Extreme pressure in upper abdomen

[tedm]

I have been experiencing extreme upper abdomen pressure for the past year and a half. I have had all kinds of tests and been to a gastro specialists and the doctors have not been able to find out what the problem is. The problem is getting worse but my doctors have given up on me. The pressure is under both sides of my front (lower) ribs and radiates up the center of my chest. It makes it hard to breath and I always feel full. I have not lost any weight and my Doctor says it is not cardiovascular (had test done). I had the following test done and now don't know where else to turn.  I had a CT scan and it showed a "Bulky Pancreas".  Everything else was normal on the CT scan. My doctor ordered blood and stool tests which all came back normal. I asked him what "Slightly Bulky Pancreas" meant and he advised not to worry about it. He advised that he ran blood test to check my pancreas and they were all normal. He advised no mass was found on my Pancreas and that I do not have any symptoms (weight loss, jaundice etc.) that would lead him to believe anything  is wrong with my pancreas. He advised that he believes I am having problems with my gallbladder or with GERD. I have had GERD problems for years now, just not these symptoms. I do take medication for GERD. I have had an upper GI and it came back showing I have GERD.  My doctor sent me to a gastro specialists and she ran tests on my gallbladder, pancreas, colon, stomach and just about everything else and found nothing wrong. She advised it could be muscular in nature (possibley my diaphram) and told me to see my doctor, which I did and he said I had to live with it and gave up on me.

Anybody else with these problems or anybody with any clue on what it might be and how to take care of it?

Thanks

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Bulky pancreas could indicate pancreatitis which can cause pain in the area you have mentioned.
Your UGI scopy has shown features of GERD and the symptoms you have could be due to GERD also. Hiatal hernia which is a risk factor for GERD can cause similar symptoms. Barium xrays may be done for evaluation.

[Lissy1018]

A related discussion, Extreme pressure in upper abdomen was started.

[tedm]

Dr. Ratnakar,

Thanks for your response. I am going to ask my doctor about the possibility of Pancretitis again. He already told me he didn't think it was my pancreas causing the problem and has given up on trying to find out what is causing the problem. He told me I would have to live with it. It is getting hard to live with though. I don't have pain, just alot of pressure. Like I am full of air all the time and it is pressing against my diaphram.

Again, thanks for your help.

[tedm]

Thanks for the reply. My Doctor told me he checked for a hiatal hernia and didn't find one. I was told later that it can be missed. I am going to have him check again.

Thanks

[Tonyhealed]

That sure sounds like a hiatal hernia. I have that, I get this horrible pain just below the chest cavity. Sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left. If I eat spicy food and have a beer with it, I get the pain. If I laugh real hard, I get the pain. Plus, sometimes at night the acid reflux and even regurgitation awaken me. I am sure it has to do with the hiatal hernia.

Tonyhealed