I am at my wits end with what is ailing
me. Over 6 months ago I went to the doctor
for pain I was having jsut below my rib
cage in the middle where the V shape is.
It felt like pressure and I didnt like
things touching me there...it felt
uncomfortable. I have to sleep with a
pillow against my stomach and chest to
feel comfortable on my side as it supports
me somewhat. The doctor took X-rays, a CT
scan, and a ultra-sound. They told me they
couldnt find anything wrong with me and it
was all in my head...or so they inferred.
They game me hydrocodine as I told them it
was hard for me to sleep and also
ranitadine (sp?) in case it was an ulcer.
Fast forward to the present.
For awhile I felt better and the pain meds
really helped but I no longer take them. I
have had several bouts of nausea where I
feel clamy and just not right in the
middle of the night. I get up and take
some pepto-bismol and it helps. Ive
thrown-up a couple of times...usually it
is just stomach acid and once I just
burped really loud.
Im not pregnant...but the nausea comes and
goes. Sometimes I don't even want to eat
and I feel I have lost some weight over
the time I havent been feeling well due to
not eating enough bc I dont feel well.
Recently the pain below my rib cage has
come back and I would really like some
kind of idea of what could be wrong with
me. I cant afford a million tests again
just to hear "we cant find anything wrong
with you!" and get sent on my way again.
My insurrance is not that good and I
barely make enough to cover my normal
bills. The pain seems to be all across
the bottom of my rib cage as of last
night. It's not sharpe but more like a
dull pain that is tiring. I feel like Ive
been holding my stomach in forever and my
muscles are just really tired. The middle
area below my rib cage is especially
sensitive as well. No matter what position
I am in, I feel
discomfort..sitting,standing,laying
down...there is no escape for me.
My husband just thinks its an ulcer but
Ive been taking pepto-bismol for 3 weeks
twice a day now and the nuasea seems
better but the pain is not. He wants me to
take some other ulcer medication but I
just dont know what to do.
Please help! If you can give me any idea
what this is I would greatly appreciate
any advice/help you can give me. I know
you cant diagnose me but any kind of
direction as to where to go to get
help/find out what's wrong with me without
making me go bankrupt would be great.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
Thanks: 31
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Nausea Answer A2247 Posted: 01-31-07 06:51am
According to the symptoms (dull pain below
the ribcage in the middle that lasts for
more than 6 months), you could be
experiencing a peptic ulcer. The medical
examinations you've performed (X-ray
image, CT-scan and ultrasound-scan)
can’t reveal a stomach or duodenal
peptic ulcer... if there is any. Peptic
ulcers can be confirmed or excluded only
via a gastroscopy. Other diseases of the
stomach or duodenum such as tumors,
inflammations, hiatus hernia, diverticulum
etc. can also be revealed with a
gastroscopy. Blood analyses for
Helicobacter pillory can be also done. You
can consult an internist about the
condition immediately to seek diagnostic
procedures, diagnosis, and treatment.
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