Is this what gastroenteritis feels like?

[EpigastricPain]

Sorry, it's not much of an AIBU, but happy to be told that I am and this is what gastroenteritis feels like.

Sorry if some of this is TMI.

Friday afternoon I developed sudden and intense pain in my upper abdomen - in that spot in the middle just below the ribs. It came in waves and I couldn't move - the most intense pain I've ever felt, on a par with childbirth. Called 111 and they dispatched an ambulance - which tbh panicked me. Got a lift to A&E in the end.

Pain lasted approx 2 hours and then went away. ECG fine, Sent to hospital GP who prescribed omeprazole and thought it must be gastric (I agree) and said see GP if it continues.

I have since developed diarrhoea (about 24hrs later), I can't hold any food, and even water is a problem.

This has also been accompanied by sulfur burps since Thu.

I have put and online request through to my doctor who has already responded saying they think it's gastroenteritis but will put a private referral though for me to be picked up next week (this is what I requested, so I can access my private healthcare through work).

Sorry...I am getting to the point.

Would I be unreasonable to investigate this further with my private healthcare provider, or is this really what gastroenteritis feels like.

I feel absolutely fine otherwise. No fever or fatigue, but I have had nausea for about a month.

I had that with ibs and also gall bladder but after a ibs attack I do feel wiped after.

I did suspect gallstones, during my googling while I waited for the hospital GP.

I had something very similar a few months ago. Me and my OH both had horrific diarrhea and stomach cramps all week and one night I woke up in the most horrific pain. It felt like it was coming from behind my ribs, as though my lungs were being inflated and could no longer fit. I was on the bathroom floor on my hands and knees and genuinely couldn't speak or move, really intense pain. My OH was on the verge of ringing an ambulance but quite quickly the pain subsided after 5-10 minutes. I was pregnant at the time so we called triage, however they weren't concerned about the baby so I just left it. I do think it was gastro related though. It hasn't happened since. And yes, I gave birth last weekend and the pain really was similar to childbirth!

Hope you get some answers x

A few months back I had a dodgy takeaway and had the intense griping pain below my ribs you describe. Also had diarrhoea severely for a few days. I assumed food poisoning or something going on with the lining of my stomach. It was so unpleasant, the pain came on and off in waves for about 3 days then disappeared.

Probiotics helped a bit. There are so many things it may or may not be when it comes to your gut. Sorry, not much help.

Thank you - it's helpful to know the location of the pain could be gastroenteritis.

Which came first, the diarrhoea or the pain?

@EpigastricPain the diarrhoea for me. The pain started a day or so later and went on after the diarrhoea cleared up. I had taken a fair bit of ibuprofen the week before due to a sore throat so I also convinced myself that I'd damaged my stomach lining or caused a stomach ulcer or something.

If it had carried on I'd probably have gone to the doctors as it was very uncomfortable. But I don't think there's a quick fix as such as they obviously need to do tests etc to try and find out what's going on.

I still blame the takeaway.

Did they check your pancreas op? I have pancreatitis and you've described what I get. I also suffer gastric upset after the intial attack such as increased wind etc. Either that or gallstones- I've had those too and the pains are similar.

They asked if the pain moved to my back - it didn't. But when I saw the doctor the diarrhoea hadn't started, it was just the pain.
The burps had also started, but I didn't think about them at the time.

Thanks everyone that responded.
I've spoken to the private GP today and they are hoping it is just gastroenteritis, but would like to rule out gallstones and pancreatitis and I'll have a specialist referral within about 5 days.

I of course want it to be gastroenteritis, even though I had no idea the pain with it could be that bad, but am on edge about the rest of the family coming down with it.

I still feel well, despite ongoing diarrhoea, and I'm taking that as a good sign.