Stomach/Abdominal pain

[Kellann]

Hi,my name is Kelly.I am f/22 and have a 2 yr old son.I have been having what I call attacks on and off since he was born.And Im looking for opinons, because Im about at the end of my rope.Here is my background:
It started probably the day after I got home from the hospital, I had a c-section so I was in bed and I felt a sharp hunger type pain below my breast bone(where it is soft).I tried to get up and move around but it hurt to bad and no matter what I did I couldnt sit/stand/lie down to get comfortable, lying down seem to make it worse. Then I didnt have another attack for a few months.About 5 months later they started again, but alot worse.In July of '02 I went to the ER and they did an ultrasound and said I had gallstones.The next day my gallbladder was removed.I was really sick for a few days after the surgery,throwing up.A week later the pains started again,my doctor gave me some nexium and it seemed to make it worse.He ordered some kind of abdominal cat scan,and blood tests but EVERYTHING came back negative.
I really didnt have many problems for a good 6 months,besides diarrhea everyday within a 1/2  hour after eating. It has almost gone away a year after surgery. But the pains have been starting again. Sometimes 3 times a week sometimes 6 weeks in between attacks. Most of the time in the early after noon lasting from 3-5 hours. The only comfort I can find is to stand in a hot shower with the water on my back.
It got really bad one day and I went to a different hospital ER and they did all kinds of blood work and urine analysis, everything was normal,and they told me it probably wasnt pain I was feeling just discomfort.
The PAIN starts out (always) in the center, below my breastbone it grows in intensity to a very severe(no highs or lows) pain. Then it moves to my back, between my shoulder blades...but down a bit. Sometimes I can feel it coming on because my back starts aching. I do not have a fever...but I do experience chills and sometimes sweating.
I went to another doctor and she put me on nexium and something for IBS,for the first 6 weeks I didnt have a problem, then 4 days in a row I did. I really dont know what to do from here. My father-in-law was looking stuff up for me on the net and came across a woman's problem similar to mine, so I decided to write also.
I am so tired of felling sick all the time, please help me! Thanx for your time.... Kelly

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

Without examining you, it is impossible to say what you have.  Here are some thoughts.

The first would be Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.  This is manifested by symptoms similar to a gall bladder attack.  It is more prevalent in those who have had their gall bladder removed.  This condition is diagnosed via ERCP with Sphincter of Oddi manometry.  This can be discussed with your gastroenterologist.

Other considerations would be the different causes of dyspepsia - i.e. ulcers, inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, or GERD.  If not already performed, I would consider an upper endoscopy to make sure that there are no other disease present.  I would also test for H Pylori, which is a bacteria associated with inflammation or ulcers.

If that is negative, another test to consider would be a 24-hr pH study to definitively evaluate for GERD.  

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[shannanm]

Hi, I am having the same exact problems as you are. I am a bit older, 35, however. I am extremely frustrated with what my doctor has been doing. My pain starts about 2 hours after breakfast and lasts for about 3-5 hours. I feel like I spend half of my day in pain. I was put on Aciphex which seemed to help for about a month, but then out of the blue I have had the pain now for 4 days straight! I also have the chills and sweating My doctor said to take my Aciphex at night instead, but it doesn't matter. I was checked for gall bladder issues, peptic ulcers, nothing. I am very upset. I just wanted you to know that I understand where you are coming from, and I hope you get some answers.

Shannan
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[mickeyrom]

My name is Allan.Im 67 years old.I had a kidney(right one)removed on apr 19 03.After surgery, a persistent stomach ache started.There was lots of gas and a moving pain..After approx 5 weeks I contacted my doctor and was told it was probably an aftermath of a "very big"surgery.Since I had all the related tests ,I didnt worry too much,I felt my stomach and intestines had been thoroughly examined so I had nothing to worry about.After I started a relatively bland diet,the symptoms improved,....then last night I was woken by a very painful brief stabbing pain .It has not gone away yet,I have had probably 8 to 12 such pains in the last 12 hrs.Pushing on the area ,couses no discomfort.The spasm, or pain lasts no more than a second.

If aanyone can help me with this problem,maybe had similiar feelings themselves.please respond.Any comments are appreciated.

[krisg]

Hi, I'm female, 35, with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction.  I had my gallbladder out 5 years ago because of some discomfort and gallstones shown on an ultrasound. About 5 hours after I awoke from surgery, I experienced an awful pain just below my sternum and I could not breath or talk and spent the next 3-5 hours in debilitating pain with vomiting.  The surgeon just told me that I had a rough night.  Anyways,  I spent the next couple of years having these sporadic attacks of pain lasting around 5 hrs. on average.  I finally went to the ER when an attack hit while I was driving.  (luckily another adult was with me).  I was given an original diagnoses of IBS, severe acid reflux, etc., etc.  I had an ERCP done and the "specialist" said my pressure in my bile duct was fine and it was all in my head.  Another 2 years went by and more attacks happened and I went to the ER.  Since then I collected all my medical records and studied them and then took them to another gastro. doc. who spent an hour with me.  He said everything points to SOD and I had another ERCP done.  Well, this time the doc. had to precut my sphincter just to be able to gain access to my bile duct, then had to do a generous cut on the bile duct to allow for drainage.  I had a high grade of stenosis (narrowing ) in the bile duct.  The surgery left me with yet another attack and in the hospital for 2 days.  since then I have recovered and I don't get attacks that often, and they are much milder !  I also take Donnatal whenever I feel the "stomach ache" starting.  Usually it helps.
So there is my story ,  I hope I can help anyone who is looking for answers. It has taken me alot of searching and gathering my records so I had proof for the doc.s to see.  Good Luck and do a search under "sphincter of oddi dysfunction".  You might be able to relate.

[Kellann]

Thanx to everyone who shared their stories and pain with me. This past week I have had 3 attacks, just waiting for my appt. next week, with all of your guys' info, hopefully I can help the doctors help me!

I appreciate the comments! Ill let you know!

Kelly