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What Causes Intermittent Epigastric Pain, Tenderness, Nausea And Loss Of Appetite?
Question: Hi
I have had intermittent epigastria discomfort, tenderness, with some mild nausea and reduced appetite. There is also a feeling of pulsation which can be felt and at times seen. This has been occurring over the last 12 months following a mild non stemi infarct following an extreme emotional and physical event. Likely coronary artery spasm. My angiogram showed no blockage and I have been taking Cardizem slow release over the last 10 months. My b.p. is stable but I find I am tired and don't seem to bounce up the stairs the way I did 12 months ago. I had a cardiac mri and ct scan and overall all clear. I am concerned that I have developed a chronic slowly developing AAA. Interestingly my mother required a stent at age 84 and my dad also had a AAA that did not enlarge . I am not to see my cardiologist until November this year and I really don't wish to be too preoccupied with myself but it does seem odd to have this pulsation . I have reassured myself that a watch and see approach would be adopted and I as I am on antihypertensive and aspirin all is quite well covered.
But, I really would like to stop my antihypertensive and see if I have more energy but wonder if this may be unwise. Any suggestion most gratefully accepted. By the way I am a healthy 58 and as luck would have it I had my non stemi when I administered way too much cpr. Life is never dull.
Thank you
XXXXXXX
XXXX
I also have elevated cholesterol, runs in the family, but I do not take stains as I had several episodes of side effects.
I have had intermittent epigastria discomfort, tenderness, with some mild nausea and reduced appetite. There is also a feeling of pulsation which can be felt and at times seen. This has been occurring over the last 12 months following a mild non stemi infarct following an extreme emotional and physical event. Likely coronary artery spasm. My angiogram showed no blockage and I have been taking Cardizem slow release over the last 10 months. My b.p. is stable but I find I am tired and don't seem to bounce up the stairs the way I did 12 months ago. I had a cardiac mri and ct scan and overall all clear. I am concerned that I have developed a chronic slowly developing AAA. Interestingly my mother required a stent at age 84 and my dad also had a AAA that did not enlarge . I am not to see my cardiologist until November this year and I really don't wish to be too preoccupied with myself but it does seem odd to have this pulsation . I have reassured myself that a watch and see approach would be adopted and I as I am on antihypertensive and aspirin all is quite well covered.
But, I really would like to stop my antihypertensive and see if I have more energy but wonder if this may be unwise. Any suggestion most gratefully accepted. By the way I am a healthy 58 and as luck would have it I had my non stemi when I administered way too much cpr. Life is never dull.
Thank you
XXXXXXX
XXXX
I also have elevated cholesterol, runs in the family, but I do not take stains as I had several episodes of side effects.
Brief Answer:
Aspirin causing epigastria discomfort,tenderness/mild nausea....
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns. My advice is as following:
1. Having intermittent epigastria discomfort, tenderness, with some mild nausea and reduced appetite are showing that you might have problems related to your stomach.
From what you are saying, you are using aspirin. Its use is often associated with stomach problems: gastritis, ulcer or reflux. Upper endoscopy is advised to evaluate your upper GI tract and get proper treatment.
However, in case nothing will be found, then, should discuss with your doctor about this side effect of aspirin.
2. AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is often diagnosed during an abdominal ultrasound or a complete check up as you have already done. If nothing was found, then, no fear for AAA although it runs into your family history.
However, I still advise to continue regular check ups to catch the problems in time.
3. With regards to stopping antihypertensives, it sounds not a good idea to me. You need them because we do not want to trigger another myocardial infarct again. Please take note that spikes in bp can lead to infarct; chances are increased in patients who have already passed a cardio-vascular event in the past as in your case.
Close monitoring of your bp is advised, measure your bp, record the results to pass to your doctor and decide together the best management plan (if you need to change therapy or actual doses).
4. With regards to being without energy, it could be due to any recent viral infection you might have/been passing. If you are taking cardizem and aspirin alone, they are not causing such fatigue.
I advise to check your electrolytes/glucose levels and take proper supplemental treatment. Usually, magnesium supplements can improve tiredness, however a complete balance should be analyzed to see the deficiencies.
A complete blood count is also needed together with liver/kidney/thyroid function tests for proper treatment.
