Constant belching now ; diagnosis of IBS 7 months ago

[Steph0875]

I am a 32 year old female. I am 5 feet 4 inches, and weigh 148 lbs. I have been diagnosed with hypertension for 11 years now, it is controlled with medication. I also suffer from anxiety and have panic attacks. A week ago today I began to experience indigestion, burping and pain in the upper middle abdomen just under the breast bone. I have never been one to experience indigestion except when I was pregnant (I have a 9 month old daughter). Over the weekend I took Rolaids, which seemed to help somewhat. However, 5 days ago I began to have the belching constantly and had no relief from the antacids. I went to the doctor 4 days ago and he put me on Protonix, thinking it may be GERD, and if not then my gallbladder. I began to take the medication 3 days ago. The pain in my abdomen has subsided but the belching is still present. Two nights ago I had a sudden onset of pain in my upper left back. It was so painful that I ended up in the ER where they ran tests on my urine and blood. Both came back negative for an obstruction in my gallbladder and kidney stones, they found nothing to suggest any problems basically. The weird thing was that by the time I saw the doctor at the ER, about 2 hours after the pain inthe back began, the pain was gone and I felt fine, except the belching. About 7 months ago my doctor suggested that I may have IBS because I was experiencing pain in my lower abdomen and having problems with my stools. I had three 'attacks' if you will that no one could explain, therefore the doctor suggested the IBS diagnosis. However, I have not had any problems since then, until now. I was extremley worried that the belching and pain were related to my heart, however all the facts seem to suggest otherwise (I can't help but worry). I had a stress test 3 years ago that was normal, I had an EKG just 2 months ago, so I know it probably isn't my heart. Therefore I was wondering if the belching could be related to the IBS; and if so, what is the duration of the synptoms usually? I have no other symptoms at the moment, other then the anxiety of not knowing what is going on. My eating habits have not changed recently. The only thing that has changed at all is that although I am usually only a social drinker, I have drank more alcohol (mostly beer) in the last few weeks then I usually do. I am a smoker (16 years) about a pack to a pack 1/2 a day (it helps to calm the nerves and anxiety). I have cut out the alcohol and I still am experiencing the belching. It seems better, not as frequent, but it is still there. Is this common in IBS patients?

Thank you in advance for any information

[Steph0875]

Thank you for your replies to my post. I am feeling much better today and I felt good yesterday, so I am hopeful that this 'attack,' is coming to an end. I know that drinking and smoking are not good for me and I want to quit smoking. I hate to smoke, and my husband hates that I do it and is willing to help me in anyway he can. I've decided to work on that starting next week. I go back to the doctor on Friday of next week and I will talk more with him about the anxiety.
We are off to Nashville for a long weekend without the children and I think that may help me a lot. If not physically it has got to do me some good in the mental department.
Thank you again for all the advice and for taking time to respond. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

[lagoya]

ok take a deep breath [THATS FOR ME} there are a couple of things in your post that are good and a couple that are not
first with the good congrads on your new baby great times ahead second you are seeing your doc with your issues and that is also good
now the bit you might not like
drinking beer in ibs is not in some not all a great idea too much gas and is also brewed from a lot of trigger foods if you must try a glass of wine {not the whole bottle}
smoking i know here we go been there myself is not good for you fullstop.every time you smoke the air and everything else goes down into your stomach and can irritate the lining not just of your lungs but also your stomach and while it is difficult you they are worth giving up
i know it is difficult not to worry and to get anxious with these issues but in the long run that will only add more fuel to fire so to speak if you ae finding things difficult talk to your doc thats what he is there for
when you eat take time for yourself and relax and enjoy your food
try some peppermint tea after a meal or sip on lemon and water just some suggestions as well as following you docs instructions

hope you feel better soon

[jml1986]

There are so many symptons that go along with IBS and belching is one of them. There is really no set time that the flair ups last. I have been having one for a couple of weeks now. It generally comes without notice and it is anyones guess when it will go away. I can tell you that it is not a fun thing to live with. Anxiety was a big problem for me when it first started, now it is just a big frustration.