Pain in LRQ

[bshay]

Hello, looking for some assistance in determining the cause of my symptoms.

I'm overall a very healthy female, age 26. I am a 14 year read meat/pork vegetarian and excercise 4 times a week. I avoid high fat foods and do not smoke.

For the past year and 3 months, I have had a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen right by my hip bone. When it comes it lasts only a few seconds, but is enough for me to double forward, clear my nostrils and consider the ER (the longest the pain has lasted was a few minutes). I also often experience nausea and loss of appetite and feel like I've been punched in my upper stomach (right between my ribcage). When my upper ribcage is gently pushed on, it feels uncomfortable. I often feel gassy as well and have felt shots of pain right below my bottom rib and underneath my breast bone (only on the right side). Not sure if these to things are related???

I have had a series of tests completed including, 3 CT Scans, (2 with IV), an abdominal ultrasound, an upper GI, Small Bowel Follow-Thru, 2 Pelvic exams, Pregnancy tests, blood tests and urine samples. All tests have come back normal except my last blood test (taken within the last month) which showed elevated levels of Amylase. My Urinalysis showed Nitrites which suggests a possible urinary tract infection. My doctor (Generalist) is great. He's suggested possible pancreatic or gallbladder issues and referred me to a GI Specialist. He also prescribed me Nexium & Dicyclomine. The Nexium seems to help with the upper stomach, but the Dicyclomine only makes me dizzy and does not help with the pain when I get it. The GI specialist was not so helpful and suggested IBS, which I disagree with, as I do not experience diarrhea, constipation or crampy like pain. When I mentioned this to him, he suggested Dyspepsia instead. He disagreed that I had pacreatic or gallbladder problems as my Lipase levels were normal. He said elevated Amylase levels could be caused by numerous things.

I'm not sure where to go from here? Could this be related to my pancreas or gallbladder? My oldest sister had her gallbladder removed around my age, and my middle sister had her appendix removed around my age. Her appendicitis was misdiagnosed for several months. Could this be chronic appendicitis? Sorry for the lengthy question. I would love to get to the bottom of this so I can move on with my life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ok2531]

i have the same issue!  pain on left side with elevated amylase normal lipase & a normal ct scan.  i had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago...had some mild pancreatitis at that time didn't have any issues with anything until now.  i have to have surgery on my thryoid next week and for now the pain is better in my abdomen so i guess i will wait & have the amylase rechecked with the new year.  the surgeon who removed my gallbladder told me to stop checking my amylase for now! OMG...why in the world would there be a normal range if it didn't mean something was wrong when it's elevated.  he said if the pain has gone away then just leave it alone.  i don't really like that advise but he is a a close confidant to me as i work at a large medical center with him. let me know if you fine anything out!  good luck & God bless.

[maybesomeday]

Boy I sure wish I had answers.  I have some problems that are similar,  and have had a bunch of tests too.  No-one can figure out the problem.  The sharp pain by the right hip-bone,  for example,  only mine lasts for hours when it happens,  doubling me over.  But the upper pain you mention,  maybe it could be gall bladder?  Have you had a HIDA scan?  That might be a test to ask for.  I also had the IBS diagnosis,  which I think is what they tell you when they can't come up with a real diagnosis.  Hope it works out.