Seeking Answers for Unexplained Stomach Pain
Age: 24 Gender: Female Height: 168 cm Weight: 65 kg Ethnicity: White Duration of Symptoms: Approximately one year Location: Germany and the Netherlands Existing Medical Conditions: Hypothyroidism Current Medication: L-Thyroxin 75mg Greetings, everyone. My girlfriend, who is 24 years old, has been suffering from increasingly severe stomach discomfort for nearly a year now, with no definitive diagnosis. Her condition has progressed to the point where it severely impacts her daily life, and any guidance or insights would be immensely helpful. She describes her pain as a persistent burning sensation accompanied by cramping, fluctuating in intensity from mild to excruciating. This pain induces nausea, disrupts her sleep, and confines her to bed for much of the day since upright positions exacerbate her discomfort (she finds lying down more bearable). She characterizes the pain as a "hot" sensation. While we have noticed that consumption of processed foods intensifies her symptoms, her discomfort does not appear to be closely linked to dietary choices. We have experimented with multiple, stomach-friendly dietary regimens, but they have yielded little to no improvement. At one point, she subsisted solely on steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes for several months without any alleviation of her symptoms. The timing of her pain is erratic; it can occur after meals, on an empty stomach, or seemingly at random. Notably, there was a period of two weeks when her pain subsided completely, despite no noticeable changes in her lifestyle during that time. She has not experienced diarrhea or any other bowel issues. Upon our initial visit to the doctor, she was told that her symptoms were likely stress-related, and was prescribed over-the-counter antacids. However, this treatment did not bring relief, and her discomfort persisted even during stress-free periods, such as vacations. On a subsequent visit to a different physician, she received a similar diagnosis and the same medication, which resulted in no improvement. An ultrasound did reveal a small gallstone, but the doctor deemed it unlikely to be the source of her pain. Consequently, we decided it would be prudent to conduct a more thorough examination of her stomach. Aside from a minor inflammation, all looked normal during the examination, even the entry to the colon appeared healthy. Unfortunately, she was prescribed the same medication once again, yet her symptoms remain unchanged. We are currently considering removing the gallstone, but doubts linger about whether it is responsible for her issues since the symptoms do not match up. We are at a loss as to what our next steps should be or which specialist to consult. There’s likely much I haven’t mentioned, so please feel free to ask for any additional details!
Answers (1)
7/17/2025, 10:10:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your girlfriend is experiencing significant discomfort from her persistent stomach pain, which has been troubling for both of you. Given the complexity of her symptoms and the impact on her quality of life, it's important to explore this further.
Main Points:
- Unexplained Chronic Pain: Her symptoms, including persistent burning and cramping pains, need thorough reevaluation.
- Potential Recommendations: Further investigations and possibly seeing a specialist may provide clarity on her condition.
Explanation:
Chronic stomach pain can arise from various issues, such as gastritis, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, or even conditions like gastroparesis. Since her symptoms haven’t improved with antacids and dietary changes, it's clear that further investigation is necessary.
- The Symptoms: The burning, cramping, and nausea could suggest that there’s an abnormality in how her stomach processes food or how it responds to acidity.
- Stress Impact: While stress can exacerbate digestive issues, it's important that symptoms are not solely attributed to it, especially given her lack of improvement during stress-free situations.
Next Steps:
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Tracking her symptoms, including when they occur, their intensity, and potential triggers (food, stress, activities) can help identify patterns and may assist healthcare providers in diagnosis.
-
Consult a Gastroenterologist: If you haven't already, consider seeing a specialist specifically in gastroenterology. They can perform further evaluations, such as:
- Endoscopy: A procedure to look directly at the stomach lining and potentially identify issues like ulcers or gastritis.
- Motility Studies: These tests evaluate how well the stomach moves its contents and can help diagnose conditions like gastroparesis.
-
Review All Medications: Ensure her healthcare providers are aware of all medications, including over-the-counter options. Sometimes, certain medications can cause gastric upset or interact negatively with her existing thyroid medication.
-
Consider Dietary Re-Evaluation: Even though dietary changes haven’t helped so far, consider consulting a nutritionist who specializes in digestive health. They can assist in creating a tailored diet plan that is closely monitored while exploring possible food sensitivities.
-
Explore Stress Management Techniques: Even if stress isn’t the primary cause, relaxation strategies such as mindfulness, yoga, or therapy might help alleviate some symptoms.
-
Follow-Up on Gallstone Evaluation: If surgical removal of the gallstone is being considered, it might be worthwhile to get a second opinion on whether it could be contributing to her symptoms.
Conclusion:
It’s encouraging that you’re advocating for your girlfriend's health, and seeking a deeper diagnosis is a great step forward. Remember to approach each healthcare visit prepared with her history and symptom diary. Let me know if you need more information or specific types of specialists to consider!
Related Questions
A Decade of Discomfort
(M16) Hello everyone, I’ve been grappling with a recurring stomach issue for about a decade now. Every time I contemplate this particular problem, I wake up the following day experiencing significant pain. I haven’t been able to pinpoint the origin of this discomfort, and trying to ignore it hasn’t proven effective. The pain intensifies gradually over the hours, reaching excruciating levels by midnight, making it impossible for me to get a good night’s rest. The only relief I’ve found is by inducing vomiting, which temporarily alleviates some of the discomfort, allowing me to sleep, only to wake up the next day feeling free from pain. The discomfort is localized in my lower right abdomen. My mother, who works as a nurse, arranged for me to undergo an MRI, which indicated the presence of gallbladder sludge. However, a subsequent consultation with a surgeon—who is a friend of my mother—revealed that my gallbladder appeared normal. At the moment, I’m once again experiencing this distress, and it’s raising concerns about whether it could be a more serious issue. If there’s anything crucial I might have overlooked, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate any assistance or advice. Thank you!
