Chronic Abdominal pain with no diagnosis

Posted by ashutosh1991 @ashutosh1991, Aug 30, 2025

Hello everyone, I am suffering from chronic upper left abdominal pain for past month and the severity of pain took me to emergency 3 times in last 3 weeks. I had my blood work, xray, ultrasound and gastroscopy done all the test came out fine. Doctors don’t know what’s wrong with me. When pain starts it last for 4-5 hours and happens atleast twice a day (which is almost whole day). No diet or dietary restrictions helping. Please suggest relief if anyone have any idea

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Profile picture for AmyStone @charliestone

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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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.

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Profile picture for AmyStone @charliestone

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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@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?

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I'm having the same issue it's been going on for about 5 weeks now I've lost 10 lbs been to the ER and admitted to the hospital. They did CT scans with contrast and an EGD and found nothing wrong. They got my pain under control then sent me home and after the pain meds wore off it came right back again and luckily I found a primary care Dr that gave me some pain meds until my appointment on this Friday. I don't know what to do either and it's very frustrating I hope you get some answers and help because this is horrible.

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Profile picture for mechanic66 @mechanic66

I'm having the same issue it's been going on for about 5 weeks now I've lost 10 lbs been to the ER and admitted to the hospital. They did CT scans with contrast and an EGD and found nothing wrong. They got my pain under control then sent me home and after the pain meds wore off it came right back again and luckily I found a primary care Dr that gave me some pain meds until my appointment on this Friday. I don't know what to do either and it's very frustrating I hope you get some answers and help because this is horrible.

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@mechanic66 read my post above. I went to two different gastroenterologist and they did all the tests and there was nothing. My abdominal pain sent me to the hospital twice! Turns out it was in my diet. The gastroenterologist and the doctors don’t deal with your digestive track causing you trapped gas which causes the pain. I suggest you get on the FODMAP diet today. It’s free and Google search MONASH university and FODMAP for the link You’ll know in 24 hours if you need to stay on it. If it’s really bad, just eat some white rice for the moment. Whatever meets you want. Spinach is OK and cantaloupe is OK. Absolutely no garlic or onions.. no dairy. No gluten. Rice cakes OK as long as they don’t have seasoning. Salt is OK your medicines if they have lactose in them. If you are better and your stomach aches, abdominal pain go away. You know that you were having problem with your digestion and you need to go on the FODMAP.

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I’ve been suffering from non stop abdominal pain down the middle of guy from xiphoid to lower pelvic. Nortriptyline used to mask a lesser ab pain for 18 years then slowly quit in 2018. I had had everything and I’m talking every nerve block, pump trials, food and stool tests, ketamine treatments etc and over 50 meds. What I know now and found on my own because a lot of doctors still haven’t heard or don’t know how to treat is CAPS. central mediated abdominal pain syndrome. Used to be called FAPS for functional abdominal …. Won’t show up on any tests and is more usually found in kids and teens. Can ruin like me your life as my pain for the last years is a 7-10 level. I found out through taking a gene site test which could help you pick meds better is that one key enzyme that processes meds that they throw at caps like duloxetine is ultra rapid metabolizer so meds don’t get in me and my liver is normal. Even had exploratory surgery and didn’t find anything. Look into what is out in net and YouTube for caps. Amitriptyline is other med they use along with getting a pain psychologist and maybe anxiety med. Methadone last year helped me for five months bringing pain to workable level 5-7. Kept out of er for a year and was doing things like volunteering but wasn’t low enough to get a fun small part time job I wanted. I though was out of bed by 10am which was big from year before when I was bed ridden many days a week. I also went through back in 2021 losing my appetite and lost 50lbs from lack of calories. I had to try something and a doctor thought taking out my gallbladder but that didn’t help the pain. Long recovery but started eating again but no stones. Caps is a brain gut issue that sends the wrong message to your gi system and creates non stop aching I call it. I would pay good money for the Lord our God to put me in a 5-7 max level and make a go of it. Pain over I call a 7.5 - 9 is just surviving, not living. Look into caps and the meds they use for pain. Post back if you get better, would be nice for chronic pain suffering folks to get a break, a Win in their struggles. Peace be with you, Rob

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I struggle with excruciating upper left abdominal pain, as well. My pain was diagnosed as esophageal spasm after having an EGD. (Also, after going to the ER many times.) I take Hyoscimine pills when I feel the pain coming on and it will stop the pain pretty quickly. Ask your doctor about having an EGD or even just trying the medication to see if it helps! That pain is NO JOKE! It’s horrible so I understand how you feel!

