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Constant Burping and Nausea

Today is Saturday, November 29th. Going back to Friday the 21st I have been burping constantly.  I had a double cheeseburger from Steak N' Shake for lunch that day, so I really didn't think much of the ailment at the time, just figured it would go away after that meal cleared my system.

The constant burping continued for several days and I began to worry about it when I started to feel nauseas for prolonged periods of time, accompanied by a headache and a sort of brain fog. I completely lost my appetite. I had chest pains that would come and go and a lot of anxiety. It was hard to tell if the anxiety was causing me discomfort, or if the discomfort was due to my anxiety. I started looking up my symptoms on the internet - chest pains, burping, headache, nausea - the most logical answer was that I had acid reflux, so I started on Prilosec OTC.

The next morning, which was Thanksgiving, I found an urgent care that was open and went in to clear my mind, to hopefully confirm that it was just acid reflux. They gave me an EKG and an IV with fluids and nausea meds, did a few limited blood tests. Everything came back negative and they told me it was most likely acid reflux and that I needed to drink more water because my kidneys showed signs of dehydration, as well as to continue on the Prilosec. I left, feeling relieved like I would start feeling better right away.

That day brought more nausea, more brain fog, more fatigue, more burping. I figured I should just give the Prilosec more time to run its course. The next day brought more of the same. Today I was feeling pretty good in the morning, but now here I am again feeling that way again.

I don't have a primary care physician, but I just found one online and booked an appointment for a "yearly physical" next Friday. I keep googling and finding these horror stories of people who have these same symptoms and have had dozens of tests done on them and the doctors can't seem to fix the problem. This whole situation has me extremely worried. I was a perfectly healthy adult just over a week ago, and now my entire life has been turned upside down.

Has anyone been through something like this? Is this going to be my life from now on?
23 Responses
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63984 tn?1385437939
I'd treat the fact that you have a hiatal hernia as a serious issue, control your diet as much as possible.  Coffee isn't a high acid product until it is boiled.  When My problem with a HH was extreme, I would cold brew coffee by putting coffee in a double filter and using cold water, make a concentrated liquid.  I used one pound of medium grind coffee, it would take almost eight hours.  The liquid should be refrigerated, and when you want a cup, add 1 tbs with hot water, taste, and add the liquid as you with.  I like really strong coffee, so usually added 3 tbs.  NO ACID!  the acid is formed when coffee is brewed with boiling water or nearly boiling water.  I had a surgery to keep acid to enter my esophagus which was a huge success, so now I drink an Expresso in the morning, one cup with about tb of really great scotch whiskey.  I worked as commercial fisherman for a number of years, day and night was always mixed up.  You don't have to give up what you really like, quality of life trumps everything.  Try the coffee experiment, just make sure you refrigerate your home brew, it isn't good much longer that a week.
Try and find common ground with your doctor.  I wouldn't use internet research including this board as a reference when talking to him/her, listen, shut up and ask good questions.
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620923 tn?1452915648

  Hmmm maybe locate another GI Dr that works better for you.....remember the Dr works for you, they are not doing you a service if they act all uppidy and do not help your concerns....
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Avatar universal
He's a GI specialist, the doctor that did my endoscopy.
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620923 tn?1452915648

  May I ask, is this a PCP or a GI Dr?

If a PCP, go see a GI specialist.....

Modify your diet and lifestyle the best you can as that will help the meds and you clam the flare up.....

Keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
The doctor called me with the results and the lactulose test came back normal. Well, I certainly don't feel normal. He did say that he noticed mild inflammation during my endoscopy but didn't think it was any cause for concern.

He didn't provide me with much advice as far as how to proceed, so I guess I'll start taking prilosec again and just hope this eventually gets better.

Selma, I'm not sure why he told me to stop taking the meds either. I expressed concern when he originally told me to stop taking them - that my acid reflux symptoms might flare up again. He was very condescending and basically made me feel like I was dumb for even suggesting that.  
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620923 tn?1452915648


  I also have a hiatal hernia....not sure why you are off meds unless it was for the testing....but you may need to get on meds until things calm down as well as modify diet and lifestyle....hopefully with the rest of the testing...lactulose in particular as it may explain the excess gas you have....keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
I had my endoscopy, and the doc took a biopsy of my stomach and duodenum. My stomach and esophogus look normal, but I have a Hiatus Hernia.

He took me off the prilosec. I'm currently on no medications. I took a lactulose breath test and waiting the the call from the doctor with results/instructions on how to proceed.

I was feeling a lot better for about 1 week until yesterday. Now feeling nauseous w/ headache and burping again.

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620923 tn?1452915648

  Good Luck with your endoscopy on the 20th...do update us.
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Avatar universal
My symptoms have become less severe, but I'm not out of the woods yet. The constant burping situation has gotten a lot better. I haven't felt nauseous. I've at least been able to go to work and live a relatively normal life. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

The main thing that continues to plague me on a daily basis is abdominal cramping/bloating and headaches. I have adjusted my diet to stay away from coffee, spicy foods, red meat, and sweets - these are the things that seemed to cause me trouble over the past few months. Still, after eating almost anything I feel bloated (to various degrees) and it's not always in the same place in my belly. Sometimes it's my upper abdomen, sometimes the lower abdomen, and sometimes it's on one of the sides.

