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Are Abdominal Pain, Back Pain And Shortness Of Breath Symptoms Of Ulcer?

Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015

Question: Have all the symptoms of an ulcer. abdomen pain, backache, very bad shortness of breath (first noticed in november 2013), pain worse when laying down, so bad it wakes me up at night and have to eat something to get relieve. Sometimes sharp pain on the very right side. Been slowly getting worse. Lansoprazole helps some. have had an endoscopy, but nothing showed up. Doc tired of me in her office. i am tired of going to doc for nothing. Could this be the rare zes ulcer? or what? Does endoscopy go as far down as it needs to to show everything? Would ulcers on panceous (sp) show up on ct or mri scans?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are related to acid reflux..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the situation you are in.

Your symptoms (especially shortness of breath, pain when laying down and back ache) are related to GERD( acid reflux) and not to an ulcer.

As long as there are no abnormality was noted in the upper endoscopy, no ulcer.
If ulcer would be present, it could have been detected by all the exams: upper endoscopy, and ct-scan.

If I were your treating doctor I would recommend doing:
1. 24 hour pH esophageal monitoring
2. Esophageal motility ( manometry) test to confirm/ rule out GERD ( acid reflux)

Meantime I would like to suggest changing your lifestyle as follow:
- increase lanzoprazole dose up to 60 mg per day for 8 weeks
- Avoid eating and drinking within three hours prior to bedtime
- avoid alcohol, coffee smoking and tea
- avoid peppermint, citrus fruits and fatty foods
- use two pillows when you lay down
- lose weight
- increase physical activity
- avoid unnecessary stress

Wishing you all the best.
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (4 hours later)

I can't make it through the night without eating something, gnawing pain. been having an apple an peanut butter close to bedtime, and sometimes still wake up in the middle of the night with gnaw gnaw. Will the 60 mg take care of that real soon?
should the 60 mg be all at once or spread out?
bed is elevated 4 inches. Enough?
want to do more, but shortness of breath stopping me. hopefully soon will be better. other then this problem, I lead a stress free retired life.

Your reassurance is great. Hope it all works out. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
lanzoprazole plus antacids

Detailed Answer:
Hi back
Thank you providing more of your medical data.

You can start taking lanzoprazole 30mg twice per day for 4 weeks, 30 min before meal.
It will help relieve your symptoms after the first week of use.
Start to use antacids three times per day , 1.5 hours after meal.

With regards to elevated bad; yes it is Ok 4 inches.

Wish you fast recovery.
Dr.Klerida

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar