Severe Abdominal Pain Please Help

[Troubledandy]

I hope someone here can help me, as I'm all out of options.

Background:

During August 2008 I began to develop severe acid reflux, this would occur regardless of diet changes. I began to take antacids by the packet (10-15 tablets per day).

In December 2008 I went to see my GP, my GP prescribed lansoprazole 30mg 1 x a day for the acid reflux.

This worked wonders I had no symptoms untill early Feb 2009. I began having very severe stabbing pains in my upper abdomen (right where the stomach is) and also in the centre (where the ribs meet). The sharp stabbing pain also occurs on my right hand side just below the ribs, seemingly to cause a band of possible areas this sharp collicy type pain could occur.

My GP sent me for a US of the upper abdomen, I was checked for Gall Stones, Kidney Stones and anything out of the ordinary. Everything came back clear from the US, and the doc said everything looks normal & healthy.

I then was tested in March 09 for H.Pylori, the test was positive and I completed a tripple therapy course, which consisted of Flagyl / lansoprazole and Amoxcicillin.

After my treatment the pain continues, now occuring more frequently (daily). The pain is not agrevated or dulled by eating, and even a simple diet did not improve things.

I am at the stage now where I am suffering constantly from sharp pains in my upper left abdomen, my upper right abdomen and in my bowls.

My stools are always loose and off-colour (more pale than dark) but I understand that loose movements can be caused by omeprazole.

The docs are currently treating me for IBS, using Colofac MR and Omeprazole for the acid reflux.

The pain continues, and seems to have spread to my lower abdomen, specificly around my lower right abdomen (about 4 inches south of mcburneys point). But this pain and feelings of bloating seem to spread all over my bowel area.

I have constant wind (burping, passing wind) and the sharp pains are occasionally relieved by the passing of wind but the pain soon returns (within the space of 30 minutes).

I am not convinced this is IBS, and I dont know where to turn. I'm tempted to pay for a 2nd opinon and was hoping by posting on here I might get some good insight.

Ive been in pain every day since Feb, and I'm at my Wits end. I'm taking Tramadol for the pain now and again, and I've even been prescribed pethidine which thus far I havent had to use.

I'm also on Diazepam for the anxiety this causes me.

Please help,

Andy

[bigdxxx57]

Go to an internal medicine doctor, they have knowledge of the entire body. I really believe the internal medicine doctor i just started going to is going to get to the bottom of my problems.This doctor will listen to you, unlike other doctors. My gp told me i was in cronic pain and not to go to anymore doctors,since i saw him a month ago, i fould out i had a bad sinus infection and H.Pylori.
                                                Dorian

[bigdxxx57]

I have had abdominal pain for 10 years,so bad that i am disabled. I went to many doctors in the last 10 years,none of them really listened to me. I take percocet for pain,valuim for anxiety and was taking 30-50 advil a day. I have been to 2 mayo clinics and have never been tested for H.Pylori. Never even heard of it until a few days ago.
  I have researched all my symptoms on line for years looking for what could be wrong with me. My doctors say its just cronic pain, but i know different.
     I decided to go to an internal medicine doctor after 10 years of unbearable abdomen pain, i feel like i have lost 10 years of my life and dont want go thru this another 10 years. I rarely leave the house due to pain, i feel sick and have no energy and bad headaches, i shake in pain in bed.
      The internal medicine doctor ran tests for lupus,and some other things. They said they would have the results of one test in 10 minutes, i was told i have H.Pylori. I read about it for hours on line, alot of people said the course of antibiotics you took didnt work, they had to try a different treatment. Plus its hard to cure, some people have to go thru 3 courses of antibiotics. I was given 500 mg clarithromyc twice a day and amoxicillin 1000mg twice a day for 14 days, I have read this is the best treatment, you should get tested to see if you still have H.Pylori.
     The doctor said the advil will kill me in doses of 30-50 pills a day. I cut my advil back to 6 a day and a couple tylenol, plus i was told to take prilosec twice a day. After 2 days of the advil cutback, the antibiotics and the prilosec i have been feeling better, but i have to wait and see. If you are in alot of pain tramadol is a joke, you need to get some real pain medicine.
    The person  above is right if your gallbladder isnt working right, it can cause tremendous pain, i am getting that test next if i still have the pain. .I use a heating pad on my stomach, it does help.
      Keep me posted and i will let you know when i finish the antibiotics how i feel. Can you imagine 10 years of unbearable abdominal pain,i just dont know how i have handled it this long. I am praying this is what is wrong with me and i will finally get some relief and have some quality of life.
                                 Dorian
    

[TrudieC]

I am experiencing much the same.  I had an ultrasound but showed nothing so am now going for a HIDA scan to test the function of my gallbladder and bile ducts.  I would suggest you ask for that and an Endoscopy to see if there is anything else.  Good luck.