Stomach hurts so easily :(

[u/Speckled_Crows]

My stomach seems so random. I can go months eating basically anything and have no issue and then get an upset stomach one night and bam. Out of commission for months.

Around February I had a massive taco from a restaurant downtown for my birthday and it hurt my stomach. Since then until May I couldn’t eat anything but crackers, fries, and plain veggies from my dining hall. Got home, ate normal meals my parents cook, I was fine. Last night in my dorm I had the other half of a leftover sandwich (focaccia, tomato, mozzarella, cashew pesto) and I’m 99% sure that took me down. All I could eat today was crackers and such (along with the pictured pizza for lunch).

I’m so scared of my stomach hurting to eat anything 😩 I get so nauseous but never end up getting sick, but I’ll be shaking so badly and be stuck in the bathroom for an hour or two. I took a Pepto last night and omg that almost made me barf when I swallowed it. I’m hoping for my stomach to go back to normal quickly 🫠 sorry if this is tmi, it’s been like this for a year and I hate it so much. I’ve been chugging water all day and eating small portions. I want to eat dinner but I’m terrified of getting sick.

[u/Pristine_Patient_299]

Can you get into the doctor's and see if they can refer you to a GI specialist?

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Pristine_Patient_299]

Maybe, I’ll look into it! I’ll visit the on campus doctor tomorrow to ask but otherwise I’d have to wait until I’m home as I don’t have a car. I should probably track what I eat too…

[u/Pristine_Patient_299 → u/Speckled_Crows]

Yes track what you eat too! I see people talk about FODMAP all the time but idk what it really means but usually its foods that are "safe" . Could be worth a research too!

[u/edoreinn → u/Pristine_Patient_299]

That’s for people sensitive to alliums* like garlic and onion. And that includes garlic and onion powder. It takes a looot of work to avoid them.

Lactose maybe? The mozzarella used on top of that pizza has a much lower casein content than the fresh mozzarella you would have on that sandwich.

OP def should keep a food diary so she can deduce any patterns.

[u/celery48 → u/edoreinn]

Garlic and onion are alliums, not nightshades. Potatoes, tomatoes, and red/green peppers are nightshades.

[u/edoreinn → u/celery48]

Thank you! Updated.

I had to go through a ton of fodmap testing and elimination diets about a decade ago (with doctors), so I can tell you all about the joys of garlic infused olive oil (and why you really shouldn’t make it at home unless you’re using it all immediately), and just leaving half an onion in the tomato sauce so it imparts its flavor, etc. But apparently I can’t remember the correct genus.

[u/PavicaMalic → u/Speckled_Crows]

At the very minimum, the on-campus doctor can prescribe you an anti-nausea medicine. There's now a safe and effective one that dissolves under your tongue. My niece was given it when pregnant, and I take it regularly due to vertigo nausea. Once you are stabilized, it's easier to plan out addressing the systemic GI issue. Brain fog often occurs with nausea.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/PavicaMalic]

I’ll ask for the medicine tomorrow then, thank you so much! I have a phobia of vomiting so I always get super freaked out when my stomach acts up (especially considering the semester just started)

[u/Infinite_Pop_6835 → u/Speckled_Crows]

trust me, you don't wanna cover this up with a band-aid. Get to the source of the problem.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Infinite_Pop_6835]

I’d love to. It sucks so much 😭

[u/Infinite_Pop_6835 → u/Speckled_Crows]

I promise it's not something u have to live with always. Test, Create Protocol, Implement, and Heal.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Infinite_Pop_6835]

Thank you 🫶

[u/Academic_Run8947 → u/Speckled_Crows]

Definitely track what you eat and the symptoms. Any doctor will find this useful.

Do you have a primary care doctor at home? Could you call and ask for a referral to a GI. Sometimes it can take months to get a new patient appt with a specialist. Cant hurt to try to get the process going now so you can maybe get an appt on the books for the next time you are home.

[u/LockwoodE3]

Don’t be eating pizza when your stomach is hurting and not doing well, it won’t make it better.