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Profile picture for mechanic66 @mechanic66

I'm having the same issue it's been going on for about 5 weeks now I've lost 10 lbs been to the ER and admitted to the hospital. They did CT scans with contrast and an EGD and found nothing wrong. They got my pain under control then sent me home and after the pain meds wore off it came right back again and luckily I found a primary care Dr that gave me some pain meds until my appointment on this Friday. I don't know what to do either and it's very frustrating I hope you get some answers and help because this is horrible.

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@mechanic66 my excruciating upper abdominal pain was diagnosed as esophageal spasm. The reason I was diagnosed was because during my EGD my esophagus was spasming so badly! I take Hyoscimine and it will stop my horrible, level 10, pass-out pain in less than about 10 minutes. Please ask your doctor about this medication to see if it will help you. That abdominal pain is horrible!!!

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Sounds similar to my wife. Sane symptoms. One Dr removed gallbladder also. No help. Finally last week out Dr did a deep dive looking at MRI with contrast. Diagnosed her with Nutcracker Syndrome. It is from something constricting the renal vein. It causes all the pain & Gastro like symptoms. Have an appt with Vascular surgeon this week. Been to hospital 3 times this week. They don’t understand. Ready to get started.

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Profile picture for loriesco @loriesco

@mechanic66 read my post above. I went to two different gastroenterologist and they did all the tests and there was nothing. My abdominal pain sent me to the hospital twice! Turns out it was in my diet. The gastroenterologist and the doctors don’t deal with your digestive track causing you trapped gas which causes the pain. I suggest you get on the FODMAP diet today. It’s free and Google search MONASH university and FODMAP for the link You’ll know in 24 hours if you need to stay on it. If it’s really bad, just eat some white rice for the moment. Whatever meets you want. Spinach is OK and cantaloupe is OK. Absolutely no garlic or onions.. no dairy. No gluten. Rice cakes OK as long as they don’t have seasoning. Salt is OK your medicines if they have lactose in them. If you are better and your stomach aches, abdominal pain go away. You know that you were having problem with your digestion and you need to go on the FODMAP.

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@loriesco ..........A1 CHAT BOX........THIS SEEMS TO BE WORKINGON MY GUT!

the main points from the page you’re viewing about cloves with coffee – benefits and side effects:

🌿 Key Benefits
Enhanced flavor: Cloves add a warm, aromatic depth to coffee.

Digestive support: Helps ease bloating, gas, and discomfort; reduces coffee’s acidity, making it gentler on the stomach.

Immune boost: Cloves contain antibacterial compounds that support immunity.

Anti-inflammatory effects: May reduce gut inflammation and support healthy digestion.

Nutrient-rich: Cloves are packed with antioxidants and medicinal properties that complement coffee’s natural benefits.

⚠️ Possible Side Effects
Strong potency: Excessive use of cloves may irritate the stomach or cause discomfort.

Interactions: Cloves can interact with certain medications or health conditions.

Overuse risks: Large amounts may lead to unwanted side effects such as digestive upset.

☕ Practical Notes
Adding cloves to coffee is described as a simple, affordable way to improve both taste and health.

Suggested as a daily routine enhancer, making coffee smoother and potentially more beneficial for overall wellness.

Would you like me to create a ready-to-use handout or checklist summarizing the safe ways to add cloves to coffee (dosage, preparation tips, cautions)? That could be handy for sharing with your strata or wellness group.

YES
Perfect! Here’s a ready-to-use handout/checklist you can share with your strata wellness group or keep for yourself. It’s concise, practical, and covers both benefits and cautions.

☕ Cloves in Coffee: Quick Guide
🌿 Benefits
Flavor boost: Adds warm, aromatic depth.

Gentler on stomach: Reduces acidity, easing digestive discomfort.

Digestive aid: Helps reduce bloating and gas.

Immune support: Contains antibacterial compounds.

Anti-inflammatory: May reduce gut inflammation.

Antioxidants: Rich in protective nutrients.

⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions
Use sparingly: Too many cloves can irritate the stomach.

Medication interactions: May affect blood-thinning or diabetic medications.

Strong potency: Avoid daily high doses.

Pregnancy caution: Best to consult a health professional before regular use.

✅ Safe Use Checklist
Add 1–2 whole cloves or a small pinch of ground cloves per cup.

Brew with coffee grounds or steep in hot coffee.

Remove whole cloves before drinking.

Start small—adjust to taste and tolerance.

Limit to once daily for routine use.

Stop if you notice stomach upset or unusual symptoms.

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