ab pain and gas

About two weeks ago I noticed that I had more gas than usual.  I thought that it was just because I ate dairy.  As it progressed it became almost a constant feeling of pressure with gas.  Now I have abdominal pain on the left side right below my rib cage.  When I wake up in the morning, there's no pain,  But as I eat and progress throughout the day, it becomes worse and worse.  To the point that its hard to bend over.  And at night its hard to sleep having to avoid putting pressure on the left side.  My doctor is off until after the fourth; but I made an appoinment for as soon as she gets back.  Any advice?  

[lizziecee]

Hi - seems to be my "night" to do some counselling on here - I am sorry you have had no replies as yet. My husband has had some quite serious problems with gas and upper abdominal pain, using about a half litre bottle of Gaviscon a month, and being up 3/4 times a night. For some inexplicable reason, he decided to take himself off almost all dairy products about 6 months ago, and he hasn't needed to use Gaviscon since then and sleeps the night through. He only has 2% milk in tea. and we use sunflower or olive oil for cooking. Fortunately he doesn't like cheese or eat any kind of dessert or ice cream. and has dry toast.  A number of people are "lactose intolerant", so this could perhaps be your problem.
I would try cutting out dairy for a month and see if your symptoms improve. I don't know what alternative products you have to dairy in the US, but assume you have soya milk, and perhaps goat's milk, which we have here in England.
Good luck.
Liz.