Constant hunger pains, anyone ever had this before? help

[Jenny Wren]

Went to the ER Friday because of constaet hunger pains. They did ultrasound of gallbladder, urinalmsis, blood work, and abdominal ct scan. Everything was good except small bowel loops filled with gas. Diagnosis was viral gastroenteritis. It's now Monday and I'm still having growling hunger pains even after eating. What is causing this and how can I make it stop. I'm having a hard time forcing myself to eat to satisfy this discomhort cause I'm trying to get my appetite back, slowly. Anyone ever have this or know what to do?

[Jenny Wren]

I am still not feeling well. Today will be day4 of taking the pepcid complete. I just want my appetite back. It's awful having to force yourself to eat every hour. I can't even sleep more than four hours and the growling stomach awakes me. I'm so disgusted.

[Baiga786]

Hi Jenny.. Just curious as to how you are doing now?

[Baiga786]

Hi Jenny.. Just curious as to how you are doing now?

[regerd]

Ive never heard of esophageal spasms.  My biggest problem was food blockage due to a hernia.  I was taken to the ER 8-10 times (lost count) over the 30 years.  An endescope is used to push the food down into the stomach.  It dont interfere with breathing, one can not swallow spit or a drop of water once blocked. That has not happened in years now, the esophogus has changed I guess. The acid continues.  The sphicture or valve that protects the esophogus from kick back is gone for me so acid always has access to my esophogus and burns it if I dont take care. Meds, diet and other tricks help.  Are you seeing a specialist ?  A gastro intestinal type (a GI) ?   You mentioned a PvP Im not familirar with that term.  PCP ? Primary care physician ?  If it is a pcp that your seeing and no one else I would ask if she thinks a GI doc is in order.  Quite a bit of $$ has been spent on tests and if there's no solution by now Id want to see a GI.

[Jenny Wren]

Thank you regerd. Do you get esophageal spasms? My doctor said she seems to think the pain I'm getting in my back may be esophageal spasms. I have been getting these for about three months now. I have read about them but never spoke to anyone that gets them.

[regerd]

Jen you may be on your way to some relief.  I always like to know all there is about what Im taking. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepcid_Complete  and http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-20184-Pepcid+Complete+Oral.aspx?drugid=20184&drugname=Pepcid+Complete+Oral have good information on it.  Cut and paste these links to learn about it.  My thought is that food will help to reduce the acid as it uses it to break down and digest food.  There are foods that trigger acid production more than others.  Examples: alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, saturated fats, fried foods.  Avoid them.  At present I limit them and if I have problems I avoid them or the one that triggered it for a period of time.  

[Jenny Wren]

Stomach is still rumbling this evening but not the same kind of discomfort prior to taking the pepcid complete. I was actually able to eat an entire sandwiches tonight. I was going to try and eat more but figured I better not since this is the most I have eaten since last Tuesday. I am praying I still keep my appetite. Tomorrow is another day and I will be praying and thank the good Lord above tonight.

[Jenny Wren]

I spoke to my PvP today. She said she does not believe I have viral gastroenteritis being I don't have any vomiting or diarreah. She feels it's either gastritis or an ulcer. She said both of these conditions have the symptoms as what I am having. She told me the excessive acid can cause the bloating, hunger like pains and loss of appetite. She said to try Pepcid complete. I had a hard time with Prilosec a few months ago. I am praying this helps take these hunger pains away and gives me back my appetite. I did  some ramen noodles today and it felt good. I have only taken the Pepcid about an hour ago. Thank you all. I will you posted.

[selmaS]

  Hi....to help u sleep thru the night, try and elevate the head of ur bed so u sleep on an incline this allows gravity to help keep acids down where they belong.

[regerd]

I did a search on bentyl and the side effects can be as you described. And, the suggestion is to tell your Dr about those effects, not supposed to happen.  Flycaster makes a reasonable observation.  Your quite anxious over this condition.  You may be bringing on some of the anxiousness unnecessarily.  But, I understand how it can continue to haunt you as it is constantly reminding you of its presents.  You say 'hunger pain', is it really painful or just a grumbling and gurgling that is disturbing ?  I suffer from reflux and get the stomach noises often.  Not much pain, sometimes. Taking antiacid will quiet this down BUT not if it is chronic, not for any long relief.  So, the Rx solution to tha is reflux / ulcer / gerd medications. And, see a gastroentorologist. The over the counter meds (walk in and buy) are pepcid, zantac, tagmet __ these are good starters.  If they fail then I would try OTC (PPIs) prilosec, prevacid, nexium and there are others.  These are taken daily ( once ) and should last 24hrs. The PPIs will improve thier ability to help over a period of a day or two though you will get relief the first day it will improve over time.  PPIs take a slight  bit longer to be effective but are more potent in the long run.  All of these meds have the characteristic of being ineffective for some.  For example, prevacid had no affect on me, useless, I had to move on to nexium which after four years became ineffective and I went to the next.  In 30 years Ive gone thru them all.   Good luck.  See a gastro, GI.  It will eventually be solved and my bet is on the GI doctors.

[Jenny Wren]

Thanks Flycaster, I force myself to eat because the hunger pains are constantly and annoying. Even after I eat they are there. Is it because I'm not eating enough or why? Just ate 6 Ritz crackers, and a cup of applesauce and its growling badly. I just can't stand this growling. I want it to stop.

[Flycaster305]

Jenny, I'd suggest you understand you don't have to eat for literally days.  I've had two surgeries where I couldn't eat for several days after being released from the hospital and went a total of ten days without eating solids, (bowel obstruction, Nissen Fundoplication), and heart bypass surgery where simply broth was all I could handle, and I did just fine going forward.  You don't have to eat to stay alive, but you have to drink.  Why not squeeze a bit of lemon in water, drink your fill, and then just sit on your hands?  
Your fears suggest the need of anxiety meds to me.  Hope you find some peace of mind, I think your body is going to be just fine.

[Jenny Wren]

Thanks Selma and regerd, I'm getting a little nauseated with the hunger pains, it's like my stomach is telling me to eat but I don't feel like it. I am forcing myself to eat just to have a peaceful stomach for 15 minutes. I haven't tried eating until I'm completely full yet in fear that I get sicker. I had to take a xanax last night just to help me sleep because it's waking me three and four times a night. I have no idea what it is. They gave me bentyl to take at the hospital. I took half of one Friday night because I am so sensitive to meds. The bentyl made me super dizzy, nauseated and sweaty. It never helped with the hunger pains at all. I'm so disgusted. I have never felt anything like this before. :(

[regerd]

You say you have hunger pains at the start of your statement.  At the end you say your trying to get your appetite back. That seems to be a contradiction.  Are you hungry throughout the day or not ?

Antiacid can take away the growling stomach and excess acid but only for a short time. Meds like pepcid and other otc Rx can reduce acid.  But, if it is chronic you need to get a doctors help.  The ER should have given you some advice before you left the building.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Constant hunger pains can result from excess acids that build up in ur digestive track....


Eating 6 small meals a day may help use up the excess acid...even if u just nibble on crackers....

See ur Dr for the proper course of action, but eating the smaller more frequent meals may help until u see one.And do avoid spicy, acidic, greasy, carbonated and caffeinated items.