Resolved question:
Hello,
I am having stomach pain. I have been having it for 3 days. It is in my left side and gets much worse after meals. It has caused some diarrhea but not a whole lot. It has not stopped and like I said, gets much worse after meals. What could this be and should I go to the emergency room or set up an appointment with my family doctor?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.
Since you have a history of Pancreatitis in the past I would recommend an early medical contact. If you can get an appointment with your family doctor in a day or two, that should be fine. Or else consider ER.
Without the history of Pancreatitis the symptoms appear to be an ulcer related pain or a gastroenteritis. But since the pain increases after a meal , another episode of pancreatitis should be ruled out. (Since pancreases start secreting after a meal, the pain is more pronounced after the meal).
I hope you understand what I mean. It could be very well an ulcer pain or gastroenteritis, but pancreatitis should be ruled out. Do not take alcohol or spicy food. If you have recent history of heavy alcohol intake get an ER visit asap. You may take an anti ulcer medication like Prilosec (OTC) once daily in the early morning or just before sleep.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you
It shouldn't be gastroenteritis. I had a similar pain two weeks ago and they gave an antibiotic. I took all of the antibiotic and allowed for the time allotted to complete, and it went away for a week and then came back. I don't eat spicy food and drink very little alcohol (max of 3 drinks a week and I haven't drank in 3 weeks). If its an ulcer, what can I do to make the pain better? What sort of testing will my doctor do?
Hello,
It could still be Gastroenteritis (which is incompletely treated).
However Ulcer Peptic disease is most likely
Pancreatitis need to be ruled out for sure.
If it is an ulcer the medication Prilosec will give good relief. Eat food at regular interval. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods. Your Doctor will go for a S.amylase and Lipase. May be an endoscopy and H.Pylori breath test if symptoms are not resolving with first line treatment.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you