Duodenal Ulcer and stomach tender to the touch

[kcb7]

I've been having abdominal pain for a bit over two months. Last week I was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer and am taking Amoxicillin, Biaxin and Prevacid. I am one week into treatment and feel only marginally better.

My question is about stomach tenderness. Is a tender stomach normal with a peptic ulcer? My entire stomach area, from just below my breasts, down to my navel, is very tender to the touch. When touched it produces like a burning/stinging/bruised feeling. Depending on the day, or time of the day, the pain is greater or less. It's not any worse than it has been for the past month or so, but it is worrying me. Is this normal with a duodenal ulcer?

[kcb7]

Thanks a lot, Doctor. The tenderness has been much better for the past four days or so, so that is encouraging. I've been on Prevacid for 11 days, but I'm still getting hunger pangs every two hours or so after eating. When can I expect these to start to diminish?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Amoxicillin, Biaxin & Prevacid are often taken together to eradicate Helicobacter Pylori, a bacterial infection that can lead to stomach and duodenal ulcers.  A tender stomach is very common with peptic ulcer, either duodenal or gastric.

Enoch Choi, MD