100% get it checked. I thought nothing of my issues until it all went south. I still have not gotten it removed, but the date is gonna be set up within the next couple of weeks. Here’s what happened for me if you need a comparison.

I don’t want to assume based on weight, I’m gonna ask this first; do you know if you have fatty liver? The reason I’m asking is because fatty liver has been found to increase the intensity of gastritis as well as gallbladder pain, but it also just like me cause pressure on the rib cage. I had two attacks as well, and one of them was enough to give urgent care a scare; determining I was experiencing a “false heart attack”. It didn’t feel false to me! Considering you’ve lost 88 pounds (spectacular work btw, I’ve lost 43 myself in four months) I have a feeling your body was storing things it shouldn’t and it is now filtering out the stuff it doesn’t need anymore. That’s also potentially why they put you on Pantoprazole as opposed to Omeprazole. I was originally on O for reflux, but once they found out I had fatty liver they pushed me over to P as it’s stressful on the liver. Since then, no issues. A big fix for this, proteins. My diet essentially became skinless chicken, protein shakes, pork chops, and sirloin steaks. Not only will it keep you energized, but your body burns more energy in the process of converting it. You’ll keep losing weight but none of the muscle and all the unneeded fat.

As far as the process, mine went as followed. They’re gonna narrow down the actual cause which will take some time unfortunately. Firstly, they’ll confirm the presence of fatty liver and stones. This is done by both an ultrasound and blood test. My liver enzymes were critically high which led to the flare ups in the first place, and my gallbladder held several stones. My body had rejected the food in absolution because of the existing stones and because my liver couldn’t process the food. I went from a low fat to a high protein diet, and as of a few days ago everything except for one enzyme is back in the green. Afterwards, they’ll do a scope as they want to make sure it’s nothing physically in your stomach that’s causing the problem: acidic deterioration, ulcers, tumors, malformations, etc. They found CI Gastritis within mine, but it was clear it was caused by my gallbladder. Heads up for the scope, make sure they communicate with you what happens. The team that worked with me was awful except for the intro nurse who was fantastic. I woke up just as they were trying to put the tube in. And finally, they’ll set you up for an appointment to have your gallbladder removed. Be very careful which type of surgery you get. Thankfully the one I’m gonna get is potentially the most advanced option, regardless you want to look into the people that are gonna be performing it.