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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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