Upper Left Quadrant Pain-With Fullness

[MLN34]

Hi
My doctor has yet to send me to a GI specialist as we are awaiting blood work including a CBC.  I have this dull ache just under my rib cage on the left front side and sometimes it feels as though it stretches to the middle just under breat bone or even to the left side.  I have been experiencing more belching than usual.  I often feel full and not hungry. This all started about two weeks ago.  I seem to feel more relief from the bloating or fullness while sitting down. My bowel movements have been inconsistent as some soft some not so soft.
Any thoughts?  Should I be insistent on a specialist or a upper GI with barium or the endoscopy?
Thanks

[Meek210]

I can't believe how many people on the site share the same problem as I do.  I have been experiencing dull to severe pain in the upper left hand side of my stomach just under the ribcage for 2 years now.

I've had Ultrasounds, blood tests, ECG, Upper GI and now my doc is sending me for an endoscopy.  

I've been on Aciphex, Nexium, now Prevacid and no medicines seem to help with much.

Here's what I can tell you:

The pain come on shortly after eating...sometimes it takes 10 minutes, sometimes 30...

I've noticed that it is definitely more prevalent after eating certain foods:  heavier sauces, coffee with cream, cookies, candy, soda, some alcohol, snack chips, certain place's pizza, certain types of bread, certain juices...obviously those foods with higher fat content and more acidic...BUT

Then I don't feel it at all eating red meat, chicken, milk,  ruffage, cereal, even cheese doesn't really bother me.  

When I lay down at night when it is bad, I'll wake up barely able to breathe.  It makes me anxious and the symptoms are that of a heart attack if I knew what that felt like.  Sometimes the pain pulsates, sometimes it just lingers and the pain is a pressure that almost makes me want to vomit to relieve the pressure.  I'll sit up rubbing the area until the pain goes away and after about 2 hours it will UNTIL the next day if I make the mistake of eating something that irritates it.

In the next week I am having an endoscopy but my friend's wife who has the same exact pain and gets it eating the same exact stuff told me that she's had two endoscopies and they still do not know what the problem is.

It seems the site offers some diagnoses:  peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, GERD...and so on.  Would they have found out that I have these things by now?  And will this test be able to shed some more light on my situation.  For now the docs says stay away from high fat content foods....and I am trying as I eat fairly healthy to begin with...another friend suggested I could be glucose intolerant which could be really tricky and a diet that would be highly specialized. And yet another suggests espohagitis and her's was relieved mmy stretching the esophagus.

Whatever this is, many people seem to suffer from the exact same thing.  I'm looking for anybody to give me some answers...I will try anything as the pain can be so dehabilitating that I'm actually becoming afraid to eat much at all.  I've lost about 7 pounds in the last 2 years from 160 to 152 or so...I'm a 34 y/o male, in good health, 5'6". I welcome any suggestions.  

[jamesloch]

A related discussion, follow on was started.

[Stomach Aches]

I 've experienced almost identical symptoms to both of you. I have had an endoscopy, and everything checked out. The Doc says I'm healthy. But I still have abdominal pain in the upper left quadrant, under my ribs and often, diarrhea/constipation also. I have learned that Nexium, and all that other prescribed acid reflux stuff is garbage, and I think it messes me up even more. I have found that the  only thing that has helped me is a product called Kefir...you can purchase it at most health food stores, and gourmet markets. It is much like a liquid yogurt that has probiotic in it, and I think it is wonderful! It can cure most stomach problems if taken daily. Always drink about a cup in the morning on an empty stomach. If your pain persists, drink more. And of course, avoid a really rich diet. I think this will help both of you a lot!!!

[rotgutforever]

I have the EXACT same symptoms as Meek210.  I feel like you were reading my mind!  I have the ULQ pain, and have had it for years.  I had the gallbladder out recently, and it seems to be worse!  All my tests come back okay...but I still feel awful!  I have these "heart attack" symptoms (that's what I call them) during the day, and sometimes in the middle of the night.  I get a intense pain in my upper back, my chest and my throat.  I already take 2 Nexium and 4 Zantac a day.  It's not reflux.  I don't know what it is, but it's worse since the cholecystectomy.  I have been to doctor after doctor.  It seems to be worse after eating anything greasy, fatty, or heavy.  I try to avoid those things now.  I still get these attacks at least once a day, or once a night.  I get so that I cannot even breathe and the chest pain knocks me off my feet.  I have had blood work/heart tests...all came back okay.  I have been told that it's anxiety.  So I take medication for that.  It doesn't help.  I wish these doctors who make big bucks could figure out something.  I eat 1/2 the amount of food I ate before getting the GB out, I've lost 20+lbs, gave up caffiene, carbonated drinks, junk food, all that stuff.  I just can't win.  I am glad to hear that I am not the only one suffering.

[ldrrgr]

I think you may have Sphincter of Oodi dysfunction.  I had gallbladder removed about 4 years ago and still have "attacks that feel like the gb attacks".  They will last anywhere from 2-4 hours normally.  Im told it is SOD.  I also have a whole lot of other symptoms that have been lumped into a diagnosis of IBS.  I suffer from sudden intense pain in stomach (it seems to seize up and will last for 5-10 minutes).  I don't burp properly, have spasms in intestines, feel my heartbeat in my ears, and the list of weird things just goes on and on.  I get frustrated because we live in a world where organ transplants and a number of other medical miracles take place but doctors can't seem to figure out why so many people have "gut" problems and weird symptoms.  I have kept food journals and cannot seem to pinpoint any certain triggers.  I suggest you find a specialist and ask about SOD.

[kirkl]

My problem has only come on the past few days.  I have a vague feeling of fullness on my left side under my rib cage down my side with an ocasional sharp pain running just under my left breast and down towards my belly button.  It feels as though I am sitting off balance.  I tend to worry about everything so when I have something not normal I get very nervous.

[Kalio1]

My 2 cents is you need an in depth evaluation of your liver. Your pain sounds like liver/spleen to me. Have them check your liver and spleen out thoroughly along with your gallbladder. If you drink alcohol, I'd abstain from it until you figure this out. Be sure they screen you for viral hepatitis a b and c to make SURE you are clear of them, this can only be done with a blood test.

good luck

[MLN34]

Let me add that today when I woke up it seems as though it is now located more centerally between my belly button and breastbone.  I still have no appetite as well as no hunger pains.  Still some bloating feeling and it actually feels better lying down or sitting.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The liver and gallbladder should be evaluated.  This can be done with an ultrasound.

If negative, you can look at upper GI disorders - like GERD, dyspepsia or an ulcer.  An upper endoscopy can be considered to evaluate for these possibilities.  

These options can be discussed with your GI physician.

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.
kevinmd_