Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain In An Elderly Person

Posted on Fri, 16 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 Answered on

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : When I burp I have a stabbing pain in my back in the region of my wing bone or back of lung, I guess. There is no pain when resting. I am 75. I just restarted to play pickleball, an indoor form of tennis, after being off to do water aerobics two months for the summer, one, hour, 5 days a week barring rain. I also play water volley ball 6 hrs a week.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gastroesophageal reflux or esopagitis can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Ma'am

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. You problem can be most likely due to Gastroesophageal reflux or esophagitis. Avoid Ibuprofen or other NSAID drugs as it can worsen this.

Taking Nexium (Esomeprazole) regularly for long term will be helpful for this. If no improvement the I would suggest prescription proton pump inhibitors like Rabeprazole and motility enhancers like Domperidone.

Have your dinner at least 2hours before bed time. Raise your head end more with adequate extra pillows while lying down. Avoid excess fatty , spicy and greasy foods. Carbonated drinks, alcohol and coffee should be avoided. You can take ginger tea or chamomile tea.

It is also better to rue out cardiac problems by taking ECG and stress test, to be on safe side, as the pain is more evident on exertion and absent while resting .

If there is no improvement after following above measures then a consultation with Gastroenterologist and doing fibrogastro-duodenoscopy for knowing the exact status is well appreciated.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng