Pain in upper stomach

I have been feeling bad for 4 days. Sick to my stomach and diarrhea. Right now the diarrhea has stop. But yesterday  all of a sudden I got hit with pain so bad I double over. It was upper stomach and it lasted 6 hours I road it out praying it would go away. I gave birth before and having a baby was a walk in the park compare to this pain. It came in hard and strong like some kind of attack. There was nothing that would make it go away. I'm a 41 female I did have a bad Kidney infection last Dec. Today I feel sick  and weak but no pain. The pain felt like a sharp knife in my gut. I have never felt pain as bad as that. Has anyone been to hell like this. And what could this be? I don't burn when I go to the bathroom.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.  

I suggest seeing a physician to evaluate this.  

There are several causes for your pain.  You are describing upper stomach pain and diarrhea.  Causes can include gastroenteritis, dyspepsia (i.e. peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis), GERD, pancreatitis, biliary disease, or cancer.  

The time course of the disease and presence of diarrhea suggests that you need to evaluate for causes of infectious gastroenteritis.  Stool cultures and tests for ova and parasites should be performed.

I would also consider abdominal films and tests for pancreatitis and biliary disease.  

If all the above is negative and the pain is continuing, then an upper endoscopy or barium swallow to evaluate for ulcers, gastritis or esophagitis needs to be considered.

Other imaging tests such as an ultrasound to evaluate for biliary disease, or CT scan looking for other organ damage needs to also be considered.  

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.