Persistent stomach pain should warrant an immediate visit to the emergency room (ER) if: You are pregnant The pain started within a week of abdominal surgery or a GI procedure You have had a gastric bypass, colostomy, or bowel resection The pain started after experiencing severe abdominal trauma Your abdomen is bruised or rapidly expanding You have symptoms such as a hard abdomen, coughing up blood, dizziness, persistent vomiting, or pain in the neck or between shoulder blades