1. < Digestive Health

At a Loss – Severe Abdominal Pain and No Answers

Posted by hgarm @hgarm, Jan 21, 2019

It has been a very rough month. I started having severe pain in my upper abdomen a week before Christmas. 2 days before Christmas I had my appendix removed and then 3 weeks later my gallbladder removed (they believed this to be the cause of all of my pain) ever since I have been having severe stomach pains that ate worse then the pains I started with. I have lost almost 22 pounds in a month due to the inability to eat and I feel as though I am wasting away. I am feeling so hopeless and so depressed and I just don't know what to do anymore because doctor's seem to be at a loss while my pain just keeps growing. I have never felt this down before and I don't know what to do about it

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hgarm | @hgarm | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @parus "On the topic of not giving up. There are times we want to give up when..." + (show)
@parus

On the topic of not giving up. There are times we want to give up when we are continually invalidated. I have been facing this and it is an endless struggle. I have to have some kind of help with the head/neck/shoulder pain that is worsening. Have asked for a referral to an ortho doctor as I am still optimistic. A pain specialist does not refer. Decided to try with primary for a referral. Insurance is and obstacle most of us deal with. I have a grandson and he needs this non-drama grandma.
all I can do is ask. When I go to the pain specialist I leave feeling like a criminal. Hoops, hoops, hoops because of the real criminals.

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I can understand your pain no doctor's will give me pain medicine either even though it is clear I am suffering. I hope your doctor gives you something to help with your pain, being in pain and not knowing what to do about it is the worst

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Parus | @parus | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@parus- Wont a pcp prescribe pain meds?" + (show)
@merpreb

@parus- Wont a pcp prescribe pain meds?

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@merpreb The PCP in this medical group no longer prescribe controlled substances. I do have the Gabapentin which I take when the fibromyalgia stuff becomes too uncomfortable. I don’t like taking it very often as it can make me wiggy if taken regularly. It had me messed up at one time. I asked for a lower dose and this helped. Are there any other pain meds that are not narcotics??

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3 replies
Parus | @parus | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@parus, It is so unfortunate that people with chronic pain cannot be taken seriously by the..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@parus, It is so unfortunate that people with chronic pain cannot be taken seriously by the medical community. I don't know what can be done about it either. So very frustrating. I hope that you are able to get that referral to an ortho person.

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It is discouraging. I am looking for causes and
if there is something that can be done to help with the pain. I feel like up to now I have not been taken seriously. They see depression/anxiety in my chart and imply it is the depression causing pain. Needing X-rays on my spine. These bandaids are not enough as I believe the pain can be managed better. Time to work on my self advocating skills some more. It is easy to get discouraged.

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GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @hgarm "I live in a rural area so it's about a half hour to the nearest ER..." + (show)
@hgarm

I live in a rural area so it's about a half hour to the nearest ER which is connected to a hospital. I have been to the ER 4 times in the past month 2 of those times they took out an organ and the other two times they just sent me home saying there was nothing emergent about me.
I don't know what else I can do because non of the doctors seem to care and my medical bills ate just growing because my insurance charges 300 per ER visit. Plus the hospitalizations.
I am only 28 so I don't think I qualify for Medicare or Medicaid

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@hgarm.
You can get Medicaid provided you don't make too much money. It's not about age. Medicare is age related. Check out Medicaid in your state.

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1 reply
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @parus "@merpreb The PCP in this medical group no longer prescribe controlled substances. I do have the..." + (show)
@parus

@merpreb The PCP in this medical group no longer prescribe controlled substances. I do have the Gabapentin which I take when the fibromyalgia stuff becomes too uncomfortable. I don’t like taking it very often as it can make me wiggy if taken regularly. It had me messed up at one time. I asked for a lower dose and this helped. Are there any other pain meds that are not narcotics??

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@parus

I took Tramadol 50 mg. I think that can still be prescribed but who knows now. I was dependent on it, but never had to increase the amount I took. It worked well for my pain. Check with your physician about it. Good luck Parus.

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1 reply
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @hgarm "They did CT scans each time I went to the ER and said everything was normal...." + (show)
@hgarm

They did CT scans each time I went to the ER and said everything was normal. Even though I told them something is wrong they just sent me home and said it wasn't emergent

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@hgarm

In order to get a real look at your pancreas, you have to get a special ultrasound or MRI. Pancreatic problems are hard to see and the person doing the test must be experienced and trained for that. As @lioness asked, are you reasonably close to a Mayo Clinic? How are you today?

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1 reply
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @hgarm "Saw my doctor (surgeon) today and he has refered me to a few doctor's a gastro,..." + (show)
@hgarm

Saw my doctor (surgeon) today and he has refered me to a few doctor's a gastro, a pain management and a family practitioner I get to see that doctor February 6th so I am hoping there will be some help coming my way. I will also be seeing a therapist on Monday morning because they are worried about my mental health. I am looking forward to talking to someone about what's going on

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@hgarm

I'm so happy to hear that you are getting some help now! Hang in there. Big, gentle hugs for you.

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @hgarm "Saw my doctor (surgeon) today and he has refered me to a few doctor's a gastro,..." + (show)
@hgarm

Saw my doctor (surgeon) today and he has refered me to a few doctor's a gastro, a pain management and a family practitioner I get to see that doctor February 6th so I am hoping there will be some help coming my way. I will also be seeing a therapist on Monday morning because they are worried about my mental health. I am looking forward to talking to someone about what's going on

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@hgarm Glad to hear you ,ve got your appt. Hope you get some answers let us know how you are doing .

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 23, 2019
In reply to @parus "@merpreb The PCP in this medical group no longer prescribe controlled substances. I do have the..." + (show)
@parus

@merpreb The PCP in this medical group no longer prescribe controlled substances. I do have the Gabapentin which I take when the fibromyalgia stuff becomes too uncomfortable. I don’t like taking it very often as it can make me wiggy if taken regularly. It had me messed up at one time. I asked for a lower dose and this helped. Are there any other pain meds that are not narcotics??

Jump to this post

@parus My Dr. prescribes Tramadol 50 for me doesn't have any problems They did require the Dr. to fax it at first but now she just calls it in. In face I called the other day for a renewal and they filled it. Now it maybe since I fractured my back I have been on it I only take 1 or 2 depending on how I fell . Have you asked your Dr. about this? Dr. also knows I have fibro and O.A. Tell the Dr. about your pain and why you have it with your problems don't just tell her about your depression/anxiety problem this a separate thing.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jan 23, 2019

@parus Debbra ask me about Tapping I gave her some info it does help people with depression/anxiety if you are interested to see what it is and think it may help the website I suggest is Tapping solution.com also there are videos on YouTube. Just sending info to you

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