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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
Dear Betsy,
It sounds as if you have had a bad experience with doctors. My 13 year old son has been in pain for two years now with every test they can think of with absolutely no results. He had pancreatitis, most likely brought on by an ERCP. The pain never goes away and he his nauseous and vomits frequently. He misses a great deal of school with this and turns down social invitations because he doesn't want to be "sick" away from home.
Has anyone ever heard of chronic pancreatitis with enzyme levels in the high end of normal? His pain is in his upper left abdomine and at times wraps around to his back. The pain never goes away and sometimes peaks at a 8 or 9 on a scale of 1 - 10. He has just started to see a physcologist that specializes in chronic pain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to your daughter.
It sounds as if you have had a bad experience with doctors. My 13 year old son has been in pain for two years now with every test they can think of with absolutely no results. He had pancreatitis, most likely brought on by an ERCP. The pain never goes away and he his nauseous and vomits frequently. He misses a great deal of school with this and turns down social invitations because he doesn't want to be "sick" away from home.
Has anyone ever heard of chronic pancreatitis with enzyme levels in the high end of normal? His pain is in his upper left abdomine and at times wraps around to his back. The pain never goes away and sometimes peaks at a 8 or 9 on a scale of 1 - 10. He has just started to see a physcologist that specializes in chronic pain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to your daughter.
Dear Lela,
I don't have any help to offer but what you've described is exactly what I've been going through. I had acute pancreatitis brought on by an ERCP but other than that it has been left upper quadrant pain that goes into my back. My amylase and lipase are still elevated but nothing drastic. I really feel like someone is missing something. My pain is usually about a 3-4 on the pain scale but sometimes it really flares up and is about a 15 :) If you get anything figures out let me know.
Elizabeth
I don't have any help to offer but what you've described is exactly what I've been going through. I had acute pancreatitis brought on by an ERCP but other than that it has been left upper quadrant pain that goes into my back. My amylase and lipase are still elevated but nothing drastic. I really feel like someone is missing something. My pain is usually about a 3-4 on the pain scale but sometimes it really flares up and is about a 15 :) If you get anything figures out let me know.
Elizabeth
Did you ever think it was or rule out Gall Stones. I have these simptoms and DR thinnks that is the problem. Getting tested soon.
I hope that is it. Easy to get rid of.
I hope that is it. Easy to get rid of.
Colleen,
I have been dealing with pain in my upper left side for 1 1/2 years now along with a breathing problem. Every time I eat the pain gets worse. It feels so heavy on that side. It seems like I can almost feel the food go right through my intestines. When I take deep breaths it hurts on that side. I have had chest x-rays Cat-Scan, Pft's Asthma tests. I keep telling the doctors that my lungs don't hurt. It hurts in my left side and all I get is that it's in my head. That my brain is making my body do it some how.
I don't believe it. All my tests were normal. Yet my side still throbs and keeps me up at night. This pain also goes into my left side of my neck and shoulder. I sure wish I could find a doctor that would just fix it and stop telling me it's in my head. I use to so active. This has stopped me in my tracks. I have 4 children and use to work full time, now I have even quit my job. Please !!! If anyone figures it out let me know.
I have been dealing with pain in my upper left side for 1 1/2 years now along with a breathing problem. Every time I eat the pain gets worse. It feels so heavy on that side. It seems like I can almost feel the food go right through my intestines. When I take deep breaths it hurts on that side. I have had chest x-rays Cat-Scan, Pft's Asthma tests. I keep telling the doctors that my lungs don't hurt. It hurts in my left side and all I get is that it's in my head. That my brain is making my body do it some how.
I don't believe it. All my tests were normal. Yet my side still throbs and keeps me up at night. This pain also goes into my left side of my neck and shoulder. I sure wish I could find a doctor that would just fix it and stop telling me it's in my head. I use to so active. This has stopped me in my tracks. I have 4 children and use to work full time, now I have even quit my job. Please !!! If anyone figures it out let me know.
Colleen,
I have been dealing with pain in my upper left side for 1 1/2 years now along with a breathing problem. Every time I eat the pain gets worse. It feels so heavy on that side. It seems like I can almost feel the food go right through my intestines. When I take deep breaths it hurts on that side. I have had chest x-rays Cat-Scan, Pft's Asthma tests. I keep telling the doctors that my lungs don't hurt. It hurts in my left side and all I get is that it's in my head. That my brain is making my body do it some how.
I don't believe it. All my tests were normal. Yet my side still throbs and keeps me up at night. This pain also goes into my left side of my neck and shoulder. I sure wish I could find a doctor that would just fix it and stop telling me it's in my head. I use to so active. This has stopped me in my tracks. I have 4 children and use to work full time, now I have even quit my job. Please !!! If anyone figures it out let me know.
I have been dealing with pain in my upper left side for 1 1/2 years now along with a breathing problem. Every time I eat the pain gets worse. It feels so heavy on that side. It seems like I can almost feel the food go right through my intestines. When I take deep breaths it hurts on that side. I have had chest x-rays Cat-Scan, Pft's Asthma tests. I keep telling the doctors that my lungs don't hurt. It hurts in my left side and all I get is that it's in my head. That my brain is making my body do it some how.
I don't believe it. All my tests were normal. Yet my side still throbs and keeps me up at night. This pain also goes into my left side of my neck and shoulder. I sure wish I could find a doctor that would just fix it and stop telling me it's in my head. I use to so active. This has stopped me in my tracks. I have 4 children and use to work full time, now I have even quit my job. Please !!! If anyone figures it out let me know.
Thank goodness! I was starting to think it was just me. Same symptoms, left upper quad pain, right at my ribs. There all the time, but significantly worse after eating. I've tried eating smaller meals-no help. I'm about ready to go off solid food and see if just taking liquids helps. I wonder if this isn't a motility problem, since the pain becomes worse within minutes after eating. I see from the postings there doesn't seem to be much help!
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