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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Trapped wind, discomfort left rib cage

27 replies

mumsnoangel · 24/10/2020 22:11

I've had repeated episodes of discomfort in my upper left abdomen just below my left breast, and trapped wind (mainly lots of burping but occasionally more flatulence too). It seems to be worse when I feel stressed, but the most recent episode has persisted for a few weeks. I know I should go to the doctor but I'm scared of having to have an endoscopy… It's also got a little bit better last few days, so I'm hoping that if it was anything nasty it would just get progressively worse. What might this be? Is it just something to treat like standard indigestion, or could I have something more serious wrong like pancreatitis or a stomach ulcer? The discomfort is certainly not agonising, just a sort of gnawing feeling. The discomfort is felt in my back as well as front. Looking for some ideas really

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toomuchtoworryabout · 24/10/2020 23:37

I have exactly this op, I could have written your post!
I’ve suffered with this on and off for over a year. Taking anti-acids and Defladine would help a bit sometimes, but not always.
It got quite bad recently so I spoke to the doctor and she prescribed me omeprazole, which I took for three weeks but it didn’t help at all.
She then referred me for an ultrasound which I had last week at the hospital (I only waited 3 weeks for the appointment which I was amazed by as I thought it would be much longer)
At the appointment they scanned the whole of my abdomen looking at everything- pancreas, liver, kidneys, gallbladder etc. The radiologist said he could not see anything untoward but would send the results to my doctor. I have a telephone consultation booked for next week to see what she suggests next. I have also done a stool sample and I am still waiting for the results.
It’s good that (so far) they don’t seem to have found anything terrible, but I also don’t want it brushed off as just one of those things as when I get a flare up it is really uncomfortable.
At no point has anyone suggested an endoscopy.
If I discover what mine is or I find a ‘cure’ I’ll be sure to pm you!

Torvean32 · 25/10/2020 00:18

Pancreatitis is more of an acute pain. So that's more unlikely.
I'd imagine they will try you on anti-acid medication before an endoscopy. I don't think you need you to get stressed. Just give your Gp a call.

Eckhart · 25/10/2020 00:22

I've had this, went to the doctor, and had lots of questions asked and recommendations for dietary/behavioural changes before anything else was suggested.

They won't just say 'We're going to make you have an endoscopy right now' if you go to the doctor. If you don't want one, say no when they offer it, but don't let it stop you seeking your GP's advice up until that point.

mumsnoangel · 09/11/2020 19:41

@toomuchtoworryabout

I have exactly this op, I could have written your post!
I’ve suffered with this on and off for over a year. Taking anti-acids and Defladine would help a bit sometimes, but not always.
It got quite bad recently so I spoke to the doctor and she prescribed me omeprazole, which I took for three weeks but it didn’t help at all.
She then referred me for an ultrasound which I had last week at the hospital (I only waited 3 weeks for the appointment which I was amazed by as I thought it would be much longer)
At the appointment they scanned the whole of my abdomen looking at everything- pancreas, liver, kidneys, gallbladder etc. The radiologist said he could not see anything untoward but would send the results to my doctor. I have a telephone consultation booked for next week to see what she suggests next. I have also done a stool sample and I am still waiting for the results.
It’s good that (so far) they don’t seem to have found anything terrible, but I also don’t want it brushed off as just one of those things as when I get a flare up it is really uncomfortable.
At no point has anyone suggested an endoscopy.
If I discover what mine is or I find a ‘cure’ I’ll be sure to pm you!

Spoke to the GP today and have been referred for the same tests as you. Not feeling so windy any more but discomfort in various parts of my upper abdomen front and back and feel like my right rib cage is pinching at the bottom. Bit scared to be honest. Feel very stressed about lots of things in my life at the moment so hoping these indigestion issues are more to do with that than something nasty.

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Skyliner001 · 09/11/2020 19:42

This is me! I could've written this post! It's so much worse when I'm stressed…

lostandfound55 · 09/11/2020 20:02

I have a pain on the right underneath the bottom of my ribs and also towards the middle of my stomach and the middle of my back.

I have had the ultrasound scan and gallstones have been found.

I can also suffer with trapped wind and a change in bowel movements at times, I am not sure if this is due to the gallstones or something else?

AvonCallingBarksdale · 09/11/2020 20:04

I would say gallstones - very similar to the symptoms I experienced

goose1964 · 09/11/2020 20:48

Another who had similar symptoms with gall bladder stones. Actually i still get them as I can't breakdown fat fully

mumsnoangel · 09/11/2020 21:21

I think I could handle a gall stone diagnosis. I suffer with health anxiety and am scared of something sinister. With covid the chances of a swift diagnosis is very unlikely so now weeks of me contemplating my end!

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lostandfound55 · 10/11/2020 13:31

Have you been given a number to call to book the ultrasound scan or do they contact you?

mumsnoangel · 10/11/2020 13:56

I think they write to me with a date

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lostandfound55 · 10/11/2020 14:18

When I had my scan recently you had to ring them so at least your not left waiting along time not knowing how long to be seen so I was hoping it would be the same for you.

