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Burning Pain Waves and Sharp Pain Under Left Rib Cage
On Sept 6, 2007 I experienced a searing pain that started under my left rib cage. The pain waxed and wained throughout the day, increasing day by day. Four days later my doctor diagnosed a kidney infection due to microscopic blood in urine, fecal studies negative for blood. Amoxicillin, 875 Mg 2 x's daily. Pain generally got better over the next week. Pain returned, feeling as if something was swelling under my left rib cage and pressing against the bone, both front and back.
Emergency room visit resulted in two apparent partial blockages in left ureter, probable cause. Referred to urology and told to restrict fluid intake. CT scan showed the blockages and nuclear renal scan ordered to measure flow and determine if resection needed or do repair through ureter. Due to lack of nuclear product, the test was not available for 8 weeks.
A month after the urology visit the severe sharp pain returned, left flank and front rib cage (last two ribs area). Nausea, fever of 100. Attempted to get appointment with urology but could not, so went back to primary physician who perscribed Amoxicillin 875 mg 2 x's daily since urine test was positive. 3 days of Amoxicillin resulted in severe diarrhea and abdominal pain in conjunction with left flank, etc. Did ABC diet and resorted to Imodium AD after discontinuing the drug per Dr.
Diarrhea resolved slowly but severe pain remains, burning sensation waves in esophogial area whether eating or not.
Sleeping sitting up for 6 weeks at this point. Burning sensation in esophogus also extending up front of chest, up back, dull in A.M. increasing with the day. Some resolution of the sharpness if I lay down. Both legs starting to swell during the day as well.
Woke up at 1 AM a week ago with severe burning that seemed to start from the left chest, radiated up the neck to jaw and down right arm. Sweaty, nausea, swallowing over a golf ball sensation. Taken by ambulance to the emergency room. GI cocktail given, no resolution. CT scan showed no apparent issues. Admitted to cardiac unit with monitor, based on evidence of irregular heartbeats... given morphine and when I woke up sitting straight up and NPO the next day pain was at a dull roar. No food for three days, pain low. Stress test showed heart is essentially OK. CT scan showed pills undissolved in duodenum, some white matter near bile duct and gallbladder appears OK. Enzymatic tests good. Discharged with Prilosec and Zantec.
Got home, ate dinner, no increase in pain.
The next day without eating I had a severe attack of the burning pain radiating up my chest and chills.
Nuclear renal scan shows blockage not that big of a problem, no repair needed, but left kidney is very large.
The pain increases throughout the day, is sharp in left flank and in first two ribs of the left ribcage - sharply painful to touch but does not increase with breathing. Burning waxes and wanes, no apparent connection to eating or not, but it is not as prominent as the pain. Urinalysis is clean. If I sit forward it feels like there is something under my rib cage. Bdomen tender to touch in stomach area, slightly more to the left on the side is very tender. I prefer to sleep on my back when I am comfortable to lay down because if I roll to the right it feels as if a swelling is pressing onto my esophogus and full area on right.
Endoscopic and colonoscopy lined up - but have to wonder if it is truly my pancreas with the symptoms being so close to the left kidney.
This is very tiring - I travel a great deal with my job and have good tolerance of pain but there is a limit - Although I am aware that you cannot diagnose me, I do wonder what areas you would investigate with these presenting symptoms.
Thank you,
KC
Emergency room visit resulted in two apparent partial blockages in left ureter, probable cause. Referred to urology and told to restrict fluid intake. CT scan showed the blockages and nuclear renal scan ordered to measure flow and determine if resection needed or do repair through ureter. Due to lack of nuclear product, the test was not available for 8 weeks.
A month after the urology visit the severe sharp pain returned, left flank and front rib cage (last two ribs area). Nausea, fever of 100. Attempted to get appointment with urology but could not, so went back to primary physician who perscribed Amoxicillin 875 mg 2 x's daily since urine test was positive. 3 days of Amoxicillin resulted in severe diarrhea and abdominal pain in conjunction with left flank, etc. Did ABC diet and resorted to Imodium AD after discontinuing the drug per Dr.
Diarrhea resolved slowly but severe pain remains, burning sensation waves in esophogial area whether eating or not.
Sleeping sitting up for 6 weeks at this point. Burning sensation in esophogus also extending up front of chest, up back, dull in A.M. increasing with the day. Some resolution of the sharpness if I lay down. Both legs starting to swell during the day as well.
Woke up at 1 AM a week ago with severe burning that seemed to start from the left chest, radiated up the neck to jaw and down right arm. Sweaty, nausea, swallowing over a golf ball sensation. Taken by ambulance to the emergency room. GI cocktail given, no resolution. CT scan showed no apparent issues. Admitted to cardiac unit with monitor, based on evidence of irregular heartbeats... given morphine and when I woke up sitting straight up and NPO the next day pain was at a dull roar. No food for three days, pain low. Stress test showed heart is essentially OK. CT scan showed pills undissolved in duodenum, some white matter near bile duct and gallbladder appears OK. Enzymatic tests good. Discharged with Prilosec and Zantec.
Got home, ate dinner, no increase in pain.
The next day without eating I had a severe attack of the burning pain radiating up my chest and chills.
Nuclear renal scan shows blockage not that big of a problem, no repair needed, but left kidney is very large.
The pain increases throughout the day, is sharp in left flank and in first two ribs of the left ribcage - sharply painful to touch but does not increase with breathing. Burning waxes and wanes, no apparent connection to eating or not, but it is not as prominent as the pain. Urinalysis is clean. If I sit forward it feels like there is something under my rib cage. Bdomen tender to touch in stomach area, slightly more to the left on the side is very tender. I prefer to sleep on my back when I am comfortable to lay down because if I roll to the right it feels as if a swelling is pressing onto my esophogus and full area on right.
Endoscopic and colonoscopy lined up - but have to wonder if it is truly my pancreas with the symptoms being so close to the left kidney.
This is very tiring - I travel a great deal with my job and have good tolerance of pain but there is a limit - Although I am aware that you cannot diagnose me, I do wonder what areas you would investigate with these presenting symptoms.
Thank you,
KC
Have you had lipase tested? I have a similar issue, we think its my pancreas due to labs and pain location
Did you ever find out what the cause of your symptoms was? I am experiencing similar symptoms.
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