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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Upper Back Discomfort and Other Symptoms
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.
Upper Back Discomfort and Other Symptoms
by Christine__0__0, Aug 23, 1998 12:00AM
In early July, I awakened one morning with lots of lower GI gas and a loss of appetite. When I attempted to eat lunch that day I became very nauseous despite eating a small amount of food. The next day I had some watery stools. This resolved itself in a day and everything normalized except that my appetite was still "off". A week later this happened again. During this time I noticed a mild burning in my stomach--no heartburn though. This again was followed by diarrhea. Again, it resolved except for the appetite which was a bit more of a gradual improvement. I kept feeling full easily. Again, a week later it happened again but the diarrhea came first and the loss of appetite followed right after it. This took a while to clear up and I then went to a GI doctor who suspected Giardia. I was treated with Flagyl. During my treatment with the Flagyl, I noticed that after I ate I would feel some small "spasms" or twitches in what I deemed to be the point where my esophagus and stomach meet. Nothing painful. I also began to notice that when I ate or sometimes even drank, I would get a vague, dull ache in my upper back, just to the left of my spine near my left shoulder blade. It is almost as though when my food passes down I can feel it in that spot. After I finish my meal it stops. No discomfort in the front. I got improvement with the Flagyl, both in the upper and lower end however a week after stopping the Flagyl I got diarrhea again and the loss of appetite followed. It cleared up rapidly. This past Friday, I was sitting in a chair about 2 hours after dinner and I noticed this "spasm" again in my upper stomach. I then had some lower GI cramping followed by diarrhea. I was better the next day. My bowels have certainly improved since a few weeks ago (longer periods of normal bowels, no more mucous); however, my upper GI problems seem to be worse. Due to my decreased appetite (I hope) I have lost about 10 lbs. I also have ALOT of belching--even after drinking water! I am a 34 year old female. My main question I guess is what does this sound like? What is that dull ache I feel in my upper back while I eat? I have an appointment this week with my GI doc to do a flexible sig. Last time I met with him that was my main problem so that is what we are taking care of this visit. Naturally, I will be discussing this upper GI stuff but until then, I am very curious. I have no heartburn but occasionally I get a very small amount of reflux--nothing major. Thanks
Dear Christine,
I agree that you should have a flexible sigmoidoscopy first. As you stated, your first symptoms were related to nausea, diarrhea , mucus in the stool and weight loss. The clinical presentation is consistent with an infectious cause. You did not mention whether stool cultures, ova and parasite exam and stool for C. difficile toxin were sent. Did you recently travel prior to your illness? Were you on antibiotics prior to developing diarrhea? Can you associate this illness with any particular type of food? Did you eat out at a restaurant? Did others around you develop a similar type of illness? The flexible sigmoidoscopy is a good first test to look at the lining of the large intestine and see if inflammation is present. Biopsies (tissue samples) taken during the flexible sigmoidoscopy can give your doctor more information as to what is beneath the lining of the large intestine and to whether infectious organisms or other abnormalities are present.
Some of your more recent symptoms, i.e. belching, left sided back pain, midepigastric abdominal discomfort related to food intake can all be associated with esophageal and stomach irritation secondary to the Flagyl. If the lower GI work-up is unrevealing and your symptoms persist, an upper GI work-up may be indicated in the future. I hope everything turns out well with your procedure and that your symptoms improve. I hope you find this information helpful.
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: diarrhea, nausea, left sided pain
Dear Christine,
I agree that you should have a flexible sigmoidoscopy first. As you stated, your first symptoms were related to nausea, diarrhea , mucus in the stool and weight loss. The clinical presentation is consistent with an infectious cause. You did not mention whether stool cultures, ova and parasite exam and stool for C. difficile toxin were sent. Did you recently travel prior to your illness? Were you on antibiotics prior to developing diarrhea? Can you associate this illness with any particular type of food? Did you eat out at a restaurant? Did others around you develop a similar type of illness? The flexible sigmoidoscopy is a good first test to look at the lining of the large intestine and see if inflammation is present. Biopsies (tissue samples) taken during the flexible sigmoidoscopy can give your doctor more information as to what is beneath the lining of the large intestine and to whether infectious organisms or other abnormalities are present.
Some of your more recent symptoms, i.e. belching, left sided back pain, midepigastric abdominal discomfort related to food intake can all be associated with esophageal and stomach irritation secondary to the Flagyl. If the lower GI work-up is unrevealing and your symptoms persist, an upper GI work-up may be indicated in the future. I hope everything turns out well with your procedure and that your symptoms improve. I hope you find this information helpful.
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: diarrhea, nausea, left sided pain
