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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Left Side Abdominal Pain
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Left Side Abdominal Pain
by X-Louis, Sep 07, 1998 12:00AM
: I have had pain on the left side, underneath the rib cage for 18 mos on and off. Does not respond to Prilosec, antacids, etc. Tylenol seemed to give me diarrhea. The pain at times feels like muscle pain, but occasionally I have right side pain as well radiating to R shoulder. I do have increased bowel and stomach noises and occasional sharp stomach pain when I eat a larger meal. I also have occasionally sharp stomach pain when bend over at the waist. I am 46 years old, not overweight and in very good physical condition. Had an upper GI last year, h. pylori is neg. I am off all meds except Synthroid which I have taken for 12 yrs. At times I am completely pain free--this seems to flare up.
Woww you sound alot like me I am trying to find out what is wrong with me too. The pain on the left side just started two days ago. First it started witn pain in astomach like I neede to go then cramping severe for hours, thenn I think I became dehyrated not for sure, mouth when dry had no spit or saliva. Had exrays done , blood, urine found nothing. The next morning i woke up and barely could move. Pain on the left side under rib cage goind down toward stomach. Hurts to laugh, yawn, inhaale. Went to ER and they did cat scan and more xrays, nothing. Just sent me home. I too take Levothyroid for my throids. I am 39 female. I don't have increase bowels now I did till all this came about now I have none. Email me anytime curious to see if we have the same thing. It drives me crazy not knowing what went wrong. I go back to work tommorrow and not sure if I can function but I will...............Donna(***@****)
Dear Donna,
Chest pain or upper abdominal pain can be secondary to a cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal cause but can sometimes be a manifestation of anxiety or panic disorder. If the chest pains were caused by gastroesophageal reflux alone, I would expect omeperazole (Prilosec) to have relieved the pain. Other gastrointestinal causes for substernal chest pain or left sided abdominal pain nclude esophageal spasm and other motility disorders. Gallstones or acute pancreatitis can be ruled out with ultrasound and serum levels of liver enzymes and pancreatic enzymes. You may need to be tested for these disorders. Various medications (such as nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, anti-depressants) have been tried for chest pain secondary to esophageal motility disorders with variable success. If stress is a factor, techniques to reduce stress may help as well. It may also be helpful to analyze your diet carefully to see if any particular foods (such as coffee and caffeinated beverages) are contributing to your symptoms.
The fact that the pain has been persistent for such a long time may also be an indication that the heart is not responsible for your pain. Nevertheless, the gold standard to rule out a cardiac cause of chest pain is a cardiac catheterization. This is an invasive procedure and might not be necessary in all cases. It is important to have a cardiologist determine whether your pain is cardiac in origin and whether further work-up is indicated at this time.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568 our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: chest/abdominal pain, causes, evaluation, treatment
Woww you sound alot like me I am trying to find out what is wrong with me too. The pain on the left side just started two days ago. First it started witn pain in astomach like I neede to go then cramping severe for hours, thenn I think I became dehyrated not for sure, mouth when dry had no spit or saliva. Had exrays done , blood, urine found nothing. The next morning i woke up and barely could move. Pain on the left side under rib cage goind down toward stomach. Hurts to laugh, yawn, inhaale. Went to ER and they did cat scan and more xrays, nothing. Just sent me home. I too take Levothyroid for my throids. I am 39 female. I don't have increase bowels now I did till all this came about now I have none. Email me anytime curious to see if we have the same thing. It drives me crazy not knowing what went wrong. I go back to work tommorrow and not sure if I can function but I will...............Donna(***@****)
Dear Donna,
Chest pain or upper abdominal pain can be secondary to a cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal cause but can sometimes be a manifestation of anxiety or panic disorder. If the chest pains were caused by gastroesophageal reflux alone, I would expect omeperazole (Prilosec) to have relieved the pain. Other gastrointestinal causes for substernal chest pain or left sided abdominal pain nclude esophageal spasm and other motility disorders. Gallstones or acute pancreatitis can be ruled out with ultrasound and serum levels of liver enzymes and pancreatic enzymes. You may need to be tested for these disorders. Various medications (such as nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, anti-depressants) have been tried for chest pain secondary to esophageal motility disorders with variable success. If stress is a factor, techniques to reduce stress may help as well. It may also be helpful to analyze your diet carefully to see if any particular foods (such as coffee and caffeinated beverages) are contributing to your symptoms.
The fact that the pain has been persistent for such a long time may also be an indication that the heart is not responsible for your pain. Nevertheless, the gold standard to rule out a cardiac cause of chest pain is a cardiac catheterization. This is an invasive procedure and might not be necessary in all cases. It is important to have a cardiologist determine whether your pain is cardiac in origin and whether further work-up is indicated at this time.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568 our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: chest/abdominal pain, causes, evaluation, treatment
