Stomach pain after eating

2

Replies

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I have gastroparesis if you have any questions.


    I would stop taking ibuprofen if I were you. It can cause gastritis.
  • Maxxitt
    Maxxitt Posts: 1,281 Member
    edited February 2020
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Maxxitt wrote: »
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Well the H pylori test came back negative. Does that rule out an ulcer? Today I felt worse, but I did manage 1200 calories.

    I didn't have H. pylori either - but after the endoscopy I had a diagnosis of chronic gastritis and a duodenal ulcer. The treatment was 2 months on a PPI and since then, a histamine 2 blocker (used to be generic Zantac until that was taken off the market and now it's generic Pepcid). Eating doesn't usually cause pain any longer except sometimes - weirdly, yogurt can be a problem from time to time.

    Did your pain come on suddenly or over time? Yogurt has been my staple for an afternoon snack, but recently has been making my stomach hurt (before everything made it hurt). Thanks!

    It was strange - I never really identified it as "pain" until I'd had months of what felt like hunger pangs after eating and even then probably wouldn't have sought treatment (I grew up in a "this, too, shall pass" family), but it turned into a bleeding emergency event. I don't know what it is about the yogurt - the sensitivity goes away if I just stop eating it for a short time, and kefir for some reason is totally fine.

    Edited to add - I never took ibuprofen regularly but it's now totally off the table. Definitely stop using it until you've been fully checked out.
  • BarbaraHelen2013
    BarbaraHelen2013 Posts: 1,941 Member
    edited February 2020
    I sometimes have post-viral gastroparesis type symptoms, which manifest as severe griping pains that come in waves across my upper abdomen. Typically, I’ll wake in the early hours with the pains and also get them after eating any food.

    My doctor explained that sometimes a virus (any virus - not just stomach related) can cause ‘smooth gut syndrome’ temporarily. This means that the usual squeeze release process (peristalsis) that moves food through the gut is suppressed. This causes pain, especially if your diet is high in fibre, as mine is as a vegetarian.

    I was advised to just eat plain boiled white rice or plain white pasta for 5 days and whilst that’s soul destroying it does allow the gut to rest and recover. Hasn’t failed me yet.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    I have gastroparesis if you have any questions.


    I would stop taking ibuprofen if I were you. It can cause gastritis.

    So what do you take for pain, fever, cramps, etc? Thanks!

    I have plenty of questions! Did you have pain with eating? That and loss of appetite (with weight loss) are literally my only symptoms. Today I’ve felt better because I’ve eaten less. I just ate dinner and have more stomach pain again. What is the treatment? Thanks!
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    For now you could switch to Tylenol. It's not great, but it won't eat a hole in your stomach.
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    Before/during my fibromyalgia diagnosis as a teenager I was taking high doses of ibuprofen quite often due to joint and muscle pain. I had MAJOR GI issues by 18, they said it had pretty much eaten away the lining of my stomach and I was no longer allowed to take it. And now I am allergic to Tylenol soooo, I take low doses of ibuprofen only when it’s unbearable and make sure I eat before hand giving it time to dissolve before laying down at night. A family friend almost died when a prescribed 800mg Motrin ate through his stomach and a major blood vessel. It’s no joke when they say to take it with food!
  • YvetteK2015
    YvetteK2015 Posts: 654 Member
    edited February 2020
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    YvetteK2015 wrote: »
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Well the H pylori test came back negative. Does that rule out an ulcer? Today I felt worse, but I did manage 1200 calories.

    My gastric ulcers were from the overuse of aspirin. So there are a number of things that can cause ulcers. You will probably have to have an endoscopy if they suspect that is what you have.

    I really hope you get some answers soon. Sorry you feel so bad.

    Thank you! I do use ibuprofen fairly often, and sometimes acetaminophen, but no aspirin. I only drink black coffee for breakfast, and I often wonder if that’s bad for my stomach.

    Did your ulcer pain come on suddenly or over time?

    The pain came on literally overnight. One morning I tried eating toast and there was this really dull ache, and for the rest of that day, every time I would try to eat something I would have that type of pain in my stomach. They very next day, I tried to drink a cup of coffee and I guess with all the acid in that, I nearly doubled over in pain.

