Symptoms suggestive of Peptic Ulcer

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have been experiencing bad bloating after eating as well as stomach pain under my ribs. I am very uncomfortable and often have muscle issues with my back in particular. I believed to have had gallstones but I went to the ER yesterday and had an ultra-sound which showed nothing. I did not get to talk to a doctor because the free clinic sucks. I do not have insurance. The doctor at another clinic emailed his results and a nurse read them to me saying that he believed it is either an Ulcer or Acid Reflux. Today I woke up and passed a bowel movement which looks very different than I have ever had before. I researched the white stringy substance attached to my bowel and it appears that I have a parasite?? I have noticed that several of the symptoms are similar between ulcers and acid reflux and parasites, but wouldn't the ultra-sound have shown that I have worms? They want me to go do an x-ray for ulcers but again I don't have insurance and my last hospital visit lasted 12 hours and I never spoke to a doctor. So here's my 3 questions. 1. Does this sound like a parasite? 2. Why wouldn't it have shown up in my ultra-sound. 3. What should I do now? Can I just take an over-the-counter colon cleanse?

Dear TJ:

I realize how concerned you feel about your situation.  Stomach bloating and pain right after eating might certainly look like a stomach ulcer, however other possible diagnostics such as duodenal ulcer or gastritis might need to be ruled out too.

Your group of symptoms don’t look like the presence of parasites, certainly if you feel worried about this probability , a simple test looking for the parasites in your stools would  rule out this possibility since ultrasound is not an appropriate test to confirm this.

I would certainly suggest you to follow up with your health care provider to rule out Ulcer. In the meantime avoid spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, coffee, have dinner at least 2 hours before going to bed and you could also try over the counter antacids. I wish you a prompt recovery.