Has anybody had this stomach issue?

[AffIt]

For a long time (literally years, on and off) I have experienced some odd stomach/upper abdomen issues.

At times, particularly when sitting down, it feels almost as though my lower left rib has moved, or is poking into an organ somewhere - not painful as such, but irritating and a bit disconcerting.

Have read a lot on here about gallbladder issues, but I must emphasise that this sensation is very much on the left hand side of my upper abdomen.

I've been taking (OTC) omeprazole for about five days and the
symptoms have vanished, which is both good and quite weird.

I'm 42, no kids / never been pregnant, not overweight, no other health issues, am vegetarian and eat a good diet.

My digestion isn't great and I do suffer a bit from gassiness / rumbly tummy and very occasional acid reflux (wine is generally the trigger for that), but I wouldn't say I had IBS or anything.

Does anybody have any ideas? Do I just accept that omeprazole is a wonder drug, or should I pursue it with my GP / a specialist?

Doubt it’s gallbladder if it’s on the left. It could be H Pylori which is what I’ve just been diagnosed with, it’s caused gastritis and some of my symptoms sound similar to yours, but as well as pain I’ve also had loose stools, a rumble tummy and weird hunger pangs when shouldn’t be hungry, bloating. Also more recently nausea which is the absolute bloody worst. Bizarrely it’s also caused anxiety and 4am waking which I didn’t have before, and can’t attribute to anything else. Been going on for months now and I’ve had every test under the sun (privately - I’d be waiting forever on NHS).

Your doctor can send away a stool sample which is less invasive than an endoscopy, and better than a blood test to measure active infection. If it’s negative and you’re still symptomatic, request an endoscopy - it’s not that bad. I had a colonoscopy too - that is a whole different ball game.

@WilsonMilson

Bizarrely it’s also caused anxiety and 4am waking which I didn’t have before, and can’t attribute to anything else.

Funny you should mention this - I've been experiencing this for the past 18 months or so, too, having never suffered from anxiety and having been a champion sleeper all my life.

I had actually wondered if it was connected to peri, being around that age, but this is very interesting.

Thank you for this insight.

I’m the age for peri too and also wondered, but thought surely it couldn’t be this bad. Turns out H pylori can cause anxiety according to the many many online groups there are about it. It’s a nasty bacteria. Definitely get checked.

@WilsonMilson I absolutely shall!

Have you had any treatment? Have your symptoms resolved? A fairly stiff course of ABs is usual for H-Pylori, isn't it?

It’s common for hiatus hernia to cause these kind of symptoms, mine does. Omeprazole is the main thing that helps (smaller meals and minimal fatty food helps too). But it’s always worth discussing symptoms like these with your GP because there are other issues that can cause these symptoms (such as H. Pylori which needs antibiotics).

@ThePontiacBandit

It’s common for hiatus hernia to cause these kind of symptoms, mine does. Omeprazole is the main thing that helps (smaller meals and minimal fatty food helps too). But it’s always worth discussing symptoms like these with your GP because there are other issues that can cause these symptoms (such as H. Pylori which needs antibiotics).

Interesting, thank you. What causes a hiatus hernia?

Hiatus hernia is also a possibility - especially as omeprazole is helping. God knows what causes it, but it’s really common. An endoscopy would show that.

I’ve just got the prescription for the abx, haven’t started them yet. Still feel wiped out by the colonoscopy prep so not looking forward to taking them as my system is already in a whole mess.

Sometimes straining can cause a HH but in women the most common cause is pregnancy! Baby takes up room, stomach gets pushed up into the oesophageal to make space. HH symptoms can be worse with stress too.

@ThePontiacBandit

Sometimes straining can cause a HH but in women the most common cause is pregnancy! Baby takes up room, stomach gets pushed up into the oesophageal to make space. HH symptoms can be worse with stress too.

No, never been pregnant or given birth, so presumably not in my case.

Men get them too so it’s not just babies that cause it! Definitely talk to your GP about it all.

Glad I found this. I have that annoying uncomfortable feeling too on the left side. Like sometimes a lower rib is squished against something. Also. When I bend over something pops. It's not sore. Did you ever get to the bottom of it?