Pain above belly button

Sounds more like either stomach pain or bowel pain. I get pains under my ribs and it radiates all over my lower abdomen.

Are you on PPIs? What is your typical diet like?

Stormywen said...
I have GERD but since August I have had constant stomach pain that's getting worse. It's right above my belly button mostly but radiates out to the sides and now to my back. Does this even sound like GERD or something else all together?

It could be GERD.  When do you notice the pain getting worse?  Is it particularly worse after eating certain foods or after drinking certain beverages?   It could also be gastritis, it could esophagitis, it could be hiatal hernia, etc.

Avoid grains such as bread, flour, rice for a couple of weeks as well as all dairy and see if you notice any improvements. 

Definitely stay away from caffeine, alcohol, all energy drinks, fried and spicy foods, gluten, dairy, and foods with MSG.  

I strongly recommend keeping a food journal to keep track of the foods you are eating and how they affect you. 

Since August is quite a long time to be suffering from gastritis, but I had similar problems before I realised what foods to eat and avoid. You could really do with an endoscopy to see whether or not it is gastritis or bowels. Does it feel like a burning after eating? How do you feel on an empty stomach and when you just drink for example water?

There are a lot of digestive related complaints that it could be, but most can be resolved by eating a bland diet, lowish in protein. I find mashed potato my best food for stomach issues. Also how are you taking your pantoprazole? Be sure to take it 30 minutes before breakfast, and eat some protein with the meal to get the best effect.

A food diary is a good idea. I have been through prolonged periods of stomach trouble over the last few years and you wouldn't believe some of the things that my stomach is sensitive to. Only a food diary will help you get to the bottom of it. I cant for example eat white rice or any kind of rice flour, and I cant have licorice tea, both give me horrible gastritis pains. You may have other food triggers that you are unwittingly eating. Dont worry, if there is something causing it you will find out eventually and once you cut it out will feel a lot better.