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Question: I have been very stressed and kind of going through a lot for a while now also causing anxiety. Lately, I have started having a pain in my abdomen right below my chest bone where it firsts gets soft, and over to the right a little. So, it is under my ribs, but just barely. It feels kind of like a burning, like I might expect from a peptic ulcer, but I tried eating spicey food at lunch to see if it had an effect and I noticed no change. I notice the pain is worst when I am tense, but it definitely feels like a physiological pain of some sort. Any idea what this might be?
Brief Answer:
Most probably a gastritis/peptic ulcer type pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your question to HCM.
From what you are describing, seems very likely to be a gastritis type of pain.
Not always spicy foods are the causes of it. But stress is surely one of the exacerbating factors, that may cause this type of pain.
If I was your caring doctor, I would recommend to try using a proton pomp inhibitor, like omeprazole 20mg, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, ect once/day before food for 2 weeks.
I would not recommend using the NSAID, because they but may make the pain worse, or not effect it at all (since they are not directly the cause of the pain).
Other types of pain that may be localized in the place you are describing, but less typical from what you are explaining may be a muscular pain (if it hurts when you move, or when you touch that spot); a gallbladder stone pain (if it gets worse after food, an ultrasound may say it for sure if its the cause of the pain); bowel movement pain (less typical, but you may have bloating,gases, diarrhea or constipation at the same time).
If the pain is not improved after 1 week of using one of the proton pomp inhibitors, then you should maybe visit your local doctor who may do further investigations like an abdominal ultrasound, a fibrogastroscopy and look inside the stomach, ect.
I hope I answered your question. If you have any other question, let me know.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako.
Most probably a gastritis/peptic ulcer type pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your question to HCM.
From what you are describing, seems very likely to be a gastritis type of pain.
Not always spicy foods are the causes of it. But stress is surely one of the exacerbating factors, that may cause this type of pain.
If I was your caring doctor, I would recommend to try using a proton pomp inhibitor, like omeprazole 20mg, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, ect once/day before food for 2 weeks.
I would not recommend using the NSAID, because they but may make the pain worse, or not effect it at all (since they are not directly the cause of the pain).
Other types of pain that may be localized in the place you are describing, but less typical from what you are explaining may be a muscular pain (if it hurts when you move, or when you touch that spot); a gallbladder stone pain (if it gets worse after food, an ultrasound may say it for sure if its the cause of the pain); bowel movement pain (less typical, but you may have bloating,gases, diarrhea or constipation at the same time).
If the pain is not improved after 1 week of using one of the proton pomp inhibitors, then you should maybe visit your local doctor who may do further investigations like an abdominal ultrasound, a fibrogastroscopy and look inside the stomach, ect.
I hope I answered your question. If you have any other question, let me know.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr. Papaqako.
After doing a little research on my own, the pain was around the liver area, but it felt more like a ulceritis type pain. I am glad to know that's what you suspect as well. Where can I get a Proton Pomp Inhibitor? Can these be bought over the counter?
After doing a little research on my own, the pain was around the liver area, but it felt more like a ulceritis type pain. I am glad to know that's what you suspect as well. Where can I get a Proton Pomp Inhibitor? Can these be bought over the counter?
Brief Answer:
Details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXXX
I believe you can find the Proton Pomp Inhibitors over the counter. Though sometimes it depends on the politics of your country.
Some kinds you can seek for use are:
Omeprazole 20mg
Esomeprazole 20/40mg
Pantoprazole 40mg
Lansoprazole 28mg
Use one of them, once/day for 1-2 weeks. You should see the improvement since the first week though.
Hope this was helpful.
Let me know if you have any other question. Otherwise please don't forget to close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako.
Details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXXX
I believe you can find the Proton Pomp Inhibitors over the counter. Though sometimes it depends on the politics of your country.
Some kinds you can seek for use are:
Omeprazole 20mg
Esomeprazole 20/40mg
Pantoprazole 40mg
Lansoprazole 28mg
Use one of them, once/day for 1-2 weeks. You should see the improvement since the first week though.
Hope this was helpful.
Let me know if you have any other question. Otherwise please don't forget to close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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