BAD 'Stomach' Pains w/ Bloat... What's Going On?

Hi all -

For the past month, I have seemed to develop a GI issue. On several occasions, I have woken up in the middle of the night with very bad pains in my middle abdomen and bloating throughout my stomach and intestines. If I push on the affected area, there is very little 'give' and it hurts even worse. I have the constant feeling of needing to belch when these spells occur, however, doing so does not bring a considerable amount of relief.

I have been unable to link this issue to any food or activity. I do not drink alcohol or smoke anything. I take a 50g protein shake each day after working out and a 5g creatine shake 3 days a week prior to lifting weights. My diet consists of mostly clean foods with an occasional frozen entree. I have 30g of fiber via FiberOne cereal each morning, which I have been doing for 2.5 weeks now.

I went to my family doctor (for a different reason) and brought up this issue. He didn't seem to have much interest in it and didn't even tell me what it 'could' be. Rather, he gave me a month's supply of Protonix without telling me what it was for. I did the stupid thing and didn't start taking it because I felt he was just trying to give me a quick fix and move on to his next patient (very rare occurrence for this doctor). However, I did begin taking the medicine this morning. After researching it, it seems that Protonix is used to treat a plethora of GI issues, so I figured I would give it a shot.

Does anyone have any idea what this issue could be? The closest thing I have come up with is an ulcer, but I cant see that happening - I'm a 20 year old male that does smoke or drink. For the last 10 years my food selection has been abysmal, but that all changed in February of this year (66 lbs down!). Could it be my bad food history coming back to haunt me?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Hum.. I am no doctor but if you don't feel better a week after taking the med's your doc prescribed I would get a second opinion.

First off I would hope your doc would have checked to make sure it was not your appendex (don't know how to spell) the pains you describe sound like what happend to me and I ended up in the hospital with an emergency Appendectomy.

Second YES you can have an ulcer I am living proof that even if you eat right and are "Relatively" healthy you can get a ulcer. My doc told me at 23 I had one and need to find ways to relax (I was very stressed about work load). when I changed jobs a year later all was back to normal and no pains (that was 10 years ago).

Third have your Pharmacist look at what vitamins and supplements you have been taking and make sure they are all ok to take together, some things don't digest properly together and you may be getting an over load or deficiancy in something important (though looking at what you listed nothing jumps out at me as to the possible problem).

Any way I do hope something I wrote helps and that you find the issue and resolve it so you can feel good again!

Good Luck!

@hth

Thanks for the quick reply. The appendix issue never came to my mind. I guess I better do a little research on that. Yes, if after a week on these meds I don't feel better, I definitely need to get back into a doctor.

It does appear that the ulcer is a plausable diagnosis then. I will certainly keep that in the back of my mind, as it's not something I want to leave untreated.

Thanks again.

One of the side effects of losing weight too fast is gallbladder problems.  If your symtoms persist, ask about getting it checked out.

And try de-stressing techniques.  Stress can do a lot of strange things to your body.

@spoiled_candy

Good to know. I know it seems like a lot of weight to lose that quickly, but I did start out pretty heavy (310).

I'll keep the gallbladder in mind. Thanks.

Ok... I just attempted my daily workout (today was running) and I could only do about 1/3 of my normal amount because of this stupid pain! I scheduled a Dr. appointment for an hour from now to go over things once more. Though, I'm sure he is just going to say - keep taking the medicine and see what happens.

Another thought comes to mind - @hth: You mentioned the appendix. When I went in to the Dr. last time, I had a slight fever, but nothing to explain it. It seems that a very mild fever is one of the symptoms of appendix problems.

I guess I'll keep you guys updated.

Protonix is used for acid reflux pain - SEVERE acid reflux; like, over the counter daily meds didn't work. But you are not experiencing acid - you have bloating and pain.

Get a referral to a GI specialist; your regular doc is clearly overworked and isn't up to the task of figuring out your trouble.

Yes, lots of bad food choices over time, as well as weight loss, can affect your digestion. Your gallbladder could be inflamed; you could have IBS; it could be a lot of things.

I'm so sorry you're in pain - if possible, you can go to an emergency triage and be seen right away. There are 2-3 in my city that are intended for Urgent Care, rather then the "I've just been shot/had a heart attack/ etc." ER. They can check you out, get tests done right away and give you something for the pain.

