RUQ pain - no diagnosis

[Greg C]

Ok, maybe someone can give me a little insight into what to look for.  I have had pain under might right ribs extending into my back at times for three weeks. A little stomach upset, but only mild - no vomiting - a little loose stool which fiber helps.

34 years old - overweight (285)
Ultrasound - normal
Blood work - normal
CT scan - only indication is slightly enlarged spleen

Have been on Cipro for one week
Have taken flagyl for three days - just stopped because of side effects maybe from flagyl (headace, chills, stomach spasms).

Pain is not diminishing.

I'm thinking the gall bladder.  My doc is looking at diverticulitus, but my pain is in upper right quadrant, not the usual place for this.  I know he's going to try barium enema next.  Should I push for a hidascan?  Other things I should ask about?

I'm also concerned about potential for malignancies.  I smoked for 10 years and quit 5 years ago.  I haven't had any symptoms of lung cancer such as blood, or coughing - never the less, my body feels "funny".  It's hard to describe.  Not a good diagnostic description, I know.  It feels like a pressure - like a softball has been shoved inside my ribs and is pushing everything around.

[muwahssss]

A related discussion, same problems was started.

[Michelle8]

Good God how I can relate to all of you. All test negative, still in pain. Crazy symptoms but I'm not crazy!  How can we all be having so many of the same symptoms and nobody know what's wrong?!

[lup53]

A related discussion, frustrated was started.

[tracey]

Hey, I'm having a hidascan tomorrow. I haven't felt good for about 3-4 weeks...I'm having pain and pressure in my chest that goes into my back between my shoulder blades and up my neck and have been running a low grade temp...I was told I have a sludgy gallbladder...the hidascan hopefully will show something I hope...I would push for a gallbladder ultrasound and hidascan...if nothing else it will rule it out. but it certainly sounds suspicious. Oh and the funny feeling you decribed, I know it well...good luck!

[kate zoerman]

28 years old.  I have had pain in my right side right under my ribs for about 2 weeks.  Vomiting and loose stool for about 3 weeks. I have lost 5 pounds since this has all started.  so my weight is down to 105.  I have had an ultrasound and blood work done and was all normal.  I am schuduled for a hidascan and do not know anything about it.  I am feeling the same as other people, that is very hard to descrip.

[Deb]

Hpylori bacter  blood test first and formost I had same syptoms, took three attempts to get my doctor to listen. Came back positive.Floored him. Most sypmtoms went away after treatment and a healing time period. Had my gal bladder out to but also had second bout of hpylori same symptons, went away after antibiotics.
take the blood Test !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch your diet keep track and map it with symptoms. If you eat a fatty meal and later you have pain it is probably your gall bladder. My mother took one flax seed oil caplet and had the same pain.I am sure she has a gall bladder problem.

[belinda]

Do you have additional problems or increased pain when eating high fat ... or greasy foods? If so, then definitely push for the gallbladder screens first.  If your doctor won't do the test, then get a second opinion.  

[Angela M.]

I had pain in my URQ for about a year.  Finally went to the doctor who sent me to get an ultrasound (after scaring the hell out of me with a cancer talk).  I found out that I have 2 large gallstones that take up about half of my gallbladder.  Now I have the prospect of surgery at Christmas.  Great.  I'm hoping this is all that's wrong and the surgery has no complications.  Good luck to everyone on finding a cause for their pain.

[Burt, British Columbia]

Comforting to read so many reports of swollen feeling just under ribs.  I first developed this 11 years ago after getting some kind of bug (undiagnosed) in India.  I went through 3 years of it coming and going along with mild digestive irregularities.  Recently I developed it again.  I had many of the tests listed by others.  Diet seems to have some impact, but not a lot.  It's unrelated to when I eat.  Recently I've had acupuncture and this is the only effective treatment I've found.  After two sessions and also some sessions of visualising a heathy 'flow' in my liver, the inflamed feeling went away for several weeks. It's now back following a business trip and much stress so I will return to acupuncturist.  The only thing I'd add is that it's worth finding a really good acupuncturist because if those needles don't produce a really deep ache when they put them in, they ain't working!

[gill mcdonnell]

What is the answer to the above question please.

