Persistant pain under left lower ribs and nausea

[bobwhat]

Ten months ago, I experienced a sudden onset of acute pancreatis and ended up in the hospital for two weeks. Following my release, I was in bed for several months more because of continued nausea and pain. I have constant pain (3-10) with frequent pain levels between 4 and 6 daily. Eating anything at all makes me ill. I took Phenegren for more than 4 months and finally took myself off it to see if it might be contributing to the problem. I could not tell much difference in my symptoms. I have been to 4 different doctors who are unable to discover why I had this episode originally or why I continue to have problems now. I have several pseudocysts that apear to be shrinking in size, the largest is 5mm. But they are all located on my right side and the doctors say I should not cause pain on the left. My pain has always been on the left. It feels like pressure under my ribs. I also have left flank pain that extends into my back to the area near my kidney. I am looking to find anyone who has dealt with this situation before, either as a physician or a patient. Thanks for your help.

[MESH]

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[wursel]

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[wenfaye]

Hi I was searching on the internet and typed in gallbladder removal. It brought me to this site and as soon as I saw the forum and this subject it was a big "wow". I had my gallbladder removed in June and for 3 months I was just fine. But now I am having the exact same symptoms that you described! I recently had some tests cause my doctor figured it was pancreatitis. I had an upper GI, a sonogram, and I've had an Xray at the ER. But, they've all showed up "neg". Funny thing is that I was the once that had to tell the doctors about my gallbladder. I read up on it and it pointed to gallstones. Of course out of every test, the only things it showed up on were a sonogram and a test to see if it was emptying properly. It didn't even show inflammation, though it was infected when they took it out. Is it possible you think that it just isn't showing up? Are they any other tests I can take to check for it? Any help would be so very greatly appriciated! ~Wenfaye

[janeygirl]

I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about having an MRCP xray done. I also had my gallbladder taken out in June and have continued to have pain in my left side that radiates through to my back and shoulders. I had this MRCP done one month ago. The xray showed that I have dilation in my biliary duct. The next step is I am being sent to a specialist to have an ERCP and Sphinter of Manometry test done to see if I have sphincter of oddi dysfuntion. I do not go to the specialist until February. They can't get me in for three months, I am glad that I am not dying of a heart attack, because I would already be dead from the waiting. Good Luck to you.

[Nanny]

I, too suffer from left side pain that radiates to the back and into the left shoulder blade.  I have had chronic pancreatitis for over two years, and also have multiple pseudocysts, most close to the pancreas head (right side), yet my pain is usually mainly on the left.  There are several spinal nerve endings that are located in this area, and when the pancreas becomes inflamed, these seem to be the ones most affected.

Has a gastroenterologist prescribed enzyme supplements for you to take with meals and snacks to help minimize the pain associated with eating?  Have you been instructed to eat only low fat foods, not more than 20-25 grams of fat daily?  Are all these doctors you have seen gastroenterology specialists?  Pain in this area is not at all uncommon with chronic pancreatitis, so I don't understand why your doctors would be confused.

Nanny