Is This an Ulcer?

Have been having burning and gnawing in my stomach area for the past week or so. Last month I took maybe sixteen Motrin for unrelated headaches and am wondering if maybe I gave myself an ulcer. My question is, I have Prilosec at home that I have been taking on and off which does not seem to be helping. Is this an appropriate OTC drug for ulcers? Would Zantac or Prevacid be better? I don't really know the difference between all the meds. Is this something I should see the doctor for, or do OTC usually take care of small ulcers? Thanks for your help!

[mrs2me]

That really sounds like symptoms of an ucler.  Prilosec has to be taken regularly and may take a week before it's full affect.  However, I suggest you consult a physician confirm this.  I was just recently diagnosed with ulcers (same symptoms) and was tested for H-Pylori bacteria which can cause ulcers.  My test was negative, but I too took to much ibuprophen and Exedrin for headaches and backaches.  My doc put me on Protonix and the pain was gone immediately and I am avoiding aspirin and ibuprophen for now.

[Manhattan]

Thanks so much. I think I will go to the clinic today and run it by the doctor. I was on the antibiotic Ceftin last month and if it is Pylori, I wonder if that would have taken care of it? The burning is intermittent and eating seems to help it for a little while.

[friendlyadvice]

I am no doctor, but I have been where you are. Please get your gallbladder function tested. Trust me, it may be the gallbladder, not your ulcer. The drug you are taking can lower the function of your gb, and if it is already weak, there you go. I, too, had headaches with the same pain you had -- don't believe the headaches are unrelated. My gallbladder was removed 10 days ago. NO more headaches. Good luck and good health.

[paininthegut08]

I was interested in your comment about the gb and using the ucler meds. I had at one time h plylori and from time to time ucler symptoms. I used to take Pepcide AC and it worked fine. Now I take it and I get sicker.It doesn't touch the symptoms. I had an ultra sound for gb and no stones just a polyip, but now, 2 mos. later i'm back with pain across my chest and upper right side. So what does the ulcers meds to if it's gb cause I too feel it doesn't do a thing. What do you if they don't want to take it out?