Chronic Abdominal Pain

I have been going through similar stomach pain for the last 8-10 months, something all the tests so far show nothing. I have have CT, X-ray, endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, HIDA scan, gastric emptying study, you name it I probably have had it. I already had a partial gastrectomy 13 years ago for gastroparesis and have been good up until the last 8-10 months. I have lost 35 lbs and still losing. Doctors seem to be throwing their hands up, even the specialist I am seeing at UPenn which is supposed to be one of the best places for gastro issues. It is appalling how the doctors have no empathy and just want to give you pain meds without trying to figure out the cause. Been looking to this site to see how others have been handling similar issues. Help!

Hello. I feel so compelled to reply to you as I believe I am reading about myself--minus the weight loss. I am 1.5 years into what must be a maddening debilitating brain-gut disorder causing extreme daily bloat, gas buildup, etc. I have given up on all G.I. docs--out of 6, I have seen 2 who thought "out-of-the-box" to attempt to help me. I have also had every type of CT, MRI, gastro test x2 out there. Normal except slow motility. All Rx's, and even non-Rx's do not help me. My reject box of meds has grown (thank you,
Amazon!). I do a considerable amount of reading and attempt modalities on my own. I referred myself to the Cleveland Clinic G.I. team and their doc told my last G.I. doc what further tests I needed. However, after those results didn't yield anything besides slow motility, she basically threw up her hands.
I had spine surgery 14 months ago and got COVID. Both of those undoubtedly play into my condition. IBS-C is definitely what I have. I have seen a pelvic floor P/T who has helped me more than any doc. But still I suffer. Best of luck to you.

Thank you, I know I have IBS-C, I have had it for a long time. The new thing is the abdominal pain when I eat or drink. Do you know what tests they ordered? I would be interested to see what they looked at. I am considering Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic but am hesitant since I have been to Hopkins years ago and UPenn both which were supposed to be leading edge programs. The thought of starting over again... is just overwhelming as well as the travel that would be needed. Thanks for your insights and if you are comfortable please let me know what additional tests they ordered.

The tests that the C.C doc ordered were: 1. Sitz marker test; and 2. Colonic motility test. The Sitz marker test can be done at most radiology/imaging centers. The colonic test I had to go to the University of Washington medical center for it. Just an fyi.

Thank you so much for you response. This has been a mystery to all specialists and all they say is that there is nothing wrong and then throw up their hands and say you are on your own, or to seek psychiatric help. This pain is driving me crazy and causing so much anxiety that it is hard to deal with on a daily basis. I have a Drs appointment after work today and will definitely bring this up to him to see if he can schedule the test. I can't thank you enough for replying.

I am so sorry to know this. I experienced something similar when none of the doctors in Germany or India could find anything wrong with my body despite me telling them of the unimaginable pain I feel in my lower abdomen and when all the results came back normal they asked me to consult with a psychiatrist. I did not listen to this because I knew the pain I felt was something wrong with my body and not mind. DO NOT stop listening to your body even when the doctors ask you to. I was diagnosed with a tumor and a genetic disorder after I ended up in the ER with blood coming out of my stools. That is when they finally took me seriously. I believe I have IBS-C too, and what greatly helps me is this medicine called Bullrich Healing Clay tablets. Also, staying hydrated is what I found out to be extremely helpful. Doctors have not been of much help.