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Undiagnosed Persistent Upper Left Abdominal PAin

I am a 39 year old female. For the past 2 1/2 months I have been experiencing upper left quadrant abdominal pain.  It tends to localize below my ribs but above the navel, about 3 inches left of center.  My side also gets tender and my mid back gets muscle spasmy. The pain has sometimes feels like a very tender pulled muscle, but also will feel like a sharper twinge (similar to what I've experienced sometimes when jogging).  When the condition was most accute in 4 wks weeks ago, even my skin to the slightest touch was ultrasensitive - almost like a rope-burn type of sensation.  I also had a wiggly, twitchy feeling in the muscles there in the upper lft. abd. and into my left side/flank.

I have NO nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. I have not lost any weight and energetically do not feel sluggish. My oral temperature ranged from 98.8 - 100 F.  I also have pain in my left groin that feels like a groin pull and also near the front of of my hip bone.  I've also noticed that occasionally my left arm feels heavy and weak, with the grip in my left hand feeling weak as well.

I have had xrays, IVP, ultrasound and CT scan.  Initially my urine dip showed blood and it was thought i might have a kidney stone, but in further testing the urine showed 0 - 3 red blood cells, which I am told are normal levels, and the IVP did not turn up anything.  Only the ultrasound turned up a very small (1.6cm) hemmorhaggic cyst on my left ovary. The gynocologist did not think my pain, being up so high,  was caused by the cyst, and instead felt the cause was visceral and definitely not gynocological or musculoskeletal.  The CT scan also showed normal, although I was told there was some fluid in my pelvic area, which was attributed to the cyst.  All of my blood work has returned completely normal, including amylase / lipase levels.

I was then sent to a Gastroenterologist who asked me some questions, concluded it was muscular and sent me home to take ibuprofen.  She did not do a rectal or scope me.  Stool sample results came back normal:  no e coli, no giardia, no parasites, no blood.

I have been prescribed darvocet, levsin, ibuprofen and naproxen, none of which have made any difference.

Also - have eliminated dairy, alcohol, caffeine from my diet and added extra fiber. I eat no red meat and haven't for approx. 20 years.  I have smoked on and off for approx 20 years, most recently less than 5 / day, but have been smoke-free since 1 / 1 / 2000.  I do have GERD, but treated myself with herbs and diet and have not had a reccurrence in about a year.

I am at a loss for which way to turn for help next.  My primary care physician seems to be at a loss as well. I also had some thoracic and cervical xrays to see if I might have a pinched nerve causing the pain - nothing apparent showed.

Can you help with any suggestions as to what might be the diagnosis, or references to someone in my area (Boston) who might be able to help? I am also concerned perhaps something was missed on the CT or KUB xrays.  Should I have a chest xray?  Ultrasound of my spleen / pancreas area?  Did the CT scan cover this?

I appreciate your time and consideration and any advice you can offer.
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Avatar universal
I, too, would like to see more on this thread. I spent a night in the ER last week when these symptoms hit me suddenly and didn't go away all day. Had a cat scan and lots of blood work. They looked for lung clots, looked at my gall bladder, kidneys, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Everything looks fine!

I was in excruciating pain. It's been days, and I'm home from work, on pain killers, and worried.

The ER doctor suspected shingles, as he said "we've ruled everything else out" but I have no rash. That can happen in 15% of cases, right? Well, my baby didn't catch chicken pox, although he did have a fever over the weekend. So maybe that is it, we just haven't broken out in the rash yet.

Symptoms are:
numbness on the left side of my abdomen
at the same time, touching my abdomen there can sting and really hurt
pain, at the worst, was on par with unmedicated labor pains (I've had 5 unmedicated child births)
the pain wraps from the front left to the back - on the left - mid to upper abdomen
I
feel like there is something IN there - just under my lower ribs, on the left side. I can FEEL the presence of something, sort of like the way it feels when I'm pregnant and move - it feels solid in there.
My upper back is sore, actually, now it's extending from my neck to my hips.

All pain is still on the left side only.

I would like to hear from others with these symptoms.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks, Deidre.  I have been free of dairy for the past 2 months.  I don't really eat much meat except for chicken and fish (can't bring myself to eat lamb) so I do eat a lot of soy products (also lots of olive oil).  More difficult to cut out the wheat, but I'll give it a go.  I have been taking refrigerated acidophilus (with other probioitics) every day (2 capsules), with a glass of water first thing in the morning before eating anything.  I've also just started digestive enzymes.

Do you know much about homepoipathy?  I recently had someone suggest I take Nat Mur.  What is the Kali bichromium for?

Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

Carol D  :-)
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Avatar universal
sound like a digestive problem to me.  that can effect your spleen and if it becomes underactive, inflammation in the area can follow.  First, no meat, no dairy, no wheat and no sugar. If you have food sensitivities, you'll know about it fairly soon.  But it takes time for the inflammation to settle so eat Fish, olive oil, blackcurrent seed oil, evening primrose oil. No meat except lamb which will nourish the spleen and digestion. Take acidopholus culture in dry powdered form 3 g daily. Use bitters in herbal formulas from appropriately qualified people or buy Swedish Bitters from your local health store.  Most importantly take homeopathic Kali bichromium. Do yoga and tai chi or pilates.  Make sure your bowels are working really well. Take slippery elm and marshmallow tea regularly to soothe your digestion.  Do it now so you're not riddled with arthritis later on in life.  Drink celery juice - fresh every day.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal

   HI JUST A SHORT NOTE TO TELL U I HAVE THE SOME TROUBLE.  HAVE HAD ALL THE TESTS U CAN HAVE AND NOTHING IS SHOWING UP.  THEN AFTER A WHILE THE DOCTORS THINK ITS IN UR HEAD CAUSE THEY DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG.  MAKES ME FEEL BAD I KNOW ITS NOT IN MY HEAD.  LET ME KNOW IF U FIND OUT ANYTHING.  I WILL DO THE SAME.

    THANK U
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, frontal ultrasounds was started.
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Avatar universal
Great topic.  I wish it was continued.  Notice what a stupid answer the forum doctor provided.  You would think they had a little sympathy. for those who suffer.
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Avatar universal
Someone help!
I gave birth to son Nov. of 1999.  Every since then, my life has not been the same.  I suffer from the following symptoms: upper left quad chest pain, pain in the left arm, pain sometimes in my right arm, back pain, neck pain, pain in left leg sometimes, burping, had the acid taste once, bad indigestion.  Have been to a Cardioligist and had a Echo done.  Tons of EKG's to due fluttering feeling in chest.  Sometimes experience an anxiety feeling but heart is not beating that fast.  What in the world could this be?  My doctor doesn't know where to go next.  Had a kidneys, pancreas, and liver checked out.  Everything fine.  A little fat on liver though.  Should I start looking at possible GERD or esphogus problems or even digestion problems.  Any GERD victims out there who experienced these symptoms?
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Avatar universal
Hello there i am writing cause i have lots of the same symtoms..I have severe pain in my left side that hurts so bad when i move breathe, have sex,bend over... And its been like that for a year now...I am scared to go to the doctor cause iam a raid to here any bad news....Well i am just 24 and have so many problems that i cant even get to tell on here....I was just womdering if anyone had any other advice....Thanks so much ...

April Lynn West
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Ken
I have had the same symptoms for about four years now and have had all the tests mentioned above.  The catchall, if everything else has been eliminated is IBS (Irritiable Bowel Symdrom).  As my doctor explained, it is thought that the muscle of the bowel becomes irritated and thus the pain.  I am just trying Dicetel to see if this will do anything.  However I think that this condition may be with me for the rest of my life.
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Avatar universal
Hi Carol and others,

I have had the "bubble" on the left side for a long time. I have read some articles about peppermint oil capsules for treating IBS. I have been trying them this week and they seem to provide some relief.

I, too, would rather have a diagnosis, but a treatment that is not harmful that works would almost be as good. I am hopeful.

Good luck to you.
Maureen
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Avatar universal
As the original poster of this message I thought I would check back in.  I want to reiterate that I did various forms of natural/alternative treatment: ie chiro, accupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine/herbs, neuromuscular massage therapy, insight meditation. None of it made any difference as far as having an effect on the left side pain (although I'm sure they were good for my body in other ways!)  Also ate a strict vegetarian diet with lots of soy and fiber!

To another poster: I, too, thought of thoracic outlet syndrome but my chiro ruled that out. Although I have experienced back, neck and shoulder pain in the past, this upper left side pain is very different and in a very different location.

So far the only thing that has helped at all has been to take low dosages of Elavil which is a tricyclic antidepressant that has been found to also treat nerve pain.  I am taking this based on a lot of my own research, a lot of searching around these kinds of forums on the internet for months on end, and finally getting some confirmation from the doctor who examined me on behalf of my employer's short-term disability insurer as well as from a referral to a gastroenterologist that I could possibly have had shingles without the skin eruptions and now the pain I was feeling was "post-herpetic neuralgia.".  Both these doctors mentioned that Shingles without skin eruptions was a possibility -- especially because I had had chicken pox as a kid.

Now - while there has never been any kind of definite diagnosis or proof from test results, I am going with this theory because I have been fairly pain free for the past 3 months since taking Elavil AND becasue recently I attempted to wean myself off of it and about 3 days after stopping it completely, the same old pain returned almost as intensely as it was before.  Very exhausting!

