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Original poster

19 year old son, severe pain

33 replies

Philipaid · 13/06/2023 21:59

Hi all just after some advice and to see if anyone has suffered, basically 19 year old ds back from a weeks holiday last Thursday, has been ill since.

Severe pain at top of stomach with everything he eats or drinks- called Gp( phone appointment prescribed lanzoprazole for stomach acid problems, come the Saturday was rolling about the floor in agony attended A&E who done various tests and X-ray of the chest all clear and again said must be stomach acid reflux and to keep with the medication,. Now Tuesday and has been no improvement at all he hasn’t eaten in almost 6 days but is in agony with every bite of food he trys to eat.

called GP again today another phone appointment and he basically said he thinks he has had to much alcohol on holiday which has affected his stomach and to just keep with water and medication….

has anyone every had severe acid reflux problems which is so painful and just can’t eat ? Do we just wait and see? he’s sooo hungry and weak but just can’t stand the pain, I don’t know where to go from here and I’m so worried , any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
Tannedandfake · 13/06/2023 22:01

Pain above the top of his belly button??

Redebs · 13/06/2023 22:04

Gastritis? Very uncomfortable

Original poster
Philipaid · 13/06/2023 22:04

hi no it’s more middle of chest between breastbone if that makes sense.

OP posts:
Tannedandfake · 13/06/2023 22:05

Redebs · 13/06/2023 22:04

Gastritis? Very uncomfortable

Exactly what I thought

Plantymcplantface · 13/06/2023 22:05

Gallstones?

flagpie · 13/06/2023 22:07

Philipaid · 13/06/2023 22:04

hi no it’s more middle of chest between breastbone if that makes sense.

That's not his stomach? Are the doctors aware of the actual location of pain? Perhaps there is some confusion if he has chest pain but is telling them stomach

Also could it be costocondritis?

3luckystars · 13/06/2023 22:09

I’d go back to the hospital and ask for help if the prescription is not working.

Original poster
Philipaid · 13/06/2023 22:09

There just seems to be no improvement at all and he’s very weak , suppose will just have to wait and see , just worried I suppose that it could be something else. Have never seen him in this much pain.

OP posts:
shakeitoffsis · 13/06/2023 22:10

Gastritis

MedievalMadness · 13/06/2023 22:12

Where did he go on holiday?

Do you know what they tested for in A&E?
Can he describe the pain ? Gnawing, throbbing, sharp etc? Does it go off at all or lessen at any time? Does anything ease it such as laying on his stomach? Does it hurt in any particular area if pressed on?

Has he been or felt sick? Bowels ok? Any diarrhoea/constipation?
Does it feel worse or better after eating?

Sorry to ask so many questions but have these questions been asked at A&E or by GP?
If he’s in too much pain to eat or if eating causes too much pain and is stopping him eating he needs to be re-evaluated. Really sorry he’s in so much pain. I don’t think more phone appointments are appropriate.

SparklingLime · 13/06/2023 22:12

Have you asked for an in-person GP appointment, and they've refused?

MedievalMadness · 13/06/2023 22:13

Sorry forgot to say it could also be gastritis which can be incredibly painful.

Stonebridge · 13/06/2023 22:14

Have they done a video fluoroscopy?

Mykittensmittens · 13/06/2023 22:20

Pancreatitis? Can be caused by too much booze but it’s usually chronic rather than acute?

Original poster
Philipaid · 13/06/2023 22:22

Hi thanks for the reply , he says it’s a sharp stabbing pain when the food is swlowed and or liquids drunk on the way down - was in magaluf ( I know )

A an E did a heart trace and a chest X-ray, they did the usual 02 levels, bp and tested his urine for dehydration and keytones all were clear apparently.

The Gp is apparently only doing phone appointments did actually think it would be face to face today as had been to A no E , maybe I should push for one, the doctor today basically said in his words “don’t worry about the food people can survive months without food just get his fluids up “ he’s a 6 foot 4 beanpole with no reserves so that’s why I’m concerned.

OP posts:
Original poster
Philipaid · 13/06/2023 22:23

No they didn’t just chest X-ray

OP posts:
ThePersistenceOfMammories · 13/06/2023 22:23

Stomach ulcer?

NotSoLittleDove · 13/06/2023 22:35

Was he ok on holiday? Was he vomiting a lot there, or have any falls or anything?

Perhaps call 111 for advice, sounds like a possible injury to the food pipe, gastritis or something like that. Might need a CT or US, and should have some bloods to check his liver, pancreas etc.

Has he been taking the lansoprazole?

Hope he feels better soon.

SparklingLime · 13/06/2023 22:38

Absolutely push for a face to face GP appointment. This is appalling. Contact the Practice Manager if you don't get one.

Or hopefully 111 may be more use.

PinkFootstool · 13/06/2023 22:45

I had similar pain from eating and drinking after I tore my stomach lining through vomiting.... I was prescribed omeprazole for 2 months and had to stick to a very very bland diet. White bread, pasta, rice, potato etc- nothing hard to digest and basically anything beige was easier to handle. Absolutely no spices. No vinegars. Limited oil/grease. Only fruit I could handle was a banana, everything else was far too acidic. Absolutely no alcohol, no fizzy drinks, lukewarm tea, no coffee.

Even drinking water hurt.

He needs to see a GP in person.

ShatParp · 13/06/2023 22:46

It does sound like very severe acid damage (which I have had several times) but he shouldn't be in agony! As others have said, he definitely needs to be seen, however the method to check is via endoscopy and it would be unlikely to be immediate unless he was admitted.

Trytohelp · 13/06/2023 22:47

Hi have the ruled out anything in his oesophagus? I once had an eroded oesophagus which presented as chest pain- had ECGs etc etc they couldn’t figure it out- in the end luckily had a private referral and had an immediate endoscopy, it turned out it was one of the largest erosions they’ve seen and was a result of the antibiotic doxycycline and me taking it at night then laying down, it caused the erosion. Aware that’s quite a niche scenario but something worth asking maybe.

ChubbyChinook · 13/06/2023 22:49

Erosive gastritis can be very painful,.with stomach lining bleed. It could also be hiatus hernia causing the pain when swallowing. Was he sick a lot on holiday? Don't give up trying to get face to face appointment. Keep pushing so he gets the right treatment. Good luck.

Brianan · 13/06/2023 22:53

Gastritis is terrible and takes ages to resolve. Lanzoprazole should do the trick but it won’t be a quick fix, you’re looking at months of eating plain food and taking meds. I used to eat chocolate biscuits because they were bland and had lots of calories. Little and often is the way to go with food. No soft drinks or coffee, they’re too acidic - just water.

Arthursmom · 13/06/2023 22:58

My brother had this and ended up in hospital for a few days. He had indeed damaged his stomach and throat (windpipe?) with alcohol to the point of vomiting blood etc but the pain was awful. I’d did heal and I’d love to say he learned his lesson but …