IBS and upper-right abdomen pain

[sanfran3984]

I am male in my early thirties with no history of illness apart from bad OCD, and think I have IBS, but Im worried it could be something worse

I drank a LOT in my twenties (most nights) and my diet was awful.  I have cut down on the drinking, exercise every day and my diet is MUCH more healthy. I dont smoke and rarely have caffeine

My symptoms tend to flare up from time to time. I have gone months without worrying, then suddenly if I let myself go for a few days, or go out for a fatty meal at a restaurant I will have diarrhea the next day, mostly in the morning. During these "flare-ups" which can last about a week I experience being bloated, fullness after meals, terrible gas, diarrhea (brown or dark brown), undigested food, and ribbon-like stool. It also happens after I eat dairy

I also have pain in my upper-right abdomen, mainly when I put pressure on that area by moving or breathing deeply.  It seems to be in the area where the gallbladder is (my bottom right rib), the pain never radiates anywhere else.  I have had this on and off for at least 5-6 years when my IBS began.  The pain is much worse when I am bloated, and subsides when I pass gas.  I can go months without any pain at all, then during bad IBS it comes back.  When the pain is at its worst my whole upper abdomen (left side too) feels cramped and painful

I think I have IBS as I have every single symptom. The pain in my abdomen worries me.  Do you think this is just gas-related or something else?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree that the gallbladder should be looked at.  An abdominal ultrasound as well as blood tests to evaluate the liver function should be considered as initial testing.  

If negative, you can consider a colonoscopy with the refractory diarrhea and undigested food.  Colitis or malabsorption can be considered.  Stool testing looking for fat malabsorption as well as blood tests looking for celiac disease can be done as well.  

If the tests remain negative, IBS can be considered - with increasing the amount of fiber in the diet or antispasmodics being initial treatment options.

These considerations can be discussed with your personal physician.

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.
kevinmd_

[dlhigh]

***UPPER ABDOMINAL PAIN***
It's a time consuming process of elimination that begins with your family doc to the GI, Urologist and ob/gyn for women.
I would like to let other people suffering from abdominal pain know that MRI's are hard to get ordered but extremely necessary when other tests fail to find the cause of your pain.  I suffered from abdominal pain for two years, had two surgeries, one on my kidney and one to remove my appendix, every GI test possible was done, numerous ER visits, one which noted possible IBS, but finally upon a demand for an MRI it was discovered that I have two thoracic herniated discs. These can be discovered in people who are asymptomatic, but when all other tests fail to discover the cause of abdominal pain, MRI's as well as other tests not generally ordered can be performed. Further research on the internet will prove that there are numerous problems that can cause abdominal pain that the standard tests will not discover. I advise anyone who is suffering from chronic abdominal pain to continue to research and request tests that they have not yet had, also keep track of all the tests you have done so that they are not repeated. This can become a very expensive process of elimination and it saves on time and money to avoid have tests repeated by a specialists that have already been done by your primary physician.  There are also tips online you can try to narrow down the possibilities, such as trying a change in your diet, exercise or rest habbits. Eliminating tobacco or caffiene is also said to assist in alleviating many generalized abdominal pains as well as improve overall health.  These are just a few things to consider and keep track of to help yourself in getting a quicker diagnosis.  Research, research, research.  Patience and persistance are necessary in the pursuit of a possible pain free life.  Good luck in your findings.

[NLR1234]

I have been suffering from the same symptoms as Sanfran3984 for approximately 4-5 years.  I am 28 yrs of age and had a child 8 months ago.  In the past three months, my symptoms have become very frequent and worsened.  It seems like I cannot eat anything without having upper right side pain, lots of pressure.  I will somtimes have this pain and no vomiting or diarhhea will occur, but most often will have vomiting or diarrhea with my pain.  I will also wake up in the middle of the night, nauseated, in pain and think I will be sick.  I will have sweating and even feel like I might pass out on occassion when I wake up like this.
  I had an ultrasound for my gallbladder last week after sitting for 3-4 hours  one afternoon in pain.  I started to double over and decided it was too much.  My results came back with no stones and normal appearance.  My doctor also believes it could be IBS and gave me a new diet to follow.  By looking at the diet, I told him it is inconisistent with things that bother me.  I feel like that is not my problem. But, I agreed to try it.  Over the weekend, I went to dinner and didn't eat any vegetables or sides with my meal.  I had a well cooked steak and a glass of tea, that was it at the restaurant and still went home, in pain, and layed in my floor for about 2 hours feeling nausiated, not knowing if I would be sick or have diarrhea.  Finally the symptoms passed.  I was miserable.  
I have a strong family history of gallbladder problems and both of my grandmothers and several aunts and great aunts have all had to have theirs removed.  Some had stones and it was obvious what the problem was and others were not so obvious and went through years of pain before having the surgery.  I just cannot help but wonder if I am not one of the not so obvious ones with gallbladder problems.  My doctor is supposed to be getting back with me today about what step we should take next.  

[marcie12345]

hello I am a 37 year old female, one month ago I started getting a sharp pain in my right upper rib area, about a week later the pain shifted to my rigth side back area, I went to the ER room because I was scared and thought it was my gallbladder, they did a xray and he said I am  probably having muscle pain, well I did not rememember doing anything that could have cause that, I then went to my regular doctor the following week, she ran a blood test as well as an ultrasound and both came back negative for gallstones, she as well thinks that it could possibly be muscle realted and said the symptoms that I have told her she has run all the tests she can think of, I still have pain and now it seems to be front right, upper rib again, what should I do next, Any help would be appreciative . Also, I am ok while sitting, it hurts mostly when I am laying down.anyone hear anything similiar?

[marcie12345]

hello I am a 37 year old female, one month ago I started getting a sharp pain in my right upper rib area, about a week later the pain shifted to my rigth side back area, I went to the ER room because I was scared and thought it was my gallbladder, they did a xray and he said I am  probably having muscle pain, well I did not rememember doing anything that could have cause that, I then went to my regular doctor the following week, she ran a blood test as well as an ultrasound and both came back negative for gallstones, she as well thinks that it could possibly be muscle realted and said the symptoms that I have told her she has run all the tests she can think of, I still have pain and now it seems to be front right, upper rib again, what should I do next, Any help would be appreciative . Also, I am ok while sitting, it hurts mostly when I am laying down.anyone hear anything similiar?