i have of history of g.e.r.d. however it was controlled by using protonix 40mg once or twice a day. 2 weeks ago i had surgery and was prescribed norco 7.5 i took itr for three days and switched to advil 600mg 2 times a day. this is when it started. burning pain below my breastbone, nausea that wakes me up. no vomiting.then more burning. i took ranitidine 300 at bedtime and a probiotic. it felt more irritated. i no longer have my gallbladder. my stomach is distended. i have taken gas x pills. no change. i notice after eating bread, it aggravates it especially the nausea or soda saoothes at first then it burns again. i drink 1 c coffe per day anf havent been able to finish it. feel sick afterward. i have been on protonix for ten yrs so i wouldnt think it is an ulcer.basically, feels like your hungry and then you eat and feel worse. i first thought it was food related other than bread, i ate a lot of citrus then thought that was the culprit so i stopped.was better for two days then started up again.would just like this gnawing to go away.