u/Nearby-Government265

Hi , I’ve been seeing the GI for nonstop stomach burning pain. I have had clear endoscopy, colonoscopy, RUQ ultrasound, abdominal CT w contrast, and gastric emptying test. Stool sample was negative for all parasite and blood work revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

My next step is SIBO testing but my insurance doesn’t cover it. Can I get some advice on how you all came to your diagnosis? I am 40 F , currently on 10mg AMITRIPTYLINE for the gut pain and insomnia.

Hello just documenting my beginning experience with 10 mg of AMITRIPTYLINE in case anyone is interested.

I am prescribed it for burning upper stomach pains, extreme bloating, loss of appetite and insomnia due to pain.

I am now able to sleep as before i would be woken up every 3-4 hours due to pain and would remain awake the rest of the night. It was a tortuous experience. Now I average 6-7 hrs of sleep but I still wake up at the same intervals bc my symptoms are still there but I’m in a sedated state so it’s easier to fall back asleep.

Increased appetite. With my pain subdued I am able to eat more. I have been able to maintain weight whereas before I was steadily losing a pound per week. I can see how this medication can easily cause weight gain for those without bowel issues.

Constipation - before, my bowel movements were regular and everyday. Even when I started developing gastric pains. Now I have only been able to poop twice in the past 10 days. It’s uncomfortable and does not help with the bloat I’m experiencing.

Vivid dreams - I experience very graphic dreams towards the end of my sleep.

Foggy brain - I feel like my brain is wrapped in plastic on this medication. Everything just feels numb and there’s a heaviness in the back of my head that I can’t seem to shake.

If I am able to fall asleep on my own again I would likely stop the medication despite the pain relief it offers. I can deal with the pain just not the sleeplessness. Can anyone share their experience with using AMI for sleep and coming off of it?

My symptoms have been constant bloating and soft stool. GI doc has done an endoscopy and now my next step is a colonoscopy. Should I insist on a SIBO breath test before jumping to a colonoscopy or is this pretty standard procedure?

Test that I have done:

Endoscopy: no evidence of inflammation, ulcers or H pylori.

RUQ ultrasound- no significance. Surrounding organs look ok

Abdominal CT scan with contrast - revealed a ruptured ovarian cyst

Blood work - nothing abnormal

H pylori breath test - negative