Why do I feel constant fatigue and gastric discomfort?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been sick for a year, and laboratory tests show nothing, but I constantly experience belching and gastric discomfort. I am having chronic fatigue and pain all over my body, including chest pain. I feel weak and have not been able to go out for a year. I have no strength and am always feeling pain all over my body.

Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I have reviewed your attached reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Your routine laboratory results for blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure are normal. A pulse rate of 100 beats per minute might be due to anxiety, lack of physical conditioning, or issues with your beta-blocker dosage.

The most significant finding is that you tested positive for Helicobacter. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can cause chronic gastritis. This condition may lead to symptoms such as persistent belching, upper abdominal discomfort, chest burning, weakness, and a reduced appetite. It often does not appear on routine blood tests.

You need to start your H. pylori eradication treatment, which normally involves taking a 14-day PPI along with two antibiotics according to local guidelines. Once you complete your treatment, you need to confirm H. pylori eradication with a stool antigen test or urea breath test. However, you must wait at least four weeks after completing the PPI.

However, your year-long experience of fatigue, body aches, and limitations on indoor activities suggests that you might also have functional dyspepsia, an anxiety spectrum disorder, or deficiencies in vitamin D or B12, or possibly fibromyalgia.

I suggest that you get checked for vitamin D, B12, TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), and ferritin levels. You should consider including gentle daily walks in your schedule, even though it might be tough for you.

Belching can often be exacerbated by swallowing air due to anxiety. To help manage this, eat slowly and avoid carbonated drinks, caffeine, and late-night meals.

You are not imagining these symptoms; there is a treatable aspect to your condition. Start with H. pylori eradication, nutritional screening, and a gradual return to physical activity.

I hope this information helps with your situation. Please share your valuable feedback to improve patient care, and let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you.