Question:
I have a burning pain in my upper ab/stomach area HELP

I don't know if I should see my surgeon or my PCP about this. It is a sharp burning pain that comes & goes. Almost like a spasm. I just had 4 hernias repaired in October & am worried I have one again. The spot that burns is a big hard lump. My doc said I would have scar tissue,but when it starts hurting,I get paranoid. Also,he mentioned something about cysts a few months ago,but I can't remember what he called them. Ulcer....gallbladder....there are so many things it could be. I've been putting off calling either of my doctors because I dread the thought of having to have surgery again. I know I am not a doctor,but I just assumed if the pain isnt constant,it's nothing severely wrong. So,would I be better off seeing my surgeon or PCP regarding this? Thanks!    — melmas (posted on July 14, 2006)

July 14, 2006
Please, please, please go call your doctor! I am not a doctor either but your health is nothing to wonder about! I am not being hard on you, just want you to be safe! I hope you feel better soon and you will be in my prayers!
   — Jodie B.

July 14, 2006
I had the same issues about 5 months or so after surgery - turns out to be ulcers. Try drinking milk when you feel the pain. Does that help? That's usually a sign it's an ulcer. I would call your surgeon's office, explain the matter to the them and they'll likely suggest you see a gastro doc - which they'll suggest to you. Hope this helps! Feel better!
   — SJSlesnick

July 15, 2006
Any severe pain is reason to call your doctor! Don't play around with this!!!!
   — Novashannon

July 17, 2006
Any pains that I have with my stomach...I go to my surgeon. Not to say that I don't think my PCP knows what she's doing, but considering the surgeon knows what he's done in there, I think he is better qualified to judge what is going on. I went through 5 hernias about a year after my surgery, and although they had done ultrasounds of my gall bladder and found nothing...it later turned out to be my gall bladder. It could be a number of things...but...I definitely think that in the case of the stomach issues...the surgeon knows best!!!
   — gkeith1971