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I Have Been Having Upper Abdominal Pain For A Few

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Posted on Mon, 30 Dec 2019
Question: I have been having upper abdominal pain for a few months now. My GP told me it was gerd and sent me away with Nexium. Nexium helped a bit but I was still getting pain between my belly button and sternum.

I had an ultrasound and everything was clear except for a gallstone.

Would a gallstone be causing regular pain? Would stomach cancer show on an ultrasound?

My symptoms are
- stomach pain worse in the evenings
- pain in between sternum and belly button
- increased gas
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It could easily be a gallstone causing your symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi Tkinnear,

Gallstones could easily be causing your symptoms if they include sudden onset of colicy pain in your upper abdomen lasting up to a few hours. If that is the case, I would you consulted a local surgeon to a talk about having your gall bladder removed. If your symptoms deviate from the above, it would be a good idea to have a gastroscopy performed.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stomach cancer unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi again Tkinnear,

Stomach cancer is typically found on gastroscopy and, rarely, on computed tomography scans. The likelihood of cancer depends on your age - how old are you?

Gallstone colic (I.e. sudden onset sharp pain that goes away spontaneously after a few hours) is usually located under the ribs on the right side or between the belly button and the sternum. Have you had any blood tests, e.g. liver function tests?

Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (7 minutes later)
Would stomach cancer show on a abdominal ultrasound?

I thought gallstone pain was under the right rib? The pain I get is usually in the centre and inbetween my sternum and belly button.

What do you mean by colicky pain?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stomach cancer extremely unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Considering your age, stomach cancer is extremely unlikely. The gas or wind can be many things, e.g. indigestion or small bowel bacterial overgrowth. This can be diagnosed on gastroscopy, so I will recommend you have a gastroscopy performed. If this looks fine, I would primarily ascribe your symptoms to the gallstones.

Does it make sense to you? Let me know if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (18 minutes later)
I am 33 years old.

As noted previously I do feel like I have more wind that usual. Can wind be caused by gallstones?

I have had a bloody test for liver function etc and everything was perfect.
Answered by
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Dr. Anders Mark Christensen

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2016

Answered : 1563 Questions

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I Have Been Having Upper Abdominal Pain For A Few

Brief Answer: It could easily be a gallstone causing your symptoms Detailed Answer: Hi Tkinnear, Gallstones could easily be causing your symptoms if they include sudden onset of colicy pain in your upper abdomen lasting up to a few hours. If that is the case, I would you consulted a local surgeon to a talk about having your gall bladder removed. If your symptoms deviate from the above, it would be a good idea to have a gastroscopy performed. Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.