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Upper Right Quadrant Pain
I'm a 36 year old male who eats well, exercises regularly, and lives a reasonably healthy lifestyle. Four month ago I started having pangs of pain in my right upper quadrant, just under my ribcage. I couldn't indentify any obvious pattern (e.g. pain after eating a fatty meal), but I did notice I felt it often at night. Concerned, I saw my primary care physician who suggested it might be a gall bladder problem. I had a blood test done for liver function, it came back normal. Next he referred me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound found nothing unusual so my physician prescribed Nexium and said I was likely flirting with an ulcer or some persistant gastritis.
Three months passed and I continued to have periodic pain, slowly becoming more persistant. I checked in with my physician again and he set me up for an upper GI endoscopy. Fortunately, that came back negative as well. I'm certainly happy that nothing was found, but am left with worsening (almost ever-present now) symptoms and no answers. The pain is typically under the lower right side of my ribcage, but sometimes radiates higher in my chest. If I curl my fingers under my ribs it is usually quite tender, all the way down the length of my liver.
Two weeks ago my stools had an orange hue to them (I assume this is what is refered to as "clay colored"?). This lasted for about ten days, but my stool color seems to have returned to normal.
My question is what conditions could be causing this pain if it didn't show up on an ultrasound or an upper GI endoscopy? Since the ultrasound was performed very early on when I just started feeling the symptoms, is it possible that it could have missed something serious(i.e. small tumor that has since grown)? I don't think my primary physician intends to do any more tests, so am wondering if I should insist on any others or whether I should see a specialist? I'm trying not to be neurotic about it, but am growing increasingly concerned. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Three months passed and I continued to have periodic pain, slowly becoming more persistant. I checked in with my physician again and he set me up for an upper GI endoscopy. Fortunately, that came back negative as well. I'm certainly happy that nothing was found, but am left with worsening (almost ever-present now) symptoms and no answers. The pain is typically under the lower right side of my ribcage, but sometimes radiates higher in my chest. If I curl my fingers under my ribs it is usually quite tender, all the way down the length of my liver.
Two weeks ago my stools had an orange hue to them (I assume this is what is refered to as "clay colored"?). This lasted for about ten days, but my stool color seems to have returned to normal.
My question is what conditions could be causing this pain if it didn't show up on an ultrasound or an upper GI endoscopy? Since the ultrasound was performed very early on when I just started feeling the symptoms, is it possible that it could have missed something serious(i.e. small tumor that has since grown)? I don't think my primary physician intends to do any more tests, so am wondering if I should insist on any others or whether I should see a specialist? I'm trying not to be neurotic about it, but am growing increasingly concerned. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
HI
I HAD MY GALLBADDER OUT IN 2002. I WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH LIVER HEMANGIOMA IN 1997 OR 1998. LAST YEAR IT WAS ABOUT 8CM LONG. MY DOCTOR THINK THAT'S WHY I AM IN PAIN ALOT. SHE SUGGEST I SHOULD REMOVE MY RIGHT LOBE. I SUGGEST HOW ABOUT RADIO FREQUET ALBATION. SHE GOT BACK SHE SAID THAT WILL BE GOOD IDEA. SO I DID RFA. GUESS WHAT MY PAIN IS BACK!!! SO I WAS DOING RESEARCH COULD BE I MIGHT HAVE SPHINCTER ODDI DYSFUNCTION. IT FEELS LIKE I HAVING GALLBADDER ATTACK OR TUMOR IS STILL CAUSING PAIN. I FEEL LIKING SCREAMING BECAUSE I AM DEALING WITH THIS CRAMP AGAIN. I DO APPT. WITH MY DOCTOR WHO DID THE RFA. IF ANYBODY HAVE ANY IN SIGHT PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANKS
I HAD MY GALLBADDER OUT IN 2002. I WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH LIVER HEMANGIOMA IN 1997 OR 1998. LAST YEAR IT WAS ABOUT 8CM LONG. MY DOCTOR THINK THAT'S WHY I AM IN PAIN ALOT. SHE SUGGEST I SHOULD REMOVE MY RIGHT LOBE. I SUGGEST HOW ABOUT RADIO FREQUET ALBATION. SHE GOT BACK SHE SAID THAT WILL BE GOOD IDEA. SO I DID RFA. GUESS WHAT MY PAIN IS BACK!!! SO I WAS DOING RESEARCH COULD BE I MIGHT HAVE SPHINCTER ODDI DYSFUNCTION. IT FEELS LIKE I HAVING GALLBADDER ATTACK OR TUMOR IS STILL CAUSING PAIN. I FEEL LIKING SCREAMING BECAUSE I AM DEALING WITH THIS CRAMP AGAIN. I DO APPT. WITH MY DOCTOR WHO DID THE RFA. IF ANYBODY HAVE ANY IN SIGHT PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANKS
