Burning sensation in bottom right hand side of stomach...what is it ? Google not helping 😕

[Wizzyone]

Hello this is my 1st post. I have had stomach problems for 16 plus months now. I suppose it all started with a virus and a cough that went on for 6 wks or so. I probably took too many codine tablets as they helped me sleep and stopped me coughing too much at night. After that started to subside I noticed that when I ate I could literally feel the food drop into my stomach. On the bottom right hand side. No pain at that time. Then I just got weird colicky feelings there and I could still feel my food ' drop ' into this area about 5 seconds after swallowing. Weird! Almost cartoon like ! Anyway I contacted my GP who said it sounded like I had an inflammed stomach and prescribed Omeprozole. ( this was done over phone ) . On taking, my symptoms disappeared . BUT I started to feel very very nauseous and could barely eat and felt very full after just small portions of food. I thought it could be the Omeprozole, so stopped and then restarted it , which probably didn't help. My doctor referred me to a gastro consultant and he said my symptoms were A-typical and gave me a CTscan and blood & poo & allergy tests etc & physical examination but had no answer. I forgot to mention by this time I was also getting a burning sensation in that part of my belly too. ( seemed linked to gassyness and burping ) Not just on eating and drinking hot drinks, but on & off throughout the day ( barely at all thankfully at bedtime ). The consultant said to stop the Omeprozole as that was probably only working on a psychosomatic basis??? So I did . Even though it did take the burning feeling away completely. Now I am still getting burning sensations almost every day and on & off and when I eat and drink. Every mouthful stings !!I feel I have tried everything and it's driving me mad and feel I can't enjoy life .

Though on some very rare days I don't have it barely at all and eating and drinking I barely notice it. When I went on a short holiday recently, it more or less disappeared!! But at the airport on the way home , it was back with a vengeance!!

It's not in my head ! Or is it ?!?!

I've tried all sorts ! Changes of diet !! Not eating certain foods etc. Certain vitamins or powders or probiotics etc etc etc .

In fact I've just ordered another wonder probiotic and live in hope.

After that I might try the Omeprozole one more time, as I do feel I definitely have some sort of inflammation. Then back to the doctors for another referral........

Unless someone somewhere can throw some light on my condition . I'd be ever so grateful 🙏 .

This is the 1st time I've ever posted on any site of any kind ....but I'm so desperate as I'm now beginning to feel so depressed and making my husband's life a misery too. Thanks so much for reading !!

[b1b1b1]

Are you eating very bland food? Try that and see if it helps.

[Wizzyone in reply to b1b1b1]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have noticed the blander the food the better my symptoms. But how long for I wonder ? A lifetime? Or until I'm better , whenever that is . Or perhaps I just reintroduce different foods more slowly?? But yes , it could be the answer ?? Thanks again !

[Jackie1612]

Sorry to hear that you are going through this. Your symptoms sound rather complex, but the tests have come back clear. It interests me that you were okay when you were on holiday.

Stress can play a big part and sometimes be the main cause of IBS and gastric symptoms. Meditation and exercise, walking and swimming, can help.

[Wizzyone in reply to Jackie1612]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes my symptoms do vary on an hour by hour / day by day basis and positivity does help for sure !! Perhaps the magic cure is just that and doing more of the things that you mention. I'll keep trying ! But I am a born worrier, so that certainly doesn't help!!

[xjrs]

The virus or cough that went on for 6 weeks or so is highly likely to have been COVID-19. Flu and cold don't tend to go on that long.

COVID-19 can bind to ACE 2 receptors in the body and these receptors can be found everywhere including the digestive system. People can experience gastrointestinal (and other) complications after having it. I know everyone thinks that COVID-19 is 'just a cold', but unfortunately it isn't, certainly not yet. It's just the government has dumbed down the messaging regarding it, since it wants people to go out and spend money, but unfortunately this means that people are getting illnesses that they may not have had prior to infection and are unaware of the risks. This is a failure of Public Health.

The reason I am saying this and I did a google search and found people complaining about "burning sensation in the stomach" after COVID-19:

reddit.com/r/covidlonghaule...

starofmysore.com/gastrointe...

There seems to be some tips here that might help:

zoe.com/learn/burning-sensa...

I also read that COVID-19 can increase the chances of H Pylori infection. Have you had a test for this?

[Wizzyone in reply to xjrs]

That's really interesting, thank you, I shall definitely delve deeper and click on your links. And yes I did have the H Pylori blood test which was negative.

[SanVeron]

Hi I had a similar experience when going on holiday. I have had IBS.D for the last 20 years. I also suffer with anxiety. On a recent trip to Italy I had a settled digestive system and as a result felt very relaxed. I didn't think much about it till I got home. I tried to think about what I'd done differently. I drank bottled water and I didn't have my daily yogurts and milk in tea. Once home things went back to the usual stressing about going out in case I needed the toilet suddenly. A few weeks ago I was out walking on the beach with my daughter and the dogs. We'd stopped off for a Costa latte. Literally an hour into the walk I had the sudden urge to go. No toilets. It was my daughter who said I could be lactose intolerant. I've stopped everything that includes lactose. I drink limited amounts of milk cheese etc with lactase added which helps the bodies digestion. Up to now my stomach is really settled but only time will tell but I'm not holding my breath. I'll have to build my confidence after 20 years it's hard to let go of regimes I've built to cope with IBS

[Wizzyone in reply to SanVeron]

Wow ! You sound very similar to me and my usual IBS symptoms/experiences. I thought it was the coffee itself ( as i drink it black anyway) and not the milk , hence, I tend to stick green teas if anything. I just won't finish a meal with a coffee anymore, especially if out & about. Or even stop for a coffee!!! But I do need a whole rethink on my diet, I think. Thanks for your input, I am really appreciate it !

