Burning feeling in upper right stomach area

[JoeT]

Hello,

I am a 30 year old male, in generally good health. I have had High Cholsterol, but it is well under control with proper diet (No meds).

I have had, for several years, a burning feeling in what I think is my stomach, (Doctor said it was around where my stomach is)It is located in one specific area, on the right side of my body - below and To the left of my rib cage and towards the middle of my abdomin (abdomen). About an inch or two from the mid point of my body if I drew a line down the middle. Sometimes it is gone for motnths and other time it will stay for weeks.

When I push down on the area the burning increases and feels tender, but if I push more the burning somewhat subsides. The degree of burning varies greatly from one time to the next. This occurs in the morning and fades away to unnoticable by mid day.

I think it gets better after I eat, but I am not sure. Also taking pepto Bismol seems to have helped, but again it is hard to say as the feeling subsides on it own usually. At any rate it is almost always gone or very dull by Midday (11-12)

I went to the doctor for it about 2 years ago and he felt around for an enlarged liver and found none. He thought it was reflux or acid and since my stomach was empty in the morning the acid feeling was worse. He prescribed medication which I never took. The pain went away a day or so later so I never took the meds (Some acid or reflux med). I don't really have any other symptoms of reflux or at least they are minimal (Can you list some common symptoms?). I had blood work and urine taken as part of a routine checkup, but I do not know if this will show any liver problems, I don't think he tested specifically for that. He also did a Echo Cardiagram to see if this was from an infection around the heart, It was not. I do have a slight Mitro Valve Prolapse.

I have had the feeling on and off since then, but Recently the feeling is back and I am worried. Could this be my Liver? or something more serious than Reflux?

I am a HypoChondriac (SP?) and am obsessing now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There  can be many reasons for burning in the stomach.  This is known as dyspepsia - meaning simply upper GI discomfort.  Causes can include GERD, a peptic ulcer, or inflammation of the stomach or esophagus.  

The best test to evaluate for this would be an upper endoscopy.  An upper GI series can also be considered (less invasive but less comprehensive).

A test for a bacteria known as H Pylori can also be done, which is a bacteria associated with inflammation or an ulcer.  

If the upper endoscopy is negative, you may then want to consider testing the liver - with blood tests and possible ultrasound.  

I would discuss these tests with your personal physician.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[kevinmd]

I will be away until January 4th. I will answer your question when I return.

Happy holidays,
Kevin, M.D.

[tessa0825]

Hello....Happy New Year ! Please don't take this wrong, but I guess I dont understand why someone would pay to go to the Dr. to get his medical expertise, then not take the advise or meds he had prescribed for them?...I know you said that the symptoms got better for awhile but they obviously returned...You don't say but have they ever ran tests to R/O your gallbladder? You might ask about that if they haven't...."Just reflux" could have serious complications if it is allowed to continue untreated...Some of those complications that can occur over time are, erosions in your esophagus, ulcers, strictures, Barrett's (precancerous) esosphagus, and even adenocarcinoma of the esophagus..Im not any medical professional but I understand about acid reflux..You should maybe ask your Dr. to do an EGD to find out what might be going on in there. You could also ask for a 24 hr PH probe test, it would monitor the events of acid reflux that you experience over a 24 hr period, it would also tell your dr. how long of events you might be having...Dr. Pho will have medical expertise to share with you when he returns but you might reconsider your views about reflux, if you have it, then it nedds treatment....Tessa

[JoeT]

I see your point. I have not had these things tested. Does this sound like possible reflux to you though?

[tessa0825]

Hi Joe, Like I said Im no medical professional but from my own experience...I think it could be reflux, or gallbladder, or probaly alot of other things I have no clue about...If it has been going on this long, you really need to see your physician and maybe get a GI referal and have some of those tests completed....They can check your gallbladder with an ultrasound and if that doesnt show anything they can do a hida-scan with CCK injection.....Hope you feel better soon...Tessa

[tessa0825]

BTW, the most common symptom of acid reflux is ~Heartburn~

[JoeT]

Thanks for the comments

What is involved in an upper endoscopy? also an upper GI. Do I need to be sedated?

Thanks

[tessa0825]

They will sedate you for an endoscopy (EGD)..Usually they use a few mg of versed and about 75-100 of Demerol..It is called conscience sedation and supposedly you are awake but you dont know you are...Its really hard to describe except to say you dont feel or know or remember anything about having the test done....Its really relaxing and you wake up wondering when they are going to do your procedure and find out it has already been done..Nothing to it....I have had one in which, for reasons, I couldnt be given much sedation, and was only given enough to help get the tube down..It was ok and I heard and saw everything they were doing...Was very interesting, however, I prefer to not remember them......Upper GI is no sedation

[tessa0825]

During EGD the Dr. inserts a tube through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum...It has a light and a camera on it..He can evaluate the health of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. He will take pictures and biopsies if he sees a need to...you have to take a family memebr with you for this test as you can't drive afterwards nor can you have a productive discussion with the Dr. afterwards...You may think you can, but trust me, you can't...Upper GI, you usually have to drink barium and have alot of x-rays taken...

[JoeT]

Thanks very mudh

[allenman]

Hi JoeT,

Wow does this sound familiar.  I have (and have had) a burning pain to the upper right side.  On and off for years.  Each time, the doctors find nothing and after a couple of weeks it goes away.  That is until recently.

Now I've been through a more extensive exam since I now have extended periods of pain (abdominal and back).  The tests are negative.  Solution?  I don't know.

You might want to see a GI specialist and have: ultrasound, HIDA and see if in fact you have gallbladder problems.

Bill

[Syd89]

my mother is having a problem where her stomach is burning and it feels like its washing over her stomach...it could be the same thing every one else is having