Upper Stomach Buring Pain and IBS

[Fairy1]

I am a 42year old female. Last December I had bad diarrhea, nausea for 4 days with bad upper stomach pain and was unable to eat anything but liquids. It seemed to clear as the diarrhea eased and was intermittent for 3-4 days at a time with some upper stomach pain. This lasted for 3-4 weeks then I attended the Gastro Dr. He did a full blood work up tested for, Celiac's disease. All came back normal. Then I had a colonoscopy & endoscopy in February - normal. Told me I had IBS. The diarrhea continued to ease off but the pain increased. It became burning in the center of my chest upper stomach, also on the left and right side below my rib cage sometimes coming out my back on the left and right side. I ended up in the ER They did a full blood work again, an x-ray and a CT scan all normal except a small cyst on one ovary and distention of the small and large bowel. The pain continued and the diarrhea eased more. I went back to the Gastro Dr and he said IBS and ordered some fecal tests that I requested. All came back normal. he told me to come back in 6 months. I went to my GP who prescribed an anti depressant / anti anxiety medication which I tried for 2 weeks it did nothing.It is now April and I am in constant pain. Upper stomach burning pain which moves can be on the left or right side under my ribs and sometimes goes to the back left and back right. It usually starts mid morning and continues on and off all day. It goes away at night. The pain is eased by lying down and seems to be aggravated by sitting up. I have tried Prilosec which helped a little I just changed to Zantac to see how that works. I have tried Nulev, Pepto Bismol, Zanax, An enzyme tablet from the health food store, etc nothing works. I am scared it is my gall bladder or pancreas. Why would they not show up on the blood work or CT? I have always had a nervous stomach when under pressure but never pain. Can you shed some light on it. I have a history of appendix when I was 12, Hep A 15 years ago and have always had menstrual problems.
Any answers would be appreciated.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The CT scan would appropriately evaluate the gallbladder and pancreas.  If there are any masses in these areas, it would likely show on the CT scan.  If there are suspicious areas, an MRI can be considered.

The appropriate tests have been done for the diarrhea.  I would consider malabsorption as a possible cause.  The stool can be analyzed for fat malabsorption, and various breath tests can be done looking for carbohydrate malabsorption.  

If the tests remains negative, I agree with optimizing treatment for IBS.  Antispasmodic agents, antibiotics like Rifaxamin, and tricyclic antidepressants can be considered.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

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.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Fairy1]

Thank you for your response. I did have stool tests and all were negative including fat. I am concerend that the episode at Christmas was Panreatitis and now I have Chronic Pancreatitis. I drink alcohol daily. Would this show up in the CT scan of my Pancreas and Gall Bladder.

Thanks

[Wood Sprite]

I am also a 42 year old female with all the same symptoms you have only I have A LOT of gas. I've also been told it's IBS and took Dicyclomine for a year to no avail. I am in search of the same answer.

Glad I'm not Alone.