Upper LEFT quadrant pain

[Elizabeth]

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

[Kathy]

You haven't heard anything yet...  I've had these symptoms since the age of 22 and I am now 31!!  That's 9 years, going on 10!!  I have had upper GI's, sonograms, two endoscopys, two gall bladder tests, and all blood and urine tests imaginable.  I've been told "It's just stress," irritable bowel, ulcers, and hyperacidity.  I've been in 8 different emergency rooms up and down the east coast, depending upon where I was living at the time of each "stomach attack."  It would be safe to say I've been in an emergency room because of my stomach on the average of 4-5 times per year.  They take urine and blood, give me a pain killer, and send me home.  I don't have this pain every day. However, when I do get a "stomach attack" it is the most excruciating pain under my lowest left rib.  The pain shoots into my back.  Each attack lasts anywhere from 10-14 hours and leaves me totally debilitated.  I do have esophageal reflux disease, however, that pain is totally different from the pain of my "stomach attacks."  Even though I don't have pain constantly, the area below my left rib has a constant presence.  I have not been able to figure out what foods cause these attacks.  One day I had a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast and in 20 minutes I was curled up in the worst pain.  Another symptom arises when my pain finally subsides, gas.  Plenty of gas.  I've been on every medicine for gastrointestinal disease, including Levsin, which is an anti spasmodic.  It is suppose to prevent intestinal spasms - NOT!  I've already taken 4 extra-strength Phazymes at one time, thinking the problem was just gas.  Obviously, they didn't work or I'd have stock in that company!  I am at the end of my rope.  I have been living with this problem for way too long!  Is there a hospital or medical university which specializes in these types of mystery gastrointestinal disorders?  Will somebody please help me?

[Peter]

Not very reassuring. I'm 37 yr old male and problem has worsened for last year or so. Upper left pain, gas, dizzyness, fatigue. I'm in good shape, stopped smoking, eat OK. Maybe we should form a group to ensure that if all symptoms related to same thing, a successful treatment could be shared if found. Any ideas ?

[molly]

I hear you ALL!!! you are not alone!
I am a 21 year old female that has had the same
symptoms and condition for a week and a half now, and
reading all this really makes me scared that im going to have to
deal with it for life!! I don't want to live like this!
I have pain in my right and left sides right under my rib. This
pain is constant,never goes away , and is taking over my life
I don't want to do things and go places and am really discouraged. There is nothing wrong with my bowel movements.
no nausea or vomiting... so what the heck !!!
You know my gastroenterologist diagnosed me after hearing me talk for only 3 min , and sent me on my way .. it's almost as if they don't want to listen to us.My parents also shrug it off like it's no big deal (they don't know what it feels like) We should at least support one another somehow..
If anyone has any suggestions for me please don't hestitate!
I need help. I 've never had anything else wron with me in my whole life and can't deal with this on my own
thanks for listening and being there, guys

[tracy]

Hi~~~  Am recouping from having left and upper quadrant of colon removed due to Diverticular Disease.  So far so good!!  The pain in the left upper and lower quadrants of abdomen are gone.  I sympathize with you all in the pain you are feeling.....it took forever for them to diagnose what was wrong with me.  What was supposed to be a 3 hour surgery ended up being an 8 hour surgery.  My intestine was riddled with diverticulum and there was an immense amount od adhessions from the prior surgery.  .....You may want to be tested for this nasty little disease. I had symptoms that sound very much like the ones noted by others in this section.  Good luck!!!
Trac

[Tammy]

It worries me that so many people have the same problems and no help. I have suffered for over 10 years with the same symptoms as all of the above. I hade a complete hysterotomy(however you spell it!) because of endo. Thinking that it was the cause for all the pain. Unfortunatly it was not.Sometimes I wish they would find something so I can say I am not crazy! I have had all the test imaginable and all things besides chronic IBS have been ruled out. So they say stress bad diet and spastic colon is all it is. I sometimes find that hard to believe. But that is what they say and since there is no other explaination that is what I am left with. I am tempted to take a copy of all of your statements and say are all these people stressed out and on bad diets? It is great however that we can all talk about it on line. I thank the Lord above for allowing me to find your website so I don't feel so alone!!! If any of you find out something besides what I have I hope you will tell us all the cure! Thanks again Tammy

[tracy]

I am amazed at the amount of people, especially young people, that have had these problems!!  I was told that I was a rare exception, that these things generally happen to older folks.  I would love to start a chat room discussing these problems...if anyone knows how to go about it, please let us know.  It has helped me mentally to know that I am not alone in this abyss of unknowns!!!  I hope that some of the info that I have given can be helpful to others!!
Tracy