Frequent belching

[zHassanz]

What I'm talking about here might not seem serious, but believe me it IS! I'm not talking about normal belching, but I get those belches ever since I wake up and till I go to sleep; be it drinking water, eating a banana or whatever that enters my stomach is followed by frequent belching at around 10 per minute to the extent I feel I'm going to throw up.

Does anyone else have this? Is there anyway to stop it? It's been this way for almost a week and my doctor keeps prescribing gas meds which literally do nothing. I tried every gas drug available and nothing seems to help; gas keeps getting trapped in the upper part of my stomach and all of a sudden it is emitted through those frequent and painful burps. :/

 

[shamrock15]

Are you passing gas or stools?
From your text "gas keeps getting trapped in the upper part of my stomach" sounds a lot like something is impairing the passage of digestion. Make sure you are telling your doc everything - I think he is sort of obligated to have you try a gas reducer. Go back and tell him it isn't working. My concern is for inflammation/partial obstruction. Go back.

 

[zHassanz]

Are you passing gas or stools?
From your text "gas keeps getting trapped in the upper part of my stomach" sounds a lot like something is impairing the passage of digestion. Make sure you are telling your doc everything - I think he is sort of obligated to have you try a gas reducer. Go back and tell him it isn't working. My concern is for inflammation/partial obstruction. Go back.

I rarely pass gas, as 90 percent or something are emitted through my mouth. And I'm kind of constipated, yeah; I have a bowel movement once every 2 or 3 days.

He asked me to do a calprotectin test, and I did that and I'm currently waiting for the result.

How are obstructions diagnosed? I'm very concerned about this issue.

 

[ronroush7]

I rarely pass gas, as 90 percent or something are emitted through my mouth. And I'm kind of constipated, yeah; I have a bowel movement once every 2 or 3 days.

He asked me to do a calprotectin test, and I did that and I'm currently waiting for the result.

How are obstructions diagnosed? I'm very concerned about this issue.

I am not sure of the answer but when I had an obstruction I had difficulty sometimes finishing meals.

 

[zHassanz]

I am not sure of the answer but when I had an obstruction I had difficulty sometimes finishing meals.

Does it require a colonoscopy to diagnose an obstruction?

 

[shamrock15]

I think obstructions can be seen on a couple tests. If you have material backed up behind it, it can be seen on xrays. Follow through exams can also find the narrowings of partial and complete obstructions. If the location is in the colon a scope would find it.

 

[zHassanz]

I think obstructions can be seen on a couple tests. If you have material backed up behind it, it can be seen on xrays. Follow through exams can also find the narrowings of partial and complete obstructions. If the location is in the colon a scope would find it.

Thanks for the info.

I'll discuss this with my doctor next time I see him.

 

[Plittler]

I had a lot of trapped wind pains in my stomach before my resection in January and have not had them since so it could certainly be a partial obstruction. An MRI scan showed where my problem was and also seen on colonoscopy but depends on the location.

 

[zHassanz]

I had a lot of trapped wind pains in my stomach before my resection in January and have not had them since so it could certainly be a partial obstruction. An MRI scan showed where my problem was and also seen on colonoscopy but depends on the location.

I really think this is the case, since I have been trying different gas meds, digestive pills and tons of other approaches to get rid of all this gas and nothing helped.

I'm seeing my doctor this Saturday and will ask him if I should do an MRI or what, since I have done a colonoscopy 3 months ago and I'm really not willing to go through all the trouble for the preparation again.

 

[EvoXBrad]

I've had the same thing for a few months now, gas trapped in the upper part of my stomach. Gives me a "I may vomit" feeling for a solid 15 minutes until a huge burp (or 7) comes out. It's really bothersome and frequent (at least twice a day) and I've noticed an inability to finish meals. Hope relief comes your way, I'm going to talk to my gastro tomorrow about a possible obstruction as well. Stay strong, Hassan.

 

[ronroush7]

I've had the same thing for a few months now, gas trapped in the upper part of my stomach. Gives me a "I may vomit" feeling for a solid 15 minutes until a huge burp (or 7) comes out. It's really bothersome and frequent (at least twice a day) and I've noticed an inability to finish meals. Hope relief comes your way, I'm going to talk to my gastro tomorrow about a possible obstruction as well. Stay strong, Hassan.

