Stomach Pains

[shades]

50 yrs old - Good Health - Normal blood pressure - Exercise program - 175lbs - I had mild stomach pains last Oct. 02. Ultrasound, HIDA Scan, Echocardiogram & CT SCANs completed. All normal except for HIDA. No gallstones. Pain under sternum. Gall bladder removed in Jan. 03. No other pains under sternum or stomach pains (always mild) disappeared. In mid March 03 I started having mild stomach pains in the lower left quad of stomach & sometimes in upper right quad of stomach. Very mild & sporadic but come & go. The pain sometimes feels like a joggers side cramp.The pain occurs mostly when I am sitting. Some back ache when sitting but very mild. No blood in stools, no weight loss,no fatique, no vomiting or nausea & normal BM schedule. Sometimes I feel a little bloated after a normal meal. I maintain a good diet and food does not seem to precipitate the pain. I have had  appendex & disc(back) surgery over 20 years ago I had a colonoscopy completed in May 03. Everything was fine. The gasternologist told me to not worry about the sporadiac pain. Do you think this was from the gall bladder surgery? What do you recommend?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is unlikely that the pains are from the gallbladder surgery you had.  You have had a pretty comprehesive workup.

Once thing I would consider would be an evaluation for upper GI disorders - either with an upper endoscopy or upper GI series.  This can evaluate for any inflammation of the stomach or esophagus or ulcers.  If an H Pylori has not been tested for, I would consider obtaining this - this bacteria can be treated with antibiotics.  

If the colonoscopy was negative, it would be unlikely that a lower GI problem would be causing your symptoms.  

If the GI workup is negative, you may want to pursue a musculoskeletal cause for the discomfort.

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.

[surgeon]

there's really no connection between the pains you describe and gallbladder surgery. Being intermittant and mild, it doesn't sound very worrisome.  It boils down to accepting your doc's advice if you're comfortable with it, or having more of an evaluation.  That might include abdominal CT scan; or investigation whether the pains could be related to your back problems.

[oceanstarrbreeze]

hi. my name is Jennifer. I am 16 years old. and i got a question. Right now my dad is not working, so i dont have insurance to go to the doctor or anything. But the past month, month and a half, i've been having pains in my right lower stomach. and one night. it was hurting really bad that i had to press down on my stomach to see if it would help, and realized i had a bump in my stomach. my friend felt it, she thought i was kidding, and just playing games saying i was in pain, but i really was. so much that i was crying. and i couldnt move for about 5 minutes. and the pain will stay sometimes 5minutes up to an hour. but the past week i havent felt the bump, but yesterday i still had the pain. Does anyone know what this cane be? and what i can do? Thanks alot for reading this. Bye

[strrtt]

  Last tuesday I started having a few sharp pains on my right side of my stomach.  By wednesday it was a constant dull pain.  Thursday I started vomiting and diahrrea.  Went to the doctor who then sent me to the emergency room to check for an appendicitice.  After several hours they took me to have a CAT scan and determined I didn't have an appendicitice, and can't seem to find any other reason why my stomach would bother me.  The vomiting and diaherrea have gone.  They may have been symptoms of the flu which was also going around but my stomach still hurts.  It is a constant burning pain to the right and down a little from by belly button.  Some times it hurts more than others.  Any ideas?