Stomach pain after eating

[araminta]

I've been getting this for a few months, not agonising pain but a kind of dull ache, especially in the afternoon.   Also feeling bloated and uncomfortable after meals which are not enormous, just normal size helpings.

Of course I've googled this and now am wondering if I have a peptic ulcer.   If it continues I will go to my GP, but I am sick of going to see him about the various Sjogrens type symptoms I've had over the past couple of years, especially as the rheumatologist and ophthalmologist didn't think I have Sjogrens (though I have a diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction). 

Anyway my question is, are there particular foods it might be best to eat/avoid in this situation?   I've read that bananas are good, caffeine and alcohol bad, but some of you with this type of problem may have other tips and insights.   Thank you. 

[Jenny]

You might also get your Gallbladder checked.

[irish]

If this is the first time for you to have these symptoms and they are persisting, I would suggest that you do see the doctor to get this identified and treated, if necessary. You body seems to be trying to tell you something. Irish

[Kathy57]

Hi,

You may have GERD, gastritis, esophagitis, or even Barrette's esophagus.  I have all of these things and I'm convinced it is due to a Sjogren's. 

I would go to a GI doc.  Also, it might help to start taking a PPI like Prilosec.  This comes with lack of saliva and the moisture producing areas of our body becoming damaged.

I still suffer from the same symptoms you are describing, even though I am being treated.  Hope you find long term relief soon.

Kathy

[irish]

If you are going to take the active stance and see gastrointestinal doc I would advise you to not start any new medications, whether over the counter or scripts.

When taking omeprazole there could be a certain amount tissue change that could occur. This could make diagnosis confusing because the doc needs to see what has been occurring in the GI tract without new changes. Generally, a person has to have a referral to a GI specialist by their internist or general practitioner. Sometimes the insurance allows one to pick and choose the doc. A referral usually results in an earlier appointment though. Irish

[jazzlover]

I would avoid gluten. Dairy could also be an issue.

[irish]

I would not quit eating gluten or dairy either. If you quit the gluten blood work will be inconclusive for gluten and you will not have accurate testing. It is best to just keep doing things the way you have as to make a change can influence the results of any tests and scopings and may not get accurate diagnosis.

If you avoid gluten any biopsies of the GI tract can come out negative when you could in fact be gluten intolerant. My hubby had Celiac sprue which is an autoimmune gluten intolerance and my youngest son and his little boy also have the same thing. Gluten intolerance can have a lot of different symptoms in different people so it is important to make sure you don't do anything to influence the testing. Irish

[araminta]

Many thanks for all your very helpful replies.

I'm actually vegan so don't have dairy, though I do eat bread and gluten products.

I do realise I need to see the doctor if this continues.   One thing that is putting me off is descriptions I have read of endoscopy - swallowing a camera!! 

Yes I suspect this is all part of the Sjogrens type symptoms, lack of saliva etc.   Thanks Irish for explaining that I shouldn't change what I eat before seeing the doctor, that does make sense of course.

(PS.   I'm in the UK with the NHS so it's not easy for me to pick and choose consultants)

[irish]

When you have these scopings you are mildly sedated so that you are asleep and not feeling pain. Also, the size of the cameras is exceedingly small. Beyond small---minute! Another example of modern technology.

People can be thankful that the technology is so good. I am old enough to remember all these scopings with maybe a shot of dermerol that really didn't help that much. This was back in the 60's and 70,s. Some of the scopings were beyond painful, I can tell you. Irish