What the crap is wrong with me?

[ShiroiHikari]

So for the past month or so, I have been having what feels like hunger pangs almost all the time. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat or how much I eat. I can't control them. Last night they were actually painful and made it hard to sleep even though I had just eaten about 45 minutes before bed. It's driving me INSANE. I've had short episodes of this in the past, but it never lasted more than a few days til now.

Here's the thing. I'm afraid to go to the doctor because I'm scared that they're going to tell me I'm making it up, or worse, have all the tests come back negative. I'm not making this up. It's not a psychological feeling like I WANT to eat (though I certainly get that sometimes), it's a painful physical sensation in my upper stomach right behind my ribs, as if I'm starving or something.

I did some reading and apparently it could be a lot of things: diabetes, an ulcer, liver problems, hypothyroidism. I have no idea.

But what I do know is now that I'm older, I've been having more heartburn than usual, and many times I can't lie on my right side at night or I get instant heartburn. Occasionally, I get heartburn accompanied with this awful bitter taste in my mouth that doesn't go away when I take Tums, and the taste in my mouth doesn't go away if I brush my teeth or use mouthwash. And some days, I don't have any of these things at all, but that's getting more rare lately.

What should I do? If I go to the doctor, what should I say to them? I just want to feel like a normal human being.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

If it's any of those things, they'll certainly show up when you go to the doctor, buddy. If you're feeling up to a little light hearted joking, I could also reference a couple episodes of X-Files my wife has made me watch.

[Tsukuyomi]

*Hugs* I'm sorry you have to go through all of that 8( I think you should O.O Especially, if it can be any one of those things (like Etoh said) o_o It's better to get them treated now then later :-S

Although, I can understand why you're hesitant about going to the doctors >_> What if it is something normal that will pass with time. Then you'll be spending cash for no reason that could be used for something else <___>

*Pages Dr.Shooby* O______O

I still lean more towards going to the doctors, though :-? I'll be praying that all is well/all will be well

[ClosetOtaku]

I have not been able to sleep on my right side for years, exactly for the same reason you cite. I also had very bad gastric reflux -- so much so I was going through a large bottle of antacids in a month or less -- until the docs put me on Nexium. Now the gastric reflux has been almost totally eliminated, but I still can't sleep on my side. I'm guessing the next step is an endoscopy...

In any event, if you have health coverage, I wouldn't wait long to get it checked out. I understand your hesitation -- believe me, I do -- but if you aren't feeling 'normal', you probably aren't. I've been able to manage a number of medical conditions with exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, etc., but I had to discover what they were first.

I will pray for your condition...

[Peanut]

ClosetOtaku is completely right. You really should see a doctor about this especially since it is happening constantly. I, myself, have problems with my stomach that have been going on for the past 4-5 years which are, quite honestly, less severe then what you are describing. I've seen two different doctors (because I actually switched doctors) and have pretty much described what I'm feeling pretty much the way you described your problem here. What I'm saying is, when you go to the Doctor, tell them what you've told us.

Also, you may want to tell them anything Shooby says since, well, he's a doctor.

Edit: I forgot about this, but have you been experiencing any stress lately? I know with me and from talking to my doctor that stress can mess with your stomach. If you are stressed, you should still see the doctor since, most likely, there is more then just stress causing this...

[Makachop^^128]

wow I've been having the same problems for about like 2 years?
the Doctor said it was just stress but i don't know.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

[font="palatino Linotype"]It kinda sounds like what I have: GERDS.
Basically, ((for me)), it causes extreme pains in the upper stomach, lots ((I mean LOTS)) of heartburn, and I was having problems sleeping on my side.

Another component of GERDS is that the digestive system doesn't work in unison, but that's in severe cases *raises hand*. The acrid taste in the mouth is a common thing, also. It's a side-effect of the acid coming into your esophagus.

It can be a life-long thing, or something for only a few years. It's easily taken care of with medicine. ^^

--Then again... I could be totally wrong in my diagnosis...lol... >_>;[/font]

[Mr. SmartyPants]

A doctor, especially a physician will more than likely NOT say that you're making it up. So I highly recommend visiting a physician. Why would they not believe you? They are supposed to give you the benefit of the doubt anyway.

[shooraijin]

I have not been able to sleep on my right side for years, exactly for the same reason you cite. I also had very bad gastric reflux -- so much so I was going through a large bottle of antacids in a month or less -- until the docs put me on Nexium. Now the gastric reflux has been almost totally eliminated, but I still can't sleep on my side. I'm guessing the next step is an endoscopy...

In any event, if you have health coverage, I wouldn't wait long to get it checked out. I understand your hesitation -- believe me, I do -- but if you aren't feeling 'normal', you probably aren't. I've been able to manage a number of medical conditions with exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, etc., but I had to discover what they were first.

I will pray for your condition...

For ClosetOtaku, yeah, I would be considering an EGD.

But for ShiroiHikari, it sounds very much like reflux to me as well. Occasionally this is caused by a foodborne bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. There are plenty of tests for that and antibiotics can improve it, although some people may wind up with permanent damage and require lifelong medication.

Also, it also just occurred to me that you could have a duodenal (first part of the small intestine) ulcer. Hunger pains relieved by food are typical.