severe pain in my upper abdomen

I don't get that smell it's mostly like yellow diahrea the yellow liquid seems to stick to the toilet bowl? It's weird but it seems like it's slimy?

@parus

I'm so sorry you have so many problems finding relief from your pain. I wish there was some way I could help you, but apparently giving you support here is the only way I can. Perhaps the x-rays will provide an answer as to why you're in so much pain, and the doctor will be able to prescribe a pain med for you. I know I can't take any NSAIDS for a couple of reasons, so the alternative is Tramadol, or Marijuana. I think I may be allergic to Marijuana now. I take as little as possible just to get by, and Tylenol. I'm going to check to see if I can get a new prescription for Tramadol. It is the best for my pain which is infrequent but occurs more often now than before. I'm hoping the best for you Parus. Keep painting and drawing.

@gailb Thank you cyber-helper. It has been through the things I have learned here as well as support and encouragement by others that has given me more courage to be assertive about my healthcare needs. Pressing past those old messages is difficult as many here know.

Looking for some help hopefully. About 1.5 years ago noticed a pain in my left rib cage right on the bone. Could feel palpable pain when pressing on a certain area. Had X-ray and all looked normal. Later I noticed this painful spot would flair up when swallowing certain foods. This has been the most interesting, perplexing symptom! When I eat certain foods, mostly fruits and veggies, some spices (soy sauce, etc) and other highly "concentrated" foods I get an immediate sharp pain in that area that then fades away. Bland foods, rice, butter, meats, etc do not cause this?!? It feels neurological, like a nerve firing exactly upon the swallowing function. This has developed into abdominal/flank pain that flares up around both sides, primarily felt around the rib cages but also sometimes in the center. I went through a battery of additional tests over the next six months, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, Gallbladder scans, blood, urine, Lipase test, MRI's of Thoracic and Cervical spine. Pretty much ALL came back normal, including images of spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys,etc... except for some pretty bad spinal stenosis in my cervical spine. I worry most about Pancreas issues of course, as those are so serious, but I've never had anything close to the kind of pain that patients describe with Pancreatitis - plus both the ultrasound and abdominal CT scan showed normal pancreas - and Lipase test was only 33U/L. I do feel like I get some irritation from eating, although I've limited my diet now to a pretty bland assortment, plus no fruit and more limited veggies, lots of rice, butter, meats and that seems to help. I'll still eat the occasional salad even though it causes the pain to fire on the left rib cage. The eating part is what keeps me thinking its a digestive issue, but then some days I think it's got to be neurological. I am very active, cycling, running and after a hard run recently I noticed I was hurting. So, not even sure if I should be here in the Digestive forums! I've put off following up on much of this with Covid and just live with it, so its been about a year since I've had any tests, but have my annual physical with my Doc in January and we will start the ball rolling again. Anyway just wondering if this makes any sense to anyone who's had a similar experience?!? Thanks!

Looking for some help hopefully. About 1.5 years ago noticed a pain in my left rib cage right on the bone. Could feel palpable pain when pressing on a certain area. Had X-ray and all looked normal. Later I noticed this painful spot would flair up when swallowing certain foods. This has been the most interesting, perplexing symptom! When I eat certain foods, mostly fruits and veggies, some spices (soy sauce, etc) and other highly "concentrated" foods I get an immediate sharp pain in that area that then fades away. Bland foods, rice, butter, meats, etc do not cause this?!? It feels neurological, like a nerve firing exactly upon the swallowing function. This has developed into abdominal/flank pain that flares up around both sides, primarily felt around the rib cages but also sometimes in the center. I went through a battery of additional tests over the next six months, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, Gallbladder scans, blood, urine, Lipase test, MRI's of Thoracic and Cervical spine. Pretty much ALL came back normal, including images of spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys,etc... except for some pretty bad spinal stenosis in my cervical spine. I worry most about Pancreas issues of course, as those are so serious, but I've never had anything close to the kind of pain that patients describe with Pancreatitis - plus both the ultrasound and abdominal CT scan showed normal pancreas - and Lipase test was only 33U/L. I do feel like I get some irritation from eating, although I've limited my diet now to a pretty bland assortment, plus no fruit and more limited veggies, lots of rice, butter, meats and that seems to help. I'll still eat the occasional salad even though it causes the pain to fire on the left rib cage. The eating part is what keeps me thinking its a digestive issue, but then some days I think it's got to be neurological. I am very active, cycling, running and after a hard run recently I noticed I was hurting. So, not even sure if I should be here in the Digestive forums! I've put off following up on much of this with Covid and just live with it, so its been about a year since I've had any tests, but have my annual physical with my Doc in January and we will start the ball rolling again. Anyway just wondering if this makes any sense to anyone who's had a similar experience?!? Thanks!

