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Chronic Abdominal pain with no diagnosis

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Dec 28, 2025 | Replies (33)

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I wanted to share in case everyone had anything similar and could offer some advice.

I've been having abdominal pain that suddenly started one month ago, and has continued to evolve. I've been to UC clinic, 2 general practitioners, and 3 GI specialists. My blood work has always been ok, ultrasounds nor X-rays show anything concerning (more than moderate constipation and gas), and even an upper endoscopy came out fine. Also had an abdominal CT scan 4 months ago (way before I had this issue) and nothing concerning, so doctor strongly recommends against another to avoid radiation exposure (I also want to avoid it). Also told that no colonoscopy is necessary since I have no blood in stools and I'm too young. So I've been just given medication for gastritis and some natural remedies and told to wait for it to get better, and some has even said it's just stress related so just take more probiotics. I've also been given some medication by another doctor just in case I've kidney stones.

However, I've had gastritis before and not only it hasn't lasted this long, it's always been pretty localized in the stomach. However, now I feel a burning sensation in the lower part of the abdomen (start and end of colon) as well as the sides (around kidney area), like if someone is pressing an iron constantly on those zones. I also randomly feel sharp bursts of pain in the upper left abdomen (liver area?), right middle abdomen (gallbladder?), and left middle abdomen, like if someone is piercing with a knife. The pain gets so bad that I'm woken up at night, and if I sit for a few minutes I also start having sharp pain around the bellybutton (small intestine).

I'm not sure what I could have and while the symptoms are manageable, I'm starting to get concerned since this is the first time I've had such pain. I'm also worried I may not have been emphasizing enough my symptoms and that causes them to discard them as something less severe. I'm male 33 yo.

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Replies to "I wanted to share in case everyone had anything similar and could offer some advice. I've..."

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @charliestone. Having long lasting pain is hard. It colors your whole world.

You will note I moved your post here to an existing discussion on abdominal pain with no diagnosis. Hoping you can meet members such as @anniesezu812 @resilience @ashutosh1991
@joannehart and others who may weigh in on your symptoms and testing from their knowledge gained through personal experiences.

You mentioned pain wakes you up at night. Wondering how your symptoms affect you in the daytime? Are you able to work? Eat?

IF you have been to the "physical" doctors and they've run all the physical tests, research SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) though the gastro doc. You have to push for these things. The only remedy is XIFAXAN a targeted antibiotic and it works like a charm! ( I died in the first round as it attacked the SIBO and I have never been in so much pain for a few hours!) Now periodically it returns and I know what to do. Also, separately try the FODMAP diet - it is free at Monash University. DO THAT and you will know if it is something related to food you can't digest properly as opposed to a physical obstruction like polyp or cancer.
It sounds like you might have a gall stone or a kidney stone that has not been located. Keep pursuing it.

@charliestone
re being informed.........."Also told that no colonoscopy is necessary since I have no blood in stools and I'm too young."

30% plus of new colon cancer patients are under 45 !..........fit test plus demand a colonoscopy for peace of mind!.......any family history?

@charliestone “more than moderate” constipation in a 33 year old doesn’t sound normal to me. There are tests that could be done but first you might try something like miralax (OTC) to resolve the constipation and see if this helps.