Someone please help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2003
Someone please help!
7
Tue, 03-22-2005 - 3:45pm

Hi. I'm not really new here, but it's been a while. I have been suffering from a strange burning sensation in my stomach (not chest area...this is not heartburn) for 3 years. I have seen a few doctors. I've been on Prevacid and Prilosec, but nothing seems to help. I don't drink or smoke (ever). I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods. No fast foods and not much junk food. I'm 32 years old, female, and not overweight. I've never been tested because I have no insurance and cannot afford specialists and tests. The only test I may consider is a blood test for H. Pylori because it's only $117.00

The point of me telling you all this is that I really need some people to share their experiences with me. If you have ever felt like this...burning sensation in upper abdomen...usually in center...often relieved by eating...please share! The last doctor I saw in June said he thinks it's an ulcer and I should be tested for H. Pylor. He didn't recommend an Upper GI because of my financial situation. Could this be an ulcer? He said it's most likely not cancer because it's been 3 years and I haven't lost weight.

I just really need to hear from someone who has experienced this type of discomfort. It's not really pain...more like burning and a little pressure. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!

If I seem desperate, it's because I have posted about this several times over the last 3 years, but I've gotten very few replies. I'm hoping my luck will change.

Thanks so much!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 03-22-2005 - 4:52pm

Hi and Welcome back

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Thu, 03-24-2005 - 8:25pm

HI Eegads2003!


Welcome to the board!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Thu, 03-24-2005 - 8:51pm

Hey Eegads..


I found these ideas in a book and thought I would share them with you:

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2004
Fri, 03-25-2005 - 8:48am
Coming from someone else who is young (still in her 20s) but also dealt and still does to some extent with everyday stomach problems I can relate. First, the pain in your stomach - I would have used the same words to describe mine and it could be quite painful, but just as the other posters mentioned that can be Heartburn/Reflux. I never had heartburn in my chest but still was considered to have some GERD due to my stomach producing acid. I took a drug called Acciphex for over two years everyday (now been off for three months!!) in order to keep my stomach in check even though I ate a healthy low fat diet. The acciphex is big money so without insurance another drug that may be less expensive is Protonix which I used initially.
HOWEVER, that is only if you were to have GERD issues which your comment about food making it better is really typical of Ulcers. I can tell you that the pain I had made me nauseous so food was the last thing on my mind. My pain usually came from waiting to long to eat anything (empty stomach - too much acid) or after I ate.....food made it worse, not better. I would really try over the counter products such as tums to see if that helps.
Just a side note -- the best thing I ever did for myself was give up caffeine. I never thought I could do it b/c I used to have coffee (strong and black) in my hand all day long, but I made the switch to tea and now herbal tea is all I drink. The difference it made on my digestive system (and overall mental health as well) is remarkable.
Good luck - hope this helps.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2005
Sun, 03-27-2005 - 8:06am
I have been experiencing the same kind of pains in my stomach, in the middle. Like you, I have no insurance so have not been able to get medical help for this. I had it really bad about two years ago, then it seemed to go away. Well, that only lasted for a while and for the past few months it has been bothering me again, sometimes to the point where I can hardly stand to walk around. I have had to cut out all asprin products (used these for headaches) and have recently been trying to cut down on my caffine. For some reason the problem seems to be worse in the morning, shortly after I eat breakfast. I have been using tums and the over-the-counter Zantac (I think that's the name). It's getting better but still flares up too often to make me feel comfortable. I lost some weight about a year ago (weight I really couldn't afford to lose) and don't know if that is related to the stomach problems. I try to nibble thoughout the day instead of eating big meals, and that seems to help. I too have wondered if it could be cancer. Scary. I will be staring a job soon where I will have insurance and plan to see a doctor about this. I think the only thing that will put my mind at rest will be to get an answer to this once and for all.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 12:38pm

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry it's been so long. I haven't been online much lately. We recently encountered some more financial problems, so it's going to be a while before I can see a specialist about this. It got a little better after I posted, but has recently gotten worse again. I decided to double my dose of Prilosec OTC. I'm now taking one dose every 12 hours. Maybe that will help. Because I have IBS too, I've never tried taking anything stronger than the lowest dose of Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. I've heard of many people taking much higher doses. Perhaps that's all I need to do. Who knows? Anyway, I really appreciate your reply and I will try some of the remedies you suggested, as well.

:)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 1:09pm
Just be careful

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B