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.

[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