    Obvioulsy I'm not saying you have an ulcer or gastritis, but I would stop taking your ibuprophen maybe switch to tylenol for now, and maybe stay away from things that are acidic like juices and coffee. Just until you get some answers.
  • klrenn
    klrenn Posts: 245 Member
    A few years ago I had pain like this. I had an endoscopy and they found gastritis.

    I forget which OTC med they put me on, but it was weeks before I could eat anything but white rice and bananas.

    The doc thought it was from alcohol, but I was actually drinking a *ton* of coffee at the time. I dropped both coffee and alcohol for a while and got completely better. I was able to start drinking alcohol again with no issue. Every once in a while I start drinking coffee again, and if I don’t switch back to tea in time my stomach starts acting up, but I haven’t had a full flare up since.

    I hope you get it figured out soon! My primary care doctor was the one that ordered the endoscopy, so I didn’t have to wait for a GI appointment.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    klrenn wrote: »
    A few years ago I had pain like this. I had an endoscopy and they found gastritis.

    I forget which OTC med they put me on, but it was weeks before I could eat anything but white rice and bananas.

    The doc thought it was from alcohol, but I was actually drinking a *ton* of coffee at the time. I dropped both coffee and alcohol for a while and got completely better. I was able to start drinking alcohol again with no issue. Every once in a while I start drinking coffee again, and if I don’t switch back to tea in time my stomach starts acting up, but I haven’t had a full flare up since.

    I hope you get it figured out soon! My primary care doctor was the one that ordered the endoscopy, so I didn’t have to wait for a GI appointment.

    Ok, thank you! I do drink a lot of decaf coffee on an empty stomach, and I’ve wondered if that’s bad. I drink alcohol too. I have a genetic heart condition, just diagnosed last year, and there are a lot of meds I’m not supposed to take because of it. We’ll see I guess.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    So update--My TDEE is about 2100 calories. My BMR is around 1250. I’ve averaged about 1160 per day for the past 2 weeks. I could only get an appt with a gastroenterologist for 3/18—one month out from now, so I'm a bit worried about barely eating at BMR for that long.

    My GP knows I'm losing extra weight from this, and suggested Prilosec until I can get into the gastro doc. I've taken the Prilosec for 3 days but so far it hasn't changed much. Should I continue eating like this for that long (I’m about 10-15 lbs from goal)? Should I really try to force eating more and feeling worse? Or should I push my doctor to try to get me in sooner? I actually have tried the latter, and I’m still waiting to hear back. I called another gastro office on my own and they also said mid-March. I don't think it's necessarily an emergency, I've just never eaten this little for this long.

    Regarding eating a bland food diet--I've done that somewhat. My usual spicy foods don't appeal now, so I'm definitely avoiding spicy. We were on the Yorktown aircraft carrier overnight for the weekend (Boy Scout event), and limited to the food they served. It was bland, but I think protein is bothering me more (seems like a volume/fullness issue?). On the other hand, crackers and pasta have still caused the pain/fullness, so I don't know that it's just protein. I'm planning to try white rice tonight. Oh, and avoiding ibuprofen and *trying* to limit coffee.
  • YvetteK2015
    YvetteK2015 Posts: 654 Member
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    So update--My TDEE is about 2100 calories. My BMR is around 1250. I’ve averaged about 1160 per day for the past 2 weeks. I could only get an appt with a gastroenterologist for 3/18—one month out from now, so I'm a bit worried about barely eating at BMR for that long.

    My GP knows I'm losing extra weight from this, and suggested Prilosec until I can get into the gastro doc. I've taken the Prilosec for 3 days but so far it hasn't changed much. Should I continue eating like this for that long (I’m about 10-15 lbs from goal)? Should I really try to force eating more and feeling worse? Or should I push my doctor to try to get me in sooner? I actually have tried the latter, and I’m still waiting to hear back. I called another gastro office on my own and they also said mid-March. I don't think it's necessarily an emergency, I've just never eaten this little for this long.

    Regarding eating a bland food diet--I've done that somewhat. My usual spicy foods don't appeal now, so I'm definitely avoiding spicy. We were on the Yorktown aircraft carrier overnight for the weekend (Boy Scout event), and limited to the food they served. It was bland, but I think protein is bothering me more (seems like a volume/fullness issue?). On the other hand, crackers and pasta have still caused the pain/fullness, so I don't know that it's just protein. I'm planning to try white rice tonight. Oh, and avoiding ibuprofen and *trying* to limit coffee.

