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Original poster

Not Feeling Well Gastro Issues

26 replies

Bluetod · 10/03/2025 06:50

I have had a burning pain in my upper abdomen since before Dec 24. It comes and goes but is there more frequently as time goes on. Other symptoms include burping loads, taste of bile in mouth, taste of blood when burping (sometimes) and heartburn.

Have been to the Drs who gave me a H Pylori test which was negative. I have been given omeprazole which I took for a month and it has not helped. Went back to GP who upped the dose and said don’t come back for another 4 weeks as this is how long it takes to kick in.

Im fed up now. No sign of the new dosage working and I’m sick of the discomfort. Not sure if food makes it better or worse - sometimes it does and some maimed it doesn’t? I’m full more easily than usual (though no weight loss). I’m a healthy weight, active, drink but not to excess and am also experiencing mild upper back pain (no idea if related).

Has anyone had this? Can anyone relate at all? I have a few weeks to go before I can go back to the GP and starting to get really down about the whole situation. It’s on my mind all the time. I’ve also started getting headaches since they increased the dose which isn’t helping at all.

OP posts:
Lovelysummerdays · 10/03/2025 06:55

Have they referred you for an endoscopy/ done bloods? I’d be concerned you have some sort of ulcer tbh.

Id ignore the 4 weeks. Your in pain it’s not helping and feeling worse.

Birdwordie · 10/03/2025 06:55

Have you had an offer of a gastroscopy? Obviously I'm not a medical professional but it sounds exactly like GERD. I was diagnosed with a weak LES, meaning the valve was weak and doesn't close properly allowing stomach acid to shoot back up. Medication (for me personally) wasn't effective, I changed my diet and upped exercise especially strenegthint my core to help with my diaphragm. Upper back pain can happen with GERD too! It's been well managed, I found out I was actually intolerant to dairy that seems to set mine off. Maybe try noting what you eat and when you get the pain doing a bit of a process of elimination? I hope you find some relief it's really awful

dudsville · 10/03/2025 06:58

Also, could it be your gallbladder?

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General health
CalicoPusscat · 10/03/2025 06:59

Definitely needs medical attention, don't let the GP fob you off. They upped my meds and I started flopping around and getting dizzy, it's not always the answer!

Original poster
Bluetod · 10/03/2025 07:08

Not sure if it could be an ulcer as the H Pylori test came back negative.

They haven’t offered anything except the medication so far. I asked if it could be an ulcer and the GP shrugged and said we need to try this for 4 weeks before she can refer me.

how is GERD diagnosed?

getting an appointment is like pulling teeth as they don’t consider me eligible for an urgent on the day appointment as it’s an ongoing issue.

OP posts:
Birdwordie · 10/03/2025 08:17

Bluetod · 10/03/2025 07:08

Not sure if it could be an ulcer as the H Pylori test came back negative.

They haven’t offered anything except the medication so far. I asked if it could be an ulcer and the GP shrugged and said we need to try this for 4 weeks before she can refer me.

how is GERD diagnosed?

getting an appointment is like pulling teeth as they don’t consider me eligible for an urgent on the day appointment as it’s an ongoing issue.

I think once other issues have been ruled out it's a good indicator of GERD, I pushed for a referral for more investigations had the gastroscopy and a barium swallow. Be firm, although I totally acknowledge that it's hardwork getting an appointment to begin with! Good luck, keep pushing on x

Rictasmorticia · 10/03/2025 08:44

It is possibly erosive gastritis. The only way to find out is with an endoscopy. Unfortunately with a stubborn doctor it is likely to be some time. I really do feel for you. In the meantime, I got relief with Nexium

Original poster
Bluetod · 10/03/2025 09:01

I will keep pushing. I think I need to write this all down on my notes app next time I go in so I can ask questions about all the conditions/tests mentioned. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Bluetod · 10/03/2025 09:06

Just had a quick google of gastritis - my diet is generally good but I did see that stress can be a cause of this. I lost a close relative within the last year or so and it was under really stressful circumstances. Is it worth mentioning this to the GP? It didn’t even cross my mind that something like that would impact.

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TaggieO · 10/03/2025 09:08

This sounds like bile reflux gastritis. Have you had your gall bladder removed? That makes it more likely but you can still get it either way.

Original poster
Bluetod · 10/03/2025 09:45

haven't had gall bladder removed - no previous health issues at all

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mindutopia · 10/03/2025 09:58

To me it does sound like GERD and/or gastritis (you can have both and they overlap a bit). You can also have ulcers even if H pylori negative. They are only one cause. I say this as someone with digestive issues who has had a lot of investigations. Stick with the omeprazole religiously as you’ve been told. I also took Gaviscon Advance (in the bottle) after meals.

I’d also start now to make lifestyle changes. The biggest triggers for me were stress from family issues and alcohol. Address the stress in your life. Cut out alcohol and fizzy drinks. Look for low acid foods (cut out acidic things like tomatoes, sweets, etc). Give it a couple months. If no improvement, push for the gastroscopy. It does take time for these things to heal themselves though. It will be weeks/months rather than overnight. But if truly little improvement, it needs to be further investigated.

