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What Causes Dull Pain On Left Side Of Thorax Post Alcohol Consumption?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Apr 2015
Question: Good afternoon, Doctor,

I'm 23 years old. I used to drink regularly alcohol between 18 yo and 22. I've totally stopped in XXXXXXX 2014 and very recently, as I'm staying in Germany, I've drunk several times around three pints of beer and some whisky.

Thing is that I feel like a sort of dull pain afterwards on the left side of my thorax. Maybe around the spleen, that's my suspicion. A pain which fades away before the end of the following day. My liver and spleen were a very little bit oversized on the echographies I had last year but nothing serious at all. The size was even reduced in the last one.
So my question is: what should I think of these symptoms? I also suffer functional dyspesia of the stomach and confess I don't do much sport, even if I have a normal corpulence.

I sometimes imagine the worst. I've stopped drinking for more than six months and it seems sad to me to give up alcohol totally and for good as I'm so young. So what would you recommend?
Thank you for your answer, Doctor.

Have a good day.
Best regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Alcoholic gastropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

If i have understood your post properly, you stopped drinking in XXXXXXX 2014 and now again started drinking recently.
Correct me if I am wrong.

Your symptoms of dull pain could be due to alcoholic gastropathy. An upper GI endoscopy may be done to confirm. You will get relief with a course of Prilosec.

Till you recover completely, you can stop drinking alcohol.

I hope that answers your question.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (59 minutes later)
Hi again Dr. R.K and thank you for answering that fast.

You have properly understood my post.
Thing is I already had an upper GI endoscopy last year before making a pause with alcohol and they only diagnosed "functional dyspepsia". Can it cause such pain?

At the time I had this endoscopy, I had these same symptoms along with reflux and stomach burning. I still had them after consistant meals even after having stopped alcohol a few months.

So for you, it comes probably from the stomach and not from the liver or spleen. How come my dull pain is on my left side? Should I have another endoscopy even if the symptoms are the same as before? Could they have missed my real disease? As for the treatment, what is Prilosec?

Sorry for so many questions but I'm a bit worried about all this.

Best regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes repeat endoscopy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you started drinking alcohol again after the previous endoscopy, a repeat endoscopy may be done.
Functional dyspepsia can also cause abdominal pain/discomfort.
Stomach related issues can be felt anywhere in the upper abdomen.
Prilosec suppresses acid secretion and provides relief if the pain is due to stomach related issue.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2203 Questions

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What Causes Dull Pain On Left Side Of Thorax Post Alcohol Consumption?

Brief Answer: Alcoholic gastropathy Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you. If i have understood your post properly, you stopped drinking in XXXXXXX 2014 and now again started drinking recently. Correct me if I am wrong. Your symptoms of dull pain could be due to alcoholic gastropathy. An upper GI endoscopy may be done to confirm. You will get relief with a course of Prilosec. Till you recover completely, you can stop drinking alcohol. I hope that answers your question. Regards, Dr.R.K.