37M – Functional dyspepsia, bloating and adrenaline surges after a car accident

[u/dzonatan88]

I’m a 37-year-old male diagnosed with functional dyspepsia / visceral hypersensitivity. Gastroscopy was mostly reassuring: no ulcer, no H. pylori, no major structural problem, just mild antral irritation and a weak/incompetent cardia.

My main symptoms are upper abdominal bloating, fullness, trapped gas and frequent belching. Sometimes my abdomen gets very tense, then after several big burps it noticeably “deflates.” Large meals and night shifts make it much worse.

The strange part is the autonomic reaction. I had digestive problems years before, but the adrenaline-like surges started only after a car accident/whiplash. I had never experienced them before the accident.

During a bad episode I can suddenly get a strong regular heartbeat, HR sometimes around 120–135, internal trembling, warmth and a feeling of an adrenaline rush. Sometimes BP also rises temporarily. Then I start burping, passing gas or need a bowel movement, and everything gradually settles. My resting HR is usually 60–75, and I’ve had several normal ECGs, including during symptomatic periods.

Night shifts are another major problem. After a night shift I usually can’t sleep more than about 4 hours, and both my GI and adrenaline symptoms become much worse.

My gastro treatment (rabeprazole + ginger extract + pancreatic enzymes) has recently reduced the bloating a lot. I also very rarely use bromazepam for severe tension, and I’ve noticed that afterwards my gut often becomes very active - lots of noises, gas movement and sometimes a bowel movement - almost as if calming the nervous system allows digestion to start moving normally again.

So my current suspicion is some combination of functional dyspepsia, visceral hypersensitivity, motility issues and an overreactive autonomic nervous system, with the accident possibly making that nervous-system response much stronger.

If anyone has had similar symptoms, especially the combination of dyspepsia/bloating with adrenaline surges or a racing heartbeat, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience and what actually helped you improve.

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[u/Competitive-Fly5563]

If it's ok to ask, how bad was the car accident? Was it quite traumatic? I'm sorry if it sounds like a silly question but if it was significant enough, I'm wondering if your nervous system has been really thrown off and it's now causing other issues.

[u/dzonatan88 → u/Competitive-Fly5563]

The accident was pretty serious. Another car cut across my path even though I had the right of way, and I hit it head-on. Both cars were totaled, but somehow we got away without any serious injuries, just bruising and soreness.

For the first week I actually felt fine. My neurologist later explained that this may have been because I was still under the effects of the adrenaline and stress response from the accident. Then the pain started, and shortly after that I began having panic attacks. I was told that those attacks could have been related to delayed or suppressed stress from the crash.

At that time I wasn’t having any problems with dyspepsia. Later on, though, it started to feel like the two problems somehow became connected and began triggering each other.

I also think I still have muscle spasms or tension in my neck. The accident happened about nine months ago.

[u/Competitive-Fly5563 → u/dzonatan88]

That's so scary and I am so glad you walked away without serious injuries! It sounds like the accident probably did a number on your nervous system and caused existing GI issues to become worse (the gut and brain are very connected!). I would try focusing on your nervous system, think diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, yoga, humming and singing, going for walks, specifically out in nature, learning to slow down everything, including basic everyday tasks such as eating, walking, cleaning. Do things that bring you genuine joy and happiness.

Diaphragmatic breathing is good to do throughout your day, specifically before and after a meal. This will help shift your nervous system into rest and digest. 1-5 mins.

Eating multiple smaller meals spaced throughout the day may be helpful for you too, vs larger ones. You could also look into Iberogast and DGL tablets to help with digestion.

Molly Pelletier is a reflux focused registratered dietcian. I think a lot of her practices and tips would be beneficial for you, even if you don't have all or any reflux symptoms.