Epigastric/ abdominal pain

Posted by carolel @carolel, Oct 27, 2018

Can TENS machines or any other non-chemical forms of pain relief be used for this type of chronic pain?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

I assume that you’ve been seen by a doc as These symptoms can be signs of some pretty serious health problems, like cancer. Assuming that you have, is your pain caused by acid? If so, I doubt a tens unit would be much help other than distraction as it works on muscles not really on our insights. That said, there are are some things that you can do—Sleeping with your bed/pillows elevated so that you’re at an angle can help. And there are some pretty natural acid reducers that are essentially calcium and sodium bicarbonate. Best of luck to you

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@ckeys

I assume that you’ve been seen by a doc as These symptoms can be signs of some pretty serious health problems, like cancer. Assuming that you have, is your pain caused by acid? If so, I doubt a tens unit would be much help other than distraction as it works on muscles not really on our insights. That said, there are are some things that you can do—Sleeping with your bed/pillows elevated so that you’re at an angle can help. And there are some pretty natural acid reducers that are essentially calcium and sodium bicarbonate. Best of luck to you

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Thank you ckeys for your reply. I have seen many docs and we thought the gastroenterologist had diagnosed chronic pancreatitis but saw gp following this who said that a reason still hadn’t been found for the pain. Cancer has been ruled out though but I am at the stage where I need a wheelchair to go out. I’m on many painkillers which don’t have any effect and I’m just wondering now if it’s worth taking them. I’m also on antacids which were recently increased with no effect. I cry myself to sleep some nights thinking death must be better than this but I am not suicidal. I think I was just clutching at straws when I thought of the tens machine but I had an idea that it wasn’t for that type of pain. I will continue to keep up with this site as I do realise that there are some poor souls worse off than me and sometimes things can be mentioned that are helpful or comforting,

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@carolel

Thank you ckeys for your reply. I have seen many docs and we thought the gastroenterologist had diagnosed chronic pancreatitis but saw gp following this who said that a reason still hadn’t been found for the pain. Cancer has been ruled out though but I am at the stage where I need a wheelchair to go out. I’m on many painkillers which don’t have any effect and I’m just wondering now if it’s worth taking them. I’m also on antacids which were recently increased with no effect. I cry myself to sleep some nights thinking death must be better than this but I am not suicidal. I think I was just clutching at straws when I thought of the tens machine but I had an idea that it wasn’t for that type of pain. I will continue to keep up with this site as I do realise that there are some poor souls worse off than me and sometimes things can be mentioned that are helpful or comforting,

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@carolel besides the Gastroenterologist have you seen a Internal medicne Dr? It might be worthwhile to see one There are so many things it could be .

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@carolel

Thank you ckeys for your reply. I have seen many docs and we thought the gastroenterologist had diagnosed chronic pancreatitis but saw gp following this who said that a reason still hadn’t been found for the pain. Cancer has been ruled out though but I am at the stage where I need a wheelchair to go out. I’m on many painkillers which don’t have any effect and I’m just wondering now if it’s worth taking them. I’m also on antacids which were recently increased with no effect. I cry myself to sleep some nights thinking death must be better than this but I am not suicidal. I think I was just clutching at straws when I thought of the tens machine but I had an idea that it wasn’t for that type of pain. I will continue to keep up with this site as I do realise that there are some poor souls worse off than me and sometimes things can be mentioned that are helpful or comforting,

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@carolel I was recently diagnosed with something called (ACNES) Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome it is a condition that causes chronic pain of the abdominal wall. It occurs when terminal branches of the lower thoracic intercostal nerves (7-12) are ‘entrapped’ in abdominal muscles, causing a severe localized neuropathic pain that is usually experienced at ventral portions of the abdomen.
I tend to guillotine stomach ache of Domino pain to the point that I would have pain when food would be processing through my intestines and stuff. It actually kept me from wanting to eat.

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@roarimazebra

@carolel I was recently diagnosed with something called (ACNES) Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome it is a condition that causes chronic pain of the abdominal wall. It occurs when terminal branches of the lower thoracic intercostal nerves (7-12) are ‘entrapped’ in abdominal muscles, causing a severe localized neuropathic pain that is usually experienced at ventral portions of the abdomen.
I tend to guillotine stomach ache of Domino pain to the point that I would have pain when food would be processing through my intestines and stuff. It actually kept me from wanting to eat.

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Hello @roarimazebra and welcome to Connect

I so appreciate your post regarding abdominal pain and ACNES. I had never heard of that before, but I am glad that you posted about your diagnosis. It sounds like you dealt with some very difficult symptoms before diagnosis. From your description it sounds like you must have lost weight from the pain and not wanting to eat. Was that the case?

If you care to share more, could you tell us how this was diagnosed? Was it through an MRI of the thoracic part of the spine? Is there any treatment for the pain? Is there any way the nerves can be released from the entrapment?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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@roarimazebra

@carolel I was recently diagnosed with something called (ACNES) Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome it is a condition that causes chronic pain of the abdominal wall. It occurs when terminal branches of the lower thoracic intercostal nerves (7-12) are ‘entrapped’ in abdominal muscles, causing a severe localized neuropathic pain that is usually experienced at ventral portions of the abdomen.
I tend to guillotine stomach ache of Domino pain to the point that I would have pain when food would be processing through my intestines and stuff. It actually kept me from wanting to eat.

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@roarimazebra, like Teresa, I had not heard of this diagnosis before. if you don't mind me asking, how did you or are you managing this diagnosis?

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@JustinMcClanahan

@roarimazebra, like Teresa, I had not heard of this diagnosis before. if you don't mind me asking, how did you or are you managing this diagnosis?

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I appreciate you asking it’s not been very easy at all. I had my injections this past Friday. And the trigger point injections haven’t helped at all. I believe one of the nerve injections actually helped some. But it’s difficult to say because of feeding tube problems.
But on top of everything that’s going on I have a major issue with my Mic-key tube bulging out because of something under neath. I think I might have a hernia pocket So it just feels like it’s one thing on top of another.

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@roarimazebra

I am sorry that you have not gotten much relief with your treatment.
Have you sought a second opinion for this rare disorder?

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@carolel have you found an answer to your pains? I have been dealing with constant pain in my stomach for a few months now. The hospital after 4 trips to the ER because of the pain removed my appendix first thinking that was the problem and then when symptoms persisted they removed my gallbladder. I am 8 days post op and still experiencing the awful stomach cramps/pain that cause me to ball up and scream it has been really hard I can't do anything without being in pain yet no one has answers for me. I honestly think they think it's a joke or it's fake.

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I take ppis for reflux and have recently developed a sharp pain in my stomach. Left side. Feels like a pencil stabbing at times. Any ideas or anyone know what this looks could be?

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