1. < Digestive Health

Upper abdomen & back pain

Posted by cristina9532 @cristina9532, Sep 15, 2020

Hi everyone,

I've found this group suggested on a different Mayo Clinic question and thought I'd add here what's worrying me. My father (53) has been having on and off abdominal pain (started on the right, under his ribcage and sometimes moves to the left) for the past 3 weeks or so. Last night he also complained about lower centre back pain. He's a very fit man, has a very physical job and has a pretty balanced diet. However, I've never heard him complain about this "dull pressure" in his abdomen the way he is complaining now. I'm super scared as I suffer from very bad health anxiety which comes back at least once a year. A few years ago I was convinced I had a brain tumor, which turned out to be a very bad case of vitamin D deficiency. I know reading up stuff on the Internet will do me no good and I'm trying to limit it, but it's still something I struggle with.

We went to our family doctor a few days ago, he did a physical exam and just said he shouldn't worry about anything as long as these are the only symptoms he has. I was a bit shocked hearing that. I'm worried about it being PC. I'm trying to convince him to go get a CT scan done as I don't want us to wait until worse symptoms appear.

For some context, he did get a pretty bad back strain a couple of weeks ago, pain was there for a few days and then slowly it got better. I'm thinking the pain from last night could be for that? But his back has been alright for more than week so why this sudden reappearance? He also just told me today that he thinks the pain usually comes after doing physical effort. The way he describes it is like the spleen pain you get after running a long distance.

Thanks for listening to my rant. Any thoughts?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

cristina9532 | @cristina9532 | Nov 6, 2020

Hi all,
I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore. My dad took the prescribed meds for a week (that's what the doctor said), but things didn't seem to improve. They didn't necessarily get worse either. Pain / bloating is just there, not excruciating and not constant, but still there. Something strange happened last night, he had a fever (102) and severe shivers / chills. He also said the abdominal pain seemed to get worse. Because of the fever and chills (and well, the state of the world RN), this morning we decided to go to the ER. I remember reading about PC and fever / chills so of course my hypochondria kicked in immediately. We got to the ER and we told the doctor about the symptoms, we told him we've seen our GP several times and he won't refer him for an ultrasound. So the doctor in the ER decided to run blood tests and do an ultrasound. Everything came back clear. He said he couldn't see anything wrong on the ultrasound and the blood tests only showed a slight trace of infection, but nothing to worry about. Said to just take some paracetamol and ibuprofen to alleviate the pain and fever. We got home and that's what we're doing. Still, now that he got the ultrasound and nothing was there, am I crazy to still think it's extremely strange to have such prolonged abdominal pain and no explanation for it?

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 6, 2020
In reply to @cristina9532 "Hi all, I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore...." + (show)
@cristina9532

Hi all,
I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore. My dad took the prescribed meds for a week (that's what the doctor said), but things didn't seem to improve. They didn't necessarily get worse either. Pain / bloating is just there, not excruciating and not constant, but still there. Something strange happened last night, he had a fever (102) and severe shivers / chills. He also said the abdominal pain seemed to get worse. Because of the fever and chills (and well, the state of the world RN), this morning we decided to go to the ER. I remember reading about PC and fever / chills so of course my hypochondria kicked in immediately. We got to the ER and we told the doctor about the symptoms, we told him we've seen our GP several times and he won't refer him for an ultrasound. So the doctor in the ER decided to run blood tests and do an ultrasound. Everything came back clear. He said he couldn't see anything wrong on the ultrasound and the blood tests only showed a slight trace of infection, but nothing to worry about. Said to just take some paracetamol and ibuprofen to alleviate the pain and fever. We got home and that's what we're doing. Still, now that he got the ultrasound and nothing was there, am I crazy to still think it's extremely strange to have such prolonged abdominal pain and no explanation for it?

Jump to this post

Hi @cristina9532,

I can sense the frustration you and your dad are experiencing and that is quite normal. From your posts, it appears as if your dad is depending on his GP or the ER to look for answers to his abdominal pain, however, it sounds like your dad needs a specialist in order to understand this continual pain.

It is the right of every patient to get a second opinion if your current doctor is not able to give you answers.
Have you considered asking for a referral to a GI specialist for a second opinion?

REPLY
donnacarp | @donnacarp | Nov 6, 2020
In reply to @cristina9532 "Hi all, I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore...." + (show)
@cristina9532

Hi all,
I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore. My dad took the prescribed meds for a week (that's what the doctor said), but things didn't seem to improve. They didn't necessarily get worse either. Pain / bloating is just there, not excruciating and not constant, but still there. Something strange happened last night, he had a fever (102) and severe shivers / chills. He also said the abdominal pain seemed to get worse. Because of the fever and chills (and well, the state of the world RN), this morning we decided to go to the ER. I remember reading about PC and fever / chills so of course my hypochondria kicked in immediately. We got to the ER and we told the doctor about the symptoms, we told him we've seen our GP several times and he won't refer him for an ultrasound. So the doctor in the ER decided to run blood tests and do an ultrasound. Everything came back clear. He said he couldn't see anything wrong on the ultrasound and the blood tests only showed a slight trace of infection, but nothing to worry about. Said to just take some paracetamol and ibuprofen to alleviate the pain and fever. We got home and that's what we're doing. Still, now that he got the ultrasound and nothing was there, am I crazy to still think it's extremely strange to have such prolonged abdominal pain and no explanation for it?

