nausea and fullness

[tsmill]

I have had feelings of fullness and mild nausea after meals and generally late in the afternoon/early evening for two years. (In the meantime I've had a baby and she is 15 months old--I'm still nursing her).  It's worse when I eat fatty foods, and it has definitely affected my appetite--I don't usually want to eat dinner.  In December after a physical my GP sent me for an upper GI (barium swallow) and he called me to say that I have reflux.  I don't have heartburn, which I understand to be the main symptom of reflux disease.  He put me on Zantac, because it is safe when you're nursing.  I've taken 150 mg in the morning and 150 mg at night for a month, and it hasn't helped.  He wants me to take 150 mg in the morning and 300 mg at night.  Is nausea/fullness even a symptom of GERD?  Could it be something else entirely?  Should I be investigating this further by seeing a gastroenterologist?  Anything else I should be doing?  Thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Neasea and fullness can be indicative of GERD.  

Other possibilities can be a mass, ulcer, esophageal dysmotility, or gastroparesis.  

An upper endoscopy would be a more comprehensive test.  More specialized testing, including the 24-hr pH study +/- esophageal motility studies, or a gastric emptyingn scan, can all be considered.

I would consider a gastroenterology evaluation.

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.
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