HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Excessive Belching, Upper Abdominal Pain And Flatulence?

Posted on Thu, 12 Oct 2017

Question: I am a 42 yr old, overweight, white female. Had my gall bladder removed in '98. Had liver stone removal and bile duct repair in '04. Haven't had problems with my liver(possibly might be a liver issue, not sure) since, until the last 6months. I have had episodes usually lasting from 1-3 days, at least once a week. The last one I had lasted 3 weeks. Symptoms include: alternating sweats, fever, & chills. Major fatigue and sleepiness. Severe constipation(diagnosed with OIC in '14, taking Linzess 240mcg - 1cap QD) lasting sometimes up to 13 days. Excessive belching and flatulence that smells and tastes like sulfur/rotten eggs. Flank pain on both sides which makes by back hurt very badly, liver swells up, upper abdominal pain and swelling with hardness to the touch. Difficulty urinating, no it's not painful, just uncooperative. Severe swelling to both legs from the knees down to both feet, so severe that on more than one occasion my legs swelled so badly that the skin has broken open. Every time I have an episode I get serious nausea, but only throw-up occasionally, usually depends on how long I've been constipated. I'm most worried about the sulfur issue, because after it starts I can't leave the house. It's so repulsive my kids won't be in the same room with me. It's completely embarrassing because, my husband says that it smells like it's actually coming out of my pores the odor is that strong. I am worried about the other symptoms, it's just that the sulfur/rotten eggs issue, I've not heard of anyone having that particular issue before, and I have worked in the medical field for 20+yrs. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.Thank you, sincerely.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Constipation looks to be the basic cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
The chronology of the symptoms and issues that you have mentioned indicate that the major issue is related to the colon - the constipation looks to be the basic cause instigating or enhancing other symptoms.
Once the food is hold up for more than the normal transit time through intestines the opportunistic bacteria get hold, grow more to disturb the balance and produce the typical sulfur/ rotten egg like gases that smell the worst.
Hence I would advise you the following:
First of all consult your Doctor to discuss this issue, get varied/ try different laxatives/ stool softeners and take enema if needed to relieve the constipation and have daily normal bowel movements.
Get stool tested for three days and get treated according to the reports.
Get blood tests particularly for diabetes, thyroid, liver and kidney functions.
Colonoscopy and CT scan of abdomen will help you further diagnosis and management.
A course of an antibiotic, metronidazole may help.
Take probiotics, activated charcoal tablets.
Try to identify the foods and beverages that instigate or enhance the symptoms and stop them altogether.

I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Also give feedback of the reports and effectiveness of the management.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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