[Greg in GA]

Leah ...I have had Bell's Palsy.  Not sure if there is a connection except poor immune system possibilities.  I have also had Lyme Disease, which may have brought on the BP.  I found this forum because of the pain I am having in the center of my chest right under the sternum (sp).  Sometimes mild and sometimes bad.  
I think my problem is GREATLY aggrivated by chocolate and coffee ... two of my favs!  (Throw in a little stress and I am up the wall) In fact I did a little experiment tonight with some Rocky Road Ice Cream.  The deep chocolate kind --Breyers.  Sure enough, about one hour later, I am in pain.  Same kind, same place, same intensity.  
One scary thing .... maybe some of you have had this too.  I get a "jolt" feeling that brings on moderate anxiety and a quick feeling of "let down"; like I took a punch on the inside.    
I had the upper GI, sonogram, ekg,  a few years ago with nothing remarkable except mild reflux.  Diagnosis was to lose some weight (which I finally did about three years ago and was symptom free.  I have gain it all back.  Go figure) and to use Gaviscon -- great stuff.
GREG

[Greg in GA]

Leah ...I have had Bell's Palsy.  Not sure if there is a connection except poor immune system possibilities.  I have also had Lyme Disease, which may have brought on the BP.  I found this forum because of the pain I am having in the center of my chest right under the sternum (sp).  Sometimes mild and sometimes bad.  
I think my problem is GREATLY aggrivated by chocolate and coffee ... two of my favs!  (Throw in a little stress and I am up the wall) In fact I did a little experiment tonight with some Rocky Road Ice Cream.  The deep chocolate kind --Breyers.  Sure enough, about one hour later, I am in pain.  Same kind, same place, same intensity.  
One scary thing .... maybe some of you have had this too.  I get a "jolt" feeling that brings on moderate anxiety and a quick feeling of "let down"; like I took a punch on the inside.    
I had the upper GI, sonogram, ekg,  a few years ago with nothing remarkable except mild reflux.  Diagnosis was to lose some weight (which I finally did about three years ago and was symptom free.  I have gain it all back.  Go figure) and to use Gaviscon -- great stuff.
GREG

[Pam]

Well, I went to the Doctor and they set up the standard tests..Sonogram of total abdominal region and an Upper GI series and all came back normal.
The pain I have been having has all most gone completely.
The allergic reactions that I had to all of the meds I was on was my culprit, 4 antibiotics back to back and 3Prednazone count down packs and more! All in a matter of 2 months.
All of the meds messed up my system plus killed all of the bacteria that our bodies need.
I hope all of you can find the cause of your problems.
Remember some medications can cause this problem in the RUQ.
Best of luck to you all.
Pam

[Lee]

When all has been ruled out and you still have RUQ Pain, RUQ fullness feeling, with delayed HIDA scan, pain radiating to the back PLUS Other symptoms like Bell's palsy or twitching facial or elsewhere, stiff neck are all fairly classic symptoms of Lyme disease. These are all caused by nerves or nerve roots that are infected.  Some people will even have elevated liver enzymes with Lyme.  Most doctors are still ignorant of this greatly underdiagnosed disease.  
***@****

[Pam]

Thank you to all of you for being there.  I thought I was going crazy.  My story is long but here goes.

In early Sept. I was bit by a brown recluse spider was put on Cipro and a prednizone count down pack and Hydroxyzine. Got off of that and two weeks later had an abcessed tooth and was put on Penicillin for 10 days. Got off that on Thursday and was coming down with flu and Brochitis and on Friday was put on Keflex, cough med. and of course another count down pack. Next day was itching like crazy and was taken off keflex and was put on a new drug, Avelox..SEVERE allergic reaction and ended up in the ER for an IV treatment for rash etc. The ER DR. put me on more Prednizone (stronger dosage), Zantac, he said he liked to use that as a histimine blocker, and something else Radi..something.
Then had to go back to my regular Dr. and they put me on Augmentin and was told to finish up the rest of the other meds.
Next to the last day of the Augmentin, started having itching of the palms, inner ears and throat.  Told not to take the last couple of augmentin, but to take Hydroxyzine for the itching.
(It has been 2 weeks since I got off antibiotics and I am still having the itching off an on.)
The same day I had a funny feeling in the top of my stomach, just under the breast area like a full feeling. Then a burning feeling went to my ribs and my back on the right side. It keeps coming back everyday now for 2 weeks. I am afraid to eat anything because after 30 mins. to 4 hours it hits.
I tried mylanta and it seemed to make it worse. I was told the gallbladder bothers you mostly during the night. Mine seems to be anytime, but worse from about 9 to 11pm. I don't have nausea or vomiting. It feels like a burning or slight pinching. I feel like I need to burp and when I do it feels better. I don't have a feeling of a tight band yet.
I go back to the Dr. today at 3:30 just for a check up because on the allergic reactions that I had. I am going to mention this pain to Dr.
I'm really scared. I will tell you what they say and do for me.
Again, thank you for being there and listening to my story.
Pam

[Pam]

Thank you to all of you for being there.  I thought I was going crazy.  My story is long but here goes.

