Pain on abdominal area left of navel

[elgon]

For about 4 months now I have been experiencing pain to the area generally left of navel and slightly higher, and midway between navel and flank.
The pain is mostly gnawing in nature. I visited the doctor and she put me on Zantac suspecting I had an ulcer to see how I would react to it (I presume). It seemed to relieve the pain for a while then basically stopped working.
The pain gets worse when I have an empty stomach though that is not guaranteed as it may come even just a few hours after I have eaten.
Spicy foods do not seem to aggravate the pain. Alcohol consumption (beer) actually seems to be a sure way to relieve the pain and that has the doctor seemingly confused.
Also, taking a pain killer (paracetemol and aspirin combo) seems to work much better in relieving the pain than aforesaid Zantac and like family.
I have no problems passing stool which is of normal consistency mostly.
When experiencing the gnawing pain, direct pressure on the area is painful though I am unable to determine if the pain I induce is due to my pressing as were I to press on other side of abdomen..
I can miss breakfast and Lunch with the pain not showing up on some days while this would bring the onset of the pain on other days.
As far as meals go I believe the pain is not dependent on meals.
Also, as compared to a beer, water has no effect in relieving the pain.

I am scheduled for an endoscopy (sp) in a few weeks (as its pretty pricey here).
I feel like I should be having an ulcer but the symptoms other than the pain seem to be slightly off?

I am a smoker.
I drink mostly beer on an average of 3 evenings a week. My friends consider me a mild drinker as I can not handle more than 6 beers (I get sick and nauseated thus never manage to get drunk).
I also take gin/orange juice about thrice a month. About 12 tots a month.

[elgon]

Thanks. I doubt am an alcoholic so not offended.
Meanwhile, maybe I should have been clearer. If I get the pains and I take a beer ( just one ), the pain will vanish until about the next day. That's what has the doc baffled as he was also of the opinion that it would just numb the pain and wear off.

[tschock]

"Alcohol consumption (beer) actually seems to be a sure way to relieve the pain and that has the doctor seemingly confused. "
Your doctor should know better. Alcohol always makes "ulcers" and the like "feel better" just ask any alcoholic/recovering alcoholic/anyone who drinks that has an ulcer, and they will tell you.
The beer will seemingly "make it feel better" by numbing the pain...but as the beer wears off the pain will return.
My dad told his doctor that the beer made his ulcer feel better, and his doctor agreed...but also told him that the beer was doing more damage at the same time.

Anyway, not saying that you have an ulcer, but if it were an ulcer, and you were still drinking while taking the meds...then the booze would nullify the meds...

Not here to judge, so please don't think I'm calling you an aloholic, I'm just pointing out the error that your doctor made, and telling you of personal (family) experience.