Nausea, Belching, Pressure in middle of upper GI

[Melissa31]

A year ago I had some flu like symptoms that consisted of throwing up 4-5 times a day for a few days. I told my doctor that I felt as though something was in my throat and a pressure below my sternum. He thought I had GERD and put me on Prilosec and Aciphex later. Both medications didn't help. I then went and had xrays after drinking a chalk drink that showed I didn't have GERD or a hiatal hernia. A month a go the symptoms came back. I was on an airplane and felt a sudden urge to throw up. I felt a liquidy sensation in my throat and ran to the bathroom-nothing came up. After sittingthe urge came over me again. When we landed the pressure/gnawing happened below my sternum. It almost feels as someone is taking 2 fingers and pressing them down in the area. I then started belching (which I've never done before). It was constant one after another. The belching continued for approximately two hours. My mother decided the belching could be due to the lack of food in my stomach...soo...we decided to stop and eat something. After eating a few bites, I immediately had to spit the food out. It's almost as if my mouth told my brain if I didn't spit it out, I'd throw up. I took a sip of my drink and felt the same feeling but forced it down. I immediately went outside to get some air and just felt the sickest I've ever felt. The belching continued for a few days and came back a few days later and continued. I really have to force them out and they tend to have a gurggling sound afterwards. Recently I went to the grocery store with my sister and was extremely sensitive to the smell of popcorn and had to immediately dart towards the door for air. Smells definitely make me nauseas and help trigger the reactions at times. Yesterday I felt as though I could run a few errands because I wasn't feeling all that bad. However, I started feeling extremely light headed as though I was going to pass out and my stomach began to become very nauseated.

What should I do?

[Tray106]

I have done all of the tests...all came back negative...and the belching has continued for about 6 months...I have never had heartburn or indigestion in my life...and now at age 43 I belch constantly...at least several hundred times a day and all tests indicate I am fine.....

[Tray106]

Hi,

Thank for the suggestions.
I had my gallbladder tested...nothing.
It seems as though my doctors are at an end as to what to test for.  They are falling back on the idea that all of sudden I woke up one morning and decided to start swallowing air....

I actually did a test for too little stomach acid (apparently it generates the same symptoms).  A bit of apple cidar vinegar....well, suffice it to say that too little stomach acid is not the cause.  I am now taking probiotics and digestive enzymes to see if that has any impact.  More to report in a week or so.

Tim

[Melissa31]

The pain is almost constant. It's rather unusual. After reading some other posts, I wondered if it could possibly be gallstones...but, the pain is never on the left side of my body. I'm in the process of changing my insurance, once that's done I'm going to go see a gastroenterologist. I've also picked up a book about natural remedies. However, I'm reluctant to use it if I don't know what it is I'm trying to treat.

[cncnorman]

I can feel your pain.  I just had my gallbladder removed in an emergency choli two weeks ago yesterday.  I had no pain or any reason to assume that something was wrong except for belching.  It began the night before and was nonstop belching.  I was so embarrassed.  The next morning I woke up with the most unbelievable pain under my ribs on front right side of my body.  Three hours later I thought I was going to die the pain was worse than childbirth.  I would talk to your doctors about getting checked out for gallstones.  It sounds like this is what is going on to me.  Does it happen especially after eating fried food?  Just curious.
Hugs!!!  Christina

[Tray106]

Good luck.
I have had every test under the sun and they all come back indicating that I am extremely healthy and in great shape...it is very frustrating.  I have even begun researching if a brain tumor can cause belching as a result of some neurological issue.
I have also been taking probotics (wow do they taste awful) for a week or so...the person in the healthfood store says "It will work"....i will post here in a few weeks and let you know the results.

Tray106

[Melissa31]

The belching seems to flair up when I eat something. I have to eat in very small portions and feel full for the remainder of the day. However, recently I've started getting up in the middle of the night because of a sudden feeling of acid rushing up from my stomach to my lungs and to my throat. I try and adjust the position in which I sleep. I'm going to go into take some blood tests in a few days. Hopefully this will end up with something. When I was about 10 or so I got severely sick from eating a mango and I've never felt "normal" ever since...not, the symptoms I listed in my post...but, I became extremely sensitive to everything.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the upper GI as well as the trial of medications thus far.

Further evaluation should be done with an upper endoscopy.  This can more comprehensively evaluate for ulcers, inflammation or GERD.  I would also obtain blood tests to exclude H Pylori, a bacteria associated with ulcer disease.

More specialized tests of the upper digestive tract can be done with a gastric emptying scan or 24-hr pH study to exclude delayed gastric emptying and GERD respectively.

If the tests continue to be negative, imaging the abdomen with an ultrasound can be discussed 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 patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com