Hello @stevetwarner and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

I am sorry to hear about this irritating pain that comes and goes. When you have a chronic problem it is always good to get a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. When neither is available it becomes frustrating, doesn't it?

Here on Connect, we are not medical professionals, just patients like yourself, who share our considerable health experiences with others in order to offer support and encouragement. With that said, It appears as if you have had extensive testing and lab work which is great. You have ruled out a lot of serious problems but I can understand your concern over not having an answer to your chronic pain.

Just a few suggestions, you mentioned some of the GI tests you have done but you did not mention having an upper endoscopy. That is where you are anesthetized and a tube (with a camera) goes down your esophagus and looks at the stomach and small intestine to see if there are any ulcers, gastritis, or esophagitis. Has this been done? If not, this might be a good test to ask for.

You also mentioned spinal stenosis and swallowing problems. I'm going to invite @jenniferhunter to respond to this discussion as she may have some ideas. She has had extensive spinal problems resulting from injuries and also had surgeries.

Also, I'm wondering if you have seen a neurologist? I mention this because it might be possible that the stenosis could be causing this pain as well as swallowing problems. I'm also wondering, given the spinal stenosis, if you have tried cutting back on some of the physical activity. Perhaps trying a couple of weeks of lower impact exercise and see if that results in a lower pain level. As I'm not a medical professional these are just some suggestions that come to mind.

Chronic pain, without a diagnosis, can be a puzzling situation and it takes a lot of work on the part of the patient to find a doctor who can put all of the puzzle pieces together. It often takes a lot of research and first as well as second (or even third) medical opinions to get a good answer.

I'd like to know how you are doing. Will you post again?

Looking for some help hopefully. About 1.5 years ago noticed a pain in my left rib cage right on the bone. Could feel palpable pain when pressing on a certain area. Had X-ray and all looked normal. Later I noticed this painful spot would flair up when swallowing certain foods. This has been the most interesting, perplexing symptom! When I eat certain foods, mostly fruits and veggies, some spices (soy sauce, etc) and other highly "concentrated" foods I get an immediate sharp pain in that area that then fades away. Bland foods, rice, butter, meats, etc do not cause this?!? It feels neurological, like a nerve firing exactly upon the swallowing function. This has developed into abdominal/flank pain that flares up around both sides, primarily felt around the rib cages but also sometimes in the center. I went through a battery of additional tests over the next six months, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, Gallbladder scans, blood, urine, Lipase test, MRI's of Thoracic and Cervical spine. Pretty much ALL came back normal, including images of spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys,etc... except for some pretty bad spinal stenosis in my cervical spine. I worry most about Pancreas issues of course, as those are so serious, but I've never had anything close to the kind of pain that patients describe with Pancreatitis - plus both the ultrasound and abdominal CT scan showed normal pancreas - and Lipase test was only 33U/L. I do feel like I get some irritation from eating, although I've limited my diet now to a pretty bland assortment, plus no fruit and more limited veggies, lots of rice, butter, meats and that seems to help. I'll still eat the occasional salad even though it causes the pain to fire on the left rib cage. The eating part is what keeps me thinking its a digestive issue, but then some days I think it's got to be neurological. I am very active, cycling, running and after a hard run recently I noticed I was hurting. So, not even sure if I should be here in the Digestive forums! I've put off following up on much of this with Covid and just live with it, so its been about a year since I've had any tests, but have my annual physical with my Doc in January and we will start the ball rolling again. Anyway just wondering if this makes any sense to anyone who's had a similar experience?!? Thanks!

@stevetwarner All of this sounds good. I hope you are able to see a good specialist soon. Both Cleveland Clinic and Mayo would be good places to go.

As I live in Michigan as well, I'm wondering if you have been to the University of Michigan health system?

Haven't but yes they are on my list as well. Maybe an easier place to start as its closer. Thanks!