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Upper LEFT quadrant pain
I am 31 years old. This past May I had severe left sided upper quadrant pain. It felt like it was just under my ribs, usually in the front but sometimes in my side and when most severe, in my back. It lasted for about 3 weeks and I just let it go, confident that it would just go away.
In the first week of August the exact same pain came back. It was so severe that I called my MD after only 3 days. I had chest x-rays, abd sonogram and blood work. The only abnormality was my amylase which was 397. My lipase was somewhat elevated also. I had an abd CT which showed a slightly enlarged pancreas but was told that was probably normal for my age. I was but on prevacid and told to see what happens. I still complained of severe pain do I had an EGD. All was normal. I then had an ERCP done and while no obstruction was noted I did end up with pancreatitis and was in the hospital for 5 days. The 'pancreatitis' pain has now resolved but my original pain remains. I can now relate some of the pain to after meals but that pain usually occurs on the right side. The left sided pain is ALWAYS there. It gets bad and then eases up but is always there. I do become nauseated at times but I am not vomiting. I lost 10 pounds in the hospital but put 6 back on. No further weight loss has been noted. My GI physician is stumped. He did mention sphincter manometry but is hesitant due to my pancreatitis.
What I want to know is this: Is there a profile of patients who have sphincter dysfunction? Are there certain things that cause it or is the cause unknown? Would that cause LEFT sided pain. With the tests I have had done, would CA be ruled out or would that still be a possibility?
Thank you,
Elizabeth
In the first week of August the exact same pain came back. It was so severe that I called my MD after only 3 days. I had chest x-rays, abd sonogram and blood work. The only abnormality was my amylase which was 397. My lipase was somewhat elevated also. I had an abd CT which showed a slightly enlarged pancreas but was told that was probably normal for my age. I was but on prevacid and told to see what happens. I still complained of severe pain do I had an EGD. All was normal. I then had an ERCP done and while no obstruction was noted I did end up with pancreatitis and was in the hospital for 5 days. The 'pancreatitis' pain has now resolved but my original pain remains. I can now relate some of the pain to after meals but that pain usually occurs on the right side. The left sided pain is ALWAYS there. It gets bad and then eases up but is always there. I do become nauseated at times but I am not vomiting. I lost 10 pounds in the hospital but put 6 back on. No further weight loss has been noted. My GI physician is stumped. He did mention sphincter manometry but is hesitant due to my pancreatitis.
What I want to know is this: Is there a profile of patients who have sphincter dysfunction? Are there certain things that cause it or is the cause unknown? Would that cause LEFT sided pain. With the tests I have had done, would CA be ruled out or would that still be a possibility?
Thank you,
Elizabeth
i also have had this pain and have had cat scans and still nothing. if any one knows what to do ill try anything im ready to just cut myself open to find out whats rong
I too have suffered from this dasterdly Upper Left Quadrant Pain. However, I am feeling about 90% better than I have before.
I am a 45 year old female. I weigh about 109 and I am in pretty descent physical shape. My problems began this past December 1999, right after Christmas. My husband and I are avid runners, so I thought it was due to over-exertion. The pain would begin under the left rib cage and radiate both up to the left flank and down to the left groin. I had a slight fever every so ofter(no more than 100). The pain seemed to be worse when I ran. I could not stand the pain anymore, so I contacted my primary. He said that the symptoms sounded like a kidney infection, and he put me on an antiobiotic for a week. Perhaps I had a slight kidney infection, but I really did not feel much better after taking the antibiotic. My primary sent me for every test you could think of in order to determine what I might have--x-rays, bone scans, a colonoscopy, and cat scans. Even my Gyn got involved, thinking it might be ovary or uterine related. The Gyn also sent me for several female tests. Every test I went for put me into an emotional hole until results came back showing nothing was wrong. The colonoscopy almost put me over the edge. Knowing that my Dad died of colon cancer, and that I have had IBS since my college years, I was convinced that I had colon cancer. The results came back negative for that, thank GOD!! It was also frustating, though, not knowing what the problem was. I discontinued my running, assuming the pain might have been due to over exertion. Discontinuing my workouts, however, did not help my emotional or mental health out at all, but I did what I thought I should do.
My Mom suggested that I try taking tums before and after each meal that perhaps I have trapped gas. I did that and it seemed to alleviate some of the pain. My primary did a few more tests and concluded that I have Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilidge between the ribs) and colonic splenic flexture distention (trapped gas in the colon on the left side of the body where the colon makes a turn under the rib cage--thus pushing up against the ribs and causing pain and discomfort).
I am feeling much better now. I have continued my workouts, but instead of just running, I now cross-train--run, bike and some light weight lifting. When I get the pain, it is usually very mild and goes away quickly just by me taking the tums more often and by increasing my intake of roughage (broccoli and salads made with romaine lettuce). I also drink much more water than I used to and started drinking cranberry juice too.
Just thought I would share my experience with you. Hope it helps. Keep in touch!!