Understanding My Digestive and Stomach Concerns
I’m a 36-year-old female who has been somewhat diagnosed with fibromyalgia, though I haven’t received any treatment for it. Recently, I began taking famotidine and pantoprazole, but for quite some time, the various digestive symptoms I’ve experienced have largely been overlooked. My periods are particularly challenging, and I’ve noticed a significant correlation between my pain and energy levels and the different phases of my menstrual cycle. After meals, I often feel a wave of fatigue. Although my diet remains relatively consistent, I go through phases where the exhaustion feels overwhelming. A couple of years back, it reached a point where even the thought of eating caused me anxiety, as I struggled to keep my eyes open afterward. I speculated that this fatigue might be connected to blood sugar or blood pressure issues. After consulting a doctor, I was advised to monitor myself after eating, which I did, but I wasn’t entirely confident in the accuracy of my readings; everything seemed normal at a glance. About a year ago, I experienced a gallbladder attack, which I initially attributed to consuming something greasy. Unfortunately, a few months later, I began to feel a sudden heat wave accompanied by stomach discomfort that mimicked hunger pangs at first but then became constant. I also found myself feeling light-headed frequently. During that year, I couldn’t secure a doctor’s appointment, but I was using a steroid topical treatment for eczema as needed. In exploring potential causes, I stopped using the steroid, suspecting it might have been linked to my stomach pain, and the discomfort seemed to dissipate almost immediately. However, a new burning sensation in my stomach emerged, which was distinct from the earlier pain. I also began to experience occasional heart flutters post-meals, resulting in a momentary loss of breath until the fluttering ceased. At the beginning of this year, I regained health insurance and saw a doctor who prescribed medications for acid reflux. What could be the underlying reasons for these health challenges? Is there a connection to my fibromyalgia? Could a deficiency, such as calcium deficiency or conditions like POTS, be contributing factors? Might hormonal imbalances be at play, perhaps related to perimenopause? How can I encourage a thorough evaluation from a doctor? Would it be worthwhile to seek professional insight? I suspect I have food sensitivities, but since my stomach has always been unpredictable with various foods, I’m hesitant to eliminate more items from my diet without guidance, as I need to ensure I’m meeting my nutritional needs. Should I consult a gastroenterologist or perhaps another type of specialist to address these issues?
Concerns About MRI Results in Context of Neuro Symptoms (Non-Epileptic Seizures)
Hello everyone, I'm a 25-year-old individual, assigned female at birth, standing at 5'4" and weighing 190 pounds. I have a complex medical history and a variety of medications that I manage. **My Diagnoses Include:** - Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (hyperadrenergic type) - Occipital and Hemiplegic Migraines - Sciatica - Multiple disc herniations (notably in the cervical region and a recent one at L4, just above where I had emergency surgery in August due to suspected cauda equina syndrome) - Scoliosis - Hip impingement/Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) - Neurogenic bladder resulting from spinal nerve injury (cauda equina) - Osteoarthritis in the hip - Limb weakness and sensory loss - Degenerative disc disease - Sudden onset of non-epileptic seizures **My Medications Include:** - Doxazosin (recently adjusted the dosage considering potential seizure issues) - Gabapentin - Cymbalta - Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) - Lamictal - Nortriptyline - Metoprolol - Ubrevly as needed for Migraine management To summarize my situation briefly: About three weeks ago, I experienced an unusual episode where I was completely immobilized; I couldn't move or even blink. It didn't feel like mere anxiety; it was as if my body ceased to follow my commands. This escalated to losing consciousness and going limp while driving (I've since stopped driving). After going to the ER and having an episode in front of the medical staff, I was told it was functional and was discharged. However, within just two nights, my episodes turned convulsive and occurred in rapid succession, impacting my breathing. Originally, my neurologist was hesitant to provide assistance, prompting me to seek care from another specialist at the same hospital. Consequently, I underwent an overnight video EEG and an MRI. The EEG returned normal findings, leading to the conclusion that my seizures were functional, possibly triggered by POTS, a view shared by my dysautonomia specialist. I admit to being somewhat skeptical of the medical professionals after a prior experience left me with significant spinal damage leading to an emergency operation. Thus, I decided to review my MRI images, although I realize that I'm not well-versed in interpreting them. I came across a few dark spots that I marked and would appreciate a second opinion from knowledgeable individuals. Am I overthinking these findings? Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Symptoms of Heartburn and Coughing
I am a 28-year-old female, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds. I hold a diagnosis of anxiety and have been on 40 mg of fluoxetine for the last three months. Recently, I've been experiencing a burning feeling in my chest, akin to heartburn, which intensifies when I lie down. Each time I attempt to take a deep breath, I often feel an urge to gag, and occasionally this gag reflex triggers unexpectedly. Engaging in any cardiovascular activity sometimes exacerbates the issue. About three years ago, following the onset of my heartburn, I underwent a stress test, an EKG, and I wore a heart monitor; all results indicated no issues. My recent lab work yielded normal results, and an emergency room visit due to anxiety symptoms also showed no abnormalities. They performed a chest X-ray, D-dimer test, EKG, and a CT scan, all of which came back clear.
Could a Rotated Spine Be Responsible for My Swallowing Issues?
I am a 34-year-old female with no medications or notable medical history. Recently, I've been experiencing difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, for the past three to four weeks. During this period, I've only been able to consume soft foods. After undergoing a CT scan, I observed that my spine appears to be rotated. Is it possible that this spinal irregularity could be contributing to my swallowing problems? Thank you for your insights!