Baboontyme
02-28-2009, 12:12 AM
Hi, I posted this earlier apparently in the wrong forum. Hoping to get a response. Thanks in advance for any help.
This has been bothering me for almost two weeks and I decided to try and seek some symptom-specific input after not being able to find anything doing regular searches.
A few weeks ago I started feeling a dull pain in my upper abdomen, right below my rib cage. Not so much a pain as just an irritation. Sometimes when I'm lying down at night it almost feels like my abdominal muscles in that area are having spasms. I definitely notice this sensation more often after I eat or drink anything.
Some background info - I'm 31 and in pretty decent health. I have worked out most of my life but slacked for the past couple of months after getting involved in a crazy, stressful project at work. I have not been eating very well these past couple of months. In fact I would say that my diet has been poor. My diet has been poor at times in the past, however, and I have not had this issue. I am not overweight. I also consume alcohol fairly frequently (we usually go out a couple of times a week with friends and I sometimes have quite a few), though this doesn't really seem to affect this issue.
Any thoughts on what might be going on here?
I will be making a Dr. appt as soon as I can take a breather from work. In the meantime, I greatly appreciate any information/advice.
Thanks.
This has been bothering me for almost two weeks and I decided to try and seek some symptom-specific input after not being able to find anything doing regular searches.
A few weeks ago I started feeling a dull pain in my upper abdomen, right below my rib cage. Not so much a pain as just an irritation. Sometimes when I'm lying down at night it almost feels like my abdominal muscles in that area are having spasms. I definitely notice this sensation more often after I eat or drink anything.
Some background info - I'm 31 and in pretty decent health. I have worked out most of my life but slacked for the past couple of months after getting involved in a crazy, stressful project at work. I have not been eating very well these past couple of months. In fact I would say that my diet has been poor. My diet has been poor at times in the past, however, and I have not had this issue. I am not overweight. I also consume alcohol fairly frequently (we usually go out a couple of times a week with friends and I sometimes have quite a few), though this doesn't really seem to affect this issue.
Any thoughts on what might be going on here?
I will be making a Dr. appt as soon as I can take a breather from work. In the meantime, I greatly appreciate any information/advice.
Thanks.
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pjs009
02-28-2009, 02:18 PM
Acid reflux
AuntieLeela
02-28-2009, 03:08 PM
You probably answered your own question, it does sound like muscle spasms.
Electrolyte abnormalities can cause deep muscle spasms. B12 deficency (too much alcohol can strip your system of B12) and thyroid disorders are suspect as well. Your doctor can order a CHEM 7 or BMP, basic metabolic panel (blood test) to look for electrolyte problems.
Till you see the doc, maybe try some B12 supplements? And stay well hydrated, get some Gatorade.
Electrolyte abnormalities can cause deep muscle spasms. B12 deficency (too much alcohol can strip your system of B12) and thyroid disorders are suspect as well. Your doctor can order a CHEM 7 or BMP, basic metabolic panel (blood test) to look for electrolyte problems.
Till you see the doc, maybe try some B12 supplements? And stay well hydrated, get some Gatorade.
Baboontyme
02-28-2009, 05:42 PM
Thank you both for the responses. I am not sure that it is either one of those, however. I take Prilosec daily, so I don't think it is acid reflux. Also, it doesn't feel like a muscle spasm or a pulled muscle exactly. I have had plenty of those - I don't feel anything "twitching" like it would if it were a spasm.
It feels more like - a dull pressure point. The best way I can describe it is that when I am sitting upright on the couch, it feels almost like my lower rib on my right side is resting on/digging in slightly on my belly. I don't know if that makes sense....but that is kind of what it feels like.
Like I said, it worsens when I eat. Doesn't seem to matter if I eat pizza or a salad, it bothers me afterward either way. I haven't drank much (alcohol) in the past couple of weeks, but it seems to persist.
It feels more like - a dull pressure point. The best way I can describe it is that when I am sitting upright on the couch, it feels almost like my lower rib on my right side is resting on/digging in slightly on my belly. I don't know if that makes sense....but that is kind of what it feels like.
Like I said, it worsens when I eat. Doesn't seem to matter if I eat pizza or a salad, it bothers me afterward either way. I haven't drank much (alcohol) in the past couple of weeks, but it seems to persist.
Misty800
02-28-2009, 06:33 PM
Sounds like gallbladder problems. Best to get it checked.
RickRude
02-28-2009, 09:30 PM
Try an ultra-low fat diet and see if it impacts your pain. If the pain stops you from taking a deep breath, or if you get a fever you should go to the emergency department immediately, as you would have a gall bladder infection.
pjs009
03-01-2009, 03:18 AM
So you've already been diagnosed with acid reflux? How long ago?
Baboontyme
03-01-2009, 10:55 AM
So you've already been diagnosed with acid reflux? How long ago?
I started having acid reflux/occasionally heartburn maybe 1.5 -2 years ago? I've taken Prilosec daily since....it doesn't bother me anymore.
Regarding the "pain" I describe - I did some research on gallbladder stuff, and while the location seems right on, the symptoms don't. I guess "pain" is not really the right word to describe this. It is just dull pressure. It never outright "hurts" - never seems to increase in intensity when it is present.
I started having acid reflux/occasionally heartburn maybe 1.5 -2 years ago? I've taken Prilosec daily since....it doesn't bother me anymore.
Regarding the "pain" I describe - I did some research on gallbladder stuff, and while the location seems right on, the symptoms don't. I guess "pain" is not really the right word to describe this. It is just dull pressure. It never outright "hurts" - never seems to increase in intensity when it is present.
pjs009
03-02-2009, 08:17 AM
I know people who have never had a symptom of acid reflux and were found to have full blown GERD. I would really get your esophagus checked out because it sounds like you have a mass down there. Go back to whoever started you on the prilosec and have them take a look. I'm saying that acid reflux --> GERD --> adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Just check it out.