I am a 45 year old female. I weigh about 109 and I am in pretty descent physical shape. My problems began this past December 1999, right after Christmas. My husband and I are avid runners, so I thought it was due to over-exertion. The pain would begin under the left rib cage and radiate both up to the left flank and down to the left groin. I had a slight fever every so ofter(no more than 100). The pain seemed to be worse when I ran. I could not stand the pain anymore, so I contacted my primary. He said that the symptoms sounded like a kidney infection, and he put me on an antiobiotic for a week. Perhaps I had a slight kidney infection, but I really did not feel much better after taking the antibiotic. My primary sent me for every test you could think of in order to determine what I might have--x-rays, bone scans, a colonoscopy, and cat scans. Even my Gyn got involved, thinking it might be ovary or uterine related. The Gyn also sent me for several female tests. Every test I went for put me into an emotional hole until results came back showing nothing was wrong. The colonoscopy almost put me over the edge. Knowing that my Dad died of colon cancer, and that I have had IBS since my college years, I was convinced that I had colon cancer. The results came back negative for that, thank GOD!! It was also frustating, though, not knowing what the problem was. I discontinued my running, assuming the pain might have been due to over exertion. Discontinuing my workouts, however, did not help my emotional or mental health out at all, but I did what I thought I should do.
My Mom suggested that I try taking tums before and after each meal that perhaps I have trapped gas. I did that and it seemed to alleviate some of the pain. My primary did a few more tests and concluded that I have Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilidge between the ribs) and colonic splenic flexture distention (trapped gas in the colon on the left side of the body where the colon makes a turn under the rib cage--thus pushing up against the ribs and causing pain and discomfort).
I am feeling much better now. I have continued my workouts, but instead of just running, I now cross-train--run, bike and some light weight lifting. When I get the pain, it is usually very mild and goes away quickly just by me taking the tums more often and by increasing my intake of roughage (broccoli and salads made with romaine lettuce). I also drink much more water than I used to and started drinking cranberry juice too.
Just thought I would share my experience with you. Hope it helps. Keep in touch!!
I have been having the same symptoms as many of you - ulq pain that radiates to my back - much worse after eating ESPECIALLY if I eat too much! I have had ultrasounds of pancreas, gallbladder, liver, etc. showing nothing. Had sigmoidoscopy (painful experience!) with biopsy - showed nothing. Had several EKG's - perfectly normal. Upper GI showed Reflux and they are attributing the pain to that - BULL! It's clear down under my ribs and is very different from heartburn! I have found one thing that seems to improve it, Yoga. This stumped me at first because the pain is nothing like a muscular pain. My naturalist says that yoga is very good for repositioning internal organs - so maybe that has something to do with it. Being that I am not disciplined I have not been doing the yoga regularly. Only use it when I need it. But it does seem to work. I only do 10-15 minutes of it and see a difference. If anyone would want to give it a try, I would be interested in hearing if it helps you too.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I am just beginning my seventh month of pregnancy. Approximately 5 weeks ago I began feeling pressure under my left breastbone (in the upper left quadrant). The discomfort soon felt like something was grabbing my rib and then eventually turned to pain. The pain is constant and worsens if I sit up straight for any amount of time. I recently had to go on a medical leave of absence from my desk job. The pain is starting to affect my ability to drive and comfort when I sleep. My OB/GYN referred me to a Cardiologist where I had an EKG, Echogram, and Holt monitor placed for 24 hours. I was then referred to a Gastrointerologist who sent me for an ultrasound. All of these tests were negative, and the Doctors are very limited on the tests they can use because of my pregnancy.
I felt the need to research and found some very interesting diseases (considered rare)of the Spleen. There is a condition called "Acquired" Wandering Spleen which is most common in women ages 20-40 because it can be caused by a relaxation of the ligaments during pregnancy. The disease can also surface after an injury from an accident. The symptoms fit perfectly and the description and location of the pain is exact. I am seeing a high-risk OB tomorrow and I plan on taking all the information I have found. Perhaps because the disease is considered rare, many doctors are not educated and do not think of it in their diagnosis. You can find this information on the internet by entering Wandering spleen as the search category. Good luck to all!
I felt the need to research and found some very interesting diseases (considered rare)of the Spleen. There is a condition called "Acquired" Wandering Spleen which is most common in women ages 20-40 because it can be caused by a relaxation of the ligaments during pregnancy. The disease can also surface after an injury from an accident. The symptoms fit perfectly and the description and location of the pain is exact. I am seeing a high-risk OB tomorrow and I plan on taking all the information I have found. Perhaps because the disease is considered rare, many doctors are not educated and do not think of it in their diagnosis. You can find this information on the internet by entering Wandering spleen as the search category. Good luck to all!
Hi All:
I'm pregnant (5 and a half months) and I've had soreness and pain in my left side near ribs for at least six weeks. I can't be x-rayed and I"m waiting for ultrasound. Doctor did find some bacteria growth in urine so I took an antibiotic but the pain returned. Since I don't have fever, she doesn't think its kidney infection but I worry. I don't want to feel like this for the whole pregnancy or to have infection harm the baby.
