Knot in stomach - gall stones - ranitidine HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hey All

Just a quick (ISH) question.

For the past 5 weeks I have been suffering from a constant "knot" in my stomach, all day every day. this disrupts everything I do, from not being able to look after my children properly, to not being able to work. I have also suffered from chest pains for the last few years which are mainly central, but sometimes they spread across my left side and sometimes under my right shoulder. I just woke up one morning and the stomach "knot" was there it was and I still have it. It is worrying me so much that I have been to A&E 4 times with it, the first 3 times being told it was a panic attack (due to the chest pains) ECG's were done and bloods were taken to rule out hyperthyroidism and diabetes. the last visit to A&E (2 days ago) resulted in the doc saying he thought it was gall stones and has booked an ultrasound scan for the next month coming. In the meantime, he has given me 300mg ranitidine to take to see if this eases the "knot"

I am a little confused, as well as sceptical, as I have no reflux problems and have never heard of gall stones causing "knots" in stomach areas.
Also, I have a massive problem with taking medications and am really struggling to take the ranitidine. I am completely phobic about possible side effects and havent taken any yet but really want to to see if they work and ease my stomach.

What I want to know is:
a) has anyone had this "knot" and what was the diagnosis
and
b) has ranitidine worked for you?

thank you sooooooooo much

If it's not your gallblader could also be an ulcer or gastritis. Ranitidine is an acid suppressing medication and should help. I wouldn't worry about the side effects for short term use. These meds are really fairly safe when just used for a few months.

do you eat a lot of sugar-free foods?

i am really allergic to sugar alcohols (i.e. sorbitol, xylitol, ethanol, etc). and most people experience mild symptoms if they consume a moderate amt. there is a small amt. in Splenda, any sugar-free gum (w/ the tingly feeling to it, esp.), most sugar-free hard candies, sugar-free ice creams, etc. they are putting it in energy drinks, health foods (promoting low sugar, etc)... it's creeping into everything and LOTS of people have gastro problems as a result. i even discovered it's in quaker oat muffin bars (i was SO disappointed).

before i realized it was causing problems w/ me (i.e. i was allergic!) - i would get awful knots and stomach cramps from it. lots of gas and bloating, which could sometimes manifest itself as chest pain and weird side pains - esp. after a night of restless sleep (probably from lying down). they ended up doing a upper endoscopy and colonoscopy cos they thought i had celiac's disease. anyways, turned out i have horrible acid reflux and an awful intolerance to sugar alcohol - so i was relieved in a way.

just a thought

good luck finding out what it is!