Constant Nausea - Digestive Disorders Message Board

jcka · 10-26-2006, 07:35 PM

Well I am a new member and havent posted anything yet, but I have been searching the threads and found a few people with similair symptoms. I am a 24yo male in the military, and I have had constant nausea in the very top center of my stomach (right below the sternum) for at least 6 months. I started seeking medical care for my condition 2 months ago. I havent thrown up recently, the last time was probably about a month ago, but I am still always uncomfortable. I have been to the doctor about 6 times, the ER, and I have seen a GI specialist.

I was first just put on aciphex for acid reflux, then later given prevacid. this helped with the minor heartburn I have, but nothing has helped the nausea. I was always up all night, because lying down only worsens my nausea. They took blood, and all my levels were normal.

I have been given some medication for nausea, (like ZOFRAN) but it doesnt seem to help either. This was when I was sent to the specialist and they performed an endoscopy. The endoscopy showed nothing out of the ordinary (some minor areas that had something ulcer-like) but the doctor told me that it all checked out ok, and that it could have been his stomach we were looking at. SO.... he recommended I talk to a therapist to see if it was stress related. I did, and he recommended I try an anti-depressant. So I have been taking welbutrin for 4 days now, no change in my condition. I have read that it can take 2 weeks for welbutrin to start working.... feeling like this defininately doesnt make me happy....I wouldnt wish this constant sick feeling on anyone. I dont know if I agree with the "stress" diagnosis, things are pretty good in my life, and while I have some things to work out, nothing is bothering me. plus my condition doesnt seem to reflect anything that's happening around me at the time. If it was stress-related, shouldnt I feel worse at times of stress? cause I dont. It will get worse, or relax a bit from time to time, and I wont have eaten anything, or be doing anything. The only relief is when I sleep, and even then I have woken myself up feeling ill. When it's really bad, I usually take walks. Being in a vertical position helps some. but I cant sleep like that, and I am tired of being a zombie pacing around the house all night. oh and I drink maalox, but to no avail. I have been sched. for a gastric emptying study at nuclear medicine (they irradiate some scrambled eggs and watch how I digest it for an hour), but its not digesting I think I have a problem with....

I just want to be able to drink a few beers with the guys, eat normally, sleep normally and have fun with my wife and 2 year old son. I know she's tired of me being ill all the time. Anyone have similair problems? central upper stomach constant ache?

Barb41 · 11-17-2006, 09:05 AM

The gastric emptying study may show why you are having so much nausea. I have the same symptoms. I am woken up every morning 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. to extreme nausea. I would make sure you have thorough testing so you have accurate information to know what's going on. I too struggle with the question of wondering if stress/anxiety is causing my nausea but I can now say I know there is something physically wrong with me. They call a slow emptying digestive system- gastroparesis. Good luck and keep your head up as you can't control how you feel. It does help me to try to be as active as possible.

Barb41 of South Dakota

LLLmom · 11-19-2006, 10:07 PM

I had similar symptoms - dull nausea, pain, usually relieved temporarily right after eating. My doctor said it was likely the beginnings of an ulcer. She prescribed Ranitidine (basically the same ingredient found in Zantax, only stronger). After a few days, I was back to normal. I take it twice daily and am able to eat and drink anything. You could try the Zantax, it's non-prescription, or ask your doctor for Ranitidine.

PianoMan99 · 12-02-2006, 04:35 PM

Finally found someone with what sounds like very similar symptoms to mine!

I have also had all the tests done to no avail. I have a constant dull nausea in my upper stomach right below the sternum. It lasted for about 8 months, subsided for about 4 months, and is now back. I have currently on a food detection diet to see if it is a food intolerance, as that is typically what these things turn out to be, an intolerance to dairy, gluten, fructose, or yeast. Have you thought about this?

britrose · 12-07-2006, 01:04 PM

jw, sounds like you have the same problems i have. Discomfort in the stomach area, constant nausea and acid reflux. 2 yrs. ago i had these symptoms and had 6 stomach ulcers, which i got rid of. Now the same symptoms over a few month period so back on Aciphex and Carafate. Still sick. Had the stomach emptying test 4 yrs. ago and it was 79 mins., should be 60, had it done this week and it was 159 minutes. RN thinks thats why i'm so nauseous as food lingering in stomach too long and causeing too much digestive juices. She's going to show the Dr. the results and call in a prescription for Zelnorm. Hopefully this will give some relief.