Upper left/center abdominal pain

I am a 37 yr old female, average weight and otherwise healthy.  I've had cramping/left sided pain for a few years and in Nov 07 they did a HIDA scan revealing my gallbladder was functioning at 0%.  My gallbladder was removed the following week and from there things went downhill.  I had severe cramping daily, constipation, etc.  Nothing was found and I was told there were no more tests to run!  Although all that was done was a colonoscopy and a small bowel series (after the removal of the gallbladder).  I lost 40lbs.  I stopped seeing doctors and eventually the pain became less and less often.

About 2 months ago after a cramping attack (similar to labor, comes in waves and is intense) I felt like I had been kicked in my left side.  It's just a couple inches from center starting an inch below my last rib (from sternum).  This pain lasted about 4-5 days and eventually just went away.  I couldn't lean to that side, sleep on that side, etc.  It literally felt like a physical injury had occurred, even though it had not.

A few weeks passed before the next attack and this has gone on like this... sometimes it's starts after cramping and on occasion it starts with a stabbing pain to that area, which then becomes pressure pain for a few days then gone again.  The stabbing is intense, like I'm actually being stabbed!  Sometimes after an attack that area will burn, as if pouring alcohol on an open wound.  It only burns for a few seconds then stops.

I have not gone back to the doctor because they disappointed me for months with no results, high bills and a lack of caring that I was sick (and I did switch doctors!).  Today I had a massive cramping attack.  I wanted to go to the ER but I knew like the other attacks it would pass.  I honestly feel like I am dying when it happens.  Now, hours later, my left/center upper abdomen hurts so much.  I am desperate and I will make another appt with a doctor on Monday, I can't deal with this any longer on my own.

Any suggestions please.  I don't know what else to do.

[SSLEE]

Did you look into pancreatitis? Might be the chronic form.