Persistent left abdominal pain over the last week

@tjm520
What did you injure in the job that has put you in workers compensation? Are you on a leave of absence from work now? Did you have health insurance before going on workers compensation? You should be eligible for FMLA job protection and continuation of medical coverage. If you were terminated from work, you should have been offered COBRA medical coverage.

If you are eligible, you may qualify for social security disability and supplemental income to help you pay for coverage. Have you looked into this?

It sounds like you may need a gastroenterologist to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy plus ultrasound and HIDA scan of your gallbladder. You could have a malfunctioning gallbladder that can cause pain/discomfort in your abdomen. You need to see a nutritionist to review diet and supplements to make healthy changes to help you lose weight. Your weight for your height is too high and could be contributing to your abdominal discomfort. You may be better at 175-185 pounds and have fewer symptoms. Have you had extensive bloodwork to check glucose/A1C, liver and kidney function, iron, thyroid, etc.?

@tjm520

Here is some information I gathered from AI about the orange listing stools and potential causes for you to follow up with your doctor about.

Potential Causes of Orange Floating Stool

Orange floating stool can be attributed to several factors, ranging from dietary choices to health conditions. Here are some common causes:
Diet

High Carotenoid Intake: Foods rich in carotenoids, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins, can cause stool to take on an orange hue.
Certain Food Coloring: Consumption of food or drinks with artificial orange coloring can lead to changes in stool color.
Digestive Health

Malabsorption: Conditions like celiac disease or pancreatitis can impair nutrient absorption, leading to floating stools that may also be discolored.
Fat Malabsorption: Floating stools can indicate excess fat in the stool, often related to malabsorption issues.
Medication or Supplements

Iron Supplements: These can alter stool color and texture.
Medications: Certain medications might also lead to changes in stool appearance.
Gastrointestinal Conditions

Infections: Gastrointestinal infections may cause changes in stool consistency and color.
Liver or Gallbladder Issues: These can also affect digestion and stool appearance due to bile production and fat digestion.
When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or any ongoing changes in your stool, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

I don't want to worry you, but I went years with doctors telling me nothing was wrong after doing multiple scopes. The pain you are describing was very similar to mine. After a CAT they found diverticulitis. Sometimes it can be treated with antibiotics with good success. Wondering why your doctor charted that diagnosis, but did not treat it in any way. Very strange. I ended up having to be operated on. Hopefully you can find a Dr. who will work with you using meds. first.

@nannybb I agree with the diverticulitis possibility. I had 2 bouts of it and several years later my colon ruptured. Doctors said no relation between the two, however I still wonder. When it comes to GI issues, I take it very seriously.

As well you should! Rupture
That HAD to hurt 😞

Try a very low fat diet, bland diet and see if your symptoms don't abate. If they do, it could be a pancreatic attack. Had a family member who ended up from a severe bout of it after several ER visits, tests and almost going septic. Turned out to have a necrotic gall bladder and an inflamed pancreas because of it.

The other abdominal thing that I experienced is Illeitis. That can be so severe it doubles you over. Basically just an inflammation in your colon but, can lead to a blockage if it impedes your colon from evacuating your waste effectively. I drink Black tea everyday as a preventive measure...it helps ward off the inflammation that causes it.

@dlydailyhope I was robbed at gunpoint and struck in the back of my head with the gun. Prior to that, I wasn't having any health issues at all. That was in January 2024 and in May 2024, I got hit with all kinds of mental health issues so I've been dealing with all of that over the last 2 years now which I know has taken a toll on my digestive health.

As far as the health insurance thing goes. I wasn't on health insurance with my employer prior to the incident but they told me if I wanted to enroll, I could but they would bill me on their own for the monthly premium since my workers comp are paid to me by their insurance company and not the employer directly.

Unfortunately, in Texas, WC only pays 60% of my wages therefore I cannot afford to pay for a monthly premium. Additionally, because WC is not taxable income, I don't qualify for the Healthcare Marketplace because I can't file taxes as I'm on workers comp.

I did apply for the Harris Health Gold Card last week but it takes 14 days for a review and I'm not sure if I'll get assistance because even at 60% of my pay from WC, I am above the federal poverty limit as a single household person.

Also, last year in June I got a CT scan of my abdominal/pelvic area which came clear except a questionable hiatal hernia. Blood work was done in September of last year and came back good except MCV was elevated (106), MCHC was low (29), Albumin was 4.9 (High), and Albumin G/R was 2.1 (High). They tested CMC, CMP, TSH, HA1C, CRP, Vitamin D which I attached below. They didn't test my thyroid or iron.

@nannybb

Did your CT scan specifically say diverticulitis? Because mine didn't but my Doctor prescribed me antibiotics and put that as my diagnosis before sending me for a CT scan. I attached the results below.

---
Also, as of today, I don't have that heavier pain on my left side and it's not persistent but rather intermittent. It's still a lingering pressure like that hungry stomach growling feeling you get but that feeling is relieved when your stomach growls. This is just like that.

Hey, they found my problem with a colonoscopy. The antibiotics were not working, and the pain had gone on for too long. The surgeon recommended one more colonoscopy done by him, and he confirmed I needed surgery.