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What Causes Cough, Severe Abdominal Pain And Vomiting After A Flu Shot?
Posted on
Sun, 18 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 18 Dec 2016
Answered on
Mon, 9 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : My husband who is never sick has been sufferning from severe coughing (probably my bronchitis) since getting the flu shot two weeks ago. For the last four or five days he has been vomiting and complaining of severe "fire" in his stomach that antacids do not seem to help at all. The pain is worse in the evening hours and less in the morning, but he throws up at all of those times. Went about 48 hours without vomiting, but is now vomiting repeatedly.
Just gave him eight ounces of water with a teaspoon of baking soda disolved in it. He drank about a third of the glass. Also, he is taking a generic Prylosec for long term issue of acid reflux, but this is much more urgent and also is new.
Just gave him eight ounces of water with a teaspoon of baking soda disolved in it. He drank about a third of the glass. Also, he is taking a generic Prylosec for long term issue of acid reflux, but this is much more urgent and also is new.
Brief Answer:
may need to rule out a serious cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
With a long term history of reflux and a present history of severe abdominal pain, he may need to consider seeing his doctor to rule out ulceration of the stomach if there is no improvement.
The prilosec would help reduce acid production but would not help with any acid that is already there.
He may want to consider using an over the counter medication such as pepto bismol.
This would coat the lining of the stomach and act as a barrier. It should also reduce the vomiting.
The normal dose of prilosec is 20 mg a day, if a person is suspected by his/her doctor to have a stomach ulcer, the dose is increased to 40mg daily for a short period of time.
His doctor may consider this option.
He should hold off all solids (till 4 hours with no symptoms) and use liquids.
The inhaler should help the coughing. In some cases of bronchitis a short course of steroids would be very helpful but with a history of severe reflux, this may not be considered.
Summary: (1)may need to rule out serious cause such as ulcer
(2)hold off all solids for now
(3)add pepto bismol to help coat the stomach lining
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may need to rule out a serious cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
With a long term history of reflux and a present history of severe abdominal pain, he may need to consider seeing his doctor to rule out ulceration of the stomach if there is no improvement.
The prilosec would help reduce acid production but would not help with any acid that is already there.
He may want to consider using an over the counter medication such as pepto bismol.
This would coat the lining of the stomach and act as a barrier. It should also reduce the vomiting.
The normal dose of prilosec is 20 mg a day, if a person is suspected by his/her doctor to have a stomach ulcer, the dose is increased to 40mg daily for a short period of time.
His doctor may consider this option.
He should hold off all solids (till 4 hours with no symptoms) and use liquids.
The inhaler should help the coughing. In some cases of bronchitis a short course of steroids would be very helpful but with a history of severe reflux, this may not be considered.
Summary: (1)may need to rule out serious cause such as ulcer
(2)hold off all solids for now
(3)add pepto bismol to help coat the stomach lining
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
We have been using the antiacids like Pepto Bismal. Because he also had a little constipation earlier, we went with Maloxx type brands, but same idea.
Thank you for your information. Will stop all solid foods. He's mostly been drinking liquids for the last few days, but will make sure nothing solid. Mostly he vomits after drinking antacid.
No blood, no black substance in vomit. Just the antacid.
Any additional ideas much appreciated.
Thank you for your information. Will stop all solid foods. He's mostly been drinking liquids for the last few days, but will make sure nothing solid. Mostly he vomits after drinking antacid.
No blood, no black substance in vomit. Just the antacid.
Any additional ideas much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
only other option would be adding med like dramamine
Detailed Answer:
HI
Since he has been using anti acids combined with this prilosec with no improvement of his symptoms then the only other option would be to consider increasing the prilosec (should be discussed with his doctor) and adding meds like dramamine specifically for the vomiting
It can be used with the prilosec and anti acid that he is using
He also really needs to consider seeing his doctor even without the presence of blood.
Severe abdominal pain including this burning pain , unresponsive to medication should always be assessed
only other option would be adding med like dramamine
Detailed Answer:
HI
Since he has been using anti acids combined with this prilosec with no improvement of his symptoms then the only other option would be to consider increasing the prilosec (should be discussed with his doctor) and adding meds like dramamine specifically for the vomiting
It can be used with the prilosec and anti acid that he is using
He also really needs to consider seeing his doctor even without the presence of blood.
Severe abdominal pain including this burning pain , unresponsive to medication should always be assessed
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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