Hopefully the pain starts to settle for you soon.

mumsnoangel · 31/01/2021 20:29

Just to update. The problem is still not solved. The pelvic ultrasound showed no issues so I'm convinced my problem is with my stomach as stomach problems do not really show up on an ultrasound. I've been on Lanzoprazole for three months and I'm not convinced it's helping very much. Next step is to ask GP to refer me to the gastroenterology outpatients. I expect the only option to really get to the bottom of this will be an endoscopy. When I spoke to the GP I don't think she was concerned as I haven't lost weight and I'm not experiencing difficulty swallowing or feel bloated or nauseous. I guess I just need a bit of reassurance there's nothing sinister going on. The most likely option I think is gastritis? My symptoms are mainly heartburn and trapped wind. My symptoms are not unbearable but I just suspect that I shouldn't put up with this without further investigation. Any thoughts folks?

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kissmelittleass · 01/02/2021 00:47

Gastritis is my bet as I suffered awfully with symptoms like yours and was referred for a gastroscopy which showed mild gastritis.

mumsnoangel · 01/02/2021 19:48

What was the endoscopy like? I'm pretty frightened at the idea of it. I'm getting a real burning sensation in the area of my ribs below my left breast and to the left side. Burping too. Are these red flags for anything worse...?

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StepOutOfLine · 01/02/2021 20:04

Have you had a h.pylori test?

Shesaysso · 01/02/2021 20:24

Please don’t worry about an endoscopy if it would be beneficial for you to have one. You can be mildly sedated for it but I had one without sedation. The procedure lasted probably 1 min at the most and whilst not very pleasant was over in a flash. I drove home and had my tea about 90 mins after it. I just wanted to reassure you it’s not that bad.

mumsnoangel · 01/02/2021 21:34

@StepOutOfLine

Have you had a h.pylori test?

Yes that was negative

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mumsnoangel · 01/02/2021 21:34

@Shesaysso

Please don’t worry about an endoscopy if it would be beneficial for you to have one. You can be mildly sedated for it but I had one without sedation. The procedure lasted probably 1 min at the most and whilst not very pleasant was over in a flash. I drove home and had my tea about 90 mins after it. I just wanted to reassure you it’s not that bad.

Thank you for your reassurance

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mumsnoangel · 01/02/2021 21:36

Trying to work out what sets me off. So far the worst offenders are tomato soup, Christmas cake and chocolate ...

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MeOldBamboo · 01/02/2021 21:48

Silly question: do you get itchy palms? Because that is an effect of gallstones and that’s what diagnosed them for me.

mumsnoangel · 01/02/2021 22:30

@MeOldBamboo

Silly question: do you get itchy palms? Because that is an effect of gallstones and that’s what diagnosed them for me.

No, also I had a ultrasound scan and no stones showed up

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kissmelittleass · 02/02/2021 15:49

@mumsnoangel I was a nervous wreck worrying about the gastroscopy I don't think anyone could of been as scared as me I have an awful gag reflex and it caused me immense stress, I waited 11 months on the list to get mine so that was a lot of stress!!
I kept telling them how scared I was on the day my hands were shaking after they sprayed the numbers spray in my throat I felt like I couldn't breathe so the doctor said knock her out!! and that's exactly what happened I was given sedation through the cannula and never woke up until I was in the recovery room thank god!!
My first words were is it over!!
I had biopsies taken so my gastroscopy took about 30 minutes I was told and my diagnosis was mild gastritis and thrush/candida in my osophagus which caused my symptoms.
Just tell them how scared you are and you'll be sedated as long as I could be sedated I'd go again no problem don't worry.

mumsnoangel · 02/02/2021 16:22

[quote kissmelittleass]@mumsnoangel I was a nervous wreck worrying about the gastroscopy I don't think anyone could of been as scared as me I have an awful gag reflex and it caused me immense stress, I waited 11 months on the list to get mine so that was a lot of stress!!
I kept telling them how scared I was on the day my hands were shaking after they sprayed the numbers spray in my throat I felt like I couldn't breathe so the doctor said knock her out!! and that's exactly what happened I was given sedation through the cannula and never woke up until I was in the recovery room thank god!!
My first words were is it over!!
I had biopsies taken so my gastroscopy took about 30 minutes I was told and my diagnosis was mild gastritis and thrush/candida in my osophagus which caused my symptoms.
Just tell them how scared you are and you'll be sedated as long as I could be sedated I'd go again no problem don't worry.[/quote]
Thank you so much for this. What were your symptoms?

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kissmelittleass · 02/02/2021 17:06

@mumsnoangel My symptoms were gnawing pain under left rib/breast, quite painful at times and could go on and off for a few hours. Burping, burning sensation in chest area, wind and sometimes achy pain going round to back. HTH

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