Stomach Problems

[mon26]

Okay...Long Story!  About two months ago I started having a burning pain in my upper stomach...pretty high...almost where my rib cages meet. It burned and always felt like I was hungry...I would eat and then within fifteen min. it would feel like i was hungry again. Now within last two weeks... I am having severe pain at times...not nec. burning but pain also. At times it feels like extreme gas, pressure, and bloating. Worse after I eat..but hurts all the time. My bowel habits have changed...sometimes go up to two times a day..usually I am lucky if I go 1 time in three weeks. I am not sure what is going on...thinking gall bladder or ulcer. I have no health insurance so I usually put pain off until I can't handle it any longer. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
I am 28 and I do not smoke...Have gained some weight within last year.

[Kaneda2112]

I'm saddened to see that so many folks can't see a doctor because of lack of insurance.

I have read of people getting ulcers at your age. I think the gold standard for checking out problems like these is an endoscopy and a test for H Pylori bacteria. No one wants to go through it, but I suspect things will only get worse if you don't get it checked out by a professional.

[mon26]

I have tried Zantac, been taking prilosec for a month and half, have tried maalox and a gas pill. No luck

[Kaneda2112]

Have you tried an antacid or something like Pepto-Bismol or Zantac - which I think reduces the amount of acid secreted by the stomach in order to reduce ulcer and heartburn pain or to assist in healing of ulcers - I'm pretty sure it is used to treat stomach and duodenal (intestinal) ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). That might point you in the right direction. Sounds like you should still see your GP though.