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What Causes Stomach Heaviness After Eating Cold Food And Pain In Rib Cage?

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Posted on Wed, 11 May 2016
Question: Hi, from 4 weeks ago, I can't eat meal as I usually do. I can only eat about 1/3-1/2 of the normal size. I started losing weight about 1 pound per day in the 1st week and about half pound /day in the 2nd week and about 100g/day in 3rd and 4th week. After eating a small size of food, I feel full. And the stomach feels very uncomfortable.
Here is a brief history of my symptom:
- I went to see doctor 3 years ago. The key symptoms are: eating cold food will make my stomach "heavy" - as if the cold foods are stuck in the stomach; when I'm hungry in the afternoon (e.g. long commute) w/o eating, the stomach feels really uncomfortable and sometimes with dull pain. The pain is in the area between bottom left of rib cage and spleen (once the pain started, eating some food will alleviate it a bit but won't reduce it completely). Other than that, everything is normal, no losing weight, appetite is good. The diagnosis was mild gastritis and H.pylori was found in my stomach. After taking some medicine and then gastroscope, I was told H.pylori is gone but ALL the symptoms mentioned above still remained. But since nothing was serious, I stopped the medication (and avoid the cold food and drink if possible).
- It was almost in parallel with my stomach issue, my bowel movement has been changed from after lunch to early morning right after I get up (I can’t hold it), and it takes about 30 min, sometimes 40 min. The stool is very loose, other than that, everything is normal.
- I started working out in the gym and tried to bulk up about 1 year ago and I ate a lot of fruit, protein and adding meals in the between. I didn't have any issue except felt full all day long - which is expected since I ate so much (but I still can't eat or drink cold food/drink). The weight and strength went up as expected.
- I dropped the working-out about 6 month ago and then picked it up again about 2-3 month ago. I started with bulking again (and more meals, protein powder, fruit etc.), everything was fine at beginning - my weight grew slowly, so was my strength until about 4 weeks ago. My weight didn't grow anymore, and about 2 weeks ago, I suddenly can't eat normal size of meal (I can only eat about 1/3-1/2 of the normal meal size), and since then my weight lost drastically, 1 pound/day for the 1st week and half pound/day for next week.
- From last week (w/o any medication), I can’t eat a bit more than 2-3 weeks ago but still feel full immediately after meal. Eating even a small piece of MEAT will make it even worse. When I feel full, I can feel that my stomach is kind of "weighting down" or "dragging" on my chest and back. I still have relatively good appetite, but I just can't eat much due to the fullness.
- After each meal, If I stand up and walk slowly for a while, it will alleviate the symptom. If I sit or lying down, it will get worse.
- I feel losing the strength and I have to take much longer sleep to recharge.
- I did a gastroscopy 2 weeks ago, the doctor said everything is fine in my stomach, but the symptom hasn’t changed.
BTW, I used to have (about 1 year ago) heartburn when I drink soup or water BEFORE meal. But it didn’t happen predictably. I found that if I drink liquid AFTER meal or if I change the drink to a carbonated drink (like coke or sodamized water –Soda Stream), heartburn will be reduced significantly.
I also fart a lot after eating fruit (usually 1 hour later)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Reassure your self

Detailed Answer:
Hi....

Thanks for writing in.

I appreciate the detailed information provided.

With 29 years of experience as a Gastroentrologist I have concluded that the patients who have persistent GI symptoms not responding to PPI need to be evaluated for collitis

I would suggest you go for a complete blood count - Stool culture and if needed a colonoscopy

If you want to go for a medical trial try the following,

1) A good Probiotic twice a day for ten days.

2) A PPI twice a day for ten days.

3) Ofloxacillin twice a day after breakfast and dinner for ten days.

4) Ornidazole twice a day after breakfast and dinner for ten days.

5) Avoid junk food - smoking and alcohol if used to - if under stress manage the same

Hope this helps
Do write back in case of concern.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (15 hours later)
Thank you, Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja!

My biggest issue right now is eating meat/protein. I can only eat 1 egg in the morning and even smaller size of meat over the dinner. No protein for lunch. If I ate more protein than that, the fullness and stomach discomfort will exaggerate. (Veggie and carbohydrate are ok so long if not too much) Given the limited intake of protein, I get hungry very quickly after the meal, so I have to eat some nuts and cookies in the between.
I tend to sweat a lot during the sleep and the stool is always very loose and watery (but no blood).
I don't smoke and use alcohol.
My questions are:
1. Are these typical symptom of colitis?
2. What's the reason for my protein indigestion?
3. Can it be stomach cancer (that can't be diagnosed by gastroscopy)?

Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Probably Collitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing in again

The symptoms do point to collitis and it is probably the reason for protein indigestion

It is very unlikely that you have a stomach cancer ?

Hope this helps
Do write back in case of concern

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (25 hours later)
Thank you, Doctor!
For the medicines you mentioned, can I use Levofloxacin in stead of Ofloxacillin. Also, Can I use Metronidazole vs onidazole?

Best regards!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sure

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing in again

You can very well use Levofloxacillin in place of Ofloxacillin and Metronidazole in place of Ornidazole

Only that Metronidazole can cause some metallic taste which has been nearly eliminated with Ornidazole

Wishing you a healthy life ahead
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja

Gastrointestinal Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 924 Questions

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What Causes Stomach Heaviness After Eating Cold Food And Pain In Rib Cage?

Brief Answer: Reassure your self Detailed Answer: Hi.... Thanks for writing in. I appreciate the detailed information provided. With 29 years of experience as a Gastroentrologist I have concluded that the patients who have persistent GI symptoms not responding to PPI need to be evaluated for collitis I would suggest you go for a complete blood count - Stool culture and if needed a colonoscopy If you want to go for a medical trial try the following, 1) A good Probiotic twice a day for ten days. 2) A PPI twice a day for ten days. 3) Ofloxacillin twice a day after breakfast and dinner for ten days. 4) Ornidazole twice a day after breakfast and dinner for ten days. 5) Avoid junk food - smoking and alcohol if used to - if under stress manage the same Hope this helps Do write back in case of concern. Regards.