Pain in upper right Q, positive hemoccult

Dr,

I would like your suggestions about my symptoms. 36 year old male, family no history of disease in these areas, though my Mom-66 just had a non-cancerous polyp removed from her colon

Last year(Nov 2004) I had some spasm like pain under right rib cage.  Dr did Ultrasound and hida scan for Gall Bladder.  Both were negative.  Liver blood tests were normal.  He check this because I drank about 3 drinks a day as a regular habit

Diagnosed with gerd, and put on Prilosec every other day which got rid of some burning. Pain under right rib went away

Last summer I started having some discomfort in my RUQ, when I woke up in the morning, felt like a fullness between my ribs towards back, not really painful, but enough to roll me out of bed earler than usual. This sensation continues, now every day.  Sometimes after I eat I don't feel it as much, but it comes back

Also, I have altered bowel habits, irregularity, and unformed stools, that were flat or in pieces  Mucus once or twice in stool.  Feeling of not being done at times.  Had to quit coffee that gave me instant diarrea (diarrhea)

Doctor thought I had IBS, and put me on fiber two weeks ago. The fiber helped to initally bulk up my stools, now I am back to irregularity

Yesterday I got a positive hemoccult tests, and now I am worried.  Have a colon scope scheduled for Dec.  

What do you think of my symptoms?  I have no fever or nausea

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty good evaluation for RUQ pain.  I would also consider an upper endoscopy to evaluate for GERD, ulcers, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract - which could atypically cause the symptoms.

The positive stool tests is indicative of some GI bleeding.  Hemorrhoids, polyps, cancer, diverticulosis, or colitis are all possible.  A colonoscopy is indeed the best test to work this up.

If the tests continue to be non-revealing, irritable bowel can be considered and treatment optimized.

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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[worry1]

hey iam going threw the same thing as you its been going on for five months had all the test as you but had the coloscopy as well and all was neg too i also had six lft and they all keep coming back normal there could be a good chance to have them to check you for c-diff i was tested they can do a simply stool sample for that but in my case they didnt find anything in my stool sample..And as well my blood work is always coming back normal from cbc to throid all fine well i wish you luck and i just want to say your not alone with them type of problems with no anser are reason..Iam 35 year old male and it just hit me all at once all they can say to me that its ibs but whats kinda funny how ibs just can come out of the blue and as well they say that mine is axiety as well doing this to me but it very tuff for me to buy what they are saying!!!

[muckman_1999]

I also have soft stool that breaks part easily and gives off a brown cloudy substance that fills the water  Any ideas on that?

[shnswms123]

Wow, I am going through the EXACT same thing. I have had recurrent mild pain in upper right quadrant. I felt like I was reading my own story. I have had abdominal ultrasound , upper gi series (both Nov '04), upper gi series with small bowel follow through, and tons of blood tests. Everything appeared normal. I have been diagnosed with GERD and possible irritable bowel syndrome. IBS/GERD may be the culprit.