Hi, not so sure how to start this but I'm in need of some advice when it comes to my dad and his health.
My dad, whose in his mid-sixties, has been suffering from acid reflux for about 30-40 years now. For the majority of this time, he's been on omeprazole which has done relatively well to calm the symptoms. I know 30+ years is an extremely long time to be on PPI, but he's spoken to two different doctors on two separate occasions (at my nagging) and they still say he should be fine on them. The second visit, only a few months ago, came after I discovered that he should if been having annual check ins with a GP about taking omeprazole, but had exactly 0 up until that point.
Anyway, since the end of last year my dad has been under enormous stress (as well as me and my mum, but him more so) due to a family issues and such. He very much has the weight of the world his shoulders right now. In the last few months, he's occasionally (probably four or five times that I know of) had horrible stomach pain in the evening, either before he eats or after. Usually he eats around 8pm.
The pain is in the upper part of his stomach, and is worse when he lies down and when he eats. He'll experience pain throughout the night, struggling to fall asleep, but will be fine in the morning. He puts it down to indigestion, which I'm not convinced on. He's had stomach pain related to his acid reflux before, but with this pain, he doesn't have heartburn, acid coming up, etc - just pain. While his acid reflux has slightly worsened in the last few months (burning in his throat with acid coming up when he bends over, etc) I don't think his stomach pain is down to acid reflux?
He believes he may have a stomach ulcer, which could be likely! But I know with ulcers they're often relieved with eating, which is the exact opposite for my dad. His acid reflux is triggered quite easily, though, with even eating too many grapes and oranges causing heartburn and such.
My worry is that he may have stomach cancer. i know there's been links drawn to the use of PPI's and stomach cancer (though it's also disputed), and he's at that age to be at heightened risk of it. I am aware though that acid reflux can cause these problems (though I find it weird he experiences just pain and no heartburn when it happens) especially when under immense stress, and that even some of his siblings have acid reflux also and have suffered with H. pylori.
Problem is is that he refuses to go to the doctor, even though he himself believes it may be a stomach ulcer, He shuts down every time I bring it up, and even though he's agreed to go see GP if it happens again, after last night (the latest incident) he's still refusing and putting it down to indigestion - even though he was too frightened to eat this morning.
He says that he doesn't experience most stomach cancer symptoms such as persistent stomach pain (he's experienced it 4/5 times), feeling full and bloated (though once he did randomly?), or unusual stools, weight loss, or loss of appetite. He does, however, have a hard stomach that's pretty much a beer belly - even though he quit drinking five years ago after drinking heavily for decades.
Sorry for such a long post, and if you're still reading at this stage I appreciate it very much! I'm just in need of some advice/reassurance and whatnot. Thank you!
