Upper Abdominal Pain

[Kia222]

I have had upper abdominal pain for approximatley 10 years.  The pain came and went over the years and then in 2003 it was deteremined that I had gallstones and I had my gallbladder removed.  The pain continued so in 2006 I went back to the doctoro and had a colonoscopy -  it came out fine.  I also had a cat scan of the abdomin and an ultrasound.  All showed to be normal with the exception of a "blood clot" in my liver.  I can't remember the medical term but I was told that this would not cause any pain and it was nothing to worry about.  

The pain seems to be intensifying in strength and frequency.  The other night it woke me up out of a sound sleep.  The pain is just to the right of the "pit" of my stomach and it seems to be aggravated by exursion.  For example, if I am on my feet for a couple of hours or working hard physically, the pain intensifys.   It also intensifys if I am sitting on the floor and bent over for periods of time (wrapping presents, for example).   It does not hurt to the touch or if I press in the area.  I am a female, 49 years old, 5'8", 179 lbs. and in good health...  Any suggestions??

Thank you

[Tuckamore]

Sam,

Thanks for your input but this post is approaching a year old. If you wish to reach out to KIA22 I suggest you try sending her a PM.

Peace,
Tuck

[Banned1]

I'm really sorry that you are suffering.  I'm not a doctor and I know next to nothing about this stuff but I'm learning through my own illness.  Your symptoms could be SO many things including sludge/stones in the CBD, Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth, pancreatitis, etc.  I apologize for the length of this post but I really want to help you.  I would ask my primary care physician to refer me to a Gastroenterologist.  With pain so severe, you probably want to get in as soon as possible.

There are some less invasive tests such as the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and MRCP-S (Secretin) which can image the whole thing including pancreas and ductal system.  The EUS does require sedation and is similar to an upper endoscopy.  Once you have a Gastroenterologist, they might be willing to try an EUS or MRCP-S to determine what is causing your symptoms.   Right now, EPISOD studies are being conducted in the United States which might be a way to get to the bottom of your symptoms without the cost if you qualify.


Are you taking Metamucil or a similar daily fibre product?  This is a great help for MANY people with abdominal pain.   It does not make you go, it makes you regular by adding fibre to the watery stools, making them firm.  

Many people with abdominal pain have great success with digestive enzymes and pancreatic enzymes.  This is something you can talk to your primary Doc about.  I'm told that they won't do any harm so really - unless you have side effects - there's not a downside to trying them.  Your Doc might even have samples.  This is something you can do now and it reduces the amount of work the pancreas has to do which will reduce any damage if damage is occuring to the pancreas.

A low-fat, high fibre diet can make a big difference to people with abdominal pain.  Eliminating fried foods from your diet and starting with bland foods, you may get to a point where you have no pain.  Then you can add new items to see how you feel.

It helps to keep a journal or a blog and your welcome to read my first entry if you want but I write a lot (can you tell).  :)  It's a great way to review your situation objectively and identify patterns in your foods, symptoms, medications, bowel habits and pain level.  Hindsight is 20/20 and keeping a log might help you look at things more objectively over the longer term.  Also, if you go into Emergency, you can say, this has been the pattern...

You are not alone!  Try to stay positive and reach out for support when you need it.  Talk to your Doctor, family, friends, co-workers, church or social service volunteers or anyone you feel safe with.  


When you do find answers, it would be wonderful if you could let us know the root cause(s) and how you got rid of your pain.  It gives people on this site hope to hear success stories.

Take care of yourself.  Good luck and Godspeed.  All the best,

Sam

[Jaybay]

You need to see a gastroenterologist.  Since you had gallstones in the past, it's entirely possible that you are forming sludge (small stones) in your bile duct.  Since it's been almost 2 years since your last exam, and your symptoms are worsening, it's time to make an appointment.  :-)