Stomach feels knotted and I can't eat.

Posted , 6 users are following.

I am a 37 yr old female with no serious health history. For the last 2 weeks I have had this gnawing feeling in my stomach that feels like hunger and has progressed to make me unable to eat. Like I feel hungry and try to eat but it begins to feel like there is a knot in my stomach and the food just sits there. It eventually goes away and I feel "hungry" again but just a few bites and the blocked feeling returns and I can't eat anymore. I have been taking nexium for 10 days thinking it might help, but it hasn't.

I went to the ER panicking thinking it was something serious because I was weak and losing weight. They did a CT, bloodwork, and an abdominal ultrasound which all came back clear.

I have had health related anxiety in the past but the anxiety didn't hit until I almost passed out and then I freaked out and went to ER. I hate to think this is all in my head because the loss of appetite and my "stuffed" feeling when I eat a few bites doesn't seem to fit with most stomach ulcers where they felt PAIN. Mine is more discomfort than pain but the lack of being able to eat anything is causing me to lose weight and strength which is making me more and more afraid that this is something...but afraid they won't be able to find it.

I have an appt with a GI specialist tomorrow and hoping for some reassurance that my symptoms are normal and treatable. But 10 days on nexium with no help is concerning me.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Lindsey. It sounds like you need a gastroscopy to make sure that your stomach & duodenum are clear. An ultrasound is usually performed to check the stay of the liver & gallbladder. A gastroscopy is fine, especially with sedation, and the specialist can take a variety of biopsies. He can do a D2 to test for coeliacs disease [gluten intolerance] & urease CLO to test for the presence of H.Pylori, which can cause inflammation in the mucosa.

    Good luck Lindsey, and I hope you find a speedy resolution.

  • Posted

    I had the same symptoms and still do actually, please let me know how you made out at the Doctors.  All the doctors i went to can't figure it out so far.

  • Posted

    Hey,

    ?Sorry to hear about your situation. I did hear that stress and anxiety can trigger these symptoms. But at least your tests came back negative.

    ?I have just had treatment for H pylori/stomach ulcer symptoms, and since coming off the medication I feel the same as you.

    ?I am always feeling hungry but can't seem to finish a whole meal, I'd eat a bite of food and feel full instantly, and the food stays in my stomach longer than it should, making me feel sick and bloated.

    ?I think it's something to do with diet and food intolerances. This is my experience, but I take one tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice drink before or after a meal, and I instanstly feel the difference, I feel like food digests quicker.

    ?I will never feel 100% like I did a few months ago, but at least I am eating something again (I lost 4kg whilst going on medication, leaving me looking like a skeleton)

    ?Please keep me informed, as I want to know your results.

  • Posted

    Hey, did you get any answers? That's how I feel just now. So far I've had blood tests done for thyroid, diabetes, full blood coubt, inflammation, kidneys and liver which all came back clear. I'm being tested for h pylori. Sometimes I feel like I can't eat when I have an appetite, but I'm losing my appetite and getting full quickly now which is really concerning me. I can't afford to lose weight.

    • Posted

      Mine ended up being mainly anxiety related. Once I got that under control the appetite came back. The only other thing going on has been constipation that I just have to stay on top of with miralax. A LOT of people suggested going paleo or gluten FREE and then testing foods to see if I reacted, but it turned out to not be necessary. Sorry you are dealing with this. Not having answers is frustrating!
    • Posted

      Hey! Oh wow, really? I have been super anxious since this kicked off 3 months ago. Broken sleep and I wake up with my stomach like a washing machine. A few people around me have said I'm delaying healing because I'm so worried but I don't know how to bring it down till I know - and now that the anxiety has spiralled, I don't know how to stop it! I'm glad you got yours under control. I miss feeling normal and having no worries!

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