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What Causes Pain In Upper Back Below Right Shoulder When Diagnosed With GERD?

Posted on Wed, 23 Mar 2016

Question: Hey dr,

I suffer from GERD and lately I noticed if I eat something really fatty I get pain in my upper back just below my right shoulder blade. It's this sharp type of pain and it lasts and hour or two and it gradually decreases in pain as time goes on I can also feel it if I breath in and then out. There is also pain on the right side of my chest but not as severe. Could this be a sympton of GERD or something else that I should get checked out? I have been trying to keep away from fatty foods but from time to time I eat it.

Kind Regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get Investgated. Avoid Fatty foods.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing in HCM.
Your symptoms are typical of flatulent dyspepsia. They do not fit exactly with symptoms of GERD. Such symptoms are typical of gall stones. I would suggest that you get the following investigations done.
1. Ultrasound examination of the upper abdomen.
2. If that is normal then a endoscopic examination is necessary.
Get your diet charted out by a medical dietitian taking into consideration the food articles that cause problems.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (28 minutes later)

My mum has suffered from Gall stones before so it could be possible. I've only ever experienced this pain once before from eating fatty foods and it went away the next day so this is the second time it has happened so I will get it checked out on Monday since the doctor is closed at the moment. Is there anything I should do in the mean time like eating less or avoiding certain foods? Will alchool make this worse? I am also kind of underweight so is it still likely to get Gallstones if not overweight and 18 years old? Would exercise also help?

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regualr walking and avoidance of alcohol.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the feedback.
I would suggest the following
1. Restrict fatty food intake till you get yourself investigated.
2. Regular walking for about 30-40 minutes is the best execise for the digestive tract.
3. Weight may not always correlate with gall stone disease. Gall stones may be seen in both groups both overweight or underweight individuals.
4. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can have deleterious effects both on the intestine as well as on the liver.
I hope this answers all your doubts.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (14 minutes later)

Is it it ok to have small amounts of alcohol like maybe 1-2 beers a week or should I avoid it all together? Is it also possible that the pain will go away on its own without having to have an operation? Another thing should I sit up or lie down a certain way and is water ok to have when the pain is present?

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ultrasound to rule out surgical disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I would suggest that you avoid alcohol completely.
Ultrasound examination will reveal if any surgical intervention is required.
If pain is severe I would suggest rest. If you are not vomiting then water is acceptable.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad