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.

[Greg C.]

Elaine,

Hang in there.  I don't have a firm diagnosis yet, but it sure seems like my gallbladder.  I had an upper GI last week.  It only showed that I have reflux.  I could have told them that without the barium swallow!  My doc suspects "chronic cholecystitis".  I have a consult with a surgeon next week (Thursday) and will let you all know what he says.  I have lots of questions for him.  I know what you mean about all the tests - I've had them all.  But at least I know I have nothing else wrong!  I actually had a MRI of my spine today to see if I have a pinched nerve.  I probably won't have the results until next week, but the technician said he saw a "bulge" which could be impinging on my nerves.  It was very small, so it may be nothing.    I want to make sure before I have anything cut out of me.  Did you have pain when your gallbladder contracted or when it started to show on the scan?  That might indicate that you have an inflamed gallbladder.  From what I can tell, it is possible to have gallbladder problems without necessarily gallstones.  But I'm going to ask the surgeon if it can be so inflamed and still contract normally.  

Oh, another thing I have seem pop up in the messages on this forum is problems with the "spinchter of odi" which may prevent the bile from flowing properly.  People who have the same pain after the gallbladder has been removed often have a problem with this.  It is diagnosed by a scope down the pipe.  There are complications with this procedure (~25% get pancreatitis).  You might want to ask your doc about this possibility.

[Greg C]

Randy, interesting you should mention the fatty liver - I also have a "slightly fatty liver" and the docs keep asking me if I drink a lot.  I don't - maybe two glasses of wine on Fridays.  I wonder if there's a connection.

Georgie, did you also have any acid reflux (heartburn)?  Now I feel this in my chest.  It has been there the last 4 or 5 days.

[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!