Random human health question

stardog85

 Since this is the board I'm on with the most traffic I thought I'd ask something that's been bugging me for a little while.  In the last month I've been feeling kinda sick to my stomach fairly frequently.  I initially thought it was the flu so i took some homeopathics and it seemed to moderate for a bit, but now it's more consistent.  Especially when I'm hungry my stomach gets upset/crampy/gassy and I just feel "ick" in general.  I've always had a sensitive tummy but this doesn't appear to be related to food.  It's not a constant thing, just several times during the day now.

Any thoughts?  I've considered going into the doctors, but I don't have a regular physician here and I don't think it's a urgent care kind of thing, it's just annoying.  I'm going to have to find a gynecologist soon anyway so perhaps I can mention something at that appointment since they can at least give me an idea of who I should talk to.
 

I don't really have an answer for you, but I've been feeling the same way for a couple of weeks now. In my case, I feel best right after I eat and then an hour or so later, I feel nauseated. It's not horrible, but enough to be noticeable. I just started BCPs again though, so I'm guessing mine's related to that, even though I'd never had a problem before.

 I hope you can get some answers but I'm a bit skeptical these days of anything being easily diagnosed in the medical world, especially with stuff like this (vague symptoms). I'd suggest making a diary of sorts and noting when it happens, what you've eaten and how long before, how long it lasts, etc. It'll help to at least have a lot of background.

You don't have to answer this, but are you on birth control?  I often get this "pseudo morning sickness" feeling when I change doses, change prescriptions, have to take 2 b/c I missed one, and sometimes for no real reason at all.  I feel like I want to eat, but at the same time thinking about food also makes me nauseated.  More than once I've missed work because of it.  I've played around with my dosage and now it's a lot better.  I take a mono-phasic pill so I'm no longer changing doses like with a tri-phasic and my current pill has less hormones.

 I am on a monophasic BC pill, but I've been on the same one for the last 3 years or so with no troubles.  I can't remember whether these tummy issues started before or after I started my last pill pack. Hmm.

Since homeopathy is ok for you, I'd take a battery of Oscillococcinum (avoiding caffeine, etc.) JUST in case it's a persistent little virus that doesn't want to give up. 

You said your stomach gets upset when you're hungry...Does your stomach feel better after you eat? 

 I was having similar problems and my doctor told me it was too much stomach acid. I would get nauseous fairly frequently, and my doctor immediately said (somewhat tongue in cheek) I was either pregnant or needed antacids. So antacids it was! And they really helped.

I would get stomach pains and nausea when I had an empty stomach, and then about a half hour after I ate would often get sharp crampy type pains. No fun at all.

He had me cut out all irritating food (spicy, acidic (tomato, citrus, etc.), and caffeinated food/drink). I was instructed to eat a snack at LEAST once an hour, or else. And then he gave me some prescription antacids to try. They all helped, but I definitely noticed the difference if I skipped a day of the pills.

In my case it was due to stress. I think you're right that it's not emergency-room-caliber, but if the problem persists 2 or more weeks, you really should go to the doctor. I felt silly, like I was being a worry wart and they would laugh at me, but my doctor was glad I went in and was really able to help, even though in the grand scheme of life it was a very minor health problem.

Good luck, hope you feel better :) 

 I did take a single dose of oscillo this morning, but couldn't finish the battery because I was away from home and had to eat right before I was supposed to take it.  I did take a full battery twice in 3 or 4 days (one on the first day and another on the 3rd I think), about a week ago.

Generally I do feel better if I force myself to eat, but darn is it hard to force that when you feel sick.

Cita - omg that sounds very similar, down to the kinda crampy feeling a short bit after eating.  I guess it could be stress since it got massively worse while I was at a friend's out of town wedding, but I haven't been feeling particularly stressed in general.  What OTC antacids did you use?  Or did you just use the prescription ones?

You guys all rock - keep those great ideas coming!
 

My friend at work had similar symptoms.  She finally got checked out and with a blood test they ended up finding a type of bacteria (I believe it's a bacteria) in her system called H-pylori--I think that's how it's spelled.  If I'm remembering right she just needed antibiotics for a week or so and then she was rechecked after.  I think for awhile she had to watch what she ate too until it cleared up. 

Hopefully, Ottoluv will see this and maybe she'll know better. 

Hope you feel better soon!

Lori

 Yeah, seriously... if symptoms persist, see your doctor. For reals! :-p

When I was having stomach problems I munched on Tums to no effect. My doctor gave me some prescription samples, one of Prevacid and the other for Nexium. The Prevacid worked better for me.

I think you should see your doc about it if this has been going on for awhile.  Years ago they suspected an ulcer when I was having what felt like severe cramping and hunger pains when my stomach was empty.  Fortunately they didn’t find an ulcer, but they did find that my stomach makes way too much stomach acid and it is a cyclical thing that I will have throughout my life, but when it is bad, the pain can be controlled with meds.

Personally, if it is unusual for you and persistent, see a doc.

 Eww H. Pylori is the bug in ulcers I think - and I wonder if that includes eye ulcers (which i have in my right eye currently).  And parasites...I work at a shelter so that's not completely far fetched.  Guess I will start recording symptoms and reoccurance so if it doesn't resolve this week I have a history to show a doc.  Bleg.

i get similar issues if i eat unhealthy for a while, which means, i dont eat for long periods of time, then eat a LOT, and i eat a lot of heavy and greasy foods. a few days of salads, homecooked meals and healthy snacks gets me right out of it usually... never hurts to try that anyways.... :)

stardog85

Eww H. Pylori is the bug in ulcers I think

Yes, the H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter Pylori) is found in 60-80% of stomach ulcers and 90% of duodenal ulcers.  "It may be the most common infection in the world."  The article I quote below is very interesting.  I suggest reading the whole thing.

My ex had chronic duodenal ulcer problems back in the days when doctors didn't think that any bacteria could live the stomach.  He could calm his ulcer down, but could never get it to heal.  Be glad that you live in more advanced times!!

http://www.gicare.com/pated/ecdgs30.htm

This infection can contribute to the development of diseases, such as dyspepsia (heartburn, bloating and nausea), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and ulcers in the stomach and duodenum.  ...

A breath test is now available. In this test, a substance called urea is given by mouth. A strong enzyme in the bacteria breaks down the urea into carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled and can be measured. ...

The symptoms are discomfort, bloating, nausea and perhaps vomiting. The person may also have symptoms that suggest ulcers -- burning or pain in the upper abdomen, usually occurring about an hour or so after meals or even during the night. ...

Increasingly, physicians are treating the acute ulcer with acid-reducing medicines and treating the infection with antibiotics.