Hello, I am writing on this forum out of desperation. I am a 22 year old female who is 5’8 tall and 120-130 pounds (basically I am thin) and has had no major gastroenterological problems in my medical history. I do not drink alcohol at all, besides very limited and very few social events. I have had gastroenterological problems since July 2020, and I have been seeking doctors since September 2020.
First, I have been seeing my primary care physician, and now, I am scheduled to see a gastroenterologist in about a month. So yes, while I am seeking the Internet for medical advice, I am speaking to doctors as well. I have been experiencing a loss of appetite, which has contributed to a loss of weight of 5-8 pounds. When I eat "too much" food I feel an uncomfortable stomach pain and gassiness, and I often have to lie down for it to go away. And by "too much", I mean that my stomach can take significantly less food than it used to. There are times when I don't feel appetite at all, which is abnormal for me. The gassiness and bloating happen only when I am full. I notice there are foods that really trigger this discomfort: fatty meats (beef, veal, etc), for example. Also, I have had a huge alcohol intolerance for more than a year (smallest sip of alcohol makes me nauseous/vomit). This has caused my PCP to consider problems with my gallbladder and liver.
I do not have diarrhea or constipation.
I have taken a month of omeprazole, which has had no effect at all. I then had a full abdominal scan at a nearby hospital, where all things were listed as "unremarkable" (no gallstones were seen). My PCP has noticed, after pressing down on my abdomen, that one part of it was most uncomfortable: my epigastric region. Now, my PCP is consulting a gastroenterologist and I will be seeing them early February. This has been difficult to deal with, and I cannot help but think that I have the worst possible conditions. No Google search has given me a lot of clarity, and I am simply hoping that maybe I can find a little clarity on this forum. Thank you so much!
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My partner has helped me write a rough SOAP note format to clear things up, here is what I am describing:
Subjective: a 22 yo female, is complaining of lack/change in appetite for 6 months. This has resulted in a weight loss of 5-8 lbs over this period of time. She also complains of associated epigastric discomfort, also for 6 months, a gassy/bloating pain, 3/10 pain severity. Frequency: every day. Duration: constant. Gassiness, like belching after eating, is increased during and after times of eating. Makes it better: belching. Makes it worse: ingestion of food (especially fatty foods) and alcohol consumption.
Allergies: NKA
Medications: Birth control (Lutera) taken once a day.
Medical Hx: motion sickness, no past hospital admission
FH: mom had hyperthyroidism, grandpa died of colon cancer
SH: no EtOH, no tobacco, no illicit drugs, no caffeine.
Sexual Hx: G: 0; P: 0; A: 0. Menstruation: 4-5 days
Objective:
General appearance: well developed, young adult female, AOx3.
Vital signs: all within normal limits
Gastro: No abd tenderness, rebound or otherwise in any region upon palpation. Normal bowel sounds. No masses, solid or mobile.
Assessment:
(no DDxs yet)
Plan:
- Follow up with gastroenterologist on Feb. 2nd
- Gastric Ultrasound: did not show any gastric masses or irregularities