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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Re: Upper abdominal pain
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Re: Upper abdominal pain
by Jamie__0__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Jamie on June 27, 1999 at 10:52:27
I am a 22 year old female and over the past month I started getting some strange symptoms. First of all I had nausea for about 2 weeks sometime with vomiting. Twice during that time I had a low grade fever. I went to the doctor and they gave me a prevacaid. I since ran out of the sample that they gave me. I have also been having a lot of heartburn...sometimes it is horribly painful in my back (the heartburn). I have also recently noticed pain in my upper abdomine. The pain is right below my rib cage (both sides, left and right). And an occasional pain right between the rib cage. Yesterday I tried to take a nap and every time I layed down on my side either right or left, it made the pain a lot worse on the right side. The pain comes and goes and may last a minute or two at a time. My doctor gave me a blood test and that ruled out pancreitis and gallbladder disease. Does that also rule out gallstones, because that is what my doctor suspected at first. Also when I drink alcohol it makes me real nauseous. I had an upper GI done and won't get those results back until later in the week. The doctor ordered the upper gi because she thought I may have an ulcer. They also took three more viles of blood from me, I don't know what for. I am worried because I have never had heartburn before and the pain which at first came about once a day has now increased to about once every two hours or more. It is right below my rib cage on the left, the middle, and the right. The pain doesn't all come at the areas at the same time. Sometimes it is just the right, then the left, and so forth. But the right side always hurts the worst when I do get pain. Hopefully you can give me a little understanding of what might be happening to me. At least I will have something to go on the next time I go see my Doctor.
Thank you very much.
Jamie
I am a 22 year old female and over the past month I started getting some strange symptoms. First of all I had nausea for about 2 weeks sometime with vomiting. Twice during that time I had a low grade fever. I went to the doctor and they gave me a prevacaid. I since ran out of the sample that they gave me. I have also been having a lot of heartburn...sometimes it is horribly painful in my back (the heartburn). I have also recently noticed pain in my upper abdomine. The pain is right below my rib cage (both sides, left and right). And an occasional pain right between the rib cage. Yesterday I tried to take a nap and every time I layed down on my side either right or left, it made the pain a lot worse on the right side. The pain comes and goes and may last a minute or two at a time. My doctor gave me a blood test and that ruled out pancreitis and gallbladder disease. Does that also rule out gallstones, because that is what my doctor suspected at first. Also when I drink alcohol it makes me real nauseous. I had an upper GI done and won't get those results back until later in the week. The doctor ordered the upper gi because she thought I may have an ulcer. They also took three more viles of blood from me, I don't know what for. I am worried because I have never had heartburn before and the pain which at first came about once a day has now increased to about once every two hours or more. It is right below my rib cage on the left, the middle, and the right. The pain doesn't all come at the areas at the same time. Sometimes it is just the right, then the left, and so forth. But the right side always hurts the worst when I do get pain. Hopefully you can give me a little understanding of what might be happening to me. At least I will have something to go on the next time I go see my Doctor.
Thank you very much.
Jamie
Dear Jamie:
Thank you for your question regarding possible ulcer in the setting of abdominal discomfort. The diagnosis of abdominal pain can be murky and does not necessarily fall in a easy formula. Ulcer mediated pain is usually improved with medicines designed to lower stomach acidity. Prevacid is a potent "antacid" medication which would be expected to benefit most acid mediated disease. Additionally we know recognize that most ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori, an organism(bacterium) that can colonize the stomach leading to subsequent damage and ulcer disease in some patients. A good quality contrast study of the stomach and duodenum can usually make the diagnosis of ulcer disease. A blood test is available for H.pylori. In some instance an upper endoscopy is useful. If pain persists an Abdominal ultrasound is often ordered since gallstones are also in the differential. The normal liver and pancreatic enzymes are reassuring, but do not exclude inflammation of the gallbladder. I'm sure these issues will be addressed with your follow-up visit with your physician. Thanks again for your question. FWR
Follow Ups:
Upper abdominal pain deborah B. 7/08/1999
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Upper abdominal pain Jamie 7/02/1999
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