stomach/ upper back pain questions please help

I saw Dr. C on Dec. 8 for my 1 year, she asked me if I was having any pain. I wasn't, haven't had any. Now wouldn't you know, Last Sunday 20 minutes after I ate, I got what I thought was terrible gas pains high up, right behind my lower sternum then it went into my midback/upper back right under my shoulders. Lasts for about 1-2 hours, hurts like crazy, then stops. It feels like I need to have someone put their elbows in my back and rub really hard. It goes away until I eat again then 20 minutes after starts up again. Its not gas. It happens every time I eat since Sunday night. It doesn't matter what kind of food it is except cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is fine. Drinking is also fine. I called Jill at Dr C's and she said it might be an ulcer and started me on Prevacid and Carafate. I had a scope for a possible ulcer done in July and I was fine no ulcer then. Could an ulcer develop that quickly? Does this sound like ulcer pain? I thought maybe it was my gall bladder and mentioned that to Jill, she said after 2 weeks if the Carafate doesn't work then we will start looking at other possiblities including the gallbladder. I dread eating right now, I've lost 4 pounds since Sunday. I don't think I can stand the pain for two whole weeks, and I have a high pain tolerance. If it is an ulcer how long does it take for the Carafate to start working and feel some relief ? If it doesn't start to help how long should I wait to call Jill back? What does gall bladder pain feel like? I had heard your back hurtswith gallbladder, but can it hurt with a ulcer too? Thanks in advance, Sarah

This sounds VERY much like gallbladder. The pain quite often goes into the back. If gallstones are blocking the outlet you will get a sharp pain in the stomach area. Then because the bile builds up in the gallbladder it causes pain that stays with you until the build up is resolved. Since the gallbladder is located under/behind your liver the pain is often felt in your back. Best wishes, Annette

I had my gall bladder out with surgery, but several people in my office have had gall bladder problems. This sounds like what they described. Can you ask to be seen again, or get some testing done sooner? Linda Vicory

Sarah, It sounds more like gall bladder than ulcer to me. The bigggie to me is when the pain came. For my ulcers, the pain was before I ate. I got to where I wanted to eat all the time to keep the pain at bay. For the gallbladder, my pain was post eating. For me, my pain was right underneath my right breast and radiated to the back. My ulcer pain was lower and in the front only. My hernia (add another thing in the mix ) was in 3 different places, all in front, and like a charlie horse in the stomach. I've heard of several people who mainly had pain in the back from the gall bladder.Even though, each of our bodies are unique, I would bet it's the culprit. Sherri

Thanks everybody, I think I will call Dr. C's office again. Sheri I knew you'd have a good answer for me. Thanks, Sarah

Sarah, I would definately ask if I could have an ultrasound and/or a hidascan performed. If you have stones, the ultrasound will show it. If you don't, but the gall bladder isn't functioning correctly, the hidascan will. Either way, the gall bladder will need to come out. Usually it's done by lap..and for me, it was a same day thing...no over-night stay. let us know.... Sherri

Sounds just like my gall bladder attcks!!!! and guess what protien sets them off... Linda

Linda, Thanks for the info about the protein, I am not gonna be able to wait to weeks the pain is killing me. Sarah

Sarah, When my gall bladder acted up (2.5 yr pre-op), stones had gotten caught in the input and output openings. I went to my family doc and he ordered a sonogram...which wasn't going to be done for another week and set me up an appointment for a sugeon the day after the sonogram was scheduled. After about 24 hours of constant pain, I went to the ER (Community East...would NOT recommend anyone to ever go there). I waited 6 hours in pain. They gave me demerol by IV, which knocked me out...and I was allergic to. Then they woke me up, I threw up, and pain was still very present. And they sent me home. They said...and I quote..."We only do sonograms in cases of emergencies". I thought WTH! 30+ hours of severe pain isn't an emergency???? Anyway, got stuck having to wait that time. I took tylenol 5's w/codiene like they were candy. IF I were lucky, they would help me sleep. Any food at all caused severe pain. Sonogram showed the stones. By the time I got the darn thing out, my 'attack' had lasted a solid 10 days. I was in pain post-op yes, but it was nothing compared to the pain of the attack. Why do I tell you this? St. V's is completely different than Community East. I would not hesitate for a moment to go to their ER if I had that pain again. Don't suffer at home..k? Sherri

I haven't had wls surgery but I have had my GB removed. It sounds like what I suffered. I would call. Cheryl