For the past year I have experienced an incredible amount of gas pains. The pain is usually located in the middle of my chest, right at the top of my ribs and extends through my back and up into my shoulders. I went to the ER thinking it was something serious but they found nothing. My Dr. ordered a hida scan test which showed my gall bladder was not functioning properly (but no stones). Gall bladder was removed in April, but I'm still having the same problems. It usually goes away after I belch several times but returns frequently. This spring I started having some hot flushes, mood swings and the internal shakes. Dr. did blood tests which showed beginnings of meno. He has ordered a CT scan of my abdomin and a stress test to rule out other possibilities. I asked if this gas pain business could be related to menopause and he seemed to think it might be. Has anyone else experienced this extreme gas pain problem? Has anything helped? I'm on aciphex and use gaviscon by the bottle but it doesn't seem to help much.

Hi ingy,Yes , I have quite a bit of that since meno. I'm post now and it's a little less but not much.I take an OTC stomach pill (Pepcid,Zantac) now and then and I have a prescription for a more powerful one if it is real bad. I have had a heart attack so it is extra scarey when that happens . What i do first (and it's really an old, old remedy) is take about 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda in a half glass of water and it saves the day, for me anyway. If that doesn't work then a couple of Tums -and last but not least the stomach pills. It is best to limit real spicy, or things like onions, fats, or anything that you feel makes it worse . It takes a littlework to find out what makes it act up , but worth the effort to me:)hope this helps, hugs, jeanne

ingy,Hi!

I'm somewhat like you!!I had my gallbladder removed 6 years ago....right in the middle of meno!  Ever since I've had to be very....very careful with what I eat....cuz....spicy or fatty types foods, etc.,etc. cause the same gas problems you are describing:(

Doctor told me I'll always have that problem....without a gallbladder....some of these foods will have difficulty digesting properly!  Plus the meno issue....adds to it!!

jeanne suggested a good med....I sometimes take Zantac!!  I find it works well for me!! I can take it before I eat...or...if I think there might be a problem, after!

Hope you feel better soon....I know these things can be such a drag:(

(((((((((((((Hugs from a Canadian Chick)))))))))))                      Nancy (aka Snowy)

Yes, I've had that too!  The only thing that works (in the short term) for me is to drink some pop really fast so that I can BURP!  Sometomes it takes two or three times of doing this but eventually it works.  The pain -- when that happens--- is so intense, it's hard to believe it isn't a heart attack!  Sometimes, it happens in the night, so I'll keep a can of soda pop nearby !  I go months without this happening -- never know why all of a sudden it will come on!  Its been awhile now since it's happened.  Thank Goodness!

Eileen, Hi!Hey! My Mom does that.....the pop thing!!  She claims it works just fine for her!! I guess different strokes for.............................ya know:biggrin:(((((((Hugs to ya)))))))))            Nancy

Hi Snowbird!Yes, you should have seen me the last time --- . My husband and I are in the car and I'm yelling "Stop at the 7-11, I need pop -- I'm dying here!  Five minutes later I'm just fine and dandy (no pain at all).  Kind of hard to believe. Like you said -- different strokes!  

I too had a serious problem with gas pain and thought ai was having a heart attach, It turned out that I have that gastral problem with  the acid that could come up in your throat and stop you from breathing.  My doctor said you just got the sample of a heart attach but not. He told me to take Tagament and "Don't eat anything after 6PM, don't go to bed after eatting. Raise your pillow or bed to raise your head up.  Use a heating pad on your chest when this happens to stop the pain. Also Take Gaviscon , chew them up and drink water slowly or their will form up, but it works very fast.  then I always carry tums.  Your right about "No spices, and watch for caffines and alchol will really make it worse.  Sometimes I get the attach so bad I put the heating pad on the bed an lay back with my back touching it, takes the pain away.  Breath slowly and try and relax.Isn't life wonderful when we get older?????Dixiemartin

I have problems with gas sometimes too.  It even makes me light headed sometimes and can bring on a panic attack,  then I burp and I feel better.  Strange....

Hi Ladies,,,,,,,,,,me toogot the gas, the acid reflux and I take Zantac and I do the soda routine as well.  When I don't want that sweet or the diet drink I'll have sparkling water, you know like Crystal Geyser Sparkling water,,,,,,,,,,it helps me to burp as well.  It comes in Lemon, Mandrin Orange, Lime and plain.Try it you'll like it :)GG