Persistent upper abdominal pain

[syeren]

For the past 2 years I have had upper right abdominal pain associated with a number of uncomfortable symptoms; most important being nausea, bright red blood with bowel movements, gastro discomfort and red/irritated esophagus and sinus cavity. I've undergone numerous non-invasive testing and nothing has ever come of it.

Most recently my pain (dull, gnawing, burning, tight) has migrated to my upper left abdominal cavity, associated with immense upper left back pain and muscle spasming. I see a chiropractor regularly to deal with the spasms and discomfort.

I'm at a complete loss. I've gone gluten and lactose free, I've taken almost every gastrointestinal "soothing" supplement on the market, but those only provide temporary relief.

My mom was just diagnosed with gallstones a week ago. There is a huge history of gallstones and gallbladder disease in our family. I was convinced that was what I was going through, until the pain migrated.

What could be causing this unidentifiable pain?

[syeren]

I just ate a half a bag of chips. I'm very tiny so I dunno how I did that. Almost immediately after I finished the RUQ pain began. Then it traveled to my chest. Shortness of breath. Mild headache. No nausea, but lots of burping. Still sound like gallbladder?

[Blueleghorn]

Take a look at the vagas nerve and Hiatal hernia forums you may find symtoms matching yours.

[syeren]

See that last part you mentioned about it making you wanna throw up? Just turned me off of the HIDA entirely :)

[flyslinger]

Haha, there's nothing to it really. You go in, they start an I.V. give you some stuff, then you go lay under this high tech camera for an hour. Then they'll give you another dose of stuff that makes your gallbladder contract, it's just another test they do. But that second stuff they give you kind of made me sick, like I was about to throw up. And it kind of made the pain I had been having in my stomach come on. But that's how you know if you have a problem with your gallbladder from what I've heard.

[syeren]

I was told last year to have a HIDA but I never got a call back from the hospital. How was your HIDA? I'm scared ******** of the sounds of them.

[syeren]

I was told last year to have a HIDA but I never got a call back from the hospital. How was your HIDA? I'm scared ******** of the sounds of them.

[flyslinger]

A lot of what you have going on sounds like what I've got going on. I had a HIDA scan done Tuesday and it confirmed that my gallbladder is diseased and I have to have it removed.

[syeren]

So you're confirming my gallbladder disease assumption?

[flyslinger]

Go have a HIDA scan done.

[syeren]

I also forgot to mention the mild chest pain in the right quadrant of my chest. I'm experiencing it right now so I thought I'd mention. I just ate a few potato chips and I got upper left and right abdominal pain and then the chest pain came about. I also have a slight headache, but the shortness of breath and nausea seem to be at bay. Might I mention I've not really left the couch since after work.

[syeren]

I'm actually not even sure if it's fair to say "upper" abdominal pain. The pain exists just inches below my rib cage on either side of my abdomen. I almost feel like I could reach underneath my rib cage and touch where the pain is.

I also don't get fevers. Even when I feel like I have a fever, I check, and my temperature is normal.

[syeren]

Funny that you mention that. A friend of mine's mom has Crohn's and has told me repeatedly it sounds like what I have.

I experience shortness of breath and nausea. I do not experience frequent urination but perhaps because I do not consume that much water regularly (though I should). I have not vomited yet, though I've come close several times. I have emetophobia so I somehow manage to talk myself through the urges every time.

I also do not get headaches, but I do experience mild to moderate joint pain behind my right knee and in my left arm elbow joint several times a month.

These major symptoms seem to come in spurts. Right now I'm experiencing mild nausea and shortness of breath daily, but times have come where it has been severe and unbearable. The abdominal pain never has been.

A capsule endoscopy has not been performed. I've also not seen a gastroenterologist as my MD does not see it to be a "cause for concern". I think he feels I'm making it all up due to the heavy stress that is my job. He continuously writes it off as stress and anxiety, and that in itself is giving me stress and anxiety!

Will a capsule endoscopy be conclusive? I'm absolutely paranoid to have an upper endoscopy or upper GI series, as well as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. I have had an abdominal CT scan that showed no abnormalities, but I only fasted for 4 hours prior.

The next test on my list is hypoglycemia. Apparently hypoglycemia/diabetes is quite common in those who suffer from Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. However, I highly doubt that my mild, chronic abdominal pain is due to diabetes.

Thank you for your response. I look forward to hearing from you again.

[madshaolin]

I too suffer from upper abdominal pain, although I do have mild confirmed Crohn's Disease. Not that it is much comfort, but I experience pain on both sides at times and frequent urination. Almost always, I have some shortness of breath with my nausea, vomiting, and general malaise. Worse is that joint pain and headaches are accompaniments to this process.

Are you sure you do not have Crohn's? Has a capsule endoscopy been performed?

[syeren]

Would it also be beneficial for me to mention my new found heart arrhythmia and shortness of breath? Arrhythmia began about 6 months before the upper right abdominal pain began. Shortness of breath began about 6 months after the pain began. ECGs and further testing only detect PVCs and a slight murmur.

[syeren]

I also forgot to mention my reflux symptoms and tightening feeling in my upper abdomen when I experience reflux. Please help?