I, too, have been dealing with similar symptoms (weight loss, URQ pain, feeling of fullness) for about 7 years. I went through the list of tests - CT's, ultrasounds, colonoscopy, laporoscopy, digestive tests - all with no solution. The topper was when I asked to review my records, the gastro M.D. had the line written "possible psychological component"! I said to hell with it and stopped pursuing it resiging to the fact that the pain will just be there forever. Well, I had a CT scan for an unrealated issue in which I received a letter stating that I have a hepatic adenoma (benign tumor on my liver). This apparently is not terribly uncommon for women who have been on birth control for years (I'm 35 and was on them for 10 years, stopping about 5 years ago). Looking at web info, this condition explains all of my symptoms. I am going to see my regular doc. on Monday to discuss possible treatment. At least this gives me confirmation that I am not crazy. I'll keep you updated.
Greetings from Canada as well!
I used to feel generalized pain in the upper abdomin but now it is localized in the upper left section just below and underneath the ribcage. I have been through the same test as everyone else! I have had a barium enema, colonoscopy, ultrasound, you name it. Everytime I go to my doctor with the problem, I am told that I have spastic colon or "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and they say that they cannot see anything but they must be able to see something because it feels as if there is an enlarged organ pressing against the ribcage and I feel a constant dull pain in the upper left area. When I am under stress it gets much worse and more sharp but it shouldn't be aching consistently all of the time. I share that feeling of a kind of internal sunburn as well! This is so frustrating. I am 23 years old and I've had these stomach problems since I was 15. You'd think by now I'd know what's going on but I have no idea and I'm not sure I trust my doctor's diagnosis. I'm worried that it may be a tumor forming on the pancreas or where the large intestine bends to descend on the left side of the body. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could suggest to my doctor or what I could research myself?? I'm really at the end of my rope here and getting quite fed up with NOT KNOWING ANYTHING.
Please help!
I used to feel generalized pain in the upper abdomin but now it is localized in the upper left section just below and underneath the ribcage. I have been through the same test as everyone else! I have had a barium enema, colonoscopy, ultrasound, you name it. Everytime I go to my doctor with the problem, I am told that I have spastic colon or "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and they say that they cannot see anything but they must be able to see something because it feels as if there is an enlarged organ pressing against the ribcage and I feel a constant dull pain in the upper left area. When I am under stress it gets much worse and more sharp but it shouldn't be aching consistently all of the time. I share that feeling of a kind of internal sunburn as well! This is so frustrating. I am 23 years old and I've had these stomach problems since I was 15. You'd think by now I'd know what's going on but I have no idea and I'm not sure I trust my doctor's diagnosis. I'm worried that it may be a tumor forming on the pancreas or where the large intestine bends to descend on the left side of the body. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could suggest to my doctor or what I could research myself?? I'm really at the end of my rope here and getting quite fed up with NOT KNOWING ANYTHING.
Please help!
So glad to know I am not alone! I have had this pain for over a
year now. I have had 3 ct's, an ultrasound, a hide a scan, a ged,
a colonoscopy and every lab test known to man. Nothing was found. I try to tell the doctor where it is and that he can't feel where it is because it is behind my ribs on the right side.
I really feel like it is my liver. When I lay down at night if I lay on my right side, I feel like I am laying on a lump! I have even caught myself checking to make sure I didn't leave a sock in the sheets. Life goes on..... Guess I will find out when the time comes and I have to go to the emergency room!
