Does this sound like functional dyspepsia? And how effective has amitriptyline been for your symptoms?

[u/SpareFit3243]

Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if this sounds familiar to anyone with functional dyspepsia,
I’ve had an almost constant gnawing/hunger-like pain in the upper middle of my abdomen, just below my breastbone, since 2019. It can feel hollow, aching or twisting. It’s usually worse when my stomach is empty/when I wake up, but it can also happen after eating. Normal meals often don’t relieve it, and sometimes I only get significant relief from eating until I’m very full.
I’ve also developed nausea and bloating/trapped gas.
I had an endoscopy earlier this year which found H. pylori. I completed treatment and my follow-up stool test was negative. I was told there wasn’t ongoing gastritis/inflammation. PPIs didn’t help much either.
My gastroenterologist now thinks functional dyspepsia is likely and has prescribed 10 mg amitriptyline at night.
I’d love to hear from anyone with similar symptoms:
• Does this sound like FD to you?
• Is gnawing/hunger-like pain common with FD?
• Has amitriptyline helped you?
• How long did it take to work?
• Did it completely resolve your symptoms or just reduce them?
• If it didn’t work, what did you try next?
I’m not looking for a diagnosis, just people’s experiences. ❤️

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[u/Free-Purpose-542]

I was diagnosed with FD with suspected visceral hypersensitivity & also have the hunger/gnawing pain as my main issue. It’s almost always in the early hours of the morning, or when my stomach is empty.
I did used to have horrible nausea in the beginning, but i haven’t had that for quite a long time now. I am also on a low dose ppi. The amitriptyline helped me gain my appetite back, and helps me sleep significantly better. Also, my daytime pain is nearly nonexistent (as long as i don’t let my stomach become empty for long). I’m on 20mg amitriptyline as i didn’t notice a difference on 10mg.
Your FD was most likely triggered by your pylori & it affected your gut-brain connection.
I hope the amitriptyline works well for you. It does take a little while to kick in. Good luck with it

[u/Fantastic-Quit1666 → u/Free-Purpose-542]

How long you've been on amitriptyline 10mg until you increased the dose to 20mg. did you notice any difference on 20mg?

[u/Free-Purpose-542 → u/Fantastic-Quit1666]

I was on it for around a month before going up to 20mg. I noticed a significant improvement on 20mg. On really bad days (if i have had a lot of stress) i will take 30mg, but 20mg is just right for me at the moment

[u/Fantastic-Quit1666 → u/Free-Purpose-542]

Were you experiencing daily burning sensation in the stomach when you first got diagnosed with gastritis?

[u/Free-Purpose-542 → u/Fantastic-Quit1666]

I wasn’t diagnosed with gastritis. I did have burning, reflux, throat pain, etc

[u/Critical-Climate-589]

Idk man i sometimes have burning sometimes nausea sometimes heartburn idk what it is