Left abdominal pain

[cekj79]

I have a type 1 acm (no surgeries or treatments so far). I've been having pretty bad abdominal pain on my left side above my belly button.  I was just wondering if it could be chiari related.  I hate to go to the hospital if they're just going to think I'm crazy.  It's been so difficult to get dx, I've really developed a dislike for going to dr.  Anyone else have this symptom?

[selmaS]

  The problem is that with Chiari we can have several issues going on at once, and not to treat something will only keep us feeling poorly.....

But, I do know how u feel...I felt the same way...but found it best to deal with it as it was not going away on it's own.

   "selma"

[cekj79]

Thanks for the info.  I was thinking along those lines as well but was dreading going to another dr and starting another round of tests.

[selmaS]

  Hi....I have to agree with *Stormy* that GERD or acid reflux could be  an issue along with IBS...many with Chiari also have these conditions associated with our chiari.

  Try ur PCP and ask about some blood work...have ur levels of vit D,B12, magnesium and potassium  checked as they play a role in how we feel.

A visit to a GI dr is helpful to rule out GERD and those issues.For more info on GERD see the GERD forum here on MedHelp-http://www.medhelp.org/forums/GERD-Acid-Reflux/show/333?controller=forums&action=show&id=333&camp=msc

    "selma"

[*Stormy*]

It probably is indirectly related but it will be hard to convince Drs of that. Many of us do have digestive issues bc one of the nerves, the cranial nerve, actually travels farther then the face and can affect digestion. Many of us have IBS along with slow mobility of our stomachs, GERD etc. I have had bouts of awful stomach pain all my life and can not function when it gets bad. Also I have been told by a PT that all our muscles travel from our pelvic area an attach to our ribs. Due to my core weakness I have pulled and strained those muscles consistently which causes a lot of abdominal pain. As many things are, it is a side effect of the damage Chiari causes:(

Take care
Stormy