    You need to give the Prilosec time to work. A few days wouldn't be enough, if an ulcer or gastritis is what you are dealing with. Also, the OTC dose is not the dose you would get if that turns out to be the case. That could be why it doesn't feel like it's working, but I still wouldn't stop taking it.

    And you should really try to stop the coffee. It's just so acidic. It's not worth the pain.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    Ok, thank you all. Yesterday I cut back on coffee, and today I will stay away completely (I only drink decaf, so I don’t expect to have caffeine withdrawal issues). I actually did feel a little better yesterday. I had plain pasta and white rice with oil and salt for dinner, and I didn’t have as much pain as just fullness. Maybe the Prilosec is helping, or food changes are helping, or maybe it was just a better day. We’ll see how today goes.

    Regarding the coffee, though, a question just because it doesn’t make sense to me—if stomach acid is pH of 1.5-3.5 (or something like that), how do “acidic” drinks or foods cause harm? I read that coffee is pH of 5, so much more basic than our stomach. Is it just that drinking it on an empty stomach kick starts the stomach acid flowing, and then there’s no food to digest?

    Thanks again!

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited February 2020
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Regarding the coffee, though, a question just because it doesn’t make sense to me—if stomach acid is pH of 1.5-3.5 (or something like that), how do “acidic” drinks or foods cause harm? I read that coffee is pH of 5, so much more basic than our stomach. Is it just that drinking it on an empty stomach kick starts the stomach acid flowing, and then there’s no food to digest?

    Thanks again!

    Actually, the upper stomach has a pH of 4.0–6.5. It is the lower stomach that releases the hydrochloric acid and has the pH of 1.5-3.5. Acidic foods, or the backup of stomach acid from the lower into the upper or the esophagus, can cause irritation to the lining thus pain.

    This is also why it is good to not lay down immediately after eating a larger meal. Gravity actually helps the contents of the stomach stay in the lower part until the acid does its work and moves it into the intestines.


  • Maxxitt
    Maxxitt Posts: 1,281 Member
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Ok, thank you all. Yesterday I cut back on coffee, and today I will stay away completely (I only drink decaf, so I don’t expect to have caffeine withdrawal issues). I actually did feel a little better yesterday. I had plain pasta and white rice with oil and salt for dinner, and I didn’t have as much pain as just fullness. Maybe the Prilosec is helping, or food changes are helping, or maybe it was just a better day. We’ll see how today goes.

    Regarding the coffee, though, a question just because it doesn’t make sense to me—if stomach acid is pH of 1.5-3.5 (or something like that), how do “acidic” drinks or foods cause harm? I read that coffee is pH of 5, so much more basic than our stomach. Is it just that drinking it on an empty stomach kick starts the stomach acid flowing, and then there’s no food to digest?

    Thanks again!
    The way it was explained to me is that the problem with coffee is not that it is too acid, but that it stimulates acid secretion - regardless of whether or not it's caffeinated.
  • wwwtheselion11
    wwwtheselion11 Posts: 422 Member
    Well when i get stomach cramps. Its because I'm backed up. Need to use bathroom. It also could be muscle spasms, in your stomach. It could be a food allergy. However im no doctor. I also suggest talking to your doctor.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Regarding the coffee, though, a question just because it doesn’t make sense to me—if stomach acid is pH of 1.5-3.5 (or something like that), how do “acidic” drinks or foods cause harm? I read that coffee is pH of 5, so much more basic than our stomach. Is it just that drinking it on an empty stomach kick starts the stomach acid flowing, and then there’s no food to digest?

    Thanks again!

    My understanding is that once the lining of the stomach is inflamed/injured by ulcers or regular use of NSAIDs, etc, then normal stomach acid can irritate those spots.

    https://www.healthline.com/health/gastritis-acute#causes
  • eryn0x
    eryn0x Posts: 138 Member
    edited February 2020
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    peggy_polenta wrote: »
    have you lost much weight b4 this started. is it a bit higher up in your bellyÉ. if so it could be your gallbladder as weight loss can cause attacks. i still think you should see a dr though.

    I had lost about 20 lbs— started at 163, and was down to 143 when this started. Down to 140 today. It does feel higher than a typical stomachache, but it’s not very localized. I made an appt for tomorrow, hoping to give it one more day. Thanks!

