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What Could Cause Extreme Nausea?
I d love you to try and answer it!My 20 year old daughter has had EXTREME nausea without emesis for a week now. Sharp pain on her left side so bad that we went to the ER almost a week ago. Did the whole work up with blood tests that showed nothing elevated but gave her IV saline, morphine for the severe pain and Compazine for the nausea. By the time we left the ER she was somewhat more comfortable but not pain free and was told to follow up with her PCP (who is still her pediatrician). It s now a week later..all she has eaten is some dry toast, tried to eat a grilled cheese sandwich, and some crackers-also a little water but she cannot stand the thought of food or drink with this nausea. She doesn t have an appointment with her dr. until October 10th and doesn t know what to do until then. ANY ideas?
posted on
Thu, 2 Oct 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 24 Aug 2016
Answered on
Wed, 24 Aug 2016
Last reviewed on
Hi
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
Having read your message, 3 possibilities come to my mind.
1. A severe gastritis. This comes, as you said, with extreme nausea and abdominal pain, often on the left side. Since it is a gastritis, a blood work up will be normal, and the only thing that can actually help diagnose this condition is the test of endoscopy that needs to be performed by a gastroenterologist. The scans, ultrasounds and the blood works would appear normal.
In such a case, Tab Omeprazole 20 mg twice a day, should help her gradually regain her appetite. The tablet will need to be taken half hour prior to any meals.
2. Gastric or Abdominal seizures. This rare entity comes with the symptoms of gastritis- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes headache. The patient will not loose consciousness and will not have convulsions like the traditional seizures. However, this is a diagnosis that needs to be made after examination by a neurologist, and no treatment should be started till confirmed as the antiepileptic drugs do have serious side effects. Of course, all blood works would be normal in this case as well.
3. Lastly, severe anxiety can present with a combination of any symptom. And is always a diagnosis made when other possible diagnosis have been ruled out. However, medically speaking this is always a possibility that needs to be considered in a young lady presenting with the symptoms you have mentioned, after all the causes have been ruled out. I would suggest observing her with her friends and see if she is more comfortable during this period- which may possibly suggest the diagnosis.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
I understand your concern, and seriously feel that the antacid should be tried. If it does not work, at least that will be one thing that your primary physician will not waste time on, since many authorities consider that giving antacids in a case of severe gastritis is diagnostic- depending on the response. In other words, if she improves, she has gastritis, if she does not improve, most likely gastritis is ruled out. If it does work, she should start to feel better within 15 days.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
Having read your message, 3 possibilities come to my mind.
1. A severe gastritis. This comes, as you said, with extreme nausea and abdominal pain, often on the left side. Since it is a gastritis, a blood work up will be normal, and the only thing that can actually help diagnose this condition is the test of endoscopy that needs to be performed by a gastroenterologist. The scans, ultrasounds and the blood works would appear normal.
In such a case, Tab Omeprazole 20 mg twice a day, should help her gradually regain her appetite. The tablet will need to be taken half hour prior to any meals.
2. Gastric or Abdominal seizures. This rare entity comes with the symptoms of gastritis- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes headache. The patient will not loose consciousness and will not have convulsions like the traditional seizures. However, this is a diagnosis that needs to be made after examination by a neurologist, and no treatment should be started till confirmed as the antiepileptic drugs do have serious side effects. Of course, all blood works would be normal in this case as well.
3. Lastly, severe anxiety can present with a combination of any symptom. And is always a diagnosis made when other possible diagnosis have been ruled out. However, medically speaking this is always a possibility that needs to be considered in a young lady presenting with the symptoms you have mentioned, after all the causes have been ruled out. I would suggest observing her with her friends and see if she is more comfortable during this period- which may possibly suggest the diagnosis.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
I understand your concern, and seriously feel that the antacid should be tried. If it does not work, at least that will be one thing that your primary physician will not waste time on, since many authorities consider that giving antacids in a case of severe gastritis is diagnostic- depending on the response. In other words, if she improves, she has gastritis, if she does not improve, most likely gastritis is ruled out. If it does work, she should start to feel better within 15 days.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
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