I'm currently suffering through my fourth episode of chronic diarrhea accompanied by *pressure* (not pain, more like a pushing) in the URQ of my abdomen. The pressure feels like someone is firmly pushing two fingers against my abdomen, but from the inside. There is no pain, but the pressure is quite annoying and only subsides if I press against it with my hand.
The first time this happened, in Sep. 2002, I had been taking Vicodin ES for a traumatic back injury. I was taking 3 pills/day when the abdominal pressure began. I was concerned that the Vicodin was causing it, so I immediately stopped taking the pills. After I stopped, I was stricken with acute diarrhea (as opposed to the slight constipation from the pills) which was bright yellow and seemed very acidic, i.e. caused a burning sensation. I went to my GP and had an abdominal x-ray which revealed nothing but a slight thickening of the main bile duct. No treatment was offered and the condition spontaneously resolved within a few weeks.
Thrice since this first episode, I have had repeat episodes. The only mitigating factor seems to be alcohol consumption -- I never have more than one glass of white wine, but even this small amount seems to exacerbate the pressure and diarrhea. Going on about four weeks now, I have had chronic diarrhea, ranging from complete liquid (usually bright yellow) to dark and almost gritty-looking. The diarrhea is notably acidic in that it causes painful rectal burning. The diarrhea and upper-right-quadrant pressure definitely seem related -- whenever I feel that now-familiar pressure, it is followed by diarrhea. I seem to be having bowel movements fairly quickly after eating, and sometimes pass undigested food. Occassionally, I will have a BM that consists solely of what looks like mucous or fat globules, either white or yellowish.
These episodes so far have resolved on their own, without medication or further testing, but I am beginning to be concerned that something serious is amiss.
I have no other symptoms, no noticeable weight loss, jaundice, pain, or intestinal symptoms. I am a 33 year old female, 5'7", of normal weight, light smoker, social/light drinker. I take no medication on a daily basis and have no diseases or allergies. I have had normal liver function tests in the last four months.
My main concern is that I have a dysfunction of the gallbladder or pancreas. Do the symptoms I describe (mainly chronic acidic liquid diarrhea and URQ pressure) sound like anything specific and/or recognizable? Are there specific tests I should request from a gastroenterologist or my GP? I do not have health insurance so would like to avoid unneccessary, costly tests, but would also like to nip this in the bud, should it be something serious.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my query.
Pixie*