Yes a mild feaver can be a serious sign Please see a Doc asap (sound like you are)

Wishing you the best for the day...

Well, I just got back. The doctor prescribed me another med that will block absorption in my stomach. I have to take it twice a day (9am and 9pm) for two weeks. This is along with the Protonix.

They also drew blood for a CBC to check for infections and get a baseline in case I need blood work done in the near future. This was by far the worst part of the visit... They stuck me three times before they were finally able to get blood on the 4th time. On the 3rd time, I 3/4 fainted.... I've never fainted, so this was definitely a different experience. Other than the confusion going on in my head, it was actually a little relaxing. I couldn't see anything, but I could hear and speak (if I tried hard enough).

Oh well... I guess I'll know this afternoon how the CBC comes back. The Doc said that I with both the meds, I should be feeling better before the beginning of next week. (yeah!)

block absorption of what? what did he say was causing the pain?

I sure hope you are feeling better soon!

@crazydiamondchrysalis

To be honest, I can't remember. By the time he was describing the specifics of it, I was busy thinking about how my pain had returned and trying to recover from the faint. When I pick it up from the pharmacy tonight, I'll look it up and let you guys know.

Thanks for the well wishes!

I too have been struggling with similar stomach pain for years.  I kind of have a cause (eating disorder) but the pain has continued whether I"m in or out of recovery.  Here are some things that have helped me over the years:

• a heating pad.  Lying down with a heating pad on my stomach has helped me so much
• gentle exercise (yoga, walking, etc)
• If possible, log times and situations you have the pain (i.e. after I ate a spicy burrito in the afternoon, at my friends house).  Then, if you see a pattern, you may be able to eliminate foods or tweak your diet 
• I went to an "alternative" nutritionist who told me to try a vitamin/supplement called Zinlori.  You can buy it online or at a health store.  It's a special kind of zinc that has really helped me
• accupuncture.  It is amazing
• eating slowly
• eating smaller meals

@swimfan93

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely keep those in mind if I can't get this cleared up with the meds. Like I said in my original post... I appreciate any and all advice!

Med update - I was prescribed Sucralfate (generic). It appears this will produce a protective coating over the inflamed areas of the stomach lining and thus block the affected areas from coming in contact with rouge stomach acid. I think this is to allow the sores to heal.

Well, there it is. Comments are always welcome.

Sucralfate is used to treat or prevent stomach or esophagus ulcers.

I hope you feel better soon...

@hth -

Thanks for that info. I'm feeling confidant that these two meds will fix me up. I sure hope so, as I leave next Friday for a week-long vacation!

Thanks again for the well wishes. Our CC community is such a great place!

My husband had similar pains about a month ago. He went to the drs office after a night of severe abdominal pains and the dr had him transported to the ER. They did a scan of most of his organs and found out he had pneumonia. The drs are puzzled of why the abdominal pain (localized around his bellybutton).

He took antibiotics for 5 days and when he went back to the drs office they scheduled him an appointment to see a GI specialist.

He saw the specialist today. Of course his severe pain has gone, but he is still experiencing abdominal pain on occasion and foods seem to effect him much more than in the past (constipation/ diarrhea) . The specialist gave him no meds and scheduled him for a colonoscopy just to make sure... However, he thinks that it  is just middle age setting in, gone are the days of eating Tacos and pizza everyday!!!

I think that you should insist to see a GI specialist just to be sure. I insisted my husband see one.

@amcm -

Pneumonia, eh? I definitely would not have guessed that! I guess that just shows you how complex and confusing the human body can be.

Thanks for the input. If the meds this doctor prescribed don't work, I will definitely consider seeing a GI specialist.

Did anyone mention dropping the protein shakes?  Those are not the easiest things to digest.

@joestephens -

Nothing was mentioned, but I have never had a problem with them in the past. I also take the same amount each day, but the problem occurs without a regular pattern.

I am not 100% sure if this is a Gall Bladder problem but I had the same exact issues for 3 months before getting rushed into emergency surgery to have my Gall Bladder removed.  If it is not treated fast, it can be far worse.  Good Luck!