Hard to describe stomach pains

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2005
Hard to describe stomach pains
3
Fri, 09-15-2006 - 8:44pm
Hello. Frequent lurker, occasional poster here. I have had this pain before and here it is again. It is right up where my rib cage meets. My doc always thinks I'm describing heart burn but it doesn't feel like a burning sensation. It feels more gnawing and sore. I've had it on and off but pretty much on, all day long. I took Zantac this morning but the pain is still there. I called the on-call doc and he said to try Prilosec and if that doesn't help to be examined by my doc on Monday. I am VERY stressed and wonder if this pain could be caused by stress. As I mentioned, I've had this before, ran to the doc for an exam and was prescribed Zantac. It'll go away for a few weeks or months and here it is again. I am a very anxious person and fear that this is some serious illness. I had an endoscopy in 2004 which showed nothing, no illness. I recently had an abdominal ultrasound which showed nothing either. I've had all kinds of blood tests run and all are negative. Has anyone experienced something similar? I am so worried and I HATE worrying! Thanks for any responses.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sat, 09-16-2006 - 9:55am

What you are describing sounds very similar to costochondritis. Here is a site that explains it better than I can...


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626


The only thing that helps me is to use Lidoderm pain patches over the area. They have to be Rx'd because they contain lidocaine, which helps numb the area.


Let us know if the Prilosec helps, or if seeing your doc on Monday affirms what I suggested!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2005
Sat, 09-16-2006 - 6:17pm

Elise,

Thank you so much for this information! Yes, after reading the link, it describes the pain that I feel. And I do get it every now and then. I'm going to bring it up to my doctor on Monday and will let you know if she confers. Thanks again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sat, 09-16-2006 - 6:25pm

Monday can't get here soon enough now, eh? lol


Try alternating warmth and cold compresses on the area and see if that helps at all for now. Another thing that your Dr. might Rx is a Medrol dosepak (the generic works fine too). It is a series of pills that you take, starting with a lot, then tapering down to none in about a week's time. It is a steroid that helps to soothe and decrease the inflammation, but shouldn't cause any problems because it is a very precise amount.

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