I am 39 y/o female that has been experiencing left flank pain for two weeks. UA results that was done was negative. I was treated with three days of Bactrim and given Lotab 5mg Q 4hours for pain. I went to ER five days ago for increased pain. ER performed KUB, IVP, UA, CBC, BMP, and CT, all that came back normal. I was given percoct 5mg, 1-2 Q 4hours for pain. I am still experiencing the left flank pain that seems to intensify prior to going to void. I was advised by ER Dr. to f/u with urologist. This pain is sharp at times with a burning sensation. I have not had a fever, but experienced nausea and elevated B/P with the pain. Please help!
Another case here with upper left quadrent abdominal pain. Iam a 40 year old female. My problems started 2 years ago after being in Africa for 2 years. While in Africa I had had some typical stomach problems related to that part of the world - most of them food related, but no pain and not consistent. What I have had for the last 2 years is dull ache and feeling of fullness or heaviness in this one specific part after meals and a lumb (that I felt especially in the mornings while still laying down - if I pressed it it moved and disappeared). I went to a specialist (at that time I was in Sweden) and I had CT scan done of pancreas, spleen, liver, gallbladder, kidneys and nothing abnormal was found. I also had gastroscopic examination done and everything looked normal except some minor redness. All blood tests were normal and stool sample (one of many) again showed nothing abnormal.
Year after the test I found a live parasite in my stool (round worm - ascariasis - adult size). I got Vermox medication for that. The lump disappeared after the treatment. I have done colon hydrotherapy later to cleanse my colon. There was indication of candida overgrowth in my colon (often go parallel with parasites) Now two years from the first symptoms I still have problems in the same spot in my stomach and fullness after meals and sometimes ache. Also, perhaps once or twice a month when bending forward I get this very painful cramp in this area and this spot gets extremely hard and painful for a minute or so. I have not done colonoscopi but now I am planning on doing new round with specialist since these symptoms do not seem to leave me. There is also possibility that in my case the parasites have not left me yet, their eggs or themselves seldom show in tests. I had at least 6 tests done and none of them showed that I had parasites which I obviously did since it takes some time for the worms to get adult size... Let me now if there is anything new in your case.
i'm 27 yr old female, and my problems started about 3 months ago. Innitialy I had lower abdominal pain(dull), and sometimes a burning sensation. I had an ultrasound, which did not reveal anything abnormal( like ovarian cysts, or kidney stones). no urinary infection either. After eating sushi one night (about a month later), i had severe diarrhea accompanied by severe abdominal cramps. I noticed blood in my stool. The next day i went to the ER, where they did some blood tests and took stool samples. Nothing abnormal. I was having cramps every day since then, diarrheea on and off, felt nauseated and vomited. I started loosing weight( from 110 to 102 lbs), i lost my apetite. I saw a GE twice, he presumed i had an infection or IBS. He didn't prescribe any treatment. Shortly after, i began having lower back and flank pain, especially in the left side. Also joint pain. Over the last month i had unusually loud rumbling in my intestines and stomach(sometimes even in the left side flank/back). Sounds like boiling and bubbling. I've kept a strict diet all along(gluten and lactose free, a lot of rice, baked potatoes, fish and white meat, vitamins). Still, the symptoms haven't gone away. I had a 2nd ultrasound done, and made sure nothing was wrong with my liver, kidneys, gallbladder. Recently my stomach started to ache too, i have acid reflux, and intestinal/stomach rumbling kicks in minutes after eating. I had been diagnosed with duodenal gastritis 3 yrs ago(barium), which stopped bothering me soon after. For a while my stools were constantly yellowish but now dark green. No traces of blood lately. I've been tested for parasites, bacteria, H Pylori, etc, everything came back negative. I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy 1.5 months from now. I'm mostly concerned about the left side pain, and constantly upset intestines/stomach. One other problem is being unable to pass gas despite the cramps.
Just wanted you to know I have very similiar symptoms, actually all that you have except I can not feel a lump!! I was also worried about cancer but I did have the cat scan, the mrcp and the EUS which is the endoscopic ultrasound, they look at the pancrea thru the stomach, like an internal sonogram.
I also had the blood work and the endoscope. I have to go for the colonoscopy and then if that doesn't show anything I will look into that new tiny camera that looks at your small intestines. Good luck, Please post if you get answers...georgie
Update 2: Endoscopy showed indications of Barrett's. Biopsys were taken and now I await the results of those.
I doubt Barretts is the core cause of my symptoms... too many other things going on. Barretts doesn't explain the lump below my left rib, the abnormal stools or the other aches and pains. I suspect a colonoscopy is next.
Update: I had a followup with my GI today. Spleen ultrasound showed an organ at the upper end of normal size range. No unusual masses. Given my post-meal pain of late, the doctor recommended an endoscopy, and I agreed. The test is scheduled for 2 weeks from today...I'll post an update here if the thread is still open at that time. Thanks for the input, Doctor Kevin...
To answer your questions:
1) Many possible causes. Can include various causes of dyspepsia (GERD, ulcers, inflammation), inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome etc.
2) Atypically, you want to exclude heart causes with its relation to exertion. A stress test can be considered.
3) Pancreatic cancer can be seen on CT scan. If suspected, endoscopic ultrasound or MRI are more sensitive tests.
4) I would consider an upper endoscopy to more thoroughly look at the upper GI tract as well as a colonoscopy to evaluat ethe lower GI tract. A blood test for celiac disease can be considered.
5) Regarding the bump - the spleen or soft tissue masses can be felt on physical exam.
These options can be discussed with your personal 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_