Chronic Right-Side Abdominal/Back Gallbladder Pain
A quick little medical history about myself: I have had IBS for years and have been able to manage it well. I am lactose intolerant, with certain dairy products affecting me worse than others. And I have been seen by an ENT for a chronic GERD related cough for which I was prescribed Prilosec.
For the last two months, I have been feeling an abdominal pain that has moved around as it progressed. Even before this, I have noticed that I have been burping quite a lot. It first started in episodes that would come for a few days then go away and come back a few days later. The first episode was on the right side near my appendix but then went away on its own after a few days. Then it came back on the other side and another time it was more in the back near my kidneys. Now it is becoming more frequent and is accompanied by occasional back pain. All of the pains are relatively mild but are becoming more frequent now. I have been burping a lot more now and it typically gets worse after a meal. The pain now is predominantly in my upper center/left abdomen. I went to my GP about five days ago, and she put the stethoscope up to my gut and said she heard A LOT of gas in there. I also have not passed a normally sized bowel movement in well over a week. They have been infrequent and smaller than normal, very thin, but normal colored. I have taken Miralax once a day for five days now but still have not passed a normal bowel movement, just smaller infrequent ones. Anyways, she ran some blood work and urinalysis on me to check kidney, liver, and pancreatic functions. Everything came back normal (somewhat of a relief) and I have a follow up with her in two days. Since my last visit, I have tried to limit my dairy intake, and well as my carb intake, such as breads and such. I have also been eating more fiber-rich foods and nothing has changed, in fact, things have been getting worse since my last visit. The back pain now comes instantly when I get up in the morning but fades over the day. And the GI symptoms flare up after I eat anything, especially the excessive burping. I've still been eating the same amount of food and my weight has stayed the same, but these symptoms are not only uncomfortable, but they are causing me such much unwanted stress and anxiety.
Does anyone have any similar stories? Can anyone share any ideas as to what might be going on or what I should ask my GP in two days?
Thanks!
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@mkl8425
You might be interested in reading the different discussions for other GI type problems. There are discussions on Collagenous Gastritis, Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), Mesenteric Panniculitis or Sclerosing Mesenteritis. These are rather rare diagnoses that doctors often miss because they are not seen all that often. As you read these posts, if you read something that sounds similar to your own symptoms, you might talk with your doctor about it.
Remember a second opinion is always a good option when you are dealing with pain and discomfort that is not easily diagnosed.
Will you keep in touch and let me know how you are doing?
Will do, thanks for the response!
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So the results of my colonoscopy/EGD came in. As far as my understanding, from reading the report, the only thing that they discovered was, "Mild Focal Chronic Peptic Duodenitis." I read into Duodenitis and understand that it is inflammation of the duodenum that is often caused by the bacteria H. Pylori. However, this test came back negative. Not sure what all of the other terms attached to "duodenitis" mean, but I will follow up with my GP to see what she says. Symptoms have remained the same, however the last two days or so they have been so mild, almost non-existent.
Do you notice the pain increasing with any particular food or seasoning, @mkl8425?
I have had three surgeries of the duodenum for neuroendocrine tumors and sometimes when I've had an EGD I've had some inflammation in that place as well. I monitor my diet quite carefully and avoid heavy meals and also spicy foods.
Is any of your pain accompanied with your menstrual cycle at all or have you changed your eating habits or what your eating?
My daughter has been dealing with this same type of pain off and on for years, only after her gallbladder was taken out and her liver enzymes way high Everytime. When I was younger I went through similar pain excruciating pain that drop me to my knees but my mom was caused from endometriosis. That's why I asked if it could be related to your cycle.
Hi, I am 28 years old female, i am hoping to maybe get some answers on here from anyone who has had similar problems. About 3 months ago I started to get weird back pain it was in the middle of my back more to my right side it would go from mild then with activity would get really tense tight pressure feeling then I would get really nauseous...thought I was maybe getting the flu went on for about 2 days like this then started a dull sharp pain right below my right rib cage and would radiate the pain to my back . only relief I would get would be laying down with a hot water bottle behind my back on my right side. In the past 3 months it goes from a week or 2 of every symptom very severe throwing up constantly sick to then being bit better for a week then flares up again feels worse...my pain tolerance is high so the constant burning stabbing feeling on my side I can handle but when the nausea sets in it's very hard to function. I have been to the doctor they have done a ct , they did an ultrasound of my kidneys, I have had a endescopy done, blood tests done etc all say normal the only thing was my blood tests showed my liver enzymes were slightly elevated but was told that was of no concern...I am someone who hates to even go to the doctor would like to just pretend that I'm fine and continue on but as much as I would like to my pain on my side stays...side note I had my gallbladder removed over a year ago ...I was told by my surgeon that i should have my gi consider sphincter of oddi dysfunction? But seemed like she didnt really think it was...honestly very very tired of doctors and family thinking I'm crazy and it's just something simple like heartburn etc...if I could magically say I'm better and it was that easy would have done that long time ago. 😉
No it's not. But on food I haven't totally noticed a difference either...like today and yesterday didnt have anything more greasy or anything but yet my burning on my side all day is alot more severe then it was before
You didn't mention appendix. Have they ruled that out?
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1 ReactionThere is no common occurrence. It just happens. The most recent has been more painful.
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