I Frequently Feel Full (stomach) And Feel Like I Need

Posted on Mon, 22 Oct 2018

Question: I frequently feel full (stomach) and feel like I need to BURP and often do and it does relieve the problem most of the time. I don't have GERD or Acid Reflux, I have read cardio, CD can cause the full stomach feeling if it is not pumping the water out correctly? I do not have swelling in my legs ,I do take water pills...I have 3 stents and a pacemaker. I do have a mild pericardial effusion right now, could that cause the full stomach problem?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have a recent echocardiogram report?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am not sure if you meant an echocardiogram when you mentioned ultrasound test in relation to pericardial effusion. Can you upload the test result here for me to confirm? There is an option to upload test results on the right side of the page.

When a heart is performing less than optimum it may cause back flow pressure on the venous blood vessels and liver which in turn can cause sensation of abdominal fullness. In other words, yes the fullness may be related to your current heart condition. You should report this to the doctor during the next consultation. He/she can evaluate heart performances. If deemed necessary the doctor might repeat echocardiogram to confirm the same.

In the meanwhile reduce fluid consumption. You can also break your food into small frequent meals instead of large ones. It should ease some discomfort. Further management will be based on evaluation findings.

Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (57 minutes later)

Very good, thank you sooo much...don't have the echo ultrasound of my heart, had two done a month a part... XXXXXXX and August ….no change, my EF is 35% same as 5 years ago, said heart is pumping well, amount of fluid was the same, increased or doubled the Colchine to twice per day and added the Prednisone...do not see any change as yet. No pain, no swelling as mentioned, some shortness of breath at times. Am taking some supplements to improve Ef, such Hawthorn Berry, COQ10, L-Carnitine, etc. seems to help.Yes the smaller meals sounds good. Take care

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Prednisolone increase gastritis chances...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Besides cardiac reason, you should also be aware that long-term prednisolone (steroid) use can aggravate gastritis. You should also discuss this possibility when you meet the doctor. If he/she shares my views you may be started on proton pump inhibitor drugs. It should also ease the discomfort that you have.

Wish you good luck and health. Let me know if you need anything else before closing the discussion.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (10 days later)

Thank you for your follow up. Doing okay about the same. I dislike the full feeling in my stomach quite often.. Eat smaller meals which helps but cant help thinking it is related to the pericardial effusion proble. No welling in my lower extremendies never have had that problem. Maybe my heart is not pumping strong enough? Can do light weight training, siting for 20 mins not too hard. My next echocardiogram is 10/19, to see if the fluid has decreased. If not ,I don't know what is next? Is or if the amount of fluid is too small to drain or do I continue on the medications longer (cochiline & predneszone)? at 84 years old I basically feel fine, look like I am 65 or so, would just like to beat this problem to feel 100%. Any other ideas or suggestions.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Options available to beat the problem...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As indicated in my earlier response, the effusion and inadequate heart performance is a factor that should be considered as a reason. The next echocardiogram is enough to help us identify heart performance. Based on test results, your doctor might alter treatment to ease the discomfort. However if echo reveals normal heart performance, there are other options/tests necessary. Ultrasound abdomen is one such important test to be discussed with your doctor. Moreover, a trial with proton pump inhibitor drugs should also be considered.

In brief, the next doctor visit will guide us in treating the problem. Do not be very worried. There are options to help you through the problem.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any clarifications. And apologies for the late response.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar