left abdominal pain with lower back pain...please help!!!

Question

i am 25 yrs old and have been having pain in my upper left abdomin below my ribcage for about 3 months now. The pain radiates to my lower to middle back on the left side as well. the pain doesnt seem to be associated with my eating but notice that i feel the best first thing when i wake up in the morning. the pain seems to be constant for 3 months on and off and at times can be unbearable where it is difficult to lay in certain positions. i have also experienced headaches quite frequently and am constantly belching. The pain seems to make my abdomin feel distended. I went to GI doctor and got endoscopy and ultrasound of gallbladder and both came back normal however i also got a hida scan of my gallbladder and that came back abnormal so my GI doctor recommended i see a surgean. The surgean said that my pain i feel isnt typical where gallbladder problems usualy are, so now i feel i am back to square one and am extremely frustrated. Many of the women in my family have had galbladder issues and have had them removed but now after going to the surgeon, i am not sure it is my gallbladder. Could it be something to do with my pancreas? any suggestions on this please help i am so frustrated and am in need of a diagnosis. Thanks!

This discussion is related to Upper Abdominal Pain Middle/Right side radiating to the back! Please Help!.

Sarsi · Answer

Hi

Left upper abdominal pain and radiating into the back can definately indicate pancreatic issues!

I would be asking your gasto surgeon/specialist about sphincter of oddi dysfunction! Especially if your gallbladder shows abnormal too! The bile duct from the liver/gallbladder and pancreas meet together in this sphincter of oddi......so when things get blocked or the little sphincter muscle goes into spasm it can cause backup of enzymes and cause pain and even pancreatitis!!!!

I hope this offers a suggestion and that you can get the answers and relief that you need.

Good luck

Sarsi

Kaneda2112 · Answer

According to the Mayo clinic website - 

"Results of a HIDA scan might include:

- Normal. A normal result means that the radioactive tracer moved freely along with the bile from your liver to your small intestine. No problems were detected.
 
- Slow movement of radioactive tracer. If the radioactive tracer moves through your bile ducts very slowly, this may indicate a blockage or obstruction. Or it may indicate a problem in your liver.

- No radioactive tracer seen in the gallbladder. If the radioactive tracer isn't seen in your gallbladder, this may indicate inflammation (cholecystitis).

- Radioactive tracer detected in other areas. If the radioactive tracer is found outside of your biliary system, this may indicate a leak."

WebMD statea - 

"The results of a gallbladder scan should be interpreted along with your symptoms and the results of other tests, such as a physical examination and an ultrasound. Abnormal results from a gallbladder scan do not necessarily mean that the gallbladder needs to be removed.

A test called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) can be done to find blockage of the bile duct. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method called MR cholangiopancreatogram (MRCP) may also be done to find blockage of the bile duct."