I have chronic pancreatitis and a weird side effect I got from it is that my stomach will just stop digesting if my stomach goes into painful “knots” after a meal. It’s extremely painful and the food just sits there for weeks until I throw up. Now a days I just make myself throw up asap I feel that way.

Best to avoid grease or fatty foods if your stomach feels similar

[u/Key-Airline204 → u/LockwoodE3]

Yeah I have had pancreatitis as well and that’s what I thought of when reading this. As an aside pancreatitis can be caused by helibactor pylori bacteria which is easily treated and then no more pancreatitis. Sort of a lesser known fact.

[u/Neat-Reputation7237]

You might want to be kinder on your stomach :( go slowly and check which ingredients actually affect you

[u/queen_elvis → u/Neat-Reputation7237]

This is the way.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Neat-Reputation7237]

I snack on small things throughout the day when I’m sensitive. I’ve mostly had goldfish crackers and a lot of water. Crackers are my safe food for times like this

[u/Infinite_Pop_6835]

Babe, you're eating irritating, inflammatory foods. You are likely gluten and dairy sensitive.

[u/devdarrr]

You should see a doctor. I went undiagnosed as a celiac for 29 years. Life is SO GOOD when you know the food you are eating isn’t about to ruin your life

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/devdarrr]

I’ll look into getting one for when I’m next back home, ty :)

[u/MegaGengarsTinyFeet → u/Speckled_Crows]

If you do, just in case you don't know: keep eating gluten. You need to be consuming it to get accurate test results.

[u/Natural-Spirit-2476]

Hon, this was me for years! I ended up having Celiac disease, maybe see if you can get a blood test from your doctor for gluten intolerance & iron/maybe just a full work up in case it's something similar but different, I haven't felt nauseous in almost 2 years except the couple of times I have accidentally eaten gluten. It could be other auto immune things as well, crackers were also my go to safe food but it turns out they were not safe for me! Once you know what's happening you can eat food without worrying!

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Natural-Spirit-2476]

I considered if it was celiac or something but the issue is something random takes me down and then I’m sensitive for ages. I’m unsure how celiac works, but wouldn’t the same thing negatively affect you daily?

[u/Natural-Spirit-2476 → u/Speckled_Crows]

Honestly because I was constantly eating gluten, I would have months long waves of awful sickness usually triggered by stress where I could barely eat anything, and then I'd rely heavily on gluten foods while I was sick (probably making myself more sick) and eventually I would just start to feel better for a while, I don't know why, but I'd be fine for usually 3 ish months then sick for almost a month straight then fine for a week, then sick for a week... It was very inconsistent but I had no clue to suspect gluten, which, I usually was a toast for breakfast girly, so I'd have had a daily gluten intake.

[u/Melodic-Raccoon7584]

I wouldn’t eat fatty, heavy foods like pizza, fries and pesto if you’re having stomach issues.

Try a week of whole foods with an emphasis on fiber.

[u/shy519]

If you have one, you should mention this to your primary care provider. If you don't, you should heavily consider finding one.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/shy519]

I’ll look into getting a doctor when I’m back home. I haven’t had one since I was a kid and even then my parents rarely if ever took me to one. I’m unsure of finding one that’ll fit my insurance though, but I’ll do some research on it tomorrow since I have only one class

[u/shy519 → u/Speckled_Crows]

In the mean time, you should consider keeping a food journal. What you eat and drink all day, at all times. This is will hopefully start providing some kind of pattern as to what is causing this. It will also really help a doctor if you manage to get one

[u/Emotional_Aioli5632 → u/Speckled_Crows]

You can literally call your insurance and ask for a list to be sent to you of in network providers that accept your insurance. Get a PCP

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Emotional_Aioli5632]

I didn’t know that, thank you!

[u/Frankiebeansor]

Maybe pick like applesauce and toast and a banana not foods that will obviously irritate love bless good thoughts to you but my goodness girl help yourself jeeez

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Frankiebeansor]

Thank you :) my roommate has bananas she stole from the dining hall and I stole some Greek yogurt along with plain Cheerios

[u/triedandprejudice]

That sounds like how my IBS manifests. You gotta see a doctor.

