Shar - this sounds to me (not an expert) like your gallbladder.

Starting back in November, 2006, I started having 'pain' in the center of my upper stomach, at the base of my sternum. Having brothers who played rough, it felt as though I was punched in the diaphram. The pain was sharp and constant! They felt like strong contractions, and I would literally, feel like I was dying!

Here are/were my symptoms (as I had my gallbladder and stone removed on 3/26):

1. Sharp and dull ache pain in the center of my stomach, upper diaphram area for hours at a time (sometimes 3 hours, other nights, 10 hours).
2. Constipation
3. Chills and sweats
4. Lying down made it worse
5. I slept sitting up on the sofa when episodes hit
6. Leaning into a countertop or over the sofa, stomach first, seemed to alleviate some pain, but it was temporary.
7. Forcing myself to vomit was the only relief, and that happened 2 hours after vomiting.

After a month or so of this pain (3-5 nights a week), I realized it was my diet. I did internet research and diagnosed myself and got an appt with a doctor.

I stopped eating fat, meat and dairy. My diet consisted of salad (lettuce), slices of turkey lunch meat, fat free yogurt and 98% fat free cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup from Campbells Soup. I lost 30lbs in 1 month. While on this 'diet' (which was a way to prevent pain) I had no episodes.

I went to my primary care (he gave me prevacid for acid reflux - jerk), then i made an appt with a gastro doctor, who scheduled me for an ultra sound. The ultrasound found that I had a swollen gallbladder and a huge honking stone blocking my schpincter (sp).

Surgery was scheduled right away, laproscopically.

Here it is 2 weeks later, and I'm perfect! No pain, no side effects, no nothing. I'm still eating 'safely', as any fat or grease will 'run' through me in minutes!

So, I would strongly suggest that you see a gastro doctor, demand an ultrasound and find a good surgeon! Laproscopic Surgery is the way to go, i was in and out in 5 hours, including recovery and prep time. I worked from home the day after surgery and was back to work in 1 week.

You will feel so much better in a day or two!!! Do it! Keep me posted as to your status. Good luck!!!!