Digestive Frustrations!!!

[blueyewunder]

I am a 43y female. I've had my gall bladder take n out in 97. (so my pain is not this) . my Q: Whenever I eat or drink,  while I'm eating, the area between my breasts feels like my insides are literally twisting and at times painful. The area becomes very hard as a brick(have seen a doctor but the response was i don't know, never seen it before..I went so that can feel the hardness when pressed, and went back when it became normal again). I now as well, have a major increase (to the point of embarrassing) amount of gas(burping and bottom gas)..it just comes out without warning...the pain in my upper middle feels like a knife stabbing me and know the pain between my shoulder blades in my back is very hurtful...feels like a 400 pound is sitting on my back....In the past (over 10 years ago)(for different symptoms) I was diagnosed with IBS and they gave me so much medicine that I researched and decided on my own to stop all medicine, change my diet...IT Worked..SO, I know this is NOT IBS.  Please, help..I am very frustated with this. Ive changed my diet even more, but no matter if I just drink water this problem occur's (doesn't matter on the temperature)..I am now with a new insurance, Kaiser, and went to the doctor repeated my symptoms and he suggested i was a hypercondriac which makes me not want to go back and suffer because of the disbelief of my pain and symptoms.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Evaluation of the upper portion of your GI tract endoscopically is certainly appropriate. Various inflammatory processes such as pylorospasm or esophageal spasm due to gastritis, duodenogastric and/or gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer disease, etc are all possibilities. This sounds like the realm of the gastroenterologist which would probably be the best next step if your PCP has blown you off.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include UGI infections, inflammations, acid reflux ulcers/ erosions, neuro-muscular causes, chest wall inflammations/ injury, respiratory tract causes etc. I would suggest getting this evaluated by a primary care physician initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this helps.

Take care!