ericgtr

For the last several years I have had a problem with my stomach, I sometimes get severe stomach aches that usually happen at night after I've eaten. I also seem to have an intolerance to fatty foods. This combined with a lot of tension behind my sternum was cause enough to go see the Dr.

They ran a full blood workup and did an ultrasound, all my results came back with no problems, other than my cholesterol is a little high but nothing to really worry about my dr said.

I was pretty convinced that I had gallstones because these seem like classic symptoms but I am also a thin male, which my dr said doesn't really fit that bill.

So he's perscribed me some perscription based and acid, he thinks it could either be acid reflux or a small ulcer. Anyway just thought I would share the good news that nothing is really wrong, when they did the ultrasound I saw a bunch of big ass black spots and was sure they were cancer or something!

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Teri B.

OMG! I'm the queen of stomach issues. I had my gallbladder out about 4 yrs., ago and it's only made things worse, since your gallbladder filters bile. Without it, the bile just goes straight into the intestines.

I take Donnatal every day, and Levsin as needed, along with Zantac, and that seems to keep the hot lava that tends to roll around in my stomach under control. Plus, I never eat anything spicy (which SUCKS cause Mexican and Thai are my favorites) or greasy. And I'm mostly okay now.

I have a friend in my office who had EXACTLY the same issues, and when her doctor prescribed Donnatal and Levsin at her insistence, she got better too.

neptune

Acid reflux is nothing to take lightly. I don't know what kind of insurance you have, or whether this doc is a general practice or a gastroenterologist.

The correct procedure is not ultrasound but esophogoscopy. This is an endoscopic examination of the esophogus, under conscious sedation (demorol and atavan.)

They can visualize the lower esophogus where it joins with the stomach, they can diagnose ulcers and detect Barrett's esophogus. Barretts is a pre-cancerous condition resulting from reflux. They generally biopsy this tissue.

I know all of this from personal experience -- it's not an uncommon condition.

If your doc didn't mention the endoscopy, I would ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.

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Cookie

Eric,

If you ever have a real, honest-to-goodness gallbladder attack, you will think you are dying. Seriously. It hurts behind your sternum, and it's the worst pain I've ever had, with the exception of childbirth.

Glad you are doing well, and don't sweat the small stuff.

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ericgtr

We talked about it and decided against it. We agreed that putting me on this perscription would be the best route to take for now. I have real issues about my throat and knocked out or not the thought of having them send a scope down it puts me into an immediate panic. I'll try the medication for a while and if need be, I will get further testing done.

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ericgtr

Maybe the stomach aches aren't as bad as I think but when it hits it is literally unbearable. I cannot sleep, have a hard time walking and absolutely cannot eat.

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Teri B.

I've had three endoscopies over the years. They're really not a big deal. And they don't actually knock you out, it's that strange twilight sleep, where you're awake but can't remember anything (now THAT'S creepy).

Cookie

Don't panic about the endoscopy. I had one in May this year, and it was easy as pie. I didn't feel or know a thing about the procedure (of course they explained what would happen beforehand, but I was in sweet slumber during the whole thing) and woke up as they were removing my little mouthpiece. I felt fine, and the tests were fine. I've had severe GERD (worse than acid reflux) for years due to the meds I take for my other conditions. No Barrett's Esophagus, only one little bitty polyp that was totally harmless.

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Cookie

I looooovvvveee those drugs...

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Corgi butts drive me nuts.

Cookie

My husband feels the way you do.

I'm glad you went to see your doctor. How's the medication working for you?

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Corgi butts drive me nuts.