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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Women's Health > Family, Internal Medicine, General Medical Questions > pain across upper abdomen when bending and gerd
Expert: Robert Borucki - 10/22/2009
Question
I am a 39 yo female. 2 years ago I was treated for GERD by ent. I was on nexium for 6 months and now follow very strict diet, I went off nexium back then b/c I didnt like side effects. Sticking to diet has been working most of time, I am not 100% good but good enough to deal with it, I know what I can't eat or it comes right back and then I take tums. But most days are ok. However over last 6 months I have a new symptom, not sure if even related. If first noticed the pain if I sneezed too hard or coughed. Now when I bend over at 90 degree angle to pick something up or if I climb over something, like say a low fence, I get a horrible pain in upper abdomen. It goes across whole thing, in area just below rib cage. It feels like the whole thing contracts tight and is very painful then I feel something move , like a large bulge maybe.It is debilitating pain when it happens. It can last from 10 seconds up to 1 minute, I just have to stay hunched over, breath slow, then it goes away. If I dont do those movements I seem to be ok. I was wondering if this is possibly a hernia, and if the acid reflux I still have is caused by this and has been the whole time? I know offhand I have an umbilical hernia, the gyn mentioned it over 2 years ago at a visit, I just havent done corrective surgery for it. I was not sure if that can also cause this. I don't know if it is important but I am in good shape,run or lift weights 4-5x per week so know that the bending pain isn't related to movement I can't do. I also have had 3 c-sections during a 6 year span.All the the reflux began a few weeks after my last c-section, not sure if related. Any ideas on what this is? I do have gastro appointment, but they are booked out till late November and can't see me sooner.
Answer
There are a couple of issues.... What side effects from Nexium, other than cost? But, you should suppress your reflux symptoms 100%... if not, you should have your esophagus checked by a scope every 2 years. I would try Zantac twice a day... no side effects and cheap. You don't want to be in the position where you have to treat symptoms, only prevent them.
The pain could be related to a hernia. It also could be musculoskeletal, could be mid back related, possibly gall bladder? I doubt if an umb hernia would cause pain in the upper abd, but there are others up top that can. I would have all these things looked at.... You might try a general surgeon initially if there is pain.... gastro's are more interested in what is happening with organs as opposed to abdominal wall pain.....
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