Stomach Ache

[MadMen]

I've had a dodgy stomach for a little while now. I haven't been to the doctors as I figured there's not much a doctor can do about stomach ache.
It's really weird though, and the only way I can describe it is like a hardening or tightening. No pain, more uncomfortable than anything. It's happening in the same place, between my belly button and breast bone. Literally that whole area.

What could it be and what would be the best thing to take?

Many thanks :-)

[ummmm]

Trapped wind, maybe.

[MadMen]

I've been drinking the andrews salts on a regular basis, as it's been seriously helping with my heartburn which I get pretty badly on a daily basis, but I still have this weird feeling in my stomach.
It's like there's something there, which needs dislodging, if that makes any sense. What would you take for that?

[Sqad]

Not enough information.
How long have you been suffering from this "stomach ache?"
Doe snatching make it worse or better e.g does eating make it worse or better.
Is the pain or discomfort different from your heartburn?
Any nausea or weight loss?
How long have you been suffering from indigestion?

[Sqad]

Snatching ??? Should be "anything"

[MadMen]

I've had it for about a week, maybe a week and a half. Not long.
Eating seems to make it worse. No weight loss or nausea.
I've suffered with heartburn for years. Probably two-three badly. I take heartburn tablets (Bisodol) all throughout the day.

P.S Good morning Sqaddie :))

[Sqad]

Good morning darling.

We see to have two differing episodes here, one a long standing "indigestion" and a recent "hardening or tightening"
I presume the indigestion has been investigated by bacteriology studies and endoscopy (stomach camera) if not, then see your GP at your leisure.

Now the hardening may be muscular, lifting abnormal objects or perhaps gardening, or it may be a defense mechanism to some underlying "mischief"

I would monitor the situation for the next week or so.

[MadMen]

Thanks Sqad :)
Would you suggest taking anything to ease it?

[Sqad]

Difficult as we don't want to upset your "gastritis."

You could try Ibuprofen 400mgms and keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't upset your gastritis....take it with milk or during a meal.

[MadMen]

Yeah, I'll give that a try after I've had something to eat.
I haven't been to the docs regarding my constant heartburn as I'm petrified of the whole 'camera down throat' thing :-(

Thanks petal :-)

[slaney]

I disagree with Sqad, I would not take Ibuprofen or any NSAID with a longstanding history of heartburn, and a more recent episode of abdominal discomfort made better by food and regular ingestion of antacids.
I would see your GP - there are treatments for the commoner causes of these symptoms.
Sqad- sometimes I worry about you and your love affair with Ibuprofen!

[slaney]

And Madmen, don't worry - gastroscopy is not half as bad as it sounds -sedation can be used.

[Sqad]

slaney.......that is what medicine is all about...differing opinions.

[RATTER15]

MadMen //I haven't been to the doctors as I figured there's not much a doctor can do about stomach ache.//

I imagine there are 1001 very serious conditions that start with a stomach ache.

If it is ongoing get to a GP. and get it sorted, it could save you from serious consequences!

[valerieb1254]

Sounds like it might be a Hiatus Hernia.

[magsmay]

Well lets hope MadMen that while you are taking Sqads advice and doing absolutely nothing, save for taking Ibuprofen which has been known to cause gastric irritation something really nasty does not happen. For Funks Sake go and see your GP instead of asking random strangers how to medicate yourself on a Forum!!

[MadMen]

If I'd had other symptoms then I would go and see my doctor, but not simply for stomach ache.
I have seen him in the past about my heartburn and he just gave me a prescription for tablets which were exactly the same as what I'd been taking. They weren't any better, so I just continued to buy Gaviscon and Bisodol from the chemist when they ran out. I think I need to seriously change my diet to get rid of my heartburn problems. I am currently reading an interesting book on ph balance, which I think I would benefit from greatly.

I've had lots of helpful advice from AB users with regards to health issues, magsmay, so if it's all the same to you I will continue to ask away on a public forum. Thanks for your concern though...

[magsmay]

madmen -I was not suggesting for one minute you stop asking questions about your health- as you say -you've had lots of answers about your health from AB' ers in the two weeks you've been a member, which I'm sure you've found very useful. I was making a point that if you feel ill you should go see your GP not rely on advice given on a forum. If you want to second guess your GP and figure there is not much a doctor can do about stomach ache then what do you think Forums can suggest that your doctor couldn't?

[MadMen]

Magsmay, ok, fair enough. If it continues then I will go and see a doctor, just to be safe. I think the problem is, I don't have a very good doctor. Well, I don't have much faith in him, anyway. The last time I took my child to see him, he gave her a prescription for something completely random which had absolutely nothing to do with her illness. I only found this out when we were in A&E!
Perhaps changing my doctor would mean me relying less on random people on forums...

[magsmay]

madmen -yes change your GP -I've had some horrors in my time and am lucky now to have a lovely GP -can you not see a different doctor in your Practice rather than changing Practices all together.? Hopefully you will be feeling better soon and do take a look at your diet -its something you can try anyway at home and if there is an improvement you may be able to cut down on your heartburn medication.

[MadMen]

Thanks Magsmay. The last time I rang the surgery and asked to see a female doctor, instead of my usual one, they started quizzing me about what was wrong. I didn't want to go into with the receptionist, so I ended up just not going. I will phone in the morning and see if I can get in. Thanks again :-)