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Mild burning in stomach, nausea, bloating. Help me figure it out.

Posted , 4 users are following.

farah41194
farah41194

I've been having this mild stomach ache. It's like a mild burning or gnawing ache around the belly button area. I also get nausea and then the urge to use the washroom where my stool would be soft. I've also been having bloating and mild throat irritation which I suspect is acid reflux. I've also lost a lot of weight because I've significantly reduced my meal portion sizes. I'm starting to get scared now. I've had stomach issues for a while but I was doing better. Since July symptoms have worsened and it seems like i'm having flare-ups more often. I've been taking my medication, been very careful about what I eat (avoiding trigger foods), been drinking more water, eating more yoghurt. I don't understand why this problem hasn't gone away yet. I didn't expect to still be suffering 1 year later, especially with the changes I've made. I really thought I would be healed by now. It's quite distressing. I suffer from anxiety also.  I recently came off Omeprazole (PPI) and started Tagamet (H2 Blocker). Maybe that has something to do with it. Also, I realized that I've been eating breakfast too late. I don't know if this could be a side effect of leaving my stomach empty too long (overnight). I should mention that certain personal problems have been bothering me and I know that stress can make symptoms worse. I did not have an endoscopy as yet. My doctor did not give me a definite diagnosis. He just said it's a problem with stomach acid and gave me medication. My ultrasound was clear and I tested negative for H Pylori. From what I've read my symptoms seem consistent with gastritis/GERD. I read that these conditions are easily treatable and a lot of times you can make a full recovery from them (thankfully). I hope my recovery doesn't take much longer. For those who have recovered or are recovering...how long did it take and what specifically did you do to help the recovery process?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 farah41194

    Posted

    You are doing all you can do for your stomach.  However, I found that if stay relaxed and eat regularly, it reduces my GERD.  Try to accept that your stomach is sensitive, take your medication, avoid food triggers and try distraction techniques to help you relax.  Don’t miss meals and eat little but often.
    • farah41194
      farah41194 pippa58442

      Posted

      How long is it acceptable for the stomach to be empty overnight? I read you should stop eating 3 hours before bedtime. If you sleep for 8 hours, then eat breakfast 1 hour after waking up, that's 12 hours of empty stomach. Is this acceptable or too long?

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 farah41194

      Posted

      Everyone is different so I don’t know exactly for how long your stomach should be empty.  All I do know is that eating very late at night before going to bed can make GERD worse.  I personally don’t count the number of hours.  I simply eat three meals a day and have a snack before dinner and don’t not eat late at night.  This does help.  If I get heartburn I take H2 blockers or milk to relieve it.   Staying calm makes a difference.
  • veronica37985
    veronica37985 farah41194

    Posted

    I had been on a PPI (Lansaprazole 30 mg) for years; my condition deteriorated last year, possibly aggravated by some unavoidable stress. Like you, I’ve become much more attentive to what I eat and when, keeping a food diary has helped in that. Doctor added Ranitidine 150 mg (H2 blocker) twice a day and switched me to Esomeprazole 40 mg. I am doing better on that regime, despite considerably more stress in my life this year. I very rarely touch any alcohol, if I do a small glass of red wine only, that has helped. I too have gastritis and GERD as well as ulcerative colitis. Good luck with your healing.
    • farah41194
      farah41194 veronica37985

      Posted

      Sorry to hear of your struggles. I'm glad that the new regimen is helping you to feel better. Is it OK to take PPI and h2 blockers at the same time? Wouldn't they work against each other? Try to manage your stress as that can make symptoms significantly worse. Would you mind sharing your daily diet with me. What symptoms do you have?

    • farah41194
      farah41194 veronica37985

      Posted

      Also I've been losing weight that I can't afford to lose so that has got me worried too.

    • veronica37985
      veronica37985 farah41194

      Posted

      My GP prescribed the Ranitidine to supplement the PPI; they work in different ways rather than against each other. My daily diet varies; generally start with breakfast of muesli and half a banana or porridge with a few apricots (I soak dry apricots then stew enough for a week). When possible I have a main meal in the middle of the day, plenty of steamed veg included, poached or stewed fruit with 0% fat yoghurt for dessert (or as a snack later) and a sandwich or something on toast as a third meal, also have more cooked fruit. I haven’t eaten meat for years, but do eat fish a few time a week. I love cheese, but have cut back and use lower fat versions where possible. I try to avoid fatty, fried and spicy food and foods which give me pain or weaken my voice. I have a coffee in the morning followed by de-caff or herbal teas and sips of tap water during the day. I try to wait at least 3 hours after last food before going to bed.

      I have silent reflux, a small hiatal hernia and gastritis; I had symptoms of peptic ulcer disease last year, was positive for h pylori, had eradication therapy, but still symptomatic. Gastroscopy confirmed negative status for h pylori, so no known cause for continuing symptoms, and hence had to double down on managing them better! Aside from tummy discomfort, my voice got very weak, vanishing at times. Much of the dietary advice I got has come from a specialist Speech Therapist who has been helping me with voice issues.

      I am feeling much less stressed now - last year it was about illness and death of elderly m-i-l, this year my husband having serious cardiac problem completely out of the blue, scary at the time and nerve-wracking in first months after he came out of hospital. Not much you can do about what life throws at you, but all now much calmer and under control! And my voice now holding up. I’m losing weight slowly (needed to); you on the other hand might find toast and rice cakes useful bland snacks to add bulk to your diet. Good luck!

  • EdEire
    EdEire farah41194

    Posted

    Its a extremely long process...

    Just a tip..try alcaline water..turmeric tea and a lot of bananas and berries... Thats what helped me... But not in one day .. more like 3 months and slight improvement ..

    • farah41194
      farah41194 EdEire

      Posted

      Thank you. I've been drinking a lot of water and eating bananas daily. Will try the turmeric tea. I think my problem started because I used to skip meals. My stomach lining is damaged. I guess it will take a while to heal. How are you doing lately?

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