Be encouraged

 

[Plittler]

How did you get on with your appointment on Saturday?

 

[zHassanz]

How did you get on with your appointment on Saturday?

My doctor thinks it's stress that's causing this and there's "no solution" to it other than seeing a shrink to get all of this out of my head.

The reason why he went all out on me, is that my calprotectin level is too low and all other inflammation indicators say that there's no inflammation, so I'm supposed to be in remission, while I'm not! Screw the tests, I can't eat or have a normal bowel movement, but he's still sticking to them.

I'm going to see another one, although it's very troublesome to do so, but we've reached this point where he thinks I'm mad, so he'll never believe whatever I say.

The symptoms are still the same. Thanks a lot for asking.

 

[zHassanz]

I've had the same thing for a few months now, gas trapped in the upper part of my stomach. Gives me a "I may vomit" feeling for a solid 15 minutes until a huge burp (or 7) comes out. It's really bothersome and frequent (at least twice a day) and I've noticed an inability to finish meals. Hope relief comes your way, I'm going to talk to my gastro tomorrow about a possible obstruction as well. Stay strong, Hassan.

Oh, finally someone who can relate!

I feel for you too, and I know how hard it is to keep up with this. I hope your doctor approaches the issue in a more positive way than mine. If you find something out, please let me know.

 

[ronroush7]

My doctor thinks it's stress that's causing this and there's "no solution" to it other than seeing a shrink to get all of this out of my head.

I'm going to see another one, although it's very troublesome to do so, but we've reached this point where he thinks I'm mad, so he'll never believe whatever I say.

The symptoms are still the same. Thanks a lot for asking.

I hope you get help soon.

 

[Eridon2002]

I've had that as well. Heartburn was also a problem along with the belching. I had to prop up a bunch of pillows at night or else i would have to sit up suddenly to do a belch/almost vomit. I cut out coffee from my diet in case this was the problem but I really think it was the stricture that was "blocking up my pipes". I haven't had this problem again since my resection in Feb.

 

[zHassanz]

I've had that as well. Heartburn was also a problem along with the belching. I had to prop up a bunch of pillows at night or else i would have to sit up suddenly to do a belch/almost vomit. I cut out coffee from my diet in case this was the problem but I really think it was the stricture that was "blocking up my pipes". I haven't had this problem again since my resection in Feb.

I have been intolerant to coffee ever since I was a kid, and my caffeine intake is literally zero since my diagnosis with Crohn's.

How were you diagnosed for that stricture? Did it have to involve a colonoscopy or a CT scan just did it?

 

[DougUte]

In 2010 I had an almost complete obstruction that had to be removed surgically. It was diagnosed by first a CT Scan and a followup colonoscopy. I think just one of these should have been enough to diagnose it though. The obstruction was located at the terminal ileum.

 

[Eridon2002]

My obstruction was at the splenic flexure(right before the descending colon). The obstruction landed me in the hospital where they did a CT scan and saw it. But the colonoscopy done months later after the obstruction cleared(with IV steroids) showed such narrowing that they couldn't get a pediatric scope through it.

 

[zHassanz]

My obstruction was at the splenic flexure(right before the descending colon). The obstruction landed me in the hospital where they did a CT scan and saw it. But the colonoscopy done months later after the obstruction cleared(with IV steroids) showed such narrowing that they couldn't get a pediatric scope through it.

Thanks a lot for this info. So there's a possibility that the obstruction might be cleared without surgery? I thought that surgery was the only option.

In 2010 I had an almost complete obstruction that had to be removed surgically. It was diagnosed by first a CT Scan and a followup colonoscopy. I think just one of these should have been enough to diagnose it though. The obstruction was located at the terminal ileum.

One thing I hate about both is the preparation, but at least there's no sedation in the CT scan, so I'd much rather have that. Thanks for your reply!

 

[Eridon2002]

Depends on the severity of the obstruction. When I was hospitalized they told me if it didn't clear with IV steroids they were going to have to do open surgery. My obstruction was very severe(couldn't pass stool or gas and extreme pains). Ultimately I did have to have surgery almost a year later since I still never got fully better and the stricture got so bad it was a ticking time bomb for an obstruction. I preferred to schedule the resection so that it could be laproscopic and on my time vs. open emergency surgery.

