Consistent Stomach and Back/Shoulder Pain

[Barlyboos]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar.

Im 43F and for around 4 weeks now, I’ve been experiencing a mild gnawing sensation in the upper middle part of my stomach, just below my breastbone. It’s not severe or particularly painful, more of an annoying, uncomfortable, hunger-like feeling that’s noticeable but manageable. It seems to improve after eating.

I’ve also been getting a mild, dull ache in my right shoulder. Again, nothing particularly painful, just an uncomfortable ache.

I’ve been to the GP, who prescribed omeprazole, but it hasn’t made any difference to my symptoms. I’ve also had blood tests done, which have all come back normal, and I’ve tested negative for H. pylori.
I’m wondering whether this could be gastritis, an ulcer or possibly gallstones. I’ve read that gallstones can cause upper stomach discomfort and pain in the right shoulder, but most people seem to describe quite severe pain, whereas mine is very milld.

I’m starting to worry that it could be something more serious, especially as it’s been going on for 4 weeks without any improvement. I know worrying won’t help, but it’s difficult not to think the worst when you have ongoing symptoms and no explanation for them.

I’m feeling a bit stuck now as all my tests have come back fine, but the discomfort is still there, and I don’t really know what to do next.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Can gallstones cause just mild, nagging discomfort rather than severe attacks? Or has anyone had gastritis or an ulcer that didn’t improve with omeprazole?

Would really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences, especially if you’ve had similar symptoms and eventually found out what was causing them.

How normal is normal? I had similar pain and it was due to low folate. I supplemented and after about four weeks it went away. You're right that shoulder pain can be referred liver pain, but when my friend had it it was very sore, like a pulled muscle.

Any decent doctor would know that there are many instances where abdominal issues presents as a referred pain to the shoulder. It’s a pretty basic diagnostic sign. Please get back to your GP
asap and do not leave until you have a plan for further investigations.

@Barlyboos You be best to go back. Just to be sure. 💐

I will definitely be making a follow-up appointment with the GP, but this constant ache in my shoulder is really stressing me out. I suffer with health anxiety at the best of times, but it’s been on a whole new level since this started. I’ve never experienced something that’s been so consistently there before, so my mind has automatically jumped to the worst-case scenario and convinced me it must be something awful.
I know I’m probably making myself feel worse by worrying, but it’s so difficult when the symptoms aren’t going away and I don’t know what’s causing them.

I had gallstones, and a number of (excruciatingly) painful flareups. In between those, though, I did have the centralised pain that felt like a golf-ball sized pocket of trapped wind. 'Gallstone niggles' i call them.

I would ask for an ultrasound to rule out Gallstone pain - I didnt realise how frequent it is! Mine was always more centralised than on the right - but PP is correct about referred pain in the shoulder.

I have just been to the GP again and he said he can feel a lump under my left rib, have been referred for a scan and put on cancer pathway. Extremely worried

You've done everything right @Barlyboos by trusting your instincts and going back. If it's not great news then at least you've not sat around and been fobbed off. Have you got the patients know best app? You'll be able to see appointment letters straight away on there, as well as some test results and correspondence between departments. Helpful to keep track of what is going on. I'd also phone and make sure they've received the referral. Unfortunately it's not uncommon for the ball to get repeatedly dropped during this process and you often have to keep chasing when it's the last thing you feel like you have energy or brain space for. Hugs and a handhold ❤️