Jump to this post

He and you are not crazy. I spent a few days with bloating, pain and dizziness which scared me to death. I even tripped on a sidewalk elevation because my head felt as if it was spinning. I get in front of the mirror every day to see if I look sick and I don't. My husband doesn't think so either. I am usually struggling with IBS-C and I am really careful about my diet but still I felt really sick sick sick. The most sick I have felt in forever. No fever just terror. I couldn't wait to get home and never go out again. I journal daily and I realized that it is the confinement, the fear of dying of Covid, the lurking presence of it out there and nowhere to run. I can't get away from it. My son-in-law is in the hospital with it, my friends daughter dying with it. 2 sons of mine have died not related to Covid but one was only 32, the other 40 of a heart attack. 2 long marriages and both of them have died, parents are dead, my home burned all the way up.......all that I could see. Covid-19 is invisible and breathing down our necks. If I don't go out I'll whither away. No appetite, I miss my friends and activities. No end in sight.

REPLY
1 reply
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Nov 6, 2020
In reply to @cristina9532 "Hi all, I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore...." + (show)
@cristina9532

Hi all,
I'm coming here with an update. We honestly don't know what to believe anymore. My dad took the prescribed meds for a week (that's what the doctor said), but things didn't seem to improve. They didn't necessarily get worse either. Pain / bloating is just there, not excruciating and not constant, but still there. Something strange happened last night, he had a fever (102) and severe shivers / chills. He also said the abdominal pain seemed to get worse. Because of the fever and chills (and well, the state of the world RN), this morning we decided to go to the ER. I remember reading about PC and fever / chills so of course my hypochondria kicked in immediately. We got to the ER and we told the doctor about the symptoms, we told him we've seen our GP several times and he won't refer him for an ultrasound. So the doctor in the ER decided to run blood tests and do an ultrasound. Everything came back clear. He said he couldn't see anything wrong on the ultrasound and the blood tests only showed a slight trace of infection, but nothing to worry about. Said to just take some paracetamol and ibuprofen to alleviate the pain and fever. We got home and that's what we're doing. Still, now that he got the ultrasound and nothing was there, am I crazy to still think it's extremely strange to have such prolonged abdominal pain and no explanation for it?

Jump to this post

@cristina9532 - Hi Cristina!
I think you are handling things very well, helping your father. He definitely has something going on, having a fever suddenly. Blood test confirmed infection. Ultrasound normal is also good.
I’m thinking of illnesses your Dad could have -
Gallbladder problem/ pancreatitis should have shown on ultrasound- no guarantee though.
Appendicitis should also show- he would most likely be sicker too.
Diverticulitis is fairly common, probably wouldn’t show on ultrasound.
Kidney stones and urinary tract infection?
In Germany I assume your GP would have to give you a referral to see a specialist? Such as a Gastroenterologist.
If you are near a university with a medical school they have specialty clinics. I’m trying to think out loud here and maybe it will help you deciding what to do next. Your GP should be in charge of finding out what ails your father.
Let’s keep talking!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 7, 2020
In reply to @donnacarp "He and you are not crazy. I spent a few days with bloating, pain and dizziness..." + (show)
@donnacarp

He and you are not crazy. I spent a few days with bloating, pain and dizziness which scared me to death. I even tripped on a sidewalk elevation because my head felt as if it was spinning. I get in front of the mirror every day to see if I look sick and I don't. My husband doesn't think so either. I am usually struggling with IBS-C and I am really careful about my diet but still I felt really sick sick sick. The most sick I have felt in forever. No fever just terror. I couldn't wait to get home and never go out again. I journal daily and I realized that it is the confinement, the fear of dying of Covid, the lurking presence of it out there and nowhere to run. I can't get away from it. My son-in-law is in the hospital with it, my friends daughter dying with it. 2 sons of mine have died not related to Covid but one was only 32, the other 40 of a heart attack. 2 long marriages and both of them have died, parents are dead, my home burned all the way up.......all that I could see. Covid-19 is invisible and breathing down our necks. If I don't go out I'll whither away. No appetite, I miss my friends and activities. No end in sight.

Jump to this post

Hello @donnacarp,

You have personally experienced a lot of losses, @donnacrap. The COVID problem has created a lot of stress for all of us. It is more difficult when you have a chronic illness as you have in your life. Mayo just recently posted a podcast on this very topic! It's called Mental Health and Coping with the Pandemic.

Here is the link where you can watch and listen to this great information, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/mental-health-and-coping-during-the-pandemic/?

Please give it a listen and let me know if you think.

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Nov 7, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @donnacarp, You have personally experienced a lot of losses, @donnacrap. The COVID problem has created..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @donnacarp,

You have personally experienced a lot of losses, @donnacrap. The COVID problem has created a lot of stress for all of us. It is more difficult when you have a chronic illness as you have in your life. Mayo just recently posted a podcast on this very topic! It's called Mental Health and Coping with the Pandemic.

Here is the link where you can watch and listen to this great information, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/mental-health-and-coping-during-the-pandemic/?

Please give it a listen and let me know if you think.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 This sounds like great info, I definitely plan to watch it later today. The pandemic really does harm the mental health of many of us in various ways. I have good days and then I will slump into a down day. I miss my life.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 7, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@hopeful33250 This sounds like great info, I definitely plan to watch it later today. The pandemic..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@hopeful33250 This sounds like great info, I definitely plan to watch it later today. The pandemic really does harm the mental health of many of us in various ways. I have good days and then I will slump into a down day. I miss my life.
JK

Jump to this post

So true, @contentandwell! It has been a major stressor because of both the fear of the virus and the isolation that it produces in our lives!

REPLY
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Nov 14, 2020

@cristina9532 Hi Cristina, how was the past week? Any news? Hope all is well.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.