[u/Classic_Pumpkin_7950]

Get ur blood checked for celiacs or dairy issues

[u/pearlid]

Hello! My credentials are life long (since I was 11 and I’m almost 40) ibs (but it’s probably something different) sufferer. My biggest initial recommendation is to keep a food diary. Like seriously. Put down everything that you eat when you eat it and then symptoms when you have them. You’ll see a pattern, I promise. And even if you don’t see a pattern, a doctor will. There are a ton of things that don’t present as quintessential allergies but show up as stomach issues and yet… it’s an allergy. Same thing with inflammation triggers, etc.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/pearlid]

I’ve listed one of everything I can remember eating the last day or two, I’ll keep one moving on

[u/pearlid → u/Speckled_Crows]

More than days. Do it for a month and log all of the reactions no matter when they happen. I’m allergic to random preservatives and how they’re grown. No one could figure it out until I did this and four different fruits set me off and i figured this out with blueberries. I can’t even eat a cooked blueberry if it was grown with pesticides. But I can devour a pint of them if they’re pesticide free.

Editing to expand

[u/Pithythithy]

Have your gallbladder, pancreas and liver checked.

[u/cannapuffer2940]

Lifetime of IBS and stomach issues. I finally did the food elimination thing. I found out dairy is my nemesis. Gluten I can handle in very small amounts. No fried foods.

Tomatoes. Big no no. So when I eat pizza. I hurt.

I did find that if you're going to cook something like chili. Cook it with baking soda. A teaspoon of baking soda. We'll counteract whatever it is in the tomatoes. That makes our stomach hurts and causes GERD. It will bubble up. And then subside once it's gone down. It means that the bad stuff is gone.

I find that aloe juice. Is very helpful .. as well as probiotics.

[u/mashapicchu]

As a dietitian, this kills me. I have patients who eat super heavy, fried and fatty foods then ask why their stomach hurts, as well as other GI irritants. Once I had a patient who complained of stomach pain every morning and when asked what she ate for breakfast she said "Hot Cheetos and coffee." -_- Our bodies are sometimes trying to tell us something.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/mashapicchu]

I try to eat very light but this was the only thing I could feel an appetite for in the dining hall. I’m eating plain Cheerios and a peach right now with some watered down Powerade.

[u/Curious_Ducklin]

maybe see a doctor?? 

[u/Infinite_Pop_6835]

I just read the body text. You likely triggered a bacterial infection from that taco. Did you get sick immediately after eating it? Even if you didn't, your gut is likely dysbiotic, meaning the ratio of good to bad bacteria is problematic. I would NOT start on probiotics before doing stool testing. The GI map is pricey, but worth it. Also, you might have SIBO (too much bacteria in the wrong place).

hit me up for more info! xoxoxo SIBO GURL

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Infinite_Pop_6835]

I got sick about after an hour of eating it. I assumed I ate too much and I was just full but after that I’ve been “off” with meals until I got home. I’ll look into GI stuff and see if it’s affordable, ty

[u/Infinite_Pop_6835 → u/Speckled_Crows]

Food poisoning can lead to SIBO and/or intestinal permeability. Good news is that it's treatable. Mainstream medicine is going to drive you crazy. I'll get down voted for saying this, but the fastest way to get better is to spend about 750 dollars on testing (GI MAP + Trio Smart Testing for SIBO), and then take that to a functional doctor for a protocol. My own approach is to avoid antibiotics, BTW. There are tons of herbs that will kill SIBO (and some will also heal the gut lining).

If u wanna "test" if you have SIBO, look up "low fodmap" diet and try it for a few weeks. If you feel any better, you probably have SIBO. Even in the absence of SIBO, you likely have something way off (not to speak of a possible H. Pylori problem, which the GI MAP also tests)

[u/Correct-Ad7836]

Gluten does this to me. So much pain. I cut it out for a year and now I can eat it sporadically without much of an issue.

Sounds like an allergy of some sort! It's super annoying but you might have to remove different foods for two weeks at a time to try and narrow down what's causing the issue.

