x ray question

[greenwood112]

I am hoping to add an attachment on here of an xray I recently had at the chiropractor but I don't see the "add photo" link.  I have long term (life-long really) constipation and gas issues.  I move my bowels once or twice a week as the norm.  Bran, water, etc. does not help.  
Lately I have had pain under my rib cage, but more toward the back.  Since I've been having some UTI symptoms I thought it was related to that (although it turns out I tested negative for UTI).  It is not sharp like a kidney stone.
I recently saw a chiropractor about my hips and she did some x rays and sent me copies.  I noticed that in the area where I have this pain has a large black circle on the xray.  I'm assuming it is gas, but since it is up so high I don't know if it is or not.  It seems to me like it would be about the area of the left kidney but I know the colon goes up really high so perhaps it is that.  I am very very petite so I imagine my colon has to make some pretty sharp turns to fit inside me and this is likely why I have such trouble with abdominal pain.  It's just a theory though:)  
Truthfully, I was just hoping you would be able to look at the image and confirm gas or suggest another cause.  I had already paid before I realized the photo feature isn't on the expert forums so I hope I have been able to give you something of use to work with.  Does the colon go up to the kidney area?

[hattharris]

by looking at your xray it appears that my daughter has the exact same location of GAS :) it seems.  Her xrays taken a year ago and then four months ago as well as just the other day show a black spot just like yours and in the same location.  We are as well assuming that it is Gas although, looking the same for over a year and in the same spot kind of makes us second guess if it is really gas like the doctor told us it was.  He said when the original xray was taken that is was just pockets of air/gas.  We just assumed it was.  If you find out anything different please let us know because we were concerned as well with the black spot.

[greenwood112]

This one links directly to the x rays without going into my profile.  Sorry about that:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/list/848987

[greenwood112]

Here is a link to the x rays which I have posted on my medhelp profile.  I understand that you will not be able to make an actual diagnosis but perhaps you can tell me where the spot/gas is in my system and if this is a normal place to find it?  Do you think it could have any relation to the fact that I feel ache/pain in this area or not likely?

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/list/848987

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Without seeing the x-rays, I cannot make a diagnosis.  

However, rib cage pain radiating to the back can be indicative of gallbladder or pancreatic disease, or less likely, an aortic dissection.

I would get evaluated by your personal physician, and consider imaging studies like a CT scan or ultrasound.  If an upper GI condition is suspected, an upper GI or upper endoscopy can be considered as well.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[greenwood112]

Thanks, it's good advice.  Your response is appreciated even in the expert forum.  My doctor has been on holiday so I'm hoping to just get a quick, "it's very likely gas"  or a  "I can't diagnose online but investigate further" based on the image/info.  The xray wasn't done at the chiropractor, but was done for her.  She sent me the an xray lab that the doctors in town use too and I ended up having the whole length of the spine and head done.  She only looked at the spine of course.  I expect this is just gas but I'd love to have the question answered that it is likely gas in the X-part of colon or X part of my system and that this is common or less common, etc.?

[Joni686]

I'm sorry.  I didn't realize this was an expert forum.  I hope a doctor can help you out.  I still believe you should go to your own doctor though.
God Bless,
Joni

[Joni686]

I believe that I would take your xray and go to your family doctor.  A chiropractor is not qualified to go any further with you than talking about your spine.  Some Chiropactors offices xray machines aren't the best around so it may even be that is a shodow from his/her machine but I would not ask anyone here to analyze it for you as you need to take it to your family doctor.  He/she may want to run another xray or they may be able to look at it and tell the machine made a mistake.  That's what I would do.  Good luck.  Let me know how everything turns out.