stomach is not processing food normally, thus the pain before emptying into the duodenum and causing great pain because food is backed up into the esophogus and more pain results plus acid reflux.  The doctor said it is idiopathic which in my book means "don't know what's causing this." Virus that is not dedected by any tests?  Granddaughter has been put on low fat diet - no more milkshakes, fatty foods and has a medication to help process meals/food.  She started eating foods because she was very hungry and sick of light soups, "milkshakes," applesauce, ensure, etc. but that is when the pain was increased after solid food was ingested.  There is not any bright red or black stool.  Granddaughter visits same doctor next week for follow-up. The doctor believes she picked up a virus in Africa and sometimes, tests cannot detect certain viruses.  Many other exams and tests have been conducted out of hospital - all negative.  Since she was given an antibiotic at first and that did not solve the issue, the condition is possibly virus related.  Thank you for following this condition through with me.  It was scarey because I couldn't understand why she was released from the hospital on the first visit without total body exam and finding some results before releasing her.  She had lost 15 pounds (she was 130 pounds), became dehydrated and that seemed pretty serious to me.  We shall see if this last diagnosis is correct and meds will solve the condition and get her back to a "normal digestive system."

[boron]

For all known viruses, test exist. But usually, one test shows only one virus, and not all possible viruses.

How old is she?

She should get enough calories with food. There are some caloric vegetable and soy juices, which could be appropriate.

This could help in finding the cause:
How old is she?
Problems started abruptly or gradually?
Where exactly is the pain - in upper middle abdomen, below the right rib cage...? Pain is only after earting?
Any other symptoms beside the pain: bloating, diarrhea?

Beside gastroparesis (which means slow gastric emptying) the cause of pain may be gastric ulcer. This can be diagnosed only by upper endoscopy.

Here are some causes of gastroparesis:
Functional gastroparesis
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes - though gastroparesis is less common than for Type 1 diabetes
Gallbladder disease
Pancreatitis
Postviral syndromes
Anorexia nervosa
Stomach damage
Stomach surgery
Vagus nerve surgery
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Stomach cancer
Smooth muscle disorders
Amyloidosis