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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
CONSTANT PAIN in THE LOWER LEFT ABDOMINAL AREA
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
CONSTANT PAIN in THE LOWER LEFT ABDOMINAL AREA
by hawknose, May 08, 2004 12:00AM
I AM a 63 YEAR OLD BASICALLY HEALTHY MALE . SINCE 1995 , I HAVE HAD an ONGOING , INCREASING - in - INTENSITY PAIN in MY LOWER LEFT ABDOMINAL AREA. AT FIRST , IT STARTED OFF as A BURNING / HURTING SENSATION ; GRADUALLY ( OVER TIME ) GETTING MORE INTENSE . THE PAIN is CONSTANT , but IS AGGRAVATED ( GETS WORSE ) during & after BOWEL MOVEMENTS and SOMETIMES after I EAT to MUCH. QUITE OFTEN , EXCESSIVE SWEATING OCCURS for AN HOUR or TWO ( 2 ) . I CAN PUSH INWARD with MY FINGERS on THE LOCATION of PAIN ; and FEEL MORE PAIN with THE PUSHING FORCE. THE PAIN IS DEEP INSIDE , not JUST INSIDE or NEAR THE SURFACE. MY DOCTORS ( on (3) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS , over THE YEARS ) HAVE RUN ULTRA SOUNDS , CT SCANS , MRI'S , COLONOSCOPIES , BARIUM ENIMAS , BARIUM TESTS from MY MOUTH & THROAT to MY RECTUM with NO POSITIVE RESULTS. SO FAR , THEY ARE ALL STUMPED and HAVE NO SUGGESTIONS . I HAVE EVEN VISITED a PAIN SPECIALIST who PERFORMED a NUMBER of PAIN BLOCK INJECTIONS with NO NOTICEABLE RESULTS. THE ONLY RELIEF , I HAVE FOUND is SLEEPING on MY RIGHT SIDE CONSISTANTLY , LAYING DOWN for 30 - 45 MINUTES after EVERY BOWEL MOVEMENT and TAKING PAIN PILLS at THE SAME TIME. THE ONLY WAY , I CAN FEEL GOOD ENOUGH to PERFORM MY DAILY ROUTINE IS to CONTINUALLY TAKE HYDROCONE PAIN PILLS ; and USUALLY HAVE to TAKE MORE ( in QUANTITY ) than HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED for ME.
PLEASE GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS for RELIEF and CURE of THIS ANNOYING PAIN. I DO not WANT to HAVE to TAKE PAIN PILLS the REST of MY LIFE.
PLEASE GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS for RELIEF and CURE of THIS ANNOYING PAIN. I DO not WANT to HAVE to TAKE PAIN PILLS the REST of MY LIFE.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
You have clearly had a comprehensive evaluation, including CT scans, MRI's, colonoscopies, barium tests etc. These tests would have ruled out most of the major causes, including inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, adhesions, cancer, infections etc.
More specialized tests can be considered - including tests for malabsorption (i.e. using a fecal fat test), as well as testing for carcinoid syndrome (which can manifest with sweating and flushing after eating). A 5-HIAA urine test would be considered if this was suspected.
If all the tests are negative, then treatment for irritable bowel syndrome should be discussed. Treatment with fiber supplements as well as antispasmodic agents should be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
More specialized tests can be considered - including tests for malabsorption (i.e. using a fecal fat test), as well as testing for carcinoid syndrome (which can manifest with sweating and flushing after eating). A 5-HIAA urine test would be considered if this was suspected.
If all the tests are negative, then treatment for irritable bowel syndrome should be discussed. Treatment with fiber supplements as well as antispasmodic agents should be considered.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
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