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General health

Tight band around upper stomach and rib pain

67 replies

VLCos · 01/04/2017 07:42

Hello , I have been suffering with pain around my right ribs which spreads to the left. I am awaiting an appointment for an abdomen ultrasound. I had a chest X-ray and bloods which were clear.
When eating now especially bread or potatoes I have this tight band feeling around the area just below the breasts . As well as the rib pain.
Day on day the pain is worse. But I still don't have my appointment yet. I'm concerned I can't carry on like this for weeks. If I go back to GP could they speed things up ?

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 15:45

Anyone ? Today I feel so full from eating the same size portion as my 2 year old :-/

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MichaelSheensNextDW · 02/04/2017 16:09

Yes go back to GP.
I had similar and lived on homemade soup whilst I waited for my ultrasound; nothing was found and I then had an endoscopy that showed coeliac disease. It was as if any solid food just sat in my stomach, making feel instantly full. Horrible feeling.
I would ask them to get a referral into the system for an endoscopy (which can always be cancelled if the US shows the problem or if you spontaneously recover) as you need checking for a possible gastric or duodenal ulcer.

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 18:03

Thank you . I had an endoscopy last August. Which showed gastritis , they took some biopsys to which were OK . I think 36 are reluctant to do another but I think the symptoms warrants it . Out of interest how long did your ultrasound take to come through ?

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 18:04

They not 36#

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MichaelSheensNextDW · 02/04/2017 18:12

I think it was six weeks.
Have they put you on rantidine or similar, and did they test for H. Pylori?

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Achangeisadgoodasarest · 02/04/2017 18:27

Could it be gallstones? Might be worth a google of the symptoms.

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Guiltypleasures001 · 02/04/2017 18:28

I second gall stones op done very familiar

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 19:00

Thanks all. Gallstones has definitely crossed my mind. I think that's what they are wanting to check for . I am on omprezole . I was tested for H Pylori last year was negative.
I know six weeks isn't long but seems forever when in pain. I have looked online it's 99 pound private . I am seriously considering it.
I will try speak to he doctor who referred me . She told me to go back if it gets worse . Of course Dr Google tells me I must have cancer !

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MichaelSheensNextDW · 02/04/2017 19:13

I'd definitely go back, she can fast track it and even arrange for you to be seen via A&E if you're really not coping.

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PopcornBits · 02/04/2017 19:14

Sounds very much like gallstones! Hope you get an ultrasound soon.

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PopcornBits · 02/04/2017 19:15

If the pain is really bad, you need to go to a&e for morphine.

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 19:23

Thanks all . I would have definitely gone to A & E except I've been home all weekend with my 4 and 2 year old. My family don't live nearby so didn't want to drag them. You know what it's like being a parent ! Ill ring GP first thing try and get it sorted. They do the scans in my GPS on the top floor half hoping they can just squeeze me in !

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Guiltypleasures001 · 02/04/2017 19:44

Hi op

You may get a little bit of relief by being on all fours, also I used to live on on solphadine or Panadol extra, I found soluable pain killers best.

Stay away from garlic and spices and red meat, also anything with seeds in. Hot water bottle lots of water to flush the stones through, because it's them getting stuck in a tube which causes the spasms.

💐

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VLCos · 02/04/2017 19:52

Great tips . Ill definitely give them a go thank you !

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VLCos · 03/04/2017 14:00

I went back to GP she still thinks it's the gallbladder . She checked on my ultrasound . Appointment not even in system yet so she's going to chase it and flag it as urgent. So hopefully will be soon . She did say the stone will pass and go on its own if that's what it is.
Nothing given pain relief wise. She told me to try Buscapan.
She also said if scan shows nothing endoscopy will be next.
Did it make any of you feel tired ? Also I have had loose stools she seemed surprised at that and said its not usually the case with gallbladder x

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Eolian · 03/04/2017 14:06

Confused It's common to have upset stomach with gallstones. And I don't think they 'pass and go on their own' either. They might shift a bit from blocking the gallbladder but they'll do it again if untreated. Had my gallbladder out last June after only one (appalling) attack.

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Aridane · 03/04/2017 14:17

I had something not dissimilar. Putting me on a high doze of omeprazole helped (80mg) pending a gastroscopy

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Oncandystripedlegs · 03/04/2017 17:18

I am seeing the doc tomorrow after a 3 hour attack pain last Monday which was very similar to what you describe . I have eaten very small/ plain meals since then as think mine was triggered by too much chocolate and fatty food . I am worried about getting another attack as it was awful . I am thinking it is gallstones but who knows! Are you feeling any better ?

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VLCos · 03/04/2017 17:38

Thanks for the replies all.

I am feeling OK today bit washed out and very wary about what I am eating !
My food wasn't even that bad at the weekend . But today I've kept it so plain. Which seems to be helping .
Good to get it checked out.

In a way I am hoping for stones then at least I know the pain is definitely coming from there !

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Oncandystripedlegs · 04/04/2017 11:50

How are you feeling today ? I just saw the GP who thinks probably Gallstones for me so has referred me for bloods and a scan .

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VLCos · 04/04/2017 12:03

Ah that's good. Hopefully get to the bottom of it.
Still waiting for scan appointment . Waiting for blood results.
Was quite sore last night. Area still super tender to touch . Thanks for asking
How are you doing ? X

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Oncandystripedlegs · 05/04/2017 11:54

I actually feel quite good, touch wood. I have a dull ache on the right hand side but otherwise ok. I think it is because I am being forced to eat no junk! I would lovea biscuit though so am googling low fat recipes.
Did the GP give you any advice? I was basically told low fat, to stock up on co-codemol and go to a &e if the pain is too bad.

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VLCos · 05/04/2017 12:28

Yeah they told me that as well . But she did insist it comes on its own it will go on its own :-/
Pain not to bad today bit of a dull ache. Like you I am trying not to eat anything that will aggravate it ! Hard work though Lol fancy some chocolate !
My stomach feels like there is a lot of air / grumbling going on at the moment . Not sure if that is something else or same thing.
Hope you have a pain free day !

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PopcornBits · 05/04/2017 19:18

I'm not really sure why the gp has told you loose stools isn't part of gallstones because it is and I had loose stools when I had gallstones.

Also had a constant gnawing/burning pain in the centre of my stomach which I was told isn't the gallbladder because it was too central. I would get pain on the left and right side.

Well I've had it out and I've got none of that anymore! So it was definitely the gallbladder. (I do get loose stools still, but it's very mild) let us know he your scan goes!

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PopcornBits · 05/04/2017 19:21

P.s you're meant to follow a low fat diet. But if you're anything like what I was, you'll notice that almost anything can set it off.
I know I shouldn't suggest this but I didn't follow the diet mostly because I didn't want to make myself anymore depressed than I already was with the pain (let's face it, it wasn't going to go away by eating low fat anyway!) so I ate what I wanted. Buscopan is good for stopping those cramps and spasms. If anybody has any take diclofenac, or codeine, you're generally going to want to take anything that's a powerful painkiller.

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