Stomach Pain

[Kat]

I have been experience a minor pain on my left side under my rib cage. It has been coming and going for the past two months. I have been diagnosed with depression which causes me to worry exstensively. I have had other stomach problems in the past, but the docters couldn't find anything wrong. I also have a history of alcohol abuse (I know, not the smartest thing for a depressed person). I hate to keep going to the doctor everytime there is an ache or pain, I feel like I may over reacting. This pain does not feel like acid or gas. More like something is inflammed. I am concerned that I may have something seriously wrong with me, but don't know if I even have symptoms of anything. There is no fever, occasional loose bowels but not bad, no blood. I also have been going through a lot of life changes lately which have been very stressful. I am on no medication.
Questions, What coluld this pain be and at what point should I be seriously worried?

[bob]

same as above

[Legacy]

I have similar problems with the bad stomach pain on and off again.  It's usually right where my ribs meet and in the upper part of my stomach.  I also get bad sharp chest pains that are from a chest strain injury that gets re-strained when the muscles are weak.

My doctor tried telling me I had costochondritis but I'm not sure if I believe him completely.  I was in a car accident two years ago and I had severe whiplash to my chest from the seat belt strap.  As soon as I got out of the car my chest started seizing up and it got so bad that I couldn't sit up on my own or else I couldn't breathe.  At the hospital they did x-rays and said I didn't have any broken ribs and after a few weeks the pain went away.  However, it flares up from time to time, especially during periods when I'm not very active.

I went to the emergency room once last spring and then again a few months ago when the pain was really intense and wouldn't go away.  That was when the doctor said I had a chest strain from the original injury.  This makes the most sense, and the injured areas will get really sore and inflamed, just like with costochondritis.  Plus, I'm aware that I have lots of congestion and scar tissue around this area, and problems with the cartelige.  It's really gross sometimes cause I can feel it moving when I walk.  Something new with it are the muscle spasms that I've been having since December.  They feel like a vibration/quivering over my heart and left upper ribcage area. They made me really anxious at first of course, but now I understand them better.

I've been having stomach problems too and somehow I think it's all tied in together.  Sometimes I'll have acidy gas gurgling in my stomach and sometimes this is up under my left ribcage, just over from my heart on my side.  Should I really be feeling this that high up? I think it's weird.

If anyone has any advice or ideas please post them.

Thanks

[marc]

I HAVE STOMACH PROBLEMS. I HACE A PRESCRIPTION TO PEPCID. I ALWAYS BURP ALOT AND DO NOT FEEL VERY GOOD MOST OF THE TIME

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I have a very similar situation and am wondering if this article ever got a reply.

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I have a very similar situation and am wondering if this article ever got a reply.

[Kelly B]

See my comment to Wayne on upper right quadrant pain.