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!
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Hello @4man28
I found the "Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction" mentioned by your surgeon to be interesting so I did some research and looked it up. It is something that happens after a gallbladder removal. Here is a link to some information about it,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14516-sphincter-of-oddi-dysfunction.
If you read the symptoms you will see that many are quite similar to what you are experiencing and the interesting thing is that it is more frequent with people who have had their gallbladders removed.
Here is another article which discusses this as well and does mention the symptom of elevated liver enzymes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4087924/ This article also describes some of the tests that can diagnose it.
You may want to search for a doctor who has some expertise in this area. If you are near the Mayo facility in Minnesota, here is information about a doctor who is experienced with this, https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/topazian-mark-d-m-d/bio-20054524.
We have another discussion about this on Connect, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-sphincter-of-oddi-dysfuncfion-it-causes-severe-upper-abdominal-pain/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header.
I would like to know how you are doing with this process of finding an answer to your pain. Will you provide an update?
Hi I'm having similar frustrations...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.
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I’m taking Zofran and Bentyl. It keeps it at bay. The pain doesn’t go away but the nausea is better. No over the counter meds make any difference. My stools are very floaty and sometimes almost white.
Hello @ritaself
I have read your post and I am sorry to hear about these uncomfortable symptoms and your lack of access to medical help currently. During the time of your hospitalization were any. meds suggested? Do you try to follow a diet for diverticulitis? What OTC products do you use to treat your current symptoms?
Perhaps by answering these questions you can help us understand more about your history of this long standing problem. Will you post again?
There is no common occurrence. It just happens. The most recent has been more painful.
HI, @ritaself - I've merged your post into this discussion of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, so that you could speak to others who are talking about a similar issue. Click VIEW & REPLY to see the discussion and scroll through past messages.
While we are not medical professionals and cannot provide a diagnosis, I trust that members here who have experienced these types of symptoms will have some insights for you and provide some support.
When you have experienced these flareups beginning with the vomiting, have you noted anything about what has precipitated the incidents - what you were doing, what you ate, medication you took, etc.?
I am hoping to find some help. For years now I have had flare ups (for lack of better terms) that begin with spontaneous vomiting. I can be fine then will have to throw up. Soon after I have pain in my left side just under my rib cage. Spent a week in the hospital a year ago and left with no diagnosis. Comes and goes. No specific food seems to cause it.
I have a history of diverticulitis and years ago was diagnosed with Crones but that diagnosis was incorrect. Had to go to the ER twice in 2 days with nausea and severe cramping. The pain now has started to spread to my rib cage.
I have no insurance and CT scans and blood work show nothing other than a slightly high white count.
Last year they found a touch of gastritis.
I do have an a uerysm on my celiac artery but know my symptoms are unrelated.
I can’t afford a colonoscopy with no insurance and currently am unemployed but cannot get any type of assistance. I am a 60 year old female.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Joshk, i 'am new here, i just registered myself, i had h-pylori and now peptic ulcer, i have taken for 14 days 14 antibiotics a day and the next 14 days 2 a day, after i had finish the antibiotics i went for an endoscopy, and i was told i have peptic ulcer, i am still waiting for the biopsy result, now for one month i am taking twice a day losec 20mg, i am having same problem as you, pain, heartburn, nausea, not wanting to eat i have lost 15 pounds most likely even more some days i don't have any strength, like this morning, force yourself to eat, i also went to buy probiotic i take 3 times a day, digest enzymes, 3 times a day, and peppermint gel, and i am also taking multivitamins, vitamin d3, and vitamin c very important, and since you have lost all that weight i would ask the doctor if he can test you for B12 that's what i am going to do too, i hope that you feel better, force yourself to eat...take care
Hi @joshk,
I'm tagging a few members who may have some experiences to share on lap band surgery, including @edmeek1 @josephine18 @kdawn32 @grandmar and @opie12. Here's some additional information you might find helpful:
– Video Q&A about Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG): What it is and What it does https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty-esg-what-it-is-and-what-it-does/
– Expert Answers from Mayo Clinic: “Gastric Banding” Not a Stand-alone Weight Loss Solution https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastric-banding-not-a-stand-alone-weight-loss-solution/
With regard to the abdominal pain, I’d also encourage you to view these discussions on Connect:
– ongoing abdominal pain, chest pain and back pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ongoing-abdominal-pain-chest-pain-and-back-pain/
– Chronic Abdominal and Back Pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-abdominal-and-back-pain/
– Relentless bile reflux / pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/relentless-bile-reflux-pain/
I agree with @johnbishop’s suggestion about making an appointment at Mayo Clinic if you are able to – with one of the largest group of digestive disease specialists in the world, Mayo Clinic has been consistently recognized as the nation's best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
Hello @aljinma
While your post was quite technical, I found it very interesting. You mentioned about finding a doctor who is an autonomic specialist. What type of doctor would this be? Perhaps a neurologist or something else?