Thanks, MARLENE JOWELL
year now. I have had 3 ct's, an ultrasound, a hide a scan, a ged,
a colonoscopy and every lab test known to man. Nothing was found. I try to tell the doctor where it is and that he can't feel where it is because it is behind my ribs on the right side.
I really feel like it is my liver. When I lay down at night if I lay on my right side, I feel like I am laying on a lump! I have even caught myself checking to make sure I didn't leave a sock in the sheets. Life goes on..... Guess I will find out when the time comes and I have to go to the emergency room!
Thanks, MARLENE JOWELL
Greetings from Canada Everyone!
Well, I'd like to join the group of mysterious right upper quadrant pain that has the medical community stumped!
Anyone out there have answers yet?
I am a 37 year old female, who has had a gastric bypass (roux en y) stomach stapling, and removal of gallbladder in 2000. I had four years of great health! Then in the fall of 2004, I have acquired the same symptoms you all describe. It came on suddenly and hasn't left yet.
This nagging 'gallbladder attack' type pain, which never goes away, and is constant. Right under the ribcage, I just want to cut myself open and grab it out and get rid of it. Unfortunately we need our livers I am told. Damn....
Been through all the tests. In the beginning my Amaylase and Lipase were screwy, and then normal. No, I am never jaundiced, though I turn as white as computer paper, sometimes grey.
No fever, no white count, no nothing, HIDA shows some slowness, CAT shows dialation of bile duct, but it's running, xrays (I think I glow now) are good, MRI is good, ultrasound has nothing to say, and I am frankly being told it might be a psych problem.
I am so sick of hearing that. I have lost about 60 lbs, they say there is no cancer, thank god. I live on narcotics just to keep up with the kids (I have 4 under age 12). I throw up whether I take the drugs or not. Drinking liquid is okay sometimes, but anything else just comes back up, I am able to keep a very small part down as I am still having bowel movements. Not that I enjoy looking at the toilet, but I have seen the gamet of colours from white stool to orange, to green and sometimes purple, plus the ususal. This will be two years of illness come October of 2006.
Here's the kicker. They put in a percutaneous transempatic drainage tube which goes through the skin, through the liver, through the common bile duct and mine goes to the bowel, as my stomach pouch is connected differently due to the gastric bypass. I had a sphincterotomy done, but it didn't help with anything. The drain tube was in from Dec 2005 to May 26 2006, with tube changes as required. When the tube was in and draining properly and not blocked with sludge, etc. There was no pain - other than in my tube site!
When the tube became blocked, the old pain returned. So, we had to keep the tube clear. Which can be a pain in the *** at times.
Laying on the opposite side works best for me. Sitting just aggravates the problem. Sometimes the tube change can be a little uncomfortable if it ends up sitting on a rib.
Still waiting to figure out what is wrong. One surgeon says I need a stent put in, the other says a pain management clinic is what I need. Just wanted to share my story and glad to hear that I'm really not alone with this....
Well, I'll keep you posted and glad to have found you folks.
Take care
(warbirdz - the old warplanes are cool)
Well, I'd like to join the group of mysterious right upper quadrant pain that has the medical community stumped!
Anyone out there have answers yet?
I am a 37 year old female, who has had a gastric bypass (roux en y) stomach stapling, and removal of gallbladder in 2000. I had four years of great health! Then in the fall of 2004, I have acquired the same symptoms you all describe. It came on suddenly and hasn't left yet.
This nagging 'gallbladder attack' type pain, which never goes away, and is constant. Right under the ribcage, I just want to cut myself open and grab it out and get rid of it. Unfortunately we need our livers I am told. Damn....
Been through all the tests. In the beginning my Amaylase and Lipase were screwy, and then normal. No, I am never jaundiced, though I turn as white as computer paper, sometimes grey.
No fever, no white count, no nothing, HIDA shows some slowness, CAT shows dialation of bile duct, but it's running, xrays (I think I glow now) are good, MRI is good, ultrasound has nothing to say, and I am frankly being told it might be a psych problem.