In early Sept. I was bit by a brown recluse spider was put on Cipro and a prednizone count down pack and Hydroxyzine. Got off of that and two weeks later had an abcessed tooth and was put on Penicillin for 10 days. Got off that on Thursday and was coming down with flu and Brochitis and on Friday was put on Keflex, cough med. and of course another count down pack. Next day was itching like crazy and was taken off keflex and was put on a new drug, Avelox..SEVERE allergic reaction and ended up in the ER for an IV treatment for rash etc. The ER DR. put me on more Prednizone (stronger dosage), Zantac, he said he liked to use that as a histimine blocker, and something else Radi..something.
Then had to go back to my regular Dr. and they put me on Augmentin and was told to finish up the rest of the other meds.
Next to the last day of the Augmentin, started having itching of the palms, inner ears and throat.  Told not to take the last couple of augmentin, but to take Hydroxyzine for the itching.
(It has been 2 weeks since I got off antibiotics and I am still having the itching off an on.)
The same day I had a funny feeling in the top of my stomach, just under the breast area like a full feeling. Then a burning feeling went to my ribs and my back on the right side. It keeps coming back everyday now for 2 weeks. I am afraid to eat anything because after 30 mins. to 4 hours it hits.
I tried mylanta and it seemed to make it worse. I was told the gallbladder bothers you mostly during the night. Mine seems to be anytime, but worse from about 9 to 11pm. I don't have nausea or vomiting. It feels like a burning or slight pinching. I feel like I need to burp and when I do it feels better. I don't have a feeling of a tight band yet.
I go back to the Dr. today at 3:30 just for a check up because on the allergic reactions that I had. I am going to mention this pain to Dr.
I'm really scared. I will tell you what they say and do for me.
Again, thank you for being there and listening to my story.
Pam

[Karen]

Hi all,
   This is kind of a relief to me like all of the rest of you.  Finally, people that know exactly the pain that I have been having since I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter.  I had my gall bladder removed after I had her (6 weeks later).  The major brunt of the pain disappeared but I still have what I would classify as quite a bit of pain in the same area.  I've been told 3 different things so far.  #1 is some condition called H-pylori. #2 is phantom pain from the gall bladder, #3 is a hiatal hernia.  I'm very anxious to figure it out.  I'm sure that it is not the H-pylori based on what I have read on it, but #3 is rather intriguing to me.
     Nevertheless, it seems as though the gall bladder sufferers who have had them removed are still having the problems, so could it be that #2 is the correct diagnosis?  I know people who have had limbs removed suffer from "phantom pains" on the side of the missing limb.  Has anyone else heard of this?

Karen

[Tammy]

well i had very bad pains under my ribs that went around my back it felt like someone was stabbing a knife in my back and turning i would have trouble breathing and double over with pain where i couldnt stand up.this went on after my 2 child and lasted for 3 years when it started getting worse i saw doctors alot of time and the told me it was a cold in my chest casing it down to yeast infections they kept giving me antibiotics.well finally i was pregnent and pains where getting worse i made sure i got to the emergancy room when i was in pain and my midewife said you know what i bet its your gallbladder my mother had the same problems before and set up a ultrasound and bingo i had maltiple gall stones from years of no body finding it i ask her way this got to be so bad and no other doctor found this sooner she said that unfortanlly its like a taboo in the medical field and it is very hard to get diagnosed.anyways after having my child one of the stone went into my pancreas and i all most died this is a serious problem if not taken care of .so if you are having these problems be persisten and get an ultrasound and make sure you find out what is the problem.and also alot of the times gallstones will give you problems when you eat fatty foods.and the stones get pushed out by whats called bil(not sure of spelling)and the stone gets stuck in the duck and everything backs up.well good luck to all hope you feel better.its painfull i enjoyed delivering my 3 children more then the pain

[Darla]

