low grade upper right quadrant/flank pain

[bpp0417]

Hello,
For the last few years it seems I've been experiencing "episodes" of discomfort which is located just under the ribcage in the upper right abdomen.  I also somtimes have discomfort in the right flank.  It does not hurt to the touch.  It sometimes comes with bouts of constipation.  I had an ultrasould done on my gall bladder/liver about a year ago with negative results. (gallstones suspected) Also, blood test came back normal. (Ulcer suspected) By the time I has the ultrasound done, the "episode" had subsided.  However, over the last 6 months, it seems the episodes are coming more frequently and sometimes more severe in pain.  I've also been having some bouts of mild nausea.  I have been diagnosed with reflux, so it could be related to that.  I just recently restarted taking zantac in hopes that it may be an ulcer or GERD related and the zantac would help it heal.  I'm planning on waiting another week to see what the results of the zantac are.  My DR also suggested IBS...which I guess could cause these symptoms.  I hate to keep going back to the DR and the tests all come back negative.  The Doc's going to think I'm a hypocondriac!  So I thought I'd try posting here and see if anyone has had similar issues and what the results were.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Brian

[bpp0417]

Thanks for all the info.  I have begun modifying my diet and also taking in much more fiber than I have in the past.  I'll see if a healthy diet and exercise will correct the problem.  I have gone to the doctor and am scheduled for a chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound next week.  He's also taken blood for a liver test.  
We'll have to wait and see!

[Ojo]

Hi again,
  I know this might sound silly but there are a few other things which might help  Re:- reflux.
Raise the head of your bed by about 6 or 8 inches on books or something,    dont bend over to pick up an item,  always stoop down. Nothing tight around your waist.  Dont over eat,  stay off the acid foods, including ALL citrus fruits, chocolate, dairy products, spices and foods made with vinegar, alcohol is no help either. Wine is very acid.
I found  that staying off those foods helped my reflux more than taking medication.
Followed by a low fat diet, I'm feeling great.
It sounds a bit hard having to give up so much,  but its not.
Once your stomach is back to normal  -----  give your self little treats.
You will soon find out if you have over done it.
Why not keep a list of all the foods that you can eat & those which make you feel worse.?

Jo.

[bpp0417]

Thanks OJO.  I feel great in the morning....the feeling seems to intensify during the day...especially after lunch and dinner.  Last night I was uncomfortable until I went to bed, then woke up feeling fine.  I've decided to see the doctor again for more tests and possibly another ultrasound.  To me....I seems like a gallbladder issue...all the symptoms are there.  But if they find nothing again this time..I'm not sure what to do.  I have modified my diet somewhat due to the reflux, but I do still crave the fatty foods once in a while.  Maybe I'll try eliminating as much fat as I can.  Can't hurt!

[Ojo]

Hi, ---  I have also had problems for several years.
Mine started with acid reflux, dreadful heartburn,& nausea etc.
It continued with the attacks becoming more & more frequent.
I was given PPI's, but suffered ill effects from them.
I also commenced  on a low fat / no fat diet. (My own idea.)
Last November I had this dull ache  in the upper R.Q. for over 72 hours. I had an Ultra sound which showed everything normal.
No stones etc, just a rather odd shaped gall bladder and blood
results were normal. Since the scan I have had no treatment at all.
My stools do change colour from time to time, from 'normal' to clay colour depending on what I eat,  and how much fat content.
My Doc, has decided that my problems are caused by a fat intolerance. My low fat / no fat diet has worked wonders for me.
My  acid reflux problems have gone.
I will of course return to the Doc should anything else change,
but at the moment I feel fine, eat well, am always hungry,
have plenty of energy, & sleep well.
All I need to do is try to forget this dull ache after food.
I am in the U.K. so treatments and investigations etc are different.

[bpp0417]

I have seen a gastro doctor for the reflux issue.  He has also scheduled me for colonoscopy in August...just based on family history...my father died of colon cancer 3 years ago....now I'm 35 so the Dr wants to play it safe.  Stool cards have been done 3 times now, all negative.  I'm now considering doing one of the liver/gall bladder flushes that I've read about in this forum before I decide to go back to the doc again.  Figure it can't do any harm.  I may try that this weekend...and if I get no relief by the end of next week, I'll call the Dr again!

[barbau]

Don't worry about the doc thinking you are a hypochondriac.  You know how you feel.  I've been going through a similar thing myself for the past 6 months.  Pain, nausea, fullness after eating and massive weight loss.  My PCP suggested antidepressants to help me regain some weight... yeah right!!!  All my tests come back 'normal' which is good, but also it would be nice to know what is actually wrong... and any good dr will admit that no test is 100%  Have you been to see a Gastro dr?  My Gastro is also at a loss.. and it does make you feel some as to what is wrong and is working with a Physician to see if there is another cause... my blood work shows up low white cell counts.  In the past I've had an ultrasound, gastroscopy, Cat scan and feces cultures, lots of blood work and just last Tuesday I had a small bowel biopsy and heaps more blood work - haven't got the results yet.  

IBS is one possibility my Gastro thinks is doubtful due to the pain being in the upper region rather than lower down, but who knows.  

You may find that the Zantac takes a week or so to relieve your reflux. I didn't have reflux until my PCP put me on PPI's and then was told to go off them.. the occasional mylanta chewable seems to do the trick... the reflux has subsided now.  Has your dr suggested a gastroscopy [for ulcer or h pylori] or further gall bladder tests.. I think that sometimes stones don't show up on ultrasound?

Hope you find some answers soon.  And please don't feel intimidated by the dr just because your results come back 'normal'... it's your health.