Possible Ulcer?

Well two weeks ago I had really bad acid reflux for a few days and felt nauseated and couldn't eat much. My relative, a doctor at Kaiser, told me to take a 150 Zantac tablet after breakfast and 1 after dinner for an entire week. Each 12 hours apart. Since it wasn't an official visit he wasn't able to give me an official diagnosis. Well it seems like my problems have changed. Instead of the heart burn feeling and tightening of the throat, my symptoms have changed to constantly feeling hungry. Even after I've eaten my stomach still isn't satisfied because I get the same feeling again 30 minutes later. I don't vomit or have diarrhea nor do I feel like I have to, but when I don't put something in my stomach when I'm hungry, it starts hurting.

When my problem first occurred I was under a lot of stress with finals, my job, and graduate school applications, but I'm not really stressed anymore. Can someone tell me what is wrong? Should I see a doctor about a possible ulcer or wait the rest of the week out (3 days). I also don't drink or smoke and I'm pretty fit. Thanks

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Ulcer is a possibility.
Ulcer pain usually gets relieved with intake of food.
Have an upper GI endoscopy done for confirmation.

[girdhari]

i am 53 operated in 1989 for intestine obstruction later told appendix burst 2years later pain in stomach 1992 admitted given antibiotic again in1995 same problem gall bladder removed in 2006 endoscopy done some ulcers swelling in small intestine small diverticulam seen now again problem i never have pressure for toilet i eat isogel daily i have liquid diet mostly my wieght is 47 every 2 years i face this pain in stomach take antibiotics lose 2-3 kg wieght which i never gain have i to live with it can it be cured i am always under constant fear at present i have constipition pain in lower abdomen stomach is tight i dont feel to eat anything when i am cured then i feel very hungry dr even gave medicine for round worms kindly help obliged