dull pain abdomen, liver for 3 years

[catherinel]

I am a 45 year old healthy female,when I was 42, fall 2004 I had a colonoscopy, all CLEAR. That fall I had felt upper dull burning pain which comes/goes, noticeable more at night a few hours after meal. March 2005 saw gastro dr. had endoscopy, all CLEAR. Pain had gone away for awhile, I then saw primary care in August 2005, had an abdomen ultrasound followed by CTSCAN, which showed I had liver cyst, one 2cm, the others small, they were fine, CLEAR again. Pain would come and go throughout my entire abdomen, suttle, dull, tingling, pins/needles off/on occasionally a quick sharp liver pain. I went for 2nd opinion May 2006 hepatologist in Boston, had MRI, again all CLEAR,my symptoms dismissed as nothing. November 2006 had my yearly obgyn appt., had vaginal ultrasound, all CLEAR. April 2007 yearly primary doctor, all bloodwork fine, incl.thyroid. Have sm goiter, thyroid ultrasound CLEAR. Pain would go away for awhile but has come back over past month. Now the dull pain traveled to my sides and lower back, suttle, more noticeable when sitting. Also dull pelvic pain travels to inner upper thigh when sitting. I have always had excessive gas, constipation to normal bowels. I do not drink and I am never sick, otherwise healthy, but this dull pain seems to have traveled.I really need direction.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a comprehensive workup for your symptoms.  Many of the major GI disorders would have been found with the tests you have done.  

You can consider more specialized tests like a 24-hr pH study or esophageal motility studies.  A gastric emptying scan can be considered to rule out gastroparesis.  The biliary ducts can also be evaluated with an MRCP or ERCP as well.

If the tests continue to be negative, you can look outside the GI system.  Muscle-based pain can be evaluated by a physiatrist (rehabilitation MD).  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or appropriate specialist.

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_

[catherinel]

this is Catherine again, I also wanted to point out that 2006 I started to have acid reflux for awhile, I took prilosec and for the most part today it has gone away.  Occasionally, I do have acid reflux but it seems under control.  I wanted to mention I have made an appointment to see an endocronlogist and my obgyn again to get to the bottom of this.  i am feeling that I may have something terribly wrong, like cancer of something, pancreas or ovarian, who knows anymore.  Some friends told me I could still have a thyroid condition eventhough bloodwork was normal. I am just tired of the 3 year guessing game and I have tried so hard to be proactive with this.  There hasn't been any answers and I am so frustrated.  I really need direction.

[dlhigh]

I suggest having a thoracic or lumbar MRI. A thoracic herniated disc can cause the symptoms you describe.  I had similar symptoms for two years before it was discovered that I have two herniated thoracic discs.  If all other tests are clear then this is a test you should consider asking your doctor about.  Most often all GI tests should prove clear before having this, unless you can specifically recall a back injury, even minor that may have left you sore for a few days.

[Fairy1]

I have been having stomach pain for 6 months. Upper stomach burning ( I take Nexium for) pain raidates to the right and left below my ribs and around my back. I have had colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT with contrast, spine and stomach x rays, ( spine showed mild scoliosis)  ultrasounds ( showed fatty liver) bloods 4 times all normal, 2 er visits for the pain, HIDA scan, all normal. I am having a second CT tomorrow and an MRI of my spine on Monday. If nothing shows up I do not know what I am going to do. Initially they said IBS now they just don't know. Is there anyone else out there the same?
Fairy1

[catherinel]

I would be very interested in the results of your tests, please update me.  It is just over the past several weeks, the pain or sensation of dull pain has traveled to my sides, very mild but I know it is there. It comes and goes, I tend to notice it more at night.  Of course, I am concerned it is something terrible, but having had the tests I have had over the past 3 years, I cannot imagine that it is cancer or something else.  It is puzzling.  I am now thinking the back could cause this, but I do not have any terrible back problems.  The other person who commented earlier, mention a disc perhaps and since then I have had another suggestion that it could be a disc issue.  I had no idea that could cause pain in the abdomen.  I am not yet convinced that is it, but I am still going through the process of elimination.....Good Luck