Pulsating Stomach

[awad86]

I'm a 21 year-old, healthy female. I don't smoke, nor do I drink.

My stomach has been pulsating for the past 3 months, akin to my heart beat. Its most noticeable when I'm laying down, its locating in the upper right quadrant of my stomach. I've been to the doctor and the ER and they told me that my aorta was a normal diameter by way of an ultrasound, and gave me a rectal exam to make sure I wasn't bleeding. But they didn't have any answers for me and they sent me home.
My stomach is still pulsating and I don't know what's causing it. Any ideas?

I've also noticed in the past 2 months, that every bowel movement I have, have consisted of small pebble-like stools.  I have them regularly every day, and I keep myself hydrated so I don't think I'm constipated. Not sure if it relates to my stomach pulsating, but I'm not sure what's causing that either.

[Kobaria]

I'm having the same issue, been fighting for 2 years.  Have had liver MRI and Ultrasound Scan and colon  fecal tests, and heart tests... all negative!   But its getting hard to sleep with pulsating at night, need help on this.  Has anyone found a solution here?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello. We are sorry about your current health concern.  We hope to be of assistance to you.  Please come back and start your own thread with a bit more history and detail specific to you and we'll try to help.

[stomachbeat22]

Hi, I am REALLY hoping you see this. This issue is driving me crazy and I am wondering if you have found relief???

[JenGrey2017]

I've had strange pulsating sensation in my digestive system, in my chest for over two years.  It started as a heart beat just around the liver area, then the pulsation appeared in my descending colon, then ascending colon, my left arm, my chest, now in my lower back around kidney area.  

Along with it, I started to experience gallbladder pain, severe constipation, low BUN level.  

[sam292016]

im having same thing but just noticed it after ive been exercising, as im at the gym now 6 days a week, and lost nearly 4st and been working on my abs, so maybe you both have been exercising your abs??

[DepAndFig]

Thanks for all the comments guys, I suffer with anxiety hugely too but will also try more fibre

[mizeraleola]

Yes

[StarMkupArtist]

Thank you soooooooo very much for your answer. You are totally correct. My 83yr. old father started having sporadic outward pulsating actions in the lower right quadrant of his stomach (he said the movements didn't hurt but were irritating & made him feel very weak). One day the pulsating movements were nonstop for 24hrs....I rushed him to the emergency room... We thought they were chronic hiccups. With X-rays of his upper chest & stomach they discovered he suffered from a bacteria lung infection (bacteria from the TB family) which caused his stomach acid levels to go crazy & diagnosed him with the onset of emphysema! During a month long stay in the hospital...rounds of 2 antibiotics...the pulsating slowly subsided & stopped. Dad was released from the hospital & prescribed antibiotics for 1 year. Follow ups with his Dr. & six months out, Sputum tests were done & came back clear of the bacteria sooo one of his Dr. recommended the antibiotics were to be stopped. Well, the stomach pulsating started AGAIN...& a recurring visit to the hospital revealed the bacteria had grown again. Now he has to complete the original treatment plan of being on 2 antibiotics for 1 complete year. I know now, if or when the stomach pulsating starts it's the onset of the bacteria growing again & disrupting the digestive/nervous system. If the pulsating goes for 1hr. or more to calm the pulsating, my dad was prescribed Thorazine & Baclofen (I only administer if needed...these are antidepressants to calm the nervous system). I also have to give him 2 Ensures to aid with reproducing the good probiotics antibiotic medicines destroy.

[randolf0526]

i have this pulsating in 1month continues pulsating in the rythm of heart beat

[Deedong]

Hi all, I have the same problem, tried telling my doctor it wasn't my heart but she tried to put me on beta blockers! Which I refused, sent me for a heart scan, no problems. I found some information regarding the vagus nerve, its called the wandering nerve as it can affect the organs and you can feel it in the throat,  pulsating. It seems it belongs to the flight or fright situations. There is a youtube video which this guy explains it needs exercising and you can do this by breathing in deeply and then release the breath by breathing out like you are breathing through a straw, this calm the vagus nerve, positive thinking also helps, going for walks, yoga. I think with whats going on with our evolution I think we are all being called to calm ourselves and lift our vibration up. If you look up the vagus nerve on you tube you will find information and help. I have found it has calmed the situation and I need to continue to think positive thoughts and let the universe look after the things I cannot change at the moment. A good one to look up is abraham hicks who explains the power of aligning your energy for the 4th dimension...good luck all.

