Severe Stomach Discomfort Accompanied by Chills
Overview: - **Age:** 27 - **Gender:** Female - **Diagnoses:** Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Myasthenia Gravis - **Medications:** Tums, Advil, Pyridostigmine - **Past Medical History:** Underwent appendectomy and hysterectomy. Apologies for any formatting issues; I'm currently struggling with intense pain that's making life quite challenging. This discomfort has persisted for about a week, and I'm reaching out for any tips or insights. The main problem arises shortly after I eat—usually within 5 to 10 minutes. I experience excruciating pain starting in the middle of my abdomen, which radiates down to both sides, resulting in intense agony that I find hard to articulate. Alongside the pain, chills set in, making me feel extremely cold. In attempts to alleviate the discomfort, I've tried walking around, but while that sometimes leads to burping, it doesn’t alleviate the pain. This discomfort can be quite prolonged as well; for instance, after eating dinner around 7 PM last night, I was in agony until nearly midnight. I appreciate any suggestions—I sought help from urgent care but found their response lacking, and my primary care physician is unavailable until May.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 4:00:52 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing such severe stomach discomfort and chills. Your situation sounds very challenging, especially with the pain being so intense and closely tied to eating. Let's focus on understanding what might be causing your symptoms and how you can potentially alleviate them.
Main Points:
- Your abdominal pain after eating, accompanied by chills, can suggest several issues, including possible gastrointestinal problems or intolerance to certain foods.
- Managing your diet and trying certain home remedies might help provide some relief in the short term.
Explanation: Your history of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) may impact your gastrointestinal system, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain. Conditions like gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying) can also cause pain after eating. The chills you experience could be your body's response to pain or indicate some level of inflammation or infection, which warrants attention.
Next Steps:
-
Dietary Adjustments:
- Try to keep a food diary to identify any patterns or specific foods that trigger your symptoms. Common triggers include fatty foods, dairy, spicy foods, and high-fiber meals.
- Start with smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals to see if that alleviates the discomfort.
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Hydration:
- Ensure you’re staying hydrated, as it can help with overall digestion and may help alleviate some discomfort.
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Warm Compress:
- Applying a warm compress or heating pad to your abdomen may help ease pain and provide comfort.
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Gentle Movement:
- While you mentioned walking hasn’t helped much, gentle movements or stretching could still be beneficial in promoting digestion.
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Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep track of your symptoms, noting any worsening of pain, changes in your bowel habits, fever, or persistent chills.
If your symptoms continue or worsen, especially with significant pain, fever, or any other concerning signs, it would be important to seek further medical attention, possibly from a specialist who understands your conditions. In the meantime, focus on the dietary changes and self-care strategies I’ve outlined. Please keep me updated on your progress, and let me know if you'd like more specific guidance!
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