I am so sick of hearing that. I have lost about 60 lbs, they say there is no cancer, thank god. I live on narcotics just to keep up with the kids (I have 4 under age 12). I throw up whether I take the drugs or not. Drinking liquid is okay sometimes, but anything else just comes back up, I am able to keep a very small part down as I am still having bowel movements. Not that I enjoy looking at the toilet, but I have seen the gamet of colours from white stool to orange, to green and sometimes purple, plus the ususal. This will be two years of illness come October of 2006.
Here's the kicker. They put in a percutaneous transempatic drainage tube which goes through the skin, through the liver, through the common bile duct and mine goes to the bowel, as my stomach pouch is connected differently due to the gastric bypass. I had a sphincterotomy done, but it didn't help with anything. The drain tube was in from Dec 2005 to May 26 2006, with tube changes as required. When the tube was in and draining properly and not blocked with sludge, etc. There was no pain - other than in my tube site!
When the tube became blocked, the old pain returned. So, we had to keep the tube clear. Which can be a pain in the *** at times.
Laying on the opposite side works best for me. Sitting just aggravates the problem. Sometimes the tube change can be a little uncomfortable if it ends up sitting on a rib.
Still waiting to figure out what is wrong. One surgeon says I need a stent put in, the other says a pain management clinic is what I need. Just wanted to share my story and glad to hear that I'm really not alone with this....
Well, I'll keep you posted and glad to have found you folks.
Take care
(warbirdz - the old warplanes are cool)
I am reading alot of similarities in everyone's symptoms, and also noone getting any anwers.
I have also been experiencing Right Upper Quadrant Pain for almost a year now. I had my gallbladder taken out in 2002. The pain was so bad at one point, I went to my family doc, he ran a CT with contrast, multiple blood tests, and all came back fine. I missed 4 days of work and almost got fired. I am still in severe pain. He sent me to a GI doc. They did an endoscopy, and a colonoscopy. The only thing they found was mild colitis, an inflammation of the lining of the colon. The pain I have wakes me at night, causes intermittent fever, I am exhausted all the time, want to sleep 24/7, have times when I can't eat at all, am nauseated, and intermittent diarrhea and vomiting. I too have thought it may be Sphincter of Oddi Dysfuntion, but have read that not many docs pay much mind to this. I think too it may be adhesions since I have had 4 abdominal surgeries, 3 of which were open. I have had 5 back surgeries/procedures, and wonder if perhaps that could be playing a part in my symptoms.
I am seeing a surgeon today. I want him to go "look around" and hopefully put a face to this horrible nightmare of pain and disruption in my life and end it.
My heart goes out to everyone who suffers from pain that has no name or answer, and doctors who won't go the extra mile to find out what it is. They would much rather send you to a psychologist or anywhere than give why we hurt a name.
Good Luck To ALL and if anyone has an answer, write and tell us out here!
Mouse907
I have also been experiencing Right Upper Quadrant Pain for almost a year now. I had my gallbladder taken out in 2002. The pain was so bad at one point, I went to my family doc, he ran a CT with contrast, multiple blood tests, and all came back fine. I missed 4 days of work and almost got fired. I am still in severe pain. He sent me to a GI doc. They did an endoscopy, and a colonoscopy. The only thing they found was mild colitis, an inflammation of the lining of the colon. The pain I have wakes me at night, causes intermittent fever, I am exhausted all the time, want to sleep 24/7, have times when I can't eat at all, am nauseated, and intermittent diarrhea and vomiting. I too have thought it may be Sphincter of Oddi Dysfuntion, but have read that not many docs pay much mind to this. I think too it may be adhesions since I have had 4 abdominal surgeries, 3 of which were open. I have had 5 back surgeries/procedures, and wonder if perhaps that could be playing a part in my symptoms.
I am seeing a surgeon today. I want him to go "look around" and hopefully put a face to this horrible nightmare of pain and disruption in my life and end it.
My heart goes out to everyone who suffers from pain that has no name or answer, and doctors who won't go the extra mile to find out what it is. They would much rather send you to a psychologist or anywhere than give why we hurt a name.
Good Luck To ALL and if anyone has an answer, write and tell us out here!
Mouse907
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