To all, when you begin to say I HAVE this wrong and I have that wrong, By saying I HAVE you are claiming that thing for your self. You need just to say the doctor says not I.  the word of God says that Power of Life and death is in the tongue.(Proverbs 18- verse 21)You can say the doctor says I have this or that but Jesus says by his strips I am healed.We need to learn to work the word of God we need to know that Jesus already paid the price for our healing not we need to walk in it. in faith without doublt. 2 corinthians 5 verse 7 says: for we walk by faith not by sight. we need to look beyond what we see and know that we walk in the faith of God's healing power. Mark 11 verse 23 says: For verily I say unto you that whosoever ( which is You!) shall say unto this mountain (Problem, Disease,) be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall ( it doesnt say might or maybe it says shall) have whatsoever he saith. John 10:10 says the theif ( which is satan) cometh not, but to steal, and to kill and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God down to us that we walk in health. I will be prayer and I hope this has increased your faith! Faithbuilder_7 @ yahoo.com

[Tony]

I fell for all of you guys...

Check out this page... I hope it helps, if not all, at least some of you. The best to you all!

http://www.selfstudycenter.com/

[Timothy]

SEEMS I'M NOT ALONE.

MY DOCTOR SEEMS TO FEEL IT COULD BE MUSCLE IRRITATION. I'VE BEEN TO THE "ER" TOO MANY TIMES. THEY ALWAYS COME BACK WITH NORMAL TESTS RESULTS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ALSO HAVE PROTIEN IN MY URINE. I'M 34 AND SINCE I TURNED 30 MY HEALTH HAS GONE DOWN HILL. I DO KNOW THIS; THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS DRIVING ME MAD.

***@****

[david]

In March of 2000 woke up in the middle of the night with hunger pains.  The pains became pretty severe and I went to see the GP who diagnosed ulcers.  The GP gave me prilosec and maalox.  This helped about 50%.  Three months went by and the pain was still there.  Also noted very light colored stools and pain in my right side along with bloating.  In May of 2000 had an endoscopy and was diagnosed with gastritis.  The Gastroenterologist gave me Carafate which helped immensely.  Stopped taking the Prevacid and Maalox.  Still had side pain, bloating and still some stomach pain.  Had an Ultrasound in late May and was diagnosed with Gallstones.  Have 3-4 stone and each are 3-4millimeters in size. Started taking Actigall June 1, 2000.  As of now, 10-5-2000, stools have finally become darker colored again and currently am having less pain, almost non-existent in my right side.  However, stomach is still acting up, though Carafate helps.  Also have to take 125. mg. of Simethicone for the gas and bloating which helps tremendously.  December 1, 2000 will have another ultrasound to determine if Actigall is dissolving the stones.  Forgot to mention that I've lost 25 pounds on a low fat diet.  Discovered there is a direct connection between eating fat and pain in the right side.  Eat less than 40 grams of fat a day now.  Hoping to avoid removal of my gallbladder.  Good luck to all of you.

[Chiswick]

The right upper quadrant burning pain under the right rib I've experienced seems to be associated with using regular milk in cereals.  This always was worse after that kind of breakfast.  I tried Lactaid milk and it significantly improved.  I worked in a doctor's office for four years under very stressful conditions. Had U/S for gallstones which was nornal.  That's when this all started. Stress secretes stomach acid.  Now, I have a less stressful job.  Was on antibiotics for dental work for three years and I think that caused a lot of imbalance in the bacterial flora of the gut.  Acidolphilus capsules help (kefir-a yogurt milk drink) is good too.  Try taking licorice capsules also as they coat the lining of the stomach.  Drink lots of water when you have these episodes and flush the acid away!! It will improve after 3-5 days of 8 big glasses a day. Chewing gum helps too.  Destress by relaxing more and listening to soothing music at bedtime. A flaxseed wrap warmed in the microwave helps also.
Zantac helps but is associated with palpitations.  A chewed calcium supplment is better.  Hope these hints help.  I know doctor's can make you more sick, cause worry and sometimes are just doing all these tests to make more money.

[Beatriz j.]

My pain started about a month after i had my baby.  It's a real bad pain right in the opening of the stomache.  I think that it is a symptom called gastritis and doctors in mexico call it la vecicula.  I don't even know who to believe and also to know what to take for the pain.  The pain is so bad sometimes that i have to move around and also i can't even breathe sometimes and i really hate it because my pain pills are not starting to work any more and i just don't know what to do anymore.  I really need help or find another treatment because this is really disturbing my life in school and with my beautiful baby.