Chronic Upper Abdominal Pain without an answer

Posted by loricx3 @loricx3, May 28, 2019

I have had chronic upper abdominal pain (mostly center and to the left) for about a year. It has worsened over the past 4-5 months and includes nausea, and worsening pain after eating/drinking. I often wake up at night with pain that feels like it is gnawing through to my back. I have a history of small bowel Crohn's (unchanged in years), as well as diagnosis of GERD, LPR and Bile reflux disease. I have been on PPI's for two decades without much relief. I had an EGD in 10/2018 and there was dome bile pooling in the stomach and some focal gastritis. I have fatty liver and a small 'cyst' of the pancreatic tail. I keep telling my GI that I feel that there has been a change since last year and requested another EGD (am scheduled for a colo next week). He states there is no reason to repeat the EGD. He wants to put me on Prozac for "Functional Abdominal Pain." All recent labs have been basically negative; MRCP pretty much benign; uncontrasted CT abdomen in 1/2019 negative. Could use some thoughts on this whole situation. Thanks

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@cookiegnias

Well sounds like me I have upper right quadrant pain also pain across stomach through to the back like a gnawing pain I was diagnosed with gastroparisis but this pain is not suppose to be pain they associate w GP. Going for ct scan w contrast. They wanted to give me amitriptyline which is an antidepressant for nerve pain I refused I'm not depressed and told them so I wouldn't take the Prozac that is for depression don't let anyone doubt u r pain.

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I definitely would take Prozac, though

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@graceandpeace

I definitely would take Prozac, though

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Well actually I'm on blood thinners and. The black box warning for a eliquis is no ssri's so I wouldn't take it would rather have the pain then a bleed. I also have a pacemaker and afib. The gastroparisis let's up at times I have flares right now they want to check the gallbladder and pancreas to make sure it is GP. Would rather eat smaller meals and watch what I eat then go on meds. Meds for GP have very bad side effects.thank u so much for replying.

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@cookiegnias

Well actually I'm on blood thinners and. The black box warning for a eliquis is no ssri's so I wouldn't take it would rather have the pain then a bleed. I also have a pacemaker and afib. The gastroparisis let's up at times I have flares right now they want to check the gallbladder and pancreas to make sure it is GP. Would rather eat smaller meals and watch what I eat then go on meds. Meds for GP have very bad side effects.thank u so much for replying.

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I am glad you are listening to your body and have done your research to know about which drugs would worsen your GP. As stated on this site bf, none of us, obviously, are Drs, but just here for each other to connect for support and share our own experiences in things that have worked or not worked for us. But, ultimately, you are your own best "Dr" as far as knowing your body. Again, even low doses of antidepressants aren't for everyone; which was why my Dr and I both decided it was in my best interest to get off of the amitriptyline after only the 4-6 weeks of adjustment period I had been on it for. Anyhow, I sincerely pray that you can find answers soon and begin your journey of healing!

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Mirazapine works for me . .I am getting my weight back up to normal. Mayo GI doctor said it was to help me think that it was good to eat...I enjoyed eating for 70+ years.. but was not overweight.. then all of a sudden after an operation to reduce Reflux...(a Nissen in Iowa)..I had post operative gastropaneisis. ...lost 50 pounds...I had traveled a lot and enjoyed every moment of local restaurants...

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When in Rochester, MN, my favorite places to eat are "Mango Thai" and "Casablanca"..

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@graceandpeace

I am glad you are listening to your body and have done your research to know about which drugs would worsen your GP. As stated on this site bf, none of us, obviously, are Drs, but just here for each other to connect for support and share our own experiences in things that have worked or not worked for us. But, ultimately, you are your own best "Dr" as far as knowing your body. Again, even low doses of antidepressants aren't for everyone; which was why my Dr and I both decided it was in my best interest to get off of the amitriptyline after only the 4-6 weeks of adjustment period I had been on it for. Anyhow, I sincerely pray that you can find answers soon and begin your journey of healing!

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Thank you

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@ken82

Mirazapine works for me . .I am getting my weight back up to normal. Mayo GI doctor said it was to help me think that it was good to eat...I enjoyed eating for 70+ years.. but was not overweight.. then all of a sudden after an operation to reduce Reflux...(a Nissen in Iowa)..I had post operative gastropaneisis. ...lost 50 pounds...I had traveled a lot and enjoyed every moment of local restaurants...

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Do you mind if I ask what was the surgical procedure you had for your reflux that caused your GP? And, also, once you have GP, does it ever go away, or is it something you have for life?

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@artgrams

I have had chronic upper abdominal pain across/near lower rib cage for about 1 1/2 years. Pressure, burning, aching, swollen feeling, prickly sharp pains like bees stinging me, etc. Had a carcinoid tumor test Octreatide Scan, ct abdominal with contrast. also facial flushing so had the Mast cell test, Gastrin test, blood work up.....all negative. Feels like nerve or tendons or muscle. Waiting on results of Hida Scan. ....then will probably have abdominal mri....anyone have similar side effects. It really interferes with my life ...debilitating...

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Check into compression Syndromes. There are several out there.

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@astaingegerdm

@artgrams - I know what it feels like walking around with such pain and no answers. Abdominal MRI might show something. Did you have endoscopy? Chest CT? You could have referred pain from other areas- like your gallbladder, esophagus and diaphragm. Is your doctor an internist or gastroenterologist? Please keep us up to date after more tests are done.

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Hi Ingegerd Enscoe ...yes I have had all those tests including the Octreatide Scan, bloodwork, 24 hour urine test, Etc. Had a Hida Scan a couple weeks ago and having my gallbladder removed this Wednesday...

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@astaingegerdm

@artgrams - I know what it feels like walking around with such pain and no answers. Abdominal MRI might show something. Did you have endoscopy? Chest CT? You could have referred pain from other areas- like your gallbladder, esophagus and diaphragm. Is your doctor an internist or gastroenterologist? Please keep us up to date after more tests are done.

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I sent you a reply Ingrgerd Enscoe but didn’t seem to show up....

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