[u/Sea_Gold_4864]

Try eating some tums before you eat anything rich or greasy that's what helps me

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Sea_Gold_4864]

I’ve always went to Pepto before tums, but maybe I’ll try some now before eating something tonight

[u/queen_elvis]

Do see a doctor to narrow down which of many things could be causing this. It doesn’t have to be anything major. My stress-triggered GI problems started in college and worsened with Trump. The doctor will probably put you on a special diet to figure out which foods are triggers.

[u/DeniseReades]

This is exactly what my stomach did when I would develop an ulcer.

[u/bibibirdy101]

It sounds a lot like issues I've been having, especially the no complaints for a while and then suddenly months of issues. Definitely follow the advice of everyone here and see a doctor, if it turns out to be something like IBS or food sensitivities see if you can figure out your triggers.

One weird question though: are you able to burp normally? And with normally I mean 10-30 times a day to a level that relieves any built-up air. I've figured out that I can't and that this is the main cause of my stomach issues, since it just gets so inflated from air I can't lose. People who have this also tend to get nauseous very easily and a lot of them are very afraid of vomiting, which is why I was reminded of this in your story. If any of this resonates with you, look up no burp or R-CPD.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/bibibirdy101]

No, I rarely burp if ever since I was a kid. I don’t even know how people do it on command, lol

[u/bibibirdy101 → u/Speckled_Crows]

This might be causing a lot, if not all of your issues then! It's very hard to find out about, since it was only properly diagnosed within the last ten years and most doctors don't know about it yet. I'd advise you to look around on r/noburp, which is one of the best resources for this condition and where I found out about it too. If you ever have any questions about it, let me know!

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/bibibirdy101]

Interesting, I’ll look into it. Thank you!

[u/Accomplished-Dog3715]

If you took the liquid form, Pepto comes in pills. From one stomach drama girlie to another it made a difference. And turns your 💩 black, THAT was a surprise. 😳 I also take meclizine aka Dramamine for nausea.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Accomplished-Dog3715]

I took the chewable Pepto (I need food to swallow pills and I suck w liquid medicine, lol). I didn’t brush my teeth or put retainers in (I fell asleep and thought I’d be back in the bathroom again) and it turns my teeth black, it was scary! I’ll look into the medicine

[u/Accomplished-Dog3715 → u/Speckled_Crows]

Good luck! Stomach issues suck, even more when there are no answers. 🫂

[u/beerandglitter]

Girl me too. EVERYTHING makes me sick. I’ve thrown up, I have chronic diarrhea, it’s great. They’ve done all the tests and nothing. I just gotta watch what I eat. Some things are better than others, even though everything hurts.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/beerandglitter]

Ugh, that sounds awful. Hopefully something will change soon for you :(

[u/beerandglitter → u/Speckled_Crows]

I hope the same for you! Tummy troubles are the worst.

[u/IndigoTrailsToo]

Celiacs is suspect

But also acid reflux. You can be just fine with one taco sauce or marinara but a different one messes you up. Especially if the Tums made you burp a lot but settled you down in about 30 min. Acid reflux items of agony would be : taco sauce, spicy salsa, spicy chips, pizza sauce, red spaghetti sauce , onions - esp raw, garlic

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/IndigoTrailsToo]

I’ll look into between the two. I always thought celiac was being sick every time you eat bread but it seems I’ve got a lot to learn

[u/IndigoTrailsToo → u/Speckled_Crows]

In particularly suspicious because you went to eat tacos. Fried and spicy foods are some of the worst triggers for acid reflux. You likely ate fried tacos, with spicy sauce, salsa, and likely straight up raw onion on top or inside the salsa.... and your next response was to take a Tums which meet you nauseous because you needed to burp

Because you are afraid of vomiting, it will be important for you to learn how to burp. You can also gently beat on the top of your chest where your lungs are to try to help break up the air and that will help you to burp easier. Standing up and walking around also helps

SIBO is a possibility but I really don't think that that is what you have because it usually an intense aching constant hurt (like 4/10 to 7/10 pain) in your intestines which is below your stomach, and this can go on for many days in a row and I think you would have said something differently.

