Posted 6/22/2015 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am a fairly active, healthy 29 year old man and I got diagnosed with Acid Reflux around 4-5 months back. I am slightly overweight and I mean very slightly but do have a medium sized belly. Doctor ran a battery of tests including endoscopy and stated mild gastritis with medium GERD around 3 months back. Since then, I have been on 40mg Pantoprazole a day and for sometime on Zantac 150mg at night. Around 2 months back, I could feel acidity in my throat, but this is no longer happening with PPIs and H2 Blockers I guess. The doctor advised me to lose weight which he said will make a difference. I am slowly dropping weight as a result of the advice and also trying to lose my belly.
The problem is that I am having recurring pain on my left side below the ribcage. I suspect this is the acid irritating my stomach lining. Some days, there is no pain whatsoever. Some days, there is mild-moderate pain when I make certain movements. I have been trying to understand the trigger but can't come up with much. I have also been keeping a food log trying to diagnose patterns. This pain is not killing me/upsetting my daily habits but it's irritating nonetheless. The doctor(s) say live through it - it will get better, control your food habits etc., My cousin is a doctor but he is overseas and he says it maybe a version of Irritating Bowel Syndrome as well. I keep wondering if I should go for more tests but ultimately, I am trying to understand the trigger for the reflux. I am also wondering at what time I should be really worried.
All advices would be really appreciated.