If you've had all the major tests done to rule out life-threatening illness, please talk to your doctor about shingles without the skin eruptions (zoster sine herpete) and Elavil -- if and only if you have had chicken pox in the past.  You cannot get shingles without first having had chiocken pox at some point in your life. (and you cannot "catch" shingles from another person - it is a virus that lies dormant in your body if you have had chicken pox before.)

Also - to the person who wondered about the pelvic utltrasound: I had 2 within the course of a couple of months -- one external and one transvaginal.  Neither showed what was causing my pain, although initially they saw a small cyst on my left ovary which the gyno immediately ruled out as causing pain up so high.  However, a workmate who described suffering from similar pain had an ultrasound of her gall bladder (even though the pain was not brought on by eating, etc. and she had none of the other symptoms of bad gall bladder, especially because her pain was also on the left and the gallbladder is on the right.)  After the ultrasound of the gall bladder, they told her her gall bladder was completely shot (she is only 30 yrs. old) and the surgeon who removed it said it was the third worst gallbladder he had ever seen!  Go figure!

Hang in there! And don't stop bugging your doctor until you find something that works for you!

Carol D.
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Avatar universal
I have had the upper left quadrant intermittent pain for years with stomach bloating at night for years as described at length.  A few days ago ia episode occured and I got xrayed during a bout of pain.  Sure enough a HUGE pocket of gas at the splenic flexure.  Treatment - take simethicone daily not just during the pain and so far no more belching, no more pain  and am hoping for the best.  This doesn't answer why the gas forms but it is effective and harmless treatment since simethicone is not absorbed it just reduces the bubbles.
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Avatar universal
I am 27 and have been suffering from these EXACT symptoms for a week. I have a history of kidney stones, so that was my first guess (and the diagnosis of the first dr. that I saw upon finding blood in urine).IVP was negative. I saw a urologist yesterday who said there is no blood in urine now, could be cystitis or pulled muscle. I disagree (too high for ovarian problem, no problem with menstral cycle). I am scheduled to have a pelvic ultrasound tomorrow - should I even waste my time? Last year at this time I began suffering from severe chronic chest pains (radiating out my back) - it was misdiagnosed as GERD, then costrocondritis (sp?), and then written off as stress related. This pain lasted 10 months before it ceased. For that, I had a gall bladder ultrasound, endoscopy, and upper GI? Is this left side pain another mystery illness that I have been blessed with? It worsens when I am sitting - as long as I am on my feet moving, I feel OK. It almost feels like a baby kicking on that side and sometimes there is swelling/bloating under my left ribs.
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Avatar universal
Going through similar pain.  Very similar.  Had all the tests not much to report.  I stumbled across thoracic outlet syndrome.  May explain pains that are actually muscle skeletal rather than organ trouble.  It has to do with over exertion or trauma that slows nerves or arteries moving through the Thorasic (Upper back, Shoulder neck area) that cause back shoulder spasms and the pain radiates to arms, legs, and hips.  Therapy is more massage and chiropractic unless it is severe enough for surgery.  Good luck to you!  ***@****
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Avatar universal
Hi, I am a 22 year old male and have been having various digestive and other problems with my body for about the past 7 years. I think its probably just my body, but i seem to eat better than alot of people I know, and I get much sicker than them. I get wind pain, bloating, indigestion, acid reflux,
constipation every day. Its really hard to live like this and i'd really like to get better.
> Over the last week i've had this weird feeling - cramps and pains all under my left ribs in the stomach area. I can feel alot of movement going on around there. Also, for the past 2 months or so, I have had this sore discomfort around the lower to mid area of my left ribs. What kind of
tests can i have for the stomach? Having xray and ultrasound tommorrow

