Don't know what to do about DH - in pain

[IHeartKingThistle]

Any advice?

DH has been poorly nearly a year - initially pericarditis, then post-viral fatigue, then chest/upper stomach discomfort that is still ongoing. He's been on all the anti acid meds there are and they haven't really helped. He was due to have a gastroscopy this week but obviously that was cancelled. The pain has ramped up this week and tonight it's sharper, all across the top of his stomach and he's really struggling.

What the hell do I do? I've got 2 DC here. I mean it could just be really bad trapped wind but I haven't seen him like this before. Can't be gallstones as all up the middle of his chest, not on one side. Docs were wondering about a hernia but no idea what that would feel like. I'm worried it's something bad and he won't be able to get help.

Anyone?

Bumping for you OP

Have you called 111?

Is he still sleeping flat?

I have acid reflux and have to sleep elevated and follow the GERD diet for a month when it gets bad. I have a pillow for it but used to use an old sofa cushion to sleep partly sitting up.

Don't know if that's worth a shot. I thought I was having heart attacks sometimes with it the chest pain got that bad.

I would try the 111 online service as a starting point. It sounds like you can’t just leave him. I resume they still have the website working for non COVID illnesses. I think the COVID one is a separate site. So I’d try that first.

Could it be stomach ulcers? If so you can buy omeprazole either OTC or as Nexium, it’s pretty much what you’d get prescribed to ulcers from the GP.

Phone 111 though, he shouldn’t be left in pain

Thanks. Not called yet.

I think you should phone 111 too but just to say, i had gallstones and my pain was definitely in the middle - right where the top of my ribs meets my chest. It was never on one side only, although i know that is unusual.

Can you try 111? I know they are exceptionally busy but it does sound like he needs help. Im sure someone else will be along soon. This doesn’t sound like a bad flare of chronic pain from what you have said so needs investigating. I know you don’t want to trouble the NHS but if he needs it, he needs it. Until you are sure what it is, throwing more painkillers at it probably isn’t the best course of action. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along. Thinking of you.

He needs to be seen. Has he had ct scan at any point? I had pericarditis and was dismissed with reflux for a while. I’m not a music so not going to make predictions but I think he needs to be examined.

*medic

Thanks everyone. He has already taken paracetamol and ibuprofen on top of his prescribed anti acid meds so going to see if that kicks in before ringing 111.

Thanks for replying, it's calming me down a bit.

@dorisrainbow he's had MRIs of heart and head and spine and lots of ECGs and heart tests but no CT scan - what would they be looking for?

Get him to lay on his left side. if its wind that should help. I'd call 111 as it's likely to be a long wait.

Gallstones can cause lots of weird symptoms, definitely something that needs ruling out!

When I had gallstones the pain was definitely central. They were confirmed when I had an ultrasound examination.

Probably nothing else if he’s had an mri that’s ruled. Most things out- gallstones for example don’t always show in an ultrasound but would on a ct

I had gallstones and the attack felt like my chest was being constricted. Almost like someone had wrapped a sheet around it and pulled it tight. It was a very strange sensation have never felt anything like it.

Have you called yet? How is his pain?

Gallstones are the worst pain ever. Call 111

If it is gallstones he may get some relief from gentle movement. Which is the opposite of what you want to do when in pain I know. Downward dog and even headstands against sofa gave me some relief. Can you get some co-codamol and buscopan from pharmacy?

I don't have GERD normally ( a bit of experience from pregnancy) but I had bad pains in my solar plexus area, under the ribs, difficulty catching a breath etc, feeling of burning a week ago. They're actually, I discovered, common CV-19 symptoms. Can he take his temperature? If he's prone to pain in that area it might well be exacerbated by a mild case of the virus. Can he take paracetamol? I would phone the GP in the morning or 111 now (totally reasonable to call given the cancelled appointment) and try that.

Thanks so much. I don't think the pain is as bad as a gallstone attack. He's got a heat pad on and has done some deep breathing and it's eased a little. Fingers crossed.

I had 2 episodes of pericarditis.
I also got costochondritis after each episode which now persists.
The pain is high up on the chest and at times is brutal
Antiflamatories help
It's intermittent
It is supposed to settle but mine hasn't
However now what I know what it is I am not as concerned

Was there any initial trigger to any of these symptoms?

Have diet, lifestyle, allergies been ruled out?

I hurt my knee a few years ago and was advised ta take ibuprofen. A short while later I started being sick, continued to be sick more and more with worse and worse pain in my abdomen until I stopped taking ibuprofen. I took it once more to test it and was both in pain and sick.

I suffered from chronic fatigue after glandular fever and the combination of eating super healthily, giving up smoking, taking up yoga and looking after my mental health really made a huge difference.