    I didn't think my gallbladder pain was localized... it felt like it was all in the upper part of my stomach and back... until a doctor pushed on my gallbladder and I realized.. THAT is the spot. Instant tears. Long story short, I had it removed and life resumed, so if anyone has to get theirs out, don't believe all the myths that life changes afterwards. The change for me is for the better.. I don't get the same feeling of painfully full anymore (which I always thought was normal)

    Anyways.. it could be so many things, could be protein powder, gas, constipation, could be something more serious like an ulcer or appendix... get it checked.
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    Did you recently take a new med, or take Tylenol or ibuprofen before laying down? I had a similar issue with a new med I had to stop tore up my stomach. For like two weeks. This has happened too from taking meds then laying down too soon after. When it happens I have to take it like a liquid diet to let my stomach rest like soup and broth and very plain foods no seasoning. Then slowly add back foods til normal.
  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    Thank you for the update. :smile: I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better.

    I would do as @earlnabby suggested. It's better to rule out an underlying issue and keeping track of when you started feeling better, what you can tolerate food wise and what not and if that chances until the appointment will give the doctor a starting point.
  • Lanabanana42
    Lanabanana42 Posts: 13 Member
    I would really keep that appointment. Most ppi's like Prilosec take a while to kick in as they need to build up in your system. So it's no surprise you feel better now. You still need to find the underlying cause. If it is gastritis, for example, you need to be put on a prescription strength ppi for a two month period to resolve the issue or it will just come back. Only this time it will be much worse if it is still there and you experience rebound symptoms from suddenly stopping your ppi. If it's your gall bladder, it comes and goes and you need to be properly tested. If it's an ulcer, the ppi is just masking the symptoms. You will probably be given an endoscopy which will be able to see a lot of what is going on in your GI track. An ultrasound will rule gallbladder disease in or out.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Thanks to everyone for thoughts and suggestions. I thought I’d update again—I’ve felt a little better the past couple of days, and have had up to 1450-1700 calories, so I’m not as worried about weight now. I still feel it, though. I do think I’m doing better with things like pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes. I’m going to keep up the Prilosec and keep my March GI appt unless this goes away completely.

    My symptoms haven't been as bad as yours and my doctor is not recommending further tests. However, when we met yesterday she described a patient who sounded remarkably like you, for whom she is recommending further tests.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    edited February 2020
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Thanks to everyone for thoughts and suggestions. I thought I’d update again—I’ve felt a little better the past couple of days, and have had up to 1450-1700 calories, so I’m not as worried about weight now. I still feel it, though. I do think I’m doing better with things like pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes. I’m going to keep up the Prilosec and keep my March GI appt unless this goes away completely.

    My symptoms haven't been as bad as yours and my doctor is not recommending further tests. However, when we met yesterday she described a patient who sounded remarkably like you, for whom she is recommending further tests.

    Ok, thanks for that info. Hmmm, can you find out what that patient ended up having, before 3/18? 😆 JK, and I hope your stomach pain is resolved soon. Did the doctor say what yours could be?

    I went back and re-read your earlier post about DGL. That’s something I can’t take due to a heart condition I have (Long QT), since licorice is known to exacerbate the heart problem.

    I guess I didn’t even really consider the potential side effects of Prilosec, beyond checking with my heart doctor that it’s safe for me to take. I guess I’ll hope for the best! Thanks again!

    ETA: It’s possible that the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) form is something I could take, since it’s the compound (glycyrrizin) that’s removed that causes the problem for me. I could ask my doctor. Has it been helping for you?
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    lightenup2016 wrote: »
    Thanks to everyone for thoughts and suggestions. I thought I’d update again—I’ve felt a little better the past couple of days, and have had up to 1450-1700 calories, so I’m not as worried about weight now. I still feel it, though. I do think I’m doing better with things like pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes. I’m going to keep up the Prilosec and keep my March GI appt unless this goes away completely.

    My symptoms haven't been as bad as yours and my doctor is not recommending further tests. However, when we met yesterday she described a patient who sounded remarkably like you, for whom she is recommending further tests.

    Ok, thanks for that info. Hmmm, can you find out what that patient ended up having, before 3/18? 😆 JK, and I hope your stomach pain is resolved soon. Did the doctor say what yours could be?