Any suggestions?
I'm pregnant (5 and a half months) and I've had soreness and pain in my left side near ribs for at least six weeks. I can't be x-rayed and I"m waiting for ultrasound. Doctor did find some bacteria growth in urine so I took an antibiotic but the pain returned. Since I don't have fever, she doesn't think its kidney infection but I worry. I don't want to feel like this for the whole pregnancy or to have infection harm the baby.
Any suggestions?
I found this website and I am so relieved! I felt like I was alone until no. Here's my story. It started two months ago. My left side was extremely bloated and I was having pains in my kidney area and the front of my body. I ignored it for 3 days and realized this isn't like me. So I went to the ER. They thought it was kidney stones. They took a CAT Scan of my kidneys, intenstines, liver, stomach, etc. They found two spots that they thought were stones, and they did an internal examine to make sure it wasn't ovarian. So I go to a UROLOGIST several days later and they too give me an internal examine and he looks at the CAT Scan and says, it might be kidney stones, but lets take another pelvic X-RAY. A week passes by I am still in discomfort. I had no appettie, I dropped alot of weight.
The end of the week the UROLOGIST calls me and says, it isn't kidney stones. He seems to think it might be A Cyst in my ovaries. So I go to my GYN and they find nothing. A day passes and I almost faint, so I go back to the ER and they finally take BLOOD WORK. THE RESULTS YOUR FINE. MEANWHILE, MY SYMPTOMS are
burping, feeling like can't breath after eating, bloating, pain swallowing, pain in my stomach area right under LEFT RIBS. I always felt my stomach going crazy inside, but nothing would happen, just pain and discomfort. Meanwhile I wasn't constipated either. So the ER gave me an Antiacid. I feel little better but not much. I go to my regular physican and he gives me PREVICD. I took it, but it didn't feel like it helped.
Next STOP GASTRO....My general doctor recommend someone and he was buzy so I went to someone else (b/c of course I didn't want to wait). The GASTRO I went to is an ***! She says, it is STRESS, you are fine. Meanwhile, I told her my bowel movements have been bright GREEN and soft, etc. I was so upset with this women. She puts me on ANTIDEPERSSENTS! I went on for 3 days and I felt it isn't working. A few weeks pass and I am still having pains, etc.
My regular doctor sees me again and says, "I don't think it is stress, go to the 1st person I recommended."
So I did and I got an UPPER ENDOSCOPY (SCARY). Any way they find out that my stomach is inflammed. They took a test for H Pylori, Check for Tumors or Cancer. Everything came back neg. Which is good, but BAD, b/c I still don't know why I am having these pains. He told me to stop eating choclate, carbonated drinks, acidy foods. So I did. HE told me to eat veggies, but they hurt my stomach with more gas. So I am just eating Chicken and Potatoes for now. And I am starting to not have as much pain in my stomach. I still need to follow up with him. I was 123 and now I weigh 111 and I am 5 2'. I am getting nervous b/c I lost 12 pounds in 2 months.
Has anybody else had these syptoms and know what to do?
If so please email me ***@****
Good Luck to ALL!
The end of the week the UROLOGIST calls me and says, it isn't kidney stones. He seems to think it might be A Cyst in my ovaries. So I go to my GYN and they find nothing. A day passes and I almost faint, so I go back to the ER and they finally take BLOOD WORK. THE RESULTS YOUR FINE. MEANWHILE, MY SYMPTOMS are
burping, feeling like can't breath after eating, bloating, pain swallowing, pain in my stomach area right under LEFT RIBS. I always felt my stomach going crazy inside, but nothing would happen, just pain and discomfort. Meanwhile I wasn't constipated either. So the ER gave me an Antiacid. I feel little better but not much. I go to my regular physican and he gives me PREVICD. I took it, but it didn't feel like it helped.
Next STOP GASTRO....My general doctor recommend someone and he was buzy so I went to someone else (b/c of course I didn't want to wait). The GASTRO I went to is an ***! She says, it is STRESS, you are fine. Meanwhile, I told her my bowel movements have been bright GREEN and soft, etc. I was so upset with this women. She puts me on ANTIDEPERSSENTS! I went on for 3 days and I felt it isn't working. A few weeks pass and I am still having pains, etc.
My regular doctor sees me again and says, "I don't think it is stress, go to the 1st person I recommended."
So I did and I got an UPPER ENDOSCOPY (SCARY). Any way they find out that my stomach is inflammed. They took a test for H Pylori, Check for Tumors or Cancer. Everything came back neg. Which is good, but BAD, b/c I still don't know why I am having these pains. He told me to stop eating choclate, carbonated drinks, acidy foods. So I did. HE told me to eat veggies, but they hurt my stomach with more gas. So I am just eating Chicken and Potatoes for now. And I am starting to not have as much pain in my stomach. I still need to follow up with him. I was 123 and now I weigh 111 and I am 5 2'. I am getting nervous b/c I lost 12 pounds in 2 months.
Has anybody else had these syptoms and know what to do?
If so please email me ***@****
Good Luck to ALL!
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