Is this heartburn? Gerd?

[CocoSims]

I found I had high cholesterol recently due some medication I was on. Due to this I changed my diet and introduced 3 plant sterol tablets a day (the upper advised limit).

Within a week of making these changes I started getting this really constant gnawing pain just below my sturnum. I’m burping all the time. Im knocking back gaviscon etc but it’s not helping.

It came on quite quickly and is becoming really uncomfortable. It’s almost too coincidental to not be related to the plant sterols as I read they can affect your stomach.

Eveything I read about gerd though says it’s more in the throat?? What would this be that I have? Strangely the only thing that eases it is when I’m actually eating.

Any ideas what this could be? I’ve booked a doctors appt but it’s weeks away. TIA

Have you tried stopping the plant sterols?

I stopped them a few days after the pain started. That was a couple of weeks ago now though and it’s still there

You can ask the doc about statins. Its just a small tablet each day.

I may do that, for now I just want to know what this gnawing is and how be o get rid of it. Do you think the sterols could’ve triggered this?

I used to get this really badly and I think it is just indigestion but could be a hiatus hernia or helicobacter pylori. Best to see the GP and get an endoscopy if you can. I found holding a hot water bottle over the area helped a lot.

Also if it is eased by eating it could be an ulcer

Were you taking ibruprofen or something else hard on the stomach? My gastritis just started around menopause there didn't seem to any one cause. I take omeprazole now and that keeps it at bay. It's worse when the stomach is empty or you if eat acidic foods or alcohol.

I am diagnosed with Gerd due to a hiatus hernia and l haven't stomach issues. All my difficulties are in the throat and related to swallowing. No pain .
Sounds like a high does of plant steroid tablets to start on.

Sounds like gastritis possibly. I'd make an appointment to see yor Doc on Monday.

Thank you all, I’ve just read up on gastritis and without a doubt that’s the one I have. Bang on almost all of the symptoms. Thanks very much.