Question: I have upper abdominal pain that worsens as the day goes on. I am pretty much fine while sleeing and up until afternoon. In afternoon I may start some discomfort that increases around dinner time. It seems to get worse after dinner. Here is the weird part. If I am standing up in the evening, basically before or after dinner, I feel just very mild discomfort. However, if I sit in a rocker/recliner (just sitting back in it or actually reclining) in the evening the pain gets worse very quickly and stays pretty bad until I stand up again. Then, very quickly it just goes back to very mild discomfort until I get back in the recliner. Sitting upright or leaning forward while sitting, rather than even slightly reclining, seems to give me significant relief as well. When pain is pretty bad I will feel pulsating in my upper abdomen as well. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis which seemed to resolve over a few months. I also have a mild hiatel hernia. I also will feel on rare occasions an almost tightness in my lower chest and/or some shortness of breath. This should not be heart related as I see a cardiologist for A-Fib and have my heart tested quite often. I even went to the ER with the chest symptoms a year or so ago and after running a bunch of tests they said the tightness/shortness of breath was not heart related. I take one Protonix a day. I am an almost daily drinker of alchohol.

Please help. Thank You!

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This past XXXXXXX 18th I had a blood draw and a complete physical. The blood draw covered all the liver enzymes and the tests were all normal. Would issues regarding Pancreatitis have come up in that blood test or is that too long ago? I was having similar symptoms back then but not with the regularity that I have been having recently.

I will stop bothering you after this one. A few quick questions that hopefully you can answer quickly. How serious is this? How is pancreatitis treated? Why chronic and not acute? In addition to no alchohol, is there anything else I can do (diet, etc.) as some type of home treatment until I see my doctor? If the pain issue goes away do to no alchohol etc., I assume I still should see my doctor? You said abstaining from alchohol should provide relief. How long should this take? Should I ever drink alchohol again?
Thank you for your patience in dealing with me.
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I just want clarification on approximately how long of alcohol abstinence before I should see pain relief and are there any over the counter meds I can take to help deal with pain in the meantime.
Thank you again. I will set an appointment with my doctor.