For the moment, in order to ease your stomach issues, I advise to:
- take aspirin with meals
- drink a cup of warm milk before going to bed
- have your dinner at least 4 hours before sleeping
- do not skip your meals, have them regularly
- do not consume high calorie foods or meals
- avoid spicy/oily/chilly foods/alcohol/caffeinated drinks
- increase fluids intake
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Aspirin causing epigastria discomfort,tenderness/mild nausea....
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns. My advice is as following:
1. Having intermittent epigastria discomfort, tenderness, with some mild nausea and reduced appetite are showing that you might have problems related to your stomach.
From what you are saying, you are using aspirin. Its use is often associated with stomach problems: gastritis, ulcer or reflux. Upper endoscopy is advised to evaluate your upper GI tract and get proper treatment.
However, in case nothing will be found, then, should discuss with your doctor about this side effect of aspirin.
2. AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is often diagnosed during an abdominal ultrasound or a complete check up as you have already done. If nothing was found, then, no fear for AAA although it runs into your family history.
However, I still advise to continue regular check ups to catch the problems in time.
3. With regards to stopping antihypertensives, it sounds not a good idea to me. You need them because we do not want to trigger another myocardial infarct again. Please take note that spikes in bp can lead to infarct; chances are increased in patients who have already passed a cardio-vascular event in the past as in your case.
Close monitoring of your bp is advised, measure your bp, record the results to pass to your doctor and decide together the best management plan (if you need to change therapy or actual doses).
4. With regards to being without energy, it could be due to any recent viral infection you might have/been passing. If you are taking cardizem and aspirin alone, they are not causing such fatigue.
I advise to check your electrolytes/glucose levels and take proper supplemental treatment. Usually, magnesium supplements can improve tiredness, however a complete balance should be analyzed to see the deficiencies.
A complete blood count is also needed together with liver/kidney/thyroid function tests for proper treatment.
For the moment, in order to ease your stomach issues, I advise to:
- take aspirin with meals
- drink a cup of warm milk before going to bed
- have your dinner at least 4 hours before sleeping
- do not skip your meals, have them regularly
- do not consume high calorie foods or meals
- avoid spicy/oily/chilly foods/alcohol/caffeinated drinks
- increase fluids intake
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Doctor Albana
Thank you for your promt and considered reply. I do not feel that the doscomfort, a feeling of tenderness is related to ulcer or hiatus hernia but I really am not sure. I do not have any of the associated symptoms you would expect with those conditons and the strong pulsation which I can see and feel is bothersome. I had not experienced this pulsation prior to my cardiac event and it seems odd that the sensation would come and go, usually lasting minutes only.
I think your advice to stay on the antihypertensive medications is sound.
I will check my electrolytes.
My main concern is that I may weaken the wall of the artery that is pumping forcefully at times. Perhaps this is not that uncommon and I have made a conscious effort not to be concerned. I keep a good eye on my b.p. and my general health.
So, fingers crossed, it may resolve with more time.
Many thanks. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your promt and considered reply. I do not feel that the doscomfort, a feeling of tenderness is related to ulcer or hiatus hernia but I really am not sure. I do not have any of the associated symptoms you would expect with those conditons and the strong pulsation which I can see and feel is bothersome. I had not experienced this pulsation prior to my cardiac event and it seems odd that the sensation would come and go, usually lasting minutes only.
I think your advice to stay on the antihypertensive medications is sound.
I will check my electrolytes.
My main concern is that I may weaken the wall of the artery that is pumping forcefully at times. Perhaps this is not that uncommon and I have made a conscious effort not to be concerned. I keep a good eye on my b.p. and my general health.
So, fingers crossed, it may resolve with more time.
Many thanks. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Abdominal ultrasound/ct-scan advised to rule out AAA....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for your additional information.
I still think aspirin is causing the GI symptoms you are currently having.
With regards to the pumping sensation you are experiencing, I do not think it is related to weakened vessels wall. Again, abdominal ultrasound and ct-scan can help rule out AAA.
All the best my dear!
If you do not have further queries, please do not forget to close this discussion.
Abdominal ultrasound/ct-scan advised to rule out AAA....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for your additional information.
I still think aspirin is causing the GI symptoms you are currently having.
With regards to the pumping sensation you are experiencing, I do not think it is related to weakened vessels wall. Again, abdominal ultrasound and ct-scan can help rule out AAA.
All the best my dear!
If you do not have further queries, please do not forget to close this discussion.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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