 

[smt]

I rarely pass gas, as 90 percent or something are emitted through my mouth. And I'm kind of constipated, yeah; I have a bowel movement once every 2 or 3 days.

He asked me to do a calprotectin test, and I did that and I'm currently waiting for the result.

How are obstructions diagnosed? I'm very concerned about this issue.

It seems to me that this is not an obstruction. You noted that your calprotectin and bloods are normal, and obstructions are accompanied by severe pain, as far as I know.

People like me who cannot burp like me have this trapped gas problem occasionally, but I do not think this is indicative of obstruction.

 

[Plittler]

Sorry to hear your doctor has not been very supportive. I hope you find some answers soon.

 

[Eridon2002]

It seems to me that this is not an obstruction. You noted that your calprotectin and bloods are normal, and obstructions are accompanied by severe pain, as far as I know.

People like me who cannot burp like me have this trapped gas problem occasionally, but I do not think this is indicative of obstruction.

I agree, obstructions are very painful. Usually some degree of nausea associated with it. I think when I had the belching issue it was indicative of gastroparesis brought on by my stricture, everything kind of got "backed up" in my system.

 

[zHassanz]

The symptoms I currently have are nausea, bloating, constipation, the frequent belching, heartburn and the inability of finishing a meal as I feel full right after starting to eat.

Since my disease isn't supposed to be active, I thought this might be a partial obstruction or a stricture that was caused by the previous flare, because what I am in can't be called remission; I'm in hell. :/

 

[towlsmoke420]

Do not take this matter lightly. It took me months to be diagnosed with crohns because every doctor I seen believed i was making it up or had a common stuck flue. Attempt to see another doctor and make sure they perform the exams required to diagnose this thing. Hopefully it isn't what we all assume it may be. Good luck my friend as many here can relate to your pain

 

[JaimeM]

I get the same issue with the partial obstuction i'm dealing with.. Mine has been very painful at my crohns site however and I can't pass anything atm. But even if you were to get very constipated it could cause that I would think. Maybe try taking miralax or some stool softener? I wish we could offer more help, but hopefully knowing you aren't alone helps

My other thought, it could be scar tissue causing a stricture? that would mean you are technically in remission and wouldn't show any inflammation markers, but would still cause a lot of pain. It would explain your other symptoms though. You may just need to try some different gas reducer meds too.. There are a lot of options.

 

[ronroush7]

Sending support.

 

[zHassanz]

Do not take this matter lightly. It took me months to be diagnosed with crohns because every doctor I seen believed i was making it up or had a common stuck flue. Attempt to see another doctor and make sure they perform the exams required to diagnose this thing. Hopefully it isn't what we all assume it may be. Good luck my friend as many here can relate to your pain

I had to go from doctor to doctor for 7 months to be diagnosed with Crohn's and when I thought this last doctor was a good one, he just turns his back on me. :/

I'm currently looking for another doctor, but it's hard to find one who's familiar with Crohn's over here. Thanks for your kind wishes!

I get the same issue with the partial obstuction i'm dealing with.. Mine has been very painful at my crohns site however and I can't pass anything atm. But even if you were to get very constipated it could cause that I would think. Maybe try taking miralax or some stool softener? I wish we could offer more help, but hopefully knowing you aren't alone helps

My other thought, it could be scar tissue causing a stricture? that would mean you are technically in remission and wouldn't show any inflammation markers, but would still cause a lot of pain. It would explain your other symptoms though. You may just need to try some different gas reducer meds too.. There are a lot of options.

The thing is the pain itself is not what's bothering me; it does feel painful, but what's bothering me the most is the nausea, gases, bloating and inability to eat anything without feeling like I'm going to throw up. I did try a natural laxative and it helped me with the constipation, though.

I'm not even sure if this could be caught on a CT scan or an MRI or whether I should do another colonoscopy. Even if it will require cutting my belly open with a katana sword in order to get this matter resolved, I'd be more than willing to go through that; I want to feel normal again! :/

Thanks so much for your support!

 

[JaimeM]

Maybe opt for an EGD instead of a colonoscopy.. Sounds more stomach or upper GI related?

