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About 2 weeks ago I thought my stomach was bothering me - Maybe I ate too much I wondered. But later I had the same feeling on an empty stomach. I thought maybe I'm just very hungry. Over the course of the next week I kept getting this feeling independently of food intake. It would come and go regularly, and has now been occurring off and on for 2 weeks now (by off and on I mean I seem to notice it more at night when things are not so hectic, and I will feel it for maybe 30 min out of every hour all evening long). It soon became clear that this had nothing to do with my stomach or any part of my GI tract at all . I say this because the feeling was clearly not associated with my eating, my bowel movements are ok, no vomiting, no gas, and the feeling, aside from eminating from my belly doesnt feel like any stomach/GI feeling I have had before. In fact I'd say it is on the border of discomfort and pain. And although my belly doesnt feel warm, I'd describe the pain as "warm" or "hot" - like you might say "it feels like being stabbed with a hot poker" even though you know the area of the pain is not hot - it just a way of describing an odd feeling. 2 nights in the last 2 weeks it has made falling asleep difficult. It has now been two weeks and it feels like it is getting worse. In fact tonight is the worst I expect sleeping difficulty - which is why I am writing. I feel pretty crappy right now. After 1 week it started being accompanied by a very mild headache and yesterday I started getting the feeling behind your eyes that is usually a sign of getting sick. Recently I feel "kind of nauseus" sometimes, but I certainly dont feel "sick" in any way that I ever have before (No fever, sorethroat, "achy", run down, runny or stuffed up nose, etc). So I am a bit concerned. Any ideas on what it could be? What tests should get? I always fear cancer, as there is a family history and I am not in twenties any more. Should I screen for that?
Gender: Male
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 6'2"
What is your weight in pounds?: 205
How old are you?: 48
How long has this been going on?: A week or two
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
Abdominal Pain
Nausea
Psychiatric
Describe associated symptoms not listed above: Hmm. The psychiatric option above got me thinking. I dont know if this qualifies, but I guess I have been under a lot of stress over the last year and a half. I wonder if that could be playing a part? Ulcer?
What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.: Nothing
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): None
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... : Asthma / Lung Problems/Cancer
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : None
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: None
When was your last menstrual cycle?: I'm a man, baby!
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Rarely
HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED THIS TO BE ANSWERED?: Within the next few days
So that we can serve you best, please try to tell us your top three things you wish to be addressed in our response.
1. How much of concern of cancer should I have?
2. Should I make an appt to see my doctor or wait it out a bit longer?
3. What tests would you recommend so that if I do see my doctor I can suggest them.
About 2 weeks ago I thought my stomach was bothering me - Maybe I ate too much I wondered. But later I had the same feeling on an empty stomach. I thought maybe I'm just very hungry. Over the course of the next week I kept getting this feeling independently of food intake. It would come and go regularly, and has now been occurring off and on for 2 weeks now (by off and on I mean I seem to notice it more at night when things are not so hectic, and I will feel it for maybe 30 min out of every hour all evening long). It soon became clear that this had nothing to do with my stomach or any part of my GI tract at all . I say this because the feeling was clearly not associated with my eating, my bowel movements are ok, no vomiting, no gas, and the feeling, aside from eminating from my belly doesnt feel like any stomach/GI feeling I have had before. In fact I'd say it is on the border of discomfort and pain. And although my belly doesnt feel warm, I'd describe the pain as "warm" or "hot" - like you might say "it feels like being stabbed with a hot poker" even though you know the area of the pain is not hot - it just a way of describing an odd feeling. 2 nights in the last 2 weeks it has made falling asleep difficult. It has now been two weeks and it feels like it is getting worse. In fact tonight is the worst I expect sleeping difficulty - which is why I am writing. I feel pretty crappy right now. After 1 week it started being accompanied by a very mild headache and yesterday I started getting the feeling behind your eyes that is usually a sign of getting sick. Recently I feel "kind of nauseus" sometimes, but I certainly dont feel "sick" in any way that I ever have before (No fever, sorethroat, "achy", run down, runny or stuffed up nose, etc). So I am a bit concerned. Any ideas on what it could be? What tests should get? I always fear cancer, as there is a family history and I am not in twenties any more. Should I screen for that?
Gender: Male
How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 6'2"
What is your weight in pounds?: 205
How old are you?: 48
How long has this been going on?: A week or two
Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
Abdominal Pain
Nausea
Psychiatric
Describe associated symptoms not listed above: Hmm. The psychiatric option above got me thinking. I dont know if this qualifies, but I guess I have been under a lot of stress over the last year and a half. I wonder if that could be playing a part? Ulcer?
What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.: Nothing
Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): None
Check all conditions present in your immediate family... : Asthma / Lung Problems/Cancer
Please list any medication allergies that you have : : None
Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: None
When was your last menstrual cycle?: I'm a man, baby!
Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Rarely
HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED THIS TO BE ANSWERED?: Within the next few days
So that we can serve you best, please try to tell us your top three things you wish to be addressed in our response.
1. How much of concern of cancer should I have?
2. Should I make an appt to see my doctor or wait it out a bit longer?
3. What tests would you recommend so that if I do see my doctor I can suggest them.
2 comments:
To abdominal pain and cancer concern:
You didn't mention any weight loss or dark tarry colored bowel movements which would be important to know. Also it would be quite helpful to know what kind of cancer there has been in the family'
Despite your feeling that it doesn't seem like these symptoms have anything to do with your GI tract, that could be misleading.
In fact, the stomach, pancreas, upper intestinal tract and even gall bladder/ liver problems need to be ruled out.
I do think it would be wise to see your primary M.D. soon rather than waiting.
Blood tests for liver/gallbladder, complete blood count for infection and anemia etc. Amylase bood test for pancreas, possibly H. Pylori test for gastric or duodenal ulcers.
An ultrasound of the abdomen could be done for stones,cysts, etc. in pancreas or gallbladder. An upper G.I. barium study is often done, but would not be as definitive as a C-T abdominal scan. for stomach problems. The most definitive procedure for any gastric cancers would be an endoscopy which is usually done by a gastroenterologist to look under direct vision at the esophagus, stomach, and doudenal intestine. (called an EGD endoscopy) where biopsies could be taken if any suspicious ulcers, tumors etc. were found.
In summary I think you should get going to see your M.D. and get dtarted on a workup uf the stomach, intestine, pancreas abd possily liver/gall bladder
Best of luck! Would love to hear how things turn out.
Space Doc.
such a good and complete answer from my colleague, space doc, I don't have much to ad except this. once you get 'inside the skin', chest and abdomen for example, the quality and nature of the pain is only moderately helpful in determining the cause. this is because of the way our bodies are 'wired' internally. if you pinch your skin or pull a muscle that's where you feel the pain, but pain from a heart attack or an appendicits, for example, can be felt in the jaw or around the belly-button respectively... the point being that to get to the diagnosis here some labs and an imaging study of some type will be necessary. good luck and be well.
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