Original poster
Bluetod · 10/03/2025 10:15

mindutopia · 10/03/2025 09:58

To me it does sound like GERD and/or gastritis (you can have both and they overlap a bit). You can also have ulcers even if H pylori negative. They are only one cause. I say this as someone with digestive issues who has had a lot of investigations. Stick with the omeprazole religiously as you’ve been told. I also took Gaviscon Advance (in the bottle) after meals.

I’d also start now to make lifestyle changes. The biggest triggers for me were stress from family issues and alcohol. Address the stress in your life. Cut out alcohol and fizzy drinks. Look for low acid foods (cut out acidic things like tomatoes, sweets, etc). Give it a couple months. If no improvement, push for the gastroscopy. It does take time for these things to heal themselves though. It will be weeks/months rather than overnight. But if truly little improvement, it needs to be further investigated.

Thank you - I will keep taking the omeprazol and maybe try gaviscon too. I will be going straight back to GP once I have finished the 3/4 weeks if still no improvement though.

Diet wise I don’t drink much alcohol. I have found lots of things online that a bad for gastro issues so will look to reduce and cut these out. Finding it hard to find suggestions of ‘helpful’ foods though - is there anything you can recommend? Someone has suggested ginger shots to me which are apparently anti inflammatory

OP posts:
Rictasmorticia · 10/03/2025 12:56

Stick to light meals and avoid anything heavy. Chicken casserole or roasted, not fried. Light vegetable soups, I find the packet one like spring vegetable and chicken noodle filling, no bread with it. Avoid fruit unless it is stewed. Light fish poached include salmon. I like salmon and mash potatoes for a good fill up. No fizzy drinks, alcohol or fresh juice. Fruit squash is fine but avoid lemon. Cook with butter or olive oil.

Your stomach needs time to heal. After my diagnosis I was given a high dose of Omerazole and no longer have to take the Nexium

Iloveeverycat · 10/03/2025 13:14

Is the pain in the middle under your sternum going through to the back that is how my gallstones were discovered. They had caused pancreatitis.

Original poster
Bluetod · 19/03/2025 16:13

Pain is in the middle upper abdomen just below sternum. Also around the same place in upper back.

The pain has ramped up over the last few days and it’s all I can think about! I was sick twice this weekend too - still taking the Omeprazole and haven’t missed one.

Tempted to go back in and get an on the day appointment tomorrow rather than wait until I’ve finished the medication as advised (that would be another 2 weeks). I have adjusted my diet and done everything recommended but this has been since beginning of December at least and been taking the omeprazole for 6 weeks now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bluetod · 30/03/2025 04:29

Update - I went back to the dr after my last post. Was given lansoprazole which has actually helped the abdominal pain considerably. However, the pain in my back is now worse to the point I can’t sleep at all tonight.

GP also said they would book me for an ultra sound to look at gall bladder but I don’t think this has happened as I haven’t heard anything.

has anyone out there had this? I’m so miserable now and starting to worry this could be something more serious. Not sure if I’m just winding myself up or if I have cause for concern?

OP posts:
guineapigsrule · 30/03/2025 05:37

Have you had any blood tests? I'm having similar issues and an having bloods and an ultra sound.

Original poster
Bluetod · 30/03/2025 07:33

No haven’t tried a blood test but I will ask at the GP. Supposed to be having an ultra sound but it’s been a week and a half and I haven’t heard anything so I’m worried she forgot to arrange this. The waiting list it 6 to 8 weeks once the appointment comes through.

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing similar - hope you get to the bottom of it.

OP posts:
Zahava · 30/03/2025 11:06

@Bluetodcould you call the GP tomorrow and ask the receptionist if the referral has gone in? Then at least you’ll know you’re waiting for the appointment and not losing time if they have forgotten to refer you.

Fedupwiththecuts · 30/03/2025 11:21

I had similar although the omepzarole did help.
The ultrasound didn't really show anything for me.
However, I've now got a suspected hernia which is above my belly button. It's developed since the scan but I wonder if it was beginning and that's why I had the pain.
My GP was keen to delay gastroscopy as he said its invasive and he wanted to try other things first.
Hope you get your scan soon.

guineapigsrule · 30/03/2025 16:00

It seems sensible to take some basic bloods. Check kidneys, liver, pancreas. Check some vitamins like b12, d, your ferritin .
Be persistent, and if the pain is that severe, a & e.

Unfittested · 03/12/2025 00:31

@Bluetod posting on the off chance you still check mumsnet. Did you get to the bottom of this? I have similat symptoms and getting very anxious!

Original poster
Bluetod · 03/12/2025 07:15

Unfittested · 03/12/2025 00:31

@Bluetod posting on the off chance you still check mumsnet. Did you get to the bottom of this? I have similat symptoms and getting very anxious!

Hi - it was gastritis. I didn’t get an ultrasound in the end as the gp forgot to make the referral but spoke to a different gp who referred me for an upper endoscopy. We played around with the lansoprazole dosage a bit and I was consistent in taking it. The pain is mild now and most days I don’t even have any. Other symptoms have either lessened or gone too. I don’t take anything anymore as I weaned myself off and so far so good.

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Original poster
Bluetod · 03/12/2025 07:16

I hope you can get it sorted as re reading the thread I remember how desperate I felt. Push for the tests and good luck

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