 

[shamrock15]

Yeah, upper series is probably a better option given the timing that you are feeling full. Have you had endoscopy or the small bowel follow through done? For the follow through you drink barium and they take x rays in intervals. Very effective for finding narrowings in the upper GI tract. Endoscopy has a bit of a limited range there. Worth pursuing. Endoscopy could test you for celiac though as well which can produce many of the symptoms that you are experiencing. Keep after your doc.

 

[zHassanz]

Yeah, upper series is probably a better option given the timing that you are feeling full. Have you had endoscopy or the small bowel follow through done? For the follow through you drink barium and they take x rays in intervals. Very effective for finding narrowings in the upper GI tract. Endoscopy has a bit of a limited range there. Worth pursuing. Endoscopy could test you for celiac though as well which can produce many of the symptoms that you are experiencing. Keep after your doc.

I went to the ER yesterday as I woke up with a severe pain in my abdomen, and the doctor there said that my case is not severe enough to be considered an obstruction (just like you guys said). They had me put on some IV solutions for nausea as I was also vomiting like crazy and after long discussions he said that I am "too careful" with my diet and I should loosen things a little bit.

I'm going to do so, and will see how things work out for the next couple of days. I'm not really sure about the outcome, but I'm willing to give it a shot and see what happens.

I have also been tested for celiac a couple of months ago and the results came out as negative; it was a blood test.

 

[ronroush7]

Good luck.

 

[Eridon2002]

Did the doctor say it was a partial obstruction? Due to stricture? If so, be careful about loosening up the diet. I loosened up my diet and ate white bean chili that caused me a week of horrific pain and nausea. If your pain is due to a stricture just be careful about fiber and add these things to your diet slowly. For me, soluble fiber(like oatmeal) was fine, but insoluble(like pineapple and beans) would obstruct me. I could do some berries with my yogurt in the morning which didn't bother me either. I wish you the best of luck figuring out your diet. It is tough and very personalized as to what works for each person.

 

[ronroush7]

Yes.

 

[leloupaccroupi]

Do you develop weird pains after you eat, heartburn or anything of the sort? A sort of lump in your stomach/bottom of your esophagus?

I ask because I had stomach ulcers about this time last year, and the symptoms you described sound quite familiar. It could be that Crohn's has also manifested in another part of your GI tract.

It's not fun at all I hope you find the answers youre looking for and feel better soon!!!

 

[zHassanz]

Did the doctor say it was a partial obstruction? Due to stricture? If so, be careful about loosening up the diet. I loosened up my diet and ate white bean chili that caused me a week of horrific pain and nausea. If your pain is due to a stricture just be careful about fiber and add these things to your diet slowly. For me, soluble fiber(like oatmeal) was fine, but insoluble(like pineapple and beans) would obstruct me. I could do some berries with my yogurt in the morning which didn't bother me either. I wish you the best of luck figuring out your diet. It is tough and very personalized as to what works for each person.

After looking at the tests and seeing that all inflammation markers indicated no inflammation he assumed that my diet is what's causing this. I kept trying many different diets, and the symptoms are the same with every single variance. :/

I'm going to see another doctor after my exams are done, I just hope I'll be able to survive them.

Do you develop weird pains after you eat, heartburn or anything of the sort? A sort of lump in your stomach/bottom of your esophagus?

I ask because I had stomach ulcers about this time last year, and the symptoms you described sound quite familiar. It could be that Crohn's has also manifested in another part of your GI tract.

It's not fun at all I hope you find the answers youre looking for and feel better soon!!!

Well, that's exactly how I feel. And I have been on PPI for almost 5 months, and they were of no help.

I'm starting to give up and think that I'm going to live the rest of my life like this, which I hope is just a bad thought crossing my mind.

 

[Jacksik]

I went to the ER yesterday as I woke up with a severe pain in my abdomen, and the doctor there said that my case is not severe enough to be considered an obstruction (just like you guys said). They had me put on some IV solutions for nausea as I was also vomiting like crazy and after long discussions he said that I am "too careful" with my diet and I should loosen things a little bit.

I'm going to do so, and will see how things work out for the next couple of days. I'm not really sure about the outcome, but I'm willing to give it a shot and see what happens.

I have also been tested for celiac a couple of months ago and the results came out as negative; it was a blood test.