[gulfofslides in reply to SanVeron]

Your microbiome is inflamed, so abstain from diary, sugar and wheat for 10 days . If drinking coffeee only black.When I say refrain from sugar not just table sugar but sugar substitutes, honey, agave, maple syrup and any other polysaccharides including gellan gum, thickeners.Milk proteins like casein are far more disruptive to your microbiome than lactose. Also drink only filtered water not tap water .Ask your gastroenterologist to prescribe a lactose testAbout yogurt the lactose is converted to lactic acid when it ferments so it's not yogurt that is harming you. If you are eating flavored yogurt it's the sugar that is growing the bad bugs in your gut. After 10 days slowly add back the wheat, sugar and diary a day at a time for each in small quantities. Take note on how you feel after eating toast then record results. Next day add unflavored yogurt, etc. You should notice the burning coming back on one particular food then take note to avoid.If after the Detox inflammation comes back the you should consider rebuilding the microbiome with L-reuteri yogurt. Dr William Davis has YouTube video on how to make it using his recommended strains.

[Wizzyone in reply to gulfofslides]

Thank you very much , you sound VERY knowledgeable!!! I shall look up the Dr on YouTube. I am on a learning journey!!

[Bracondale]

Coughs annoyingly can continue after viruses for quite some weeks (up to eight weeks) uclahealth.org/news/article.... Some viruses including covid, especially more recent variants, can affect the gut. I had similar symptoms (although also had a gut infection alongside covid). Mine responded to temporarily increasing carbohydrate (plain boiled rice) and decreasing fat (which had dominated my diet with success for quite a while). Sometimes fat, which triggers bile release, can aggravate an already inflamed gut. I can see how the omeprazole, although not a good/long term solution may have helped, since stomach acid is 'designed' to trigger bile (and pancreatic enzyme secretion). Stress significantly affects stomach acid secretion, although one of the most difficult factors to 'control'. But looking at that, and considering trying again with a low fat diet for a while may pay off.

[Wizzyone in reply to Bracondale]

Thanks for your reply ! Yes , I am going to do whole new shopping list for food/meals when I do my usual supermarket shop on Friday. I'm thinking , plain , low fat , and perhaps trying the FODMAP diet ? I think I have some inflammation that needs time to heal and I'm probably not allowing it to fully heal properly. Not eating the right things for long enough and giving up too easily when I don't get quick results ! I need to persevere!!I do have a problem with what to do for breakfast though, as I tend to eat Greek yogurt, nuts , manuka honey and some fruit. Quick & healthy! But not sure it really agrees with me , as when on holiday I don't eat this and I feel a bit better , belly burning wise.

Trial & error I suppose!!

[Histy]

Hi! So sorry you’re going through this. You sound very much like me. I have had IBS-D for many years, but also have chronic gastritis with exactly your symptoms. The symptoms come and go, but basically nausea, burning, bloating, gas pains, the feeling of being full, and what you described as feeling food hit your stomach. I can take a dose of Pepto and feel it reach my stomach and start burning. I have taken Omeprazole with some improvement, but found Pepcid (famotidine 20mg) twice a day to be much more effective. Gastritis can make you feel horrible. Hope you feel better soon.

[Wizzyone in reply to Histy]

Thank you ! You are the first person that says you know exactly how I feel!! I thought I was on my own ! Just knowing that ,helps me not feel like I'm going mad ! Do you do a special diet of any kind ?

I shall look into the medication you mention.

How long can this go on for ? I suppose if it's a chronic condition, it's a matter of managing it rather than it disappearing altogether??!!??

Do you get the burning sensation in the same place as me in your stomach? Also do you a problem with hot drinks ?

I wish you well too !

[Histy in reply to Wizzyone]

You’re welcome! I was about to write again to address the right side issue. Just over a year ago, I had Covid for the second time and it really aggravated my gastritis and I suddenly started having right side discomfort. It was at about my waist and a few inches right of center. It burned and actually hurt to the touch like a bruise. Because it was a new symptom for me, I went to my Gastro and they said it was probably duodenitis. She said it’s not uncommon for people with gastritis to also have that since your stomach empties into your duodenum. She also said she had seen a few patients with this after having Covid. She didn’t do any new testing, but recommended the Pepcid. I can’t remember how long it took to completely go away, but it was several months. I don’t follow a specific diet, but have to be very careful about too much fat, spices, and caffeine. Hope this helps!

[Wizzyone in reply to Histy]

That's very interesting !! As a couple of other people that have replied, have mentioned the Covid link. Which I probably had just before my stomach issues. Thanks again ! I feel I am being enlightened and gives me new avenues to check out .......

[Histy in reply to Wizzyone]

You’re welcome, hopefully better soon!