severe rightside pain in lower abdomen and under ribs mostly after meals

[jralways13]

I've had a persistent pain in the lower part of my abdomen and just under my rib cage on the right side. I get this pain after each meal and sometimes before. It has been severe since 5/12/07.
I found myself in the ER on 5/15/07. I had a cat scan of my abdomen and various blood test performed. The ER doctor even done
a pelvic exam, but all of the tests were negative. After much pain and nausea meds (oh, I forgot to mention I have been nausea as well), I was sent home...only to vomit for 5 to 15 minutes.
At 1st, the ER suspected I had appendicitis. I suggested it could
be an ulcer with h.pylori because I boyfriend was diagnosed with
that in Feb of 2007. I am now home having the same symptoms. I did a little research of my own and it seems like I may have G.E.R.D... I have to see my primary care dr soon. I am soon he will refer me to a gastro specialist. My mom thinks I need an
endoscopy... What can you tell me about an endoscopy? Does it hurt? What exactly is G.E.R.D?

Thank YOU

[FloridaSunshine]

Rib pain worried me, I was put on stomach coating medicine to heal , I suspected ulcers, it took care of my problem.  After eating my pain would get worse, inflamed stomach lining can cause the rib pain.  It was stomach ulcers.

[dragonflysar21]

I had the H. Pylori bacteria, and considering that it is easily transfered though sharing cups, forks, kissing, etc. I would ask to get a blood test for that.  You don't need an endoscopy unless the test comes back possitive and they think that it might have caused ulcers.  I also have a hiatus hernia, which causes most of my symptoms, they are actually very close to your symptoms.  You would need an endosopy to see if that might be the case.  As far as the procedure goes, its really nothing at all.  You just show up, and then go home.  The settitive they give you actually doesnt make you fall asleep, but you cant remember any part of the actual procedure.  They give you oxygen and spray the back of your throat to make it all numb, and put a little plastic mouth piece in your mouth to keep you from biting down.  Hope I was a little help, and please keep us posted!!  Best Wishes for you.

[Jaybay]

GERD is reflux disease.  For different reasons, some people tend to have stomach acid back up into the esophogus, which can cause heartburn and indigestion symptoms.  I would be surprised if this is your entire problem, but agree you need to see a gastroenterologist - who will probably want an endoscopy done.  You state your pain is in the lower abdomen, and GERD typically presents with pain in the upper abdominal areas.

Endoscopy is actually a really easy test.  You are sedated (not general anesthesia, but what is called conscious, or twilight sedation), and the doc inserts a tube with a light a camera down your throat into your stomach, and a bit past the stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).  If necessary, small tissue samples can be taken at that time and sent to pathology for examination.  Not counting waking up from the sedation, the scope itself takes about 15-20 minutes, but you need the rest of the day to recover from the drugs.  It is not at all painful or anything to worry about.

Anyway, you do need to see a gastroenterologist.