    I went back and re-read your earlier post about DGL. That’s something I can’t take due to a heart condition I have (Long QT), since licorice is known to exacerbate the heart problem.

    I guess I didn’t even really consider the potential side effects of Prilosec, beyond checking with my heart doctor that it’s safe for me to take. I guess I’ll hope for the best! Thanks again!

    ETA: It’s possible that the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) form is something I could take, since it’s the compound (glycyrrizin) that’s removed that causes the problem for me. I could ask my doctor. Has it been helping for you?

    The DGL helps some, but not enough - my GP thinks that my large fibroids are pushing stomach acid out of place. My fibroids blow up when I ovulate and get my period, so I am now taking Prilosec those days as well.

    I'm also going to have to change the way I eat - I had takeout Chinese food the other night and between the spicy mustard and too large a meal, I was in pain for hours.
  • suzyjmcd2
    suzyjmcd2 Posts: 266 Member
    @lightenup2016, your original post sounded like EXACTLY what I'm going through right now. And several after that.

    I've been slightly suffering from stomach pain since mid-January. At first, I wasn't much concerned. Thought it was a stomach virus - I teach little guys, so I figured I'd gotten a stomach bug. But after a few days, I realized I wasn't nauseous, and didn't have any other symptoms other than the pain. And, when I started taking note, I realized it was always starting up again after I ate.

    It remained this way through February, maybe getting a bit worse, but not terrible. I, stupidly, told myself that it would just go away, I'll be fine.

    But this month, it's been getting worse. It's always in the center of my stomach, above the bellybutton. Sometimes it radiates out to the sides a bit, but mostly in the center. Hurting at all kinds of random times, sometimes for hours at a time, and definitely worsening after I eat. Doesn't matter what I eat.... it hurts. And now, for the last 6 days, it's been pretty much unbearable. Hurting most of the time, cramping, wavelike pains, almost like contractions in my upper stomach after eating, and lasting for hours.

    Of course, now, with Corona Virus around, I am NOT stepping foot in an ER unless I absolutely can't stand it for a minute longer. I did a virtual teledoc visit on Saturday through my healthcare insurance. He said I'd need tests.

    So I got an emergency appt with a GI doctor yesterday. He, too, couldn't say right off what it might be. Not appendix. Not likely to be an ulcer or gall bladder. He was a bit baffled because I have no other symptoms. No nausea, no diarrhea, no gas. Took blood (results came back this morning with no abnormalities). Sent me for an ultrasound this morning. The tech said she wasn't really allowed to say anything, but only said that she didn't see any gall stones or kidney stones. Said my doctor would receive the results and I'd hear back in a few days. I started crying and begged her to try to push it through faster because I can't keep going like this. Last night was the most miserable night I've ever experienced, and I've had 2 kids through natural childbirth, and kidney stones in the past.

    I was so hungry that I just decided to eat dinner and not worry about the after-effects. Big mistake. I was up until almost 2 am with those contraction-like waves of pain gripping me every few minutes.

    I realize that if this were ANY other period of time, I'd probably have gone to the ER last night. But I will not step foot in there, not only for the danger of the Corona Virus, but because I don't want ER doctors doting on me when they're needed elsewhere.

    Have any of you found ways to alleviate the pain, or at least lessen it, in the meantime, while I wait for the next step? I've only had a protein drink today, which doesn't bring on quite as much pain as food, but it still does start the cramping again.... and I don't want to live on those for a few more days, nor on rice and pasta, which I've been avoiding for the last 2 years as I've lost weight and kept it off! I'm a very healthy veggie and lean protein eater, and don't necessarily want to turn to all starchy carbs.

    Thank you for this thread!!!!!! Good to know I'm not the only one out there with this issue!
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    I'm sorry you're feeling so miserable! I took Prilosec on the advice of my general doc, while I waited for my GI appt. The Prilosec is a 14-day treatment, and I did feel better after a few days, for about 5 days or so. Then the pain came back for a few days, and then after that I felt better overall. Now, I'm pretty much back to normal. I did go to my GI appt finally, and the US was all normal (hemangioma cyst in my liver, said to be benign). Since the US was normal, I was supposed to have an endoscopy done, but now with COVID-19, that's not going to happen anytime soon. I would ask your doctor if Prilosec or something similar is something they would recommend. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

Categories