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| Mon, 09-13-2004 - 2:36am |
I've always had trouble with my stomach and intestines. However, about 2 1/2 years ago I began feeling a mild burning sensation in the center of my stomach from the area just below the rib cage down to the naval. Sometimes it would move a bit to the left as well. It's not the same as heartburn or acid reflux. I'm very familiar with those. I started getting heartburn about 10 years ago...still do. I get acid reflux sometimes, too. What I find interesting is that the discomfort is usually relieved by eating. Then is returns a few hours later. I've read that certain types of ulcers will do that. I've been to the doctor several times. I've been taking 15mg Prevacid once daily on and off for the past 2 years. It seems to help, but the problem has not gone away. If I stop taking the pills it gets noticeably worse.
I should also mention that I recently discovered that I'm lactose intolerant and slightly allergic to wheat products. Yeah, my digestion is pretty poor. Plus...just when you thought it couldn't get worse, I'm also emetaphobic (afraid of vomiting). No, I'm not exaggerating, but that's a topic for a different board. The only reason I mentioned being phobic is because one doctor thought that my stomach troubles may have been primarily brought on by my fear.
I haven't been scoped yet, and I really don't want to be. It sounds scary and I honestly can't afford it (no insurance). Right now I'm just looking for someone who may have had a similar experience. Most people I talk to confuse my symptoms with heartburn and GERD. I don't think it's the same thing. While I DO get heartburn and GERD at times, I believe the burning in my stomach is too low to be considered the same thing.
Stomach cancer HAS crossed my mind, but everyone I've spoken to (including my doctor) says that it's been going on for too long to be cancer. As I mentioned earlier, it's been 2 1/2 years. I'm an otherwise healthy person. My eating habits have changed for the better. I barely eat any junk food anymore because my digestive tract can't tolerate much of it. As of 2 months ago I gave up all dairy foods and replaced them with soy products. I eat a lot of poultry, fish, fruits, veggies, etc. Aside from my stomach, I feel very good and seem to be healthier than ever before. I don't even catch colds as often as I used to.
Sorry, I just realized how long this has turned out to be. I better stop now. Please, if anyone has any thoughts or experiences to share I would REALLY appreciate it. I posted about this several months ago, but didn't get much of a reply. I'm hoping my luck will change. Thanks so much.
| Mon, 09-13-2004 - 3:15pm |
