Upper abdominal pain

I was diagnosed with gerd approximately 8 years ago. I was put on prescription antacids, and lost 100 pounds. Everything seemed to improve dramatically. I tend to eat a diet of fruit and vegetables, however, this past year I have gained 30 pounds, and my eating habits have returned to lots of snack foods, fats, and what I call "binge eating". Over the past few months I have developed an upper stomach ache. It has increased in frequency until for the last few weeks, it is a daily on and off pain. It is a dull ache directly in the center of the abdomen, above the belly button, a few inches below the breast bone. Sometimes, the stomach seems to distend, and a feeling of needing to use the bathroom at times accompanies the pain along with belching. I do go out every weekend and have one to two mixed drinks on Fri and Sat nite, but I do not smoke. I recently began drinking caffeinated coffee. Any thoughts on what could be wrong would be greatly appreciated. I dont drive (agoraphobia) and getting to a specialist is a serious problem for me. I am hoping that the symptoms are common and easily explained.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
You have been already diagnosed with GERD.
Weight gain will worsens the symptoms.
The need to use bathroom when pain occurs could indicate IBS especially if you find relief of pain following bowel movements.
Since the location of pain is typical of peptic ulcer disease an upper Gi endoscopy may be done to rule out peptic ulcer disease.