My upper GI / endoscopy is set for January 20th. I hope to get some answers then.    
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Avatar universal
I'm not sure that we have exactly the same problem. If there's one thing I've learned through this, it's that it can be unfortunately very hard to pinpoint certain digestive issues. If you're lucky, you have a doctor that actually cares and is actively engaged in your well being. I've just been taking that 20mg prilosec and some days are better than others.

I just came down with a nasty combination of the flu and pharyngitus! This probably isn't realistic, but I'm hoping that when I get over this flu thing, that I will magically get over the GERD and feel like my old self again.
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem as well :( do you get really nasty burps? Mine happens when I lay down . I have tried tons of medication and the ONLY thing o find to help is pepto :(
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63984 tn?1385437939
Consider Ensure, jello, maybe egg noodles drained from Chicken noodle soup, I'd stay away from alkaline products unless you have had blood tests that show your PH levels are screwy.  
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11531634 tn?1419080966
My symptoms are not as bad as yours but my diagnosis was also pretty recent. Currently struggling with belching and cold sensation that starts in my stomach and then makes its way to my chest. After changing my diet I have felt a lot better but there are times (and they are coming in longer periods than they did before) that I feel extremely terrible. After waking in the mornings I am fine but once in a while, between 2 or 3 days, I would feel awful. I hope your health improves. Please keep us updated
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Avatar universal
Just saw this. I may try the liquid diet next. I could supplement with different alkaline vegetable/fruit juices which would give me the nutrition I need.

I had the ultrasound Monday. Kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas looked normal.

Still having the constant headache along with that disconnected feeling. My stomach feels bloated and knotted up. Still having to burp constantly.

The next step is an upper GI, or an endescopy. My procedure will be December 31st.

Merry Christmas.
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63984 tn?1385437939
Ondansetron has lots of side effects, so make sure you read how to take the medication, they are detailed about the handling of the pill.  I have to take it for problems of Congestive Heart Failure, fluid from the lungs drain into my stomach.  Constipation is common.
As ill as you report, have you considered stopping eating solid foods for 2 to 4 days,  drinking Ensure, Jello, no solid food at all?  You won't die of starvation.  Ensure will sustain you, four cans a day is 800 calories, and drink lots of water.  Ask your doctor if that would be a good approach, of course.  
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535822 tn?1443976780
Hope you get some answe
rs soon, I have had a headache last 2 days , I think there are many virus wizzing around us .
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Avatar universal
It seems like I'm getting progressively worse. I've had a headache for about 24 hours and feel mentally disconnected and nauseas. I've been eating nothing but low fat foods such as vegetables, rice, apples and chicken breast.

I'm really anxious to have an ultrasound and other tests done. Just ready to feel normal again.
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535822 tn?1443976780
I get similar and I was wondering how you are doing now
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Avatar universal
Thanks Flycaster. It means a lot to know someone is out there.

I'm 30 years old, 6' 3", 200 lbs. I considered myself in good health before this whole ordeal started. I've been taking the omeprazole exactly as directed by my doctor - with a glass of water in the morning 30 minutes before my first meal. Today I decided to skip the omeprazole to see if I felt better. I'm haven't experienced the burping and acid reflux symptoms as much but I've felt nauseas and sick.

Some updates from my last post...

Like I noted in my last post, I started noticing that the right side of my abdomen, just below the ribcage, has caused, at times, a great deal of discomfort. Like a dull pain that is impossible to ignore. Another thing I began to notice is that my stool has been clay colored for the past week or two.

I called the doctor yesterday and updated her on my symptoms.  She is now thinking that something might be wrong with my gall bladder, and recommended that I eat low fat foods such as rice and vegetables to help alleviate the symptoms. She also wrote me a script for Ondansetron to help with the nausea.

I will be going in for an ultrasound and blood work early next week. If it gets to the point where it's unbearable this weekend, I'll be taking a trip to the emergency room.
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63984 tn?1385437939
You don't give your age, or physical condition, Ben.  
GERD is caused from so many things, maybe you have an ulcer, gall bladder issues, and more.  A double cheeseburger plus a milkshake is a huge fat injection, and could have stirred up an existing condition.  Also, basil pesto pasta is usually make with cream and butter, a really high fat meal.  The fact that high fat meals are associated with GERD, you might consider eliminating that kind of food and mix in a salad with olive oil and vinegar instead.
Also, I would suggest you review the instructions on how to take Omeprazole.  Take them EXACTLY as prescribed or they will just make expensive urine.  Keep us informed.
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Avatar universal
Still not feeling any better as of December 11th. In fact, today might be the worst I have felt since this whole thing started. I'm nauseas and the right side of my stomach hurts. I had basil pesto pasta for lunch, and soon thereafter these symptoms really flared up.

Is anyone out there?
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Avatar universal
I just wanted to update and say I saw a primary care physician 3 days ago. She put me on 40mg of omeprazole. I don't feel any better. This is very concerning for me because I've been on a proton-pump inhibitor now for about 2 weeks. I just want to be healthy again. : (
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Avatar universal
Oh yeah, some background information about me would probably be nice to know.

I'm a 30 year old male. I was a smoker (about a pack every 2 days) until about a month and a half ago when I quit cold turkey. I've had a history of anxiety but have only self medicated with marijuana, which I haven't smoked since this whole problem started.

  
Helpful - 0
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