re: anybody ever get stomach ulcers?

quote:

---

If so what did they feel like?

---

I got ulcers for the first time in high school. It feels like a gnawing, burning sensation right below your sternum but definitely in your stomach. The pain got worse if I had an empty stomach and better once I ate something.

If you are having stomach ulcer pain you should go get some omeprazole (Prilosec OTC). That's the best stuff for it, although you could get some rimantidine (the generic acid reducer you see at Walgreen's) but that's not as powerful. Take that for 6 weeks and if you still feel the pain I would go to a doctor.

Also, for the love of god, stop taking/avoid NSAIDs. That's how I originally got ulcers.

If the pain starts radiating into your shoulder/neck, go immediately to a doctor because that's a sign that it might be perforated. This happened to me. I had to have surgery. It sucked.

quote:

---

For some reason they like to flair up in the middle of the night and wake you with pain in your gut.

---

I woke up with pain the day that it perforated. I'd watch out for that if I were you. Waking up from pain is a pretty ominous sign.

Source: Med student who had ulcers.