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What would cause distension, pain & pressure after every meal?

I've been suffering with some abdominal problems for a couple years. It started out as some annoying discomfort after eating some meals. Now in the last year it's gotten progressively worse and is affecting my life. People close to me have noticed it. My wife says I've changed and I'm not the same person I used to be. Before all this started I was super healthy with no medical problems. I rarely went to the doctor. I'm a 32 year old male.

All symptoms are related to eating. If I don't eat, I don't have symptoms (other than lightheaded from not eating). My worst symptom is intense pressure & distension that starts after meals (wife says I look 6 month pregnant). It makes my lower back and hips hurt and usually last 4 or 5 hours after eating. Other symptoms are: hyperactive bowel sounds after eating. Chronically tired and trouble sleeping. I feel so tired that I don't feel like doing anything. I get especially tired an hour or two after eating & feel like I could fall asleep. Also, have nausea and irritability in the morning. I don’t know if this matters, but I’ve been checking my resting heart rate and it’s usually high 40s to 60. BP at last check 106/68.

I've been a few doctors. Below is what I've been tested for:
H. pylori-Negative
Complete Blood Test-Normal
Liver Function Panel-Normal
Upper Abdominal Ultrasound-Normal
Upper Endoscope-Normal
HIDA Scan-Normal
Celiac Panel-Normal
Colonoscopy-Normal

The only test that's shown anything at all was a CT scan of my abdomen & pelvis. But all they reported on that test was: a disc bulge at L4-L5 with mild stenosis, my spenic artery traverses thru my pancreas (whatever that means) & moderate amount of stool (weird it showed this since I never have any problem with constipation at all. If anything I trend in the opposite direction).

One thing I’ve wondered about is all the scans & scopes so far have been fasting. I don’t have symptoms when fasting so is it possible something is getting missed?

I’m reaching out anywhere I can to find a solution. I’ve stopped with doctor appts and tests lately because I wasn’t getting anywhere, was getting frustrated & I don't have unlimited money. Any help would be much appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Get tested for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) via a lactulose breath test. The symptoms mimic yours exactly and you would either be high in hydrogen or methane bacteria. A major diet change will be required if you are positive (and a shift to a paleo diet that is grain free and mostly fruit free with the exception of blueberries here and there would be your bet bet.) I'm a Nutritionist and this is what I work with primarily
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
I see you were H. Pylori negative, but I wonder what test you had for it...  I've been struggling with similar symptoms and after a stool test came back negative for H. Pylori, I was sent for a GI work up.  A biopsy during endoscopy came back positive for H. Pylori and I'm currently in the midst of treatment for it...

I've read that stool tests, often, come back with false negatives and blood tests only tell if you've had H. Pylori; they don't tell if you have a current infection.  Supposedly, the breath test and biopsy are the most accurate.

There are also other bacterial over growths that can cause symptoms.

You might also try an elimination diet, starting with eliminating gluten, dairy, soy and sugar, as those are the most prevalent substances that people are sensitive to.  You could be gluten sensitive without having celiac; you could be sensitive to, either, lactose or casein in dairy.  Soy and sugar are, typically, big offenders.  To do this, you eliminate all of those for a month, then try adding them back in, one at a time and see if they cause problems.
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I had the breath test first for H. Pylori. Then during the upper endoscope he took a biopsy and it was also negative.

I've read about the low FODMAP diet which is similar to what you suggest except for also eliminating fructose & fructan containing foods. I tried it for a few days but found it nearly impossible to follow. You can't eat very much. I probably should suck it up and try it again as you suggest and stick with it. I can't take feeling like this anymore. This morning is awful. Nausea, lightheaded & no energy.
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