Pain in upper left Abdomen with no other symptoms help!?!?!

[smiley07]

Hi I started getting a severe pain in my upper left abdomen about a yr ago. It was so severe that I was bent over with it. I went to my doctor who didnt know what it could have been. I had blood tests and urine tests and still no result so was sent for an xray. I was told that everything was fine and giving prescription painkillers. After about a week the pain went away so I thought no more of it. Over the past 2 weeks however this pain has come back. It seems to come for no reason at all (Ive been keeping track of it) and it often wakes me up in the middle of the night it is so severe. I am currently living abroad in the middle east for the year. I have been to 2 doctors here and they do not seem to know anythin that it could be. I have also been for an ultra sound and results came back all ok.....Does any one know what it may be???It is really beginning to affect me...It comes and goes and can last for a hour or more and times. Its a stabing/gnawing like pain that feel like something is twisting inside me...any help much appreciated....:(

[smiley07]

Hey Thanks for the help...Would a gall bladder problem not mean pain on the right hand side? Also would these possibilities not show up in blood tests? The prescription painkillers didnt help at all and pain is still there. Have it very bad today now and have been watchin what I eat. Did have a bit to drink two nights ago..Could this be a cause?

Also just curious what would an ultrasound not show? Its just my doctor just looks at me dumbfounded wen i go to her and say she doesnt know what to suggest so not sure wot step to take next

[Jaybay]

Since your pancreas is located on the left side, that would seem to me to be a logical place to start looking for a problem.  Have you noticed if the pain coincides with drinking alchohol?  Since the ultrasound did not find gallstones, you could still be experiencing "referred" pain to the left side due to a poorly functioning gallbladder.  A hida scan with CCK stimulation can evalulate how well, or poorly, your gallbladder is functioning.  

Another possibility is "sludge" in your common bile duct.  Sludge just refers to very thick bile and it can slow down the flow of bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas.  Any slowing of pancreatic enzymes will irritate the pancreas.  An MRCP can diagnose this problem, and ERCP can get rid of the sludge.