What I've found out is Drs just don't care about people with Crohn's disease..I'm absolutely disgusted with these so called specialists..We suffer with this terrible disease and wait months to see them..Wasted trips to the ER and PCPS that can't do a Damn thing.Life is VERY hard

 

[zHassanz]

What I've found out is Drs just don't care about people with Crohn's disease..I'm absolutely disgusted with these so called specialists..We suffer with this terrible disease and wait months to see them..Wasted trips to the ER and PCPS that can't do a Damn thing.Life is VERY hard

I understand your frustration; I too have had it with those doctors all talking about me imagining stuff instead of actually helping.

 

[zHassanz]

Update: I will do an upper endosocopy tomorrow, and I really hope that the doctor will figure out what's causing all of this.

 

[Plittler]

Good luck, I hope it goes well.

 

[zHassanz]

Good luck, I hope it goes well.

Thanks! It did go well, and the diagnosis was that Crohn's crawled up to my stomach, so now I have Crohn's in both ileum and stomach. The doctor said I should go back to Prednisone and I really hope that this will get sorted out.

 

[Eridon2002]

Thanks for the update, at least now you know what is the cause of your stomach upset. Is the doctor going to have you go on any other meds besides prednisone? You don't want to be on that long-term and it sounds as if the Crohn's is expanding.

 

[zHassanz]

Thanks for the update, at least now you know what is the cause of your stomach upset. Is the doctor going to have you go on any other meds besides prednisone? You don't want to be on that long-term and it sounds as if the Crohn's is expanding.

Thanks for you concern! I'm starting to doubt his ability to treat me, to be honest.

All the other meds are PPIs, antacids and stuff of the sorts. He said that Pentasa won't work for Crohn's in the stomach and the only way to get into remission is Prednisone. For Ileocolitis I took it for 2 months before I was in remission (according to the inflammation markers).

 

[Eridon2002]

Prednisone can induce you into remission but since you can't stay on it for long; once off you can easily come out of remission. You should talk to your doctor about what maintenance meds you should go on once you taper off prednisone. Many people start the maintenance meds while they taper so that they stay in remission. PPI and antacids won't help with Crohn's-just with the indigestion. For maintenance meds either one of the immune suppressors(Methotrexate, Azathioprine, 6-MP) or biologics(Humira, Remicade) are usually what is recommended.

 

[zHassanz]

Prednisone can induce you into remission but since you can't stay on it for long; once off you can easily come out of remission. You should talk to your doctor about what maintenance meds you should go on once you taper off prednisone. Many people start the maintenance meds while they taper so that they stay in remission. PPI and antacids won't help with Crohn's-just with the indigestion. For maintenance meds either one of the immune suppressors(Methotrexate, Azathioprine, 6-MP) or biologics(Humira, Remicade) are usually what is recommended.

My bad! I forgot to mention that I'm already on Imuran (Azathioprine) and I have been on it for 5 months now. Could it not be effective enough?

 

[Eridon2002]

For some people Imuran isn't enough and they need to add a biologic to keep the inflammation at bay. I'll be starting on Imuran later in May

 

[zHassanz]

For some people Imuran isn't enough and they need to add a biologic to keep the inflammation at bay. I'll be starting on Imuran later in May

I pray to god that this won't be my case! I have aichmophobia (fear of needles) and I always have a vasovagal attack faint whenever I'm injected. All the blood drawings were nightmares for me, I can't be on an IV medication that is taken regularly.

 

[Eridon2002]

I pray to god that this won't be my case! I have aichmophobia (fear of needles) and I always have a vasovagal attack faint whenever I'm injected. All the blood drawings were nightmares for me, I can't be on an IV medication that is taken regularly.

Yikes, that would not be good. Perhaps you are on a low dose of Imuran and they can increase it and see if that helps?

 

[zHassanz]

Yikes, that would not be good. Perhaps you are on a low dose of Imuran and they can increase it and see if that helps?

I'm currently taking 1 tablet in the morning and 2 in the evening, that's 150 mg/day.

I'll discuss increasing the dosage next time I see him.

 

[Eridon2002]

I believe some people go up to 200mg/day of Imuran. Although, I am not familiar with Imuran other than what I've read. Perhaps someone else will come along with personal experience.

 

[Plittler]

Sorry to hear the Crohn's has spread to your stomach but at least you know now what is causing your symptoms. Best wishes.