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What Causes Severe Pain In Upper Right Abdomen,under Sternum And Nausea?
Posted on
Wed, 28 May 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 28 May 2014
Answered on
Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I am a 42 yo male, 6'1" 185. I have pretty severe pain in upper right abdomen, under sternum, nausea, and it happens at night after I eat and when I lay flat. The pain is sorta under rib cage and radiates from centre of chest to the right side, my gp suspected it was gallstones but ultrasound showed nothing. This pain has sorta come and gone for several years but the attacks are now getting closer together and lasting for weeks...fine during the morning and afternoon starts early evening ang goes thru the night. Waiting on CT scan now to be scheduled but starting another wave of attacks. Just seeing what a gastroenterologist would say?
Brief Answer:
HI
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern.
In presence of a normal ultrasound the possibilities remain are ulcer disease in stomach or non ulcers dyspepsia (in which tests continue to be normal still symptoms are there.
Can try taking antacid like omeprazole 20 mg twice a day (available over the counter ) and see how you feel till you visit your gastroenterologist.
avoid percocets as it contains opioids. If the pain is very severe worthwhile getting an endoscopy and CT scan under supervision of your treating doctor.
Also lifestyle modification as below will help you,
1) Eating on time
2) Taking adequate sleep
3) Regular walking
4) Avoiding sleep 2 hours after meals
5) Cutting down on stress and anxiety
All this will help you to control symptoms in long run.
Hope this answers your query.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Happy to help.
HI
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern.
In presence of a normal ultrasound the possibilities remain are ulcer disease in stomach or non ulcers dyspepsia (in which tests continue to be normal still symptoms are there.
Can try taking antacid like omeprazole 20 mg twice a day (available over the counter ) and see how you feel till you visit your gastroenterologist.
avoid percocets as it contains opioids. If the pain is very severe worthwhile getting an endoscopy and CT scan under supervision of your treating doctor.
Also lifestyle modification as below will help you,
1) Eating on time
2) Taking adequate sleep
3) Regular walking
4) Avoiding sleep 2 hours after meals
5) Cutting down on stress and anxiety
All this will help you to control symptoms in long run.
Hope this answers your query.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Happy to help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Thanks!
Here's a bit more info which is why it's so challenging.
I've had both an upper and lower colonoscopy, all clear. As a preventive measure my doc has me on Prevacid to control acid just to be safe and rule out ulcer and antacids have done nothing to affect the pain.
I was working out typically three times a week before this started but working out is tougher with pain, lack of sleep and/or the effect of pain killers if I take them. Additionally, I can eat during the day and no problems but if I eat in the evening, particularly any animal fat then the sever pain starts. It's also worse when I lay down.
Not knowing what was going on the initial reaction was just to classify it as IBS, which is the most frustrating of all because the only thing you can do is "eat more fibre" which I have tried to no effect.
Here's a bit more info which is why it's so challenging.
I've had both an upper and lower colonoscopy, all clear. As a preventive measure my doc has me on Prevacid to control acid just to be safe and rule out ulcer and antacids have done nothing to affect the pain.
I was working out typically three times a week before this started but working out is tougher with pain, lack of sleep and/or the effect of pain killers if I take them. Additionally, I can eat during the day and no problems but if I eat in the evening, particularly any animal fat then the sever pain starts. It's also worse when I lay down.
Not knowing what was going on the initial reaction was just to classify it as IBS, which is the most frustrating of all because the only thing you can do is "eat more fibre" which I have tried to no effect.
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the query.
Sorry for delay in answering.
Well possible that it could be muscular pain or bony pain like costochondritis (swelling of rib tip) which will go away on its own in due course of time.
If pain is very severe worthwhile doing an CT scan to rule out any other problem.
Also can revisit your gastroenterologist as some drugs like amitryptiline may help if deemed necessary by your physician as it works as an pain modulator too.
Avoid workout till you get better.
Best wishes.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the query.
Sorry for delay in answering.
Well possible that it could be muscular pain or bony pain like costochondritis (swelling of rib tip) which will go away on its own in due course of time.
If pain is very severe worthwhile doing an CT scan to rule out any other problem.
Also can revisit your gastroenterologist as some drugs like amitryptiline may help if deemed necessary by your physician as it works as an pain modulator too.
Avoid workout till you get better.
Best wishes.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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