[manton123]

I have this problem on the lower left side of my abdomen at the belly button level  with associated pulsation which lifts my palm when placed on it. I think it corresponds with my pulse when I check it to see if it is the abdominal aorta but the irony is that taking 3 whorls of garlic helps this to subside. Has  anyone been told they could be having an intestinal parasite. you know some have 2 hearts. Resolves on taking Albendazole only to return after a week. Been to the doctor and done stool tests nothing was seen. Really feels creepy when this starts also oil and sugar in foods triggers this for me.
Any insights please?

[JCDBRW]

I have had the same pulsing and have recently associated it with the consumption of wheat.  No wheat, no pulsing.  I thought I was having heart problems it was so bad.  I would lie awake for hours not  being able to go to sleep because of the pulsing.  It was scary.  My daughter, who has auto-immune problems and many food allergies suggested keeping a food journal and I was able to determine the problem was wheat.  Hope this helps.

[randolf0526]

do you mean wheat bread? i always eat wheat bread.. its pretty sounds right..because it start it when i lessen eating rice and start eating wheat bread.

[James340]

Same here.  I have diverticulosis also.  Do you have the same thing?  I'm trying to see if there is a connection.

[louisishere]

Wondering if anyone every found out why this happens?
I've always had bad anxiety. I noticed this morning when I woke up there was no pulsating but after a run about the house it comes back on. I've had mine for a few years.  Doctor had a check and found nothing

hmmm?!

[drabe321]

By reading about your symptoms guys, sounds to me like a liver problem. It's usually associated with the hepatic artery and or the portal vein. I suggest that you guys get your liver checked out asap.
Good luck!

[JED8]

I have the exact same thing. It's definitely not due to anxiety, it's just some weird physiological thing to do with the descending aorta. It is most noticeable when lying down and when lying on my stomach I can feel the pulse vibrate slightly through my abdomen. It is constant so always pulsating in beat with my heat beat. Can't believe some of you have had thousands of dollars worth of CT's and ultrasounds etc for this little thing!!!!

[lmp1127]

i have been having the exact same symptoms as you and your question came up when i did a search.  i mentioned it to my doctor and he said this is VERY serious and sent me for blood work.  i have been on a diet (nutrisystem) and i agree with the person who told you it is from lack of fiber.  it only happens at night and i, too, have the pebble stools every day.  the overworked colon makes the most sense.  i am awaiting the results of this bloodtest but am not expecting much.

[lambface]

I've had gastrointenstinal issues for a very long time.  However, 4 1/2 months ago this pulsating starting, keeping me up at night.  It tends to go away when I eat, but returns shortly thereafter. I may also go away with a bm, but then returns again.  I feel that it is connected to constipation.  The only thing I found to make it go away was Zofran.  It is actually a med for chemo patients for nausea.  I remembered that I had them.  When I took it, the pounding went away completely.  However, the side effect is more constipation, so I only take it when I can't bear the pulsating or its keeping me up at night.  I also drink ginger and chammomile tea which helps get me to sleep and slows the pounding.

[sarahg1983]

Awad,

Did you ever find out exactly what was wrong?  I have exacly the same symptoms as you and its driving me insane.  At night I cant get comfortable and cant sleep because I'm so bloated and the pulsating is so strong

My doctor just dismisses it as IBS

[mmad]

What about lower abdomen pulsing, felt into the back between the hips?  About even with the spot just below the belly button.  It pulses with my heartbeat and hurts so as to take my breath away. It lasts about 30-45 seconds when it happens and is INTENSE.  I had an ultrasound to rule out aortic aneurism - size looked normal. That is how it first started. Then I started having burning stomach and then 2 gall bladder attacks. I got an endoscopy and was told I have stomach erosions in the atrum of the stomach which is near the duodenal opening, they said most likely due to bile reflux. I noticed the aortic and duodenal arteries go right through the same area and was wondering if there is some condition that involves all these things

[Wang28]

I have the same thing totally,sounds very common and lots of people are looking for answers,mine goes from my stomach up to my throut,im constantly tellung myself its anxiety and worry,ive always had the throbbing in my stomach and tho its loads stronger now its not new,im struggling to shift it,i have just come off beta blockers and was desperate to,could this be why it feels stronger now?change in blood pressure maybe?

[foreverXXI]

Indeed, although it is an old post the current/update responses are very much helpful! :)

I just happened to google this issue that I too am going through and am glad to have found this page. I too have suffered anxiety for the past 3-4 months and have noticed the pulsating sensation from my stomach. My overall concern is, how to manage and control these pulsating sensations - if such management exists?!

[Varsh138]

You spot on there. Anxiety is a key cause of that pulsating/beating feeling in the stomach. And the main treatment is the dispelling of anxiety in whichever  way works for you.

However if you guys search for "navel displacement" you will also come up with similar symtoms and that can be healed by "yoga for navel displacements" I find this method quite effective and one can get rid of that pulsating feeling, that affects your breathing, appetite and eventually bowels, after a few days of practising it.

P.S. Although this is an old thread, there will always be people looking for help and the more information provided, the better. I find it very useful, thanks guys.

Best of luck.
N

[Oneiromancer]

Poor dear. They brought you through all that for something like that? Bah.

It's anxiety. Your stomach seems to pulsate because your aorta pulsates, which is because your heart palpitates, which is because you're nervous. It's no wonder you worried so much about it, because that's part of the problem that's causing the pulsation. Being thin makes that pulsation more obvious.

The constipation has nothing to do with it, as that's a problem the intestines deal with. Constipation is often a sign of an irritable bowel, however, an extremely common syndrome which is also psychosomatic.

I speak entirely from experience. In the middle of an anxiety attack I looked in the mirror and saw my aorta pulsate from the other side of the room. I've also been having an irritable bowel.

The best thing to do is to check in with the sensations of your belly now and then and relax the tensions you'll be likely to feel there. Those tensions are the result of anxiety, and they'll affect your peristalsis.

Oops, turns out this is an old thread.

[randolf0526]

i have this pulsating in my stomach continues rythm in my heartbeat..

[shawnfro1987]

i have the same thing! :( in everyway. mine is the left top part of my stomach just below the rip cage and its so messed up

[awad86]

It does pulsate with the beat of my heart. It's really creepy. It keeps me up at night a lot because I think about it so much. I recently had a CT with oral and IV contrast just to rule out the possibility of an aneurysm or a bowel obstruction, but they said it was clear. So I have no idea what's causing it, but its really a high point of anxiety in my life. I really just wish I knew what it was.

[razan1122]

Can i ask if it did go with time?? did you really know why is it pulsing?? are you ok now and did you carry on with your life (AM FACING THE SAME PROBLEM AND ITS DRIVING ME MAAADD)

[GhostOf1901]

The pulsating you're talking about may be the result of a muscle twitching. Based on the location it can either be the colon, the lower parts of the stomach/dudenum, or the gallbladder. Judging by your stools, however, I'm willing to bet it's your colon.

Often times, when a muscle twitches it's because it's been working harder than it's used to working. In your case this may be for a number of reasons.

1) If it's your colon, you simply may not be getting enough fiber in your diet. If you don't have enough fiber, then your colon is doing a lot of work without getting enough proper nutrients. Try upping your fiber to 40g per day (particularly from fruits and vegetables) and see what happens after 2 weeks. (Note that pectin, a fiber found in apples, is especially good for the colon, so have at it.) Remember: your stools should have a toothpaste like consistency.  

2) If it's your gallbladder, you may be feeling the first signs of biliary dyskinesia. In this case, try lowering the amount of fat you eat, and try following a gallbladder friendly diet (I believe gicare.com has a few tips about that). Olive oil is especially good for times like these.

3) If it's your stomach, then it might be a number of things. For example, if you're fighting an infection, your stomach will do some weird things, mostly because it's producing a bunch of extra acid. Also, if you've had some sort of viral illness it may have attacked some of the nerves that control your gi system, and the muscles may have become weaker because of it. (Weak muscles tend to be the reason for twitching, remember.) Finally, you may be dealing with the beginnings of something more serious, like a muscle dysfunction, which should be studied further. (This last scenario isn't likely, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility, which is why I mention it.)

My recommendation: start with the higher fiber diet, while at the same time lowering your fat intake (eliminate all fast foods). Go with a gallbladder friendly diet, including extra virgin olive oil.

You may want to see a doctor about this just to be on the safe side. You may also want to see an alternative health care specialist. (I always recommend a good acupuncturist with good herbal knowledge.) Most of this type of specialist will be able to tell you whether you have something off balance which you can correct and therefore head off any possible problems before they become serious.

Good luck.

[pj82]

It's just anxiety