I have been diagnosed in the past with candida, IBS, and one
naturopath recently told me a have a 'hot' liver (dysfunctional i guess). It is quite hard even to go about my daily work and study having to live with all this all the time. I was wondering if you have any clues about what i have or what i could do about myself. Thanks alot, Chris
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Avatar universal
These symptoms sound so familiar. I started with this about 2 years ago out of the blue. I did some excercises one night (sit ups push ups and jumped on a trampoline) took a bath and went to bed and it started. My heart was going fast, tongue felt like it was swelling, a wave passed through me and it felt hard to breath. I went to emerge and they gave me some pills that doped me up. For about three months I would experiance the wave feeling, fast heart rate and break out in the shakes. I also felt like my flesh was burning through out my ribs neck and head. I also had diareha and frequent urination when these symptoms were happening. Now I always have a sore neck, burning on the left side of my ribs and it feels like my neck is swelling in the front. I still get the diareha especially after eating. I have had blood tests, heart ultrasound, ultrasound of thyroid pelvis and abdominal regions, exray on spine neck ribs and lungs, gastroscopy, barium enama, and urine tests for hormones. All they found was a little acid reflux and a bit of scoliosis in my neck. I am tired of living this way. I feel tired all the time and don't feel good. I am only 31 and feel like I am 90 sometimes. If anyone has any answers I would appreciate it. My family doctor tries to push valume and antidepressants on me all the time, I just need to find out what is going on with me not cover it up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
These symptoms sound so familiar. I started with this about 2 years ago out of the blue. I did some excercises one night (sit ups push ups and jumped on a trampoline) took a bath and went to bed and it started. My heart was going fast, tongue felt like it was swelling, a wave passed through me and it felt hard to breath. I went to emerge and they gave me some pills that doped me up. For about three months I would experiance the wave feeling, fast heart rate and break out in the shakes. I also felt like my flesh was burning through out my ribs neck and head. I also had diareha and frequent urination when these symptoms were happening. Now I always have a sore neck, burning on the left side of my ribs and it feels like my neck is swelling in the front. I still get the diareha especially after eating. I have had blood tests, heart ultrasound, ultrasound of thyroid pelvis and abdominal regions, exray on spine neck ribs and lungs, gastroscopy, barium enama, and urine tests for hormones. All they found was a little acid reflux and a bit of scoliosis in my neck. I am tired of living this way. I feel tired all the time and don't feel good. I am only 31 and feel like I am 90 sometimes. If anyone has any answers I would appreciate it. My family doctor tries to push valume and antidepressants on me all the time, I just need to find out what is going on with me not cover it up.
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Avatar universal
i have pain in my upper left side below the ribs. the pain is uncomfortable and when you push in that area it is tender. no fever, a little nausiated, no vomiting though.
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Avatar universal
Gosh  I guess it's not all in my head.  Iam 41 and have experienced the same pains too.  I have had the colonoscopy, barium enema, endoscopy done too and all he can say is it is IBS, probably caused by stress. I DOUBT IT!  My life is fine, my job is fine. He put me on hyoscyamine  .375 mg twice a day.  I tried this for 4 months and it didn't help. So I took myself off it.  I guess I will just live with the pain.
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Moe
Well, reading all these replies have made me feel better.  I went to my doctor, and told her of persisting pain, and she told me, "You know, honey, sometimes when women have their periods, they get abdominal pains."  I almost laughed.  I am 25 years old, and I think I would know what cramps feel like.  They do not last 6 months, and they are not under my ribs.  At any rate, it's good to know it's not all in my head, and I feel better knowing it's probably not some horrible cancer.  Did anybody get an actual diagnosis that seems accurate?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Moe
Well, reading all these replies have made me feel better.  I went to my doctor, and told her of persisting pain, and she told me, "You know, honey, sometimes when women have their periods, they get abdominal pains."  I almost laughed.  I am 25 years old, and I think I would know what cramps feel like.  They do not last 6 months, and they are not under my ribs.  At any rate, it's good to know it's not all in my head, and I feel better knowing it's probably not some horrible cancer.  Did anybody get an actual diagnosis that seems accurate?
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Avatar universal
I just returned from the doctor and was diagnosed with chostro condritis.  they say it is an inflamation of the sternum.  I have been told to ice and use anti imflamatories.  Extreme pain in the chest and back.  I am a double mastectomy patient with double reconstruction.  does anyone have any suggestions
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Avatar universal
Wow, was I gald to find this.  I have had this pain for about 6 yrs. now.  I have no medical coverage and even if I did I do not trust doctors.  I live on axid, I take them at least 3x's a day. I get the over the counter and 2 at a time.  I am in pain all the time. I too only get relief when lying on my left side. I try to ignore it as much as possible.  This is a hard thing to do.  I believe it can be stress related.  I have had so much stress in my life maybe this is the result.  
If any one dose get any ans. I would love to hear about.

Thank You All!
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Avatar universal
HAS ANY ONE GOTTON ANY REAL ANSWERS ? I HAVE HAD THE PAIN UNDER MY LEFT RIB CAGE FOR FIVE YEARS. I ONLY FIND RELEIFE WHEN I LAY ON MY LEFT SIDE. I MUST WORK AND TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY. IM 53 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS A MUSCLE STRAIN. DIVATICULITIS. ENLARGED LUNG. WHICH I HAD INJECTIONS FOR IT HELPED SOME BUT THEY ARE SO PAINFULL YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF WORK AND STAY IN BED WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TD ALL THE TIME PLEASE HELP AS I DONT WAUNT TO GO ON LIKE THIS. HELP CATHY
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