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ongoing abdominal pain, chest pain and back pain
Hello there,
I am 40 year male and have multiple health issues happening to me now, but in the beginning of my discussion I will mainly focus on explainning abdominal pain and chest pain then I will mention about back and joints pain.
Around late July, middle of night, I had discomfort around where gallbladder is located.
The following week, the discomfort turned into minor but clearly noticeable pain and I thought my liver was failing. I also had multiple nauseas at that time.
A week later, around 2 am, I had chest pain radiating from center of my chest, so I rushed to E.R.
The E.R doctor told me my chest was fine after checking EKG and other things.
He also told me my liver was fine after running blood test.
He advise me to see my primary physician for getting ultra sound imaging for my gallbladder although the blood test did not show inflamed gallbladder issue.
Few days after that, I went to see my physician, but he refused to get me ultra sound imaging for gallbladder because I had it last year and the test came out normal for both of my gallbladder and liver. I also finished Hep B vaccine January this year.
He then had me do stool sample because I had H.pylori last year and treated for it but they never checked to see if I was clear of H.pylori after the treatment.
The stool sample test returned and I was told that I was clear of H.pylori.
Afterward, the physician had me to get multiple blood test but everything came out normal. He then referred me to gastroenterologist.
After listening to me about pains and symptoms I was dealing with, the gastroenterologist diagnosed me with neuromuscular issue and told me all my digestive organs were fine.
But he agreed to get me endoscopy and it turned out to be I have chronic gastritis.
I began taking Omeprazole (a type of proton pump inhibitor) and I had been on it for 3 months.
My chest pain is still there. The pain mostly occur around center but it moves to side to side or below or up.
The pain feels like burning sensation mostly. Sometimes it feels like I have sore muscle or bruise on chest.
I also have pain around right side abdominal area. Usually it feels like something is squeezing my gallbladder.
I sometimes have very light electrical shooting pain or needle poking sensation.
The abdominal pain mostly stays around gallbladder but it would move to appendix area time to time.
What is interesting about my abdominal pain is that whenever I drive car, I could feel the pain is clearly noticeable in comparison to other occasion like walking or sitting.
While taking the Omeprazole, for a short period, I had had headache, mind fog and sometimes fatigues. However, I no longer have those possible side effects. (according my research about proton pump inhibitor, the side effects extremely rare)
Both abdominal and chest pain are less noticeable when I am walking or exercising or even focused on something seriously like studying.
Everyday is different but typically, I feel much better in the morning, then it starts getting worse.
My only clues about my symptoms are my diets, eating habit, and stress level.
About 3 month prior to the symptoms occurred, I would daily eat heavy meal late night (10 pm) then go to bed right away.
I used to be under extreme stress from work and school between April and May.
In June, for the whole month, I used not eat anything until 1 pm and I often felt pain in my stomach.
I used also drink several cans of coke in empty stomach
I quit drinking alcohol 7 years ago and do not smoke
Up until here, it was about my chest and abdominal pain.
About my back pain, it constantly move arounds but pain near right shoulder blade side is always there.
I do not remember if the right shoulder blade pain began after I went to the E.R or before because I have had my back pain for over 4 years.
So, it is possible I already had the shoulder blade pain before.
I have learned that troubles in gallbladder could cause pain in right shoulder blade and also chest pain.
I know I have chronic gastritis but I am wondering if I also have issue in the gallbladder.
Could they all (gastritis, gallbladder and back pain) be related?
Anyone has idea what I should do next? I am planning to get ultra sound imaging in January to check my gallbladder.
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We went to the GP yesterday and he did a physical exam again. He said he's sure there's gas / air trapped in there and it's what's causing the bloating / pain. He prescribed some medicine and we'll see how that goes and that he can't advise him to get an ultrasound right now as from a clinical perspective, there are no other symptoms to worry about. I feel slightly more at ease given his confidence but still somewhat worried as I've seen plenty of people misdiagnosed who were given the same medication when in reality there was something much more wrong going on. And yes, we're using the German Health system.
@cristina9532 - If your father’s symptoms are not improved with the new medication, you should go back to the doctor and request testing.
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1 ReactionHello @cristina9532, I agree with @astaingegerdm. If your father's symptoms are not vastly better after a week on the new med you should request additional testing.
You might also consider keeping a food journal to see if there are specific food triggers that cause more discomfort. Gluten is often a problem for many people, especially as they age.
Perhaps you could suggest to his doctor that he/she run an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound in order to rule out anything more serious than a gas problem.
the only thing that helps me is making sure that I follow the FODMAP diet guidelines. When I don't, I get that trapped gas and bloating. Miserable. I copied the chart and I have the app on my phone.
I first learned I had an issue with particular foods was when my son was in the 2nd grade and I was on a field trip with his class. I ate an apple and had the worst bloating and stomach ache in the center of my stomach. An attack that I became familiar with off and on for years but didn't know why. That was 45 years ago and I am finally "getting" it. It is about certain foods. A lot of people can eat a lot of things but I cannot. I just can't.
IBSDiets-FODMAP-chart (IBSDiets-FODMAP-chart.pdf)
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?
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1 ReactionHi @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?
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1 ReactionHe 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.
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1 Reaction@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!
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2 ReactionsHello @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.
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3 Reactions