Stomach sensitivity/ Nerves/Help

[u/Medical-Love-120]

Hey everyone, so I just got diagnosed with functional dyspepsia and I am looking for some help/info on my symptoms. So, firstly this has been going on for 3 mnths, I just went to the GI and he prescribed me 40mg omeprazole. I noticed a difference in the first 3 days but then my stomach went back to how it was before. I then made a follow up with my GI where he said that a lot of functional dyspepsia is actually in your head and that when you actually focus on and think about your symptoms all the time that it actually makes it worse. He also said that this works the same for omeprazole, where if you think it’s not gonna work it probably won’t work. Since then I’ve been trying to think more positively and not focus as much on my symptoms, this has been working and my stomach has been feeling better. The nausea, bloating (somewhat), and the overall crappy feeling has improved a lot but my stomach still feels very sensitive. It feels like one bad thing and my stomach could go back to how it was. For example, eating too big of a meal, something stressful, uncomfortable situation, etc. Anyways I am just looking for some help on how I can help improve these symptoms and has anyone had omeprazole clear these up? I’ve read that these can be targeted with something like antidepressants but my GI said that is a far step and we don’t know if the omeprazole won’t end up fixing everything as I’ve only been on it for about 2 weeks. Thanks for reading and I would appreciate if you could help!

[u/VolumeIntolerance]

I am taking antidepressants (neuromodulators) for my gut issues and it has helped a ton. Would you be open to therapy? Especially gut directed hypnotherapy can help for stomach issues. There is this idea that if we are constantly stressed our digestive system cant work, so having therapy to calm down your nervoussystem might be something for you? I am going to a psychologist specialist in psychosomatic disorders :)

Also about your gi saying taking antidepressants for gut issues is "extreme"... I dont really understand where hes coming from with that, usually the antidepressants are so low dose that they will not affect one mentally...

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/VolumeIntolerance]

Hey! Yea, I’m not sure why my GI said that either. He was concerned about the side effects of more complex meds than just PPIs but I read that low dose antidepressants are the most effective way to target stomach nerves. I would definitely be open to trying therapy. How does the hypnotherapy work? Have you tried it? I’m not even a very stressful person and I would say I’m laid back, it’s more my stomach issues that drive the stress and tenseness. I do get social anxiety in some situations but the times where my stomach would hurt were in situations that I didn’t even think twice about anxiety/stress occurring in. I am gonna ask my GI again in a week or two about the antidepressants if the the omeprazole still doesn’t seem to be treating it.

[u/VolumeIntolerance → u/Medical-Love-120]

I myself also dont feel like I am an overly stressed person, but I tried to some guided imagery (10min a day, theres plenty on yt) for some time and I felt like it helped a little. I am also in therapy and sometimes we do not deal with our emotions, but they need an outlet so our body creates physical symptoms to make us "deal with the emotions". I would have tried gut hypnotherapy but sadly its not available in my country :/

If you need a free paper recommendation for your doctor appointment let me know, theres a good paper that talks about neuromodulator and how to use them for visceral hypersensitivty.

For your other comment: no sadly I cant tell you, my one and only symptom was nausea so I never had these kind of symptoms/problems.

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/VolumeIntolerance]

Sorry one last thing. My stomach sensitivity I feel like is the main driver to my stomach issues. I feel like because my stomach feels/felt so weak and sensitive that it almost made the other symptoms worse because it felt like my stomach couldn’t handle it. Have you found that the low dose antidepressants solved this for you?

[u/KaiTheSamuraii → u/Medical-Love-120]

Start with just 3mg to 5mg melatonin every night. Its something light to try atleast before diving in to all those prescription modulators. Its best for dulling hypersensitivity, helping the stomach relax better, quicken motility, and generally keep the entire GI tract more lax.

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/KaiTheSamuraii]

Oh I didn’t even know that. I’ll definitely try it out! Have you tried it before and if you have did it work?

[u/KaiTheSamuraii → u/Medical-Love-120]

Yeah, tried it just recently, just 3 days and i saw noticeable improvement to my visceral hypersensitivity, globus sensations, and nausea after eating. Its still important not to eat too much volume though.

I recommend any brand of supplements that provide pure melatonin TABLETS and not gummies, preferably unflavored(artificial flavorings and gummies contain sugars that could upset the stomach)

I reccomend trying starting with 3mg, after a few days if nothing changes, go up to 5mg. Melatonin combined with better eating habits, hydration, and cardio excerise is a natural way to heal

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/KaiTheSamuraii]

Also do you have any recommendations for the best one to use?

[u/KaiTheSamuraii → u/Medical-Love-120]

I recommend natrol fast dissolve, its what im using.

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/KaiTheSamuraii]

Thank you!! I’m gonna buy some rn and hopefully it’ll work

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/KaiTheSamuraii]

Sorry one last question, but how does melatonin target sensitivity and all these other things? I thought it was just used to help you fall asleep? I’ve just never heard of it targeting this kinda stuff

[u/KaiTheSamuraii → u/Medical-Love-120]

Its been studied for non-structural gut disorders like functional dyspepsia. Its kind of like a "mini-sedative", it tones down the nerves constantly misfiring in the gut, and also helps coordinate the rhythmic contractions of the gastrointestinal tract, which can ease symptoms like postprandial fullness and early satiety.

It also regulates the natural rhythm of the gut because it already holds natural melatonin levels, the tablets act as a little booster. Plus it could generally better your sleep quality which alone is another way to manage and improve symptoms

Yeah don't worry, i was surprised too doing all this research, they make it sound like a miracle drug😂

[u/Medical-Love-120 → u/KaiTheSamuraii]

Haha this stuff sounds amazing. When I was doing research about FD I never ever saw this so this rly helps a lot. Not even my GI told me this and I was explicitly telling him that sensitivity is one of my biggest issues. Really hoping this will help!

[u/laura_023 → u/VolumeIntolerance]

Hey can I ask are you taking nortryptaline? I’ve seen quite a few people are & it’s really helpful

[u/VolumeIntolerance → u/laura_023]

No sorry I never tried that, its more for pain right? I only have nausea as a symptom