Struggles with Persistent Stomach Issues
I'm a 22-year-old autistic individual (using he/they pronouns) navigating life with several health challenges, including being diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, GERD, and various mental health conditions. My EDS also brings about significant ongoing joint pain. Visiting the doctor fills me with anxiety. During these appointments, I often struggle to recall what I want to say and leave feeling frustrated for not having asked everything I needed to. This has been something I've kept to myself for a long time, but I have reached a breaking point with my stomach problems. To be frank, I’m uncertain if what I’m experiencing is solely due to GERD, a condition I'm not fully knowledgeable about, and I would greatly appreciate some guidance on whether I should delve deeper into this with my healthcare provider. Since my early teens, I've grappled with stomach issues that seem to worsen as I age. These problems occasionally disrupt my daily life and contribute to my anxiety levels. My appetite fluctuates significantly over extended periods, alternating between times when I can eat almost anything and those when I struggle to consume much at all. I’ve had entire days where my intake consisted only of peanut butter on toast or just chewing gum while staying hydrated. I understand that this seems concerning from an eating disorder perspective, but I was raised in an environment that celebrated body positivity, making it clear to me how fatphobia impacts others, so for me, it’s never been about body image. Rather, there are moments when I experience a total loss of appetite that coincides with strong food aversions; seeing, smelling, or even thinking about food can provoke intense disgust, leaving me feeling ill. This can make social eating extremely challenging, as even my favorite dishes can trigger nausea. Speaking of nausea, I hardly ever vomit and cannot induce it if I'm feeling unwell. Consequently, I endure this uncomfortable sensation for hours or even days on end. The most I’ve vomited is typically related to severe menstrual cramps or being really sick. These challenges accompany flare-ups of stomach acid, primarily when my stomach is empty, making me exceptionally sensitive to food. Foods that are spicy or acidic are off-limits, and even plain bread can lead to excruciating pain that can leave me incapacitated on the floor for several hours. I often find myself so drained that I fall asleep while still in pain. There is a recurring pain located in the upper left section of my stomach, just beneath my ribs, which feels like a severe cramp manifesting as intense swirling pain. It’s common for this discomfort to arise during my menstrual cycles, exacerbated by PMDD, which tends to bring my mood down significantly. I am receiving treatment for this, so I am generally more stable now than in the past. However, chronic stress, along with the joint pain from my EDS, doesn't help. I do utilize CBD and partake in cannabis but struggle to maintain a consistent exercise routine, which I recognize I need to improve. In the past, I experienced stomach inflammation, possibly due to long-term ibuprofen use since childhood. The pain was excruciating, feeling like shards of glass churning in fiery lava. It was such a dramatic sensation that even trying to relax my muscles felt torturous. Thankfully, after seeking treatment for this about two years ago, I haven’t encountered that level of pain again. They performed an endoscopy and noted just some stomach inflammation. This ongoing condition is exhausting, and eating in social situations has transformed from a pleasurable activity to a source of anxiety. I cannot express how many times I have concealed these feelings, deeply affected by my inability to keep up with what others are doing and the guilt that arises from food waste. Also, I’ve had this curiosity for quite some time: Do McDonald's fries ever smell like hot vomit to you? I’m not referring to post-COVID; I mean from my childhood. To me, they do, yet I still enjoy them, which makes me wonder why that is. In summary, here are my symptoms: - Dramatic shifts in appetite since childhood, often linked with: - Short- or long-lasting bouts of nausea - Intense food aversion and lack of interest - Recurring pain in the upper left area of my stomach - Pain severity can vary, but it can become quite intense. Currently, I'm on an antipsychotic, omeprazole for my stomach, and a sleep aid for allergies. I use THC and CBD products but have observed no adverse interactions aside from a slightly prolonged high.
Answers (1)
4/4/2025, 8:11:00 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s clear from your detailed description that you are experiencing a complex interplay of symptoms related to your digestive issues, which are affecting both your physical health and emotional well-being. Your anxiety about healthcare visits and difficulty with appetite and food aversions are valid concerns that deserve attention and care.
Main Points:
- Complex Symptomatology: Your symptoms—including fluctuating appetite, nausea, food aversions, and stomach pain—may be influenced by both GERD and other factors, such as psychological stress and your EDS.
- Need for Monitoring and Management: It's important to monitor your symptoms closely and address them with specific strategies while considering further investigation with your healthcare provider.
Explanation:
Your experience of stomach pain, especially in relation to your menstrual cycles and stress levels, suggests that factors like PMDD and stress might be triggering or exacerbating your GERD symptoms. The pain you're describing—located in the upper left area and described as severe cramping—might be linked to heightened sensitivity due to GERD and past inflammation. It's important to recognize that these digestive issues, paired with mental health challenges, can create a cyclical pattern of stress and discomfort that may warrant a multifaceted approach to management.
Next Steps:
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Keep a Symptom Diary: Track your food intake, symptoms, and any anxiety levels. This will help you identify patterns and triggers over time. Include notes on when you experience pain or nausea, and what you ate beforehand.
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Focus on Diet Modifications:
- Avoid Triggers: Continue to avoid spicy, acidic, and hard-to-digest foods. Pay attention to other foods that may cause discomfort and eliminate those from your diet temporarily to see if your symptoms improve.
- Smaller Meals: Instead of larger meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to help manage GERD symptoms.
- Gentle Foods: Opt for bland foods that are less likely to irritate your stomach (e.g., oatmeal, mashed potatoes, bananas).
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Hydration and Relaxation Techniques: Staying hydrated is essential, especially if your appetite fluctuates. Consider incorporating deep-breathing exercises or mindfulness practices to help reduce anxiety before meals.
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Plan Healthcare Visits: To alleviate anxiety during healthcare appointments:
- Prepare Notes: Write down your symptoms, concerns, and any questions you have beforehand. Bring this list with you to ensure you cover everything during your appointment.
- Bring a Support Person: If possible, have someone you trust accompany you to provide emotional support and help relay your concerns to the healthcare provider.
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Revisit Healthcare Provider: Engage in an open conversation with your provider about the intensity of your symptoms, any potential need for further testing (like imaging or additional endoscopy), and adjustments to your current medication, including your antacid regimen.
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Gradual Activity Integration: While maintaining a consistent exercise routine can be challenging, try to incorporate gentle movements, like walking or stretching, that fit comfortably within your lifestyle to help with both physical and emotional well-being.
By taking these steps, you can begin to feel more control over your symptoms and address both your physical and emotional health holistically. If at any point your symptoms worsen or new concerning symptoms arise, please seek urgent care. You're not alone in this, and managing your health can gradually become more manageable with structured planning and support.
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