Medical Questions > Conditions and Diseases > Digestive and Bowel Disorders Forum

Digestive problems? Gallbladder? IBS? Pancreas?

Must Read
Feeling constipated? Do you know how constipation is medically defined? Get the basics on this common gastrointestinal complaint here....
Are you experiencing severe or chronic constipation? Learn about causes of constipation here....
Constipation is defined differently by different people. Learn to identify signs and symptoms of constipation and know when to ask for medical help....
Hello,

I am a 19 (20 in June) year old female. Early last week after I began eating dinner (I had only had a few bites) I experienced a dull, annoying pain on my left side directly under my rib cage. Within minutes it had spread throughout my entire front side and then the pain wrapped around my back. The pain lasted for several hours even after laying down so I did not finish my dinner. The next evening while I was eating dinner the same thing occurred, though the pain was worse because we were out for dinner so I was unable to lay down. During the day when I have snacks I experience the same pain, although it stays focused on my left side under my rib cage. This morning I woke up with a dull pulsing pain on my right side under my rib cage. During all of this I have had continuous diarrhea that began a little over a week ago, although it is on and off depending on the day. I have not changed my diet recently and my menstrual cycle has been on time. I do not take any medication regularly and I have not been sick since last year (2011). Has anyone else experienced similar things that have (or have not) been diagnosed with something? I am currently in Michigan at my father's house and I live in Indiana. I will be driving home Monday morning and plan to call my doctor when his office is open on Monday morning. I am unable to go to the doctor until then.

Thank you for reading this!
Did you find this post helpful?
|

User Profile
replied March 26th, 2012
Hello and welcome to e health forum. ‎

Your symptoms and history appear to be due to Gastric reflux or gastritis. ‎

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen.‎

Gastritis pain occurs in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain seems to travel ‎‎‎‎‎from the belly to the back. Other symptoms of gastritis include - Belching, Nausea and vomiting, ‎‎‎‎‎Bloating, Feeling of fullness or burning in the upper part of the belly. ‎

Treatment of your symptoms due to acid reflux or gastritis can be tried with over the counter antacids ‎‎like Gelusil, tums, mylanta ‎‎‎and acid reducing medications like omeprazole. ‎

If they do not help, then, stronger medications that protect the stomach's lining or lessen acid ‎‎‎‎‎production in the stomach are available by prescription. ‎

You should consult with a gastroenterologist, who if needed can order gastric ‎emptying tests, or ‎endoscopies to diagnose conditions like peptic ulcer disease or gastric reflux. ‎

You may consult your doctor for proper advice ‎‎‎and appropriate treatment.‎



|
Did you find this post helpful?
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Digestive and Bowel Disorders , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.