Abdominal Pain and Discomfort
A frequent complaint.
Why it happens
If we eat too much, we feel like crap. We can also get gassy from slowed digestion, which can build up and feel like pain or pressure.
How to prevent it
We have to eat smaller meals. It will be hard to gauge at first, but the recommendation is 20-50% of the size of the meals you ate before starting the medicine.
How to treat it
If you are gassy, you can try walking after meals or try taking something OTC like Gas-X.
When to call a doctor
Persistent, severe, radiating pain, or pain accompanied by a fever, could be signs of pancreatic or gallbladder issues or an infection.
Pay attention to the “gallbladder signature.” If you feel a sharp, stabbing pain under your right ribs or, weirdly, up in your right shoulder blade, don't ignore it. Rapid weight loss is a workout for your gallbladder, and sometimes it throws a tantrum. If that pain won't let up, it’s time to see your real doctor.
When to go to the ER
- Inability to swallow or breathe.
- Severe, persistent vomiting (dehydration).
- Severe abdominal pain that makes you curl into a ball.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
- If you feel like you are having a medical emergency.
None of this is medical advice. It is educational material drawn from FAT BITCH: Killing the Willpower Myth by Cat Clark, and it does not replace your prescriber, your pharmacist, or your actual doctor. If something here does not match what your care team told you, go with your care team and bring this along to the conversation.