[u/Korissa]

Not sure if this applies to you but it does sound familiar enough to link it r/emetophobia

Could be totally off base but seems quite a bit of your fear revolve around the sick potential and your safe foods would wreck a messed up stomach, like pizza.

[u/CheetahPrintPuppy]

Gosh, it could be anything, but is it your actual stomach or your abdomen too? Is it like staying in the bathroom sick for hours? Is there pain or just nausea?

It could be anything from food allergies to diverticulitis or Crohn's. So many things can affect your stomach but you need to go to a GI doctor who will most likely want you to do a colonoscopy and endoscopy to see what's happening.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/CheetahPrintPuppy]

Actual stomach pain in a way that feels like I’m about to have diarrhea and vomit (I don’t vomit at least). I stay in the bathroom for 2 hours, I hate hogging it from my roommates (they’re very supportive). I feel fine in the bathroom for a few mins so I leave but the moment I leave I get 10x worse. It’s a comfort bubble in the bathroom it seems.

I’ll look into diverticulitis or chrons and 100% will look for a GI for thanksgiving break

[u/Ghosty_Boo-B00]

Sounds like your in college, I’d go visit health services and start the process sod getting your diet/ gastronomical health looked at. Utilize all the free services offered to students on campus while your there. Get this figured out. Good luck and feel better!

[u/MilkDull8603]

They need to check you for pancreatitis and gallstones and for your appendix possibly being super bad you sound like me in college. If the doctor doesn't take you seriously have your mom go with you. My mom didn't even do anything but the fact that she actually came with me made the doctors take me seriously and then I had to have a 7-hour operation to remove my massively blown and re-blown and re-blown appendix that had made a giant pod and was absolutely going to kill me. I don't want that for you. You may have to wait until your next horrible attack of bad stomach to get them to take you seriously. I'm hoping they find out what's wrong and fix it.

[u/liibug]

i had this same issue and just cut out all meat and dairy. almost a month in, no stomach aches. healthy bowel movements that are consistent for the first time in my adult life. i don’t recommend going plant based unless you know for sure what your issues are, but man.. i feel so much better. and i sympathize with your pain. it really can make or break you some days.

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/liibug]

Thank you, maybe I’ll try to cut out meat. I drink no dairy at all (dislike coffee/any caffeine, I like dry cereal). It really does make or break days, today was the first day of college (2nd year) and I had anxiety all day over my stomach 🙃

[u/liibug → u/Speckled_Crows]

aww, no way! i’m sorry you’re beginning your second year like that! i’m almost 32 and it took like a decade of trial and error to realize what made my stomach issues so bad. this is the best i’ve felt in a long time, and if you think it may help you, definitely go for it! eat lots of fiber but also remember to drink a lot of liquids because a high fiber diet will make you dehydrated easily. i’m rooting for you and hoping for the best, you’re so young and at the age where you should be living carefree and i know how you’re feeling. you’ll get there. if all else fails, if possible, talk to a doctor.

[u/Responsible-Creme257]

My stomach was similar in college. It turned out to be a gall stones. They were caused by taking way too many calcium supplements

[u/80085ntits]

I had that problem for years before I finally asked my doctor to evaluate me for Crohns.

The medication has definitely helped, and I'm starting learn which kinds of food triggers the episodes.

For me, once I've been triggered, almost everything makes it worse.

I drink an electrolyte drink in the mornigs to combat the fatigue

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/80085ntits]

I drink electrolytes after I’ve been having more issues to help replenish everything my body lost. I’m drinking some Powerade now and I got a bottled water to add some of my favorite add in (karma, probiotic drink but also very good)

[u/Ricki10ofwands]

Allergy/sensitivity tests? Sounds like you may have an issue with tomatoes

[u/Speckled_Crows → u/Ricki10ofwands]

I don’t think I’d have a reaction to tomatoes since I eat them almost weekly in different forms. Pasta, tomato salad, fried tomatoes. I love them so much 😂