severe pain in my upper abdomen

@stevetwarner I would strongly suggest you look into the Mayo Clinic. I also live in Michigan and have been bounced around since 2016 trying to get a diagnosis for a gastrointestinal issue. I went to Mayo in July and got an answer to that and some other problems in other areas. It is worth the effort to go and get some answers.

@stevetwarner I would strongly suggest you look into the Mayo Clinic. I also live in Michigan and have been bounced around since 2016 trying to get a diagnosis for a gastrointestinal issue. I went to Mayo in July and got an answer to that and some other problems in other areas. It is worth the effort to go and get some answers.

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!

Hi Teresa (@hopeful33250) - thanks for the reply. Sorry I did forget to mention, I've had both an upper GI and Colonoscopy within the last year and both looked clean. Very minor gastritis noted on the GI but they did not seem concerned. Yes its been frustrating to say the least - especially since everything has tested normal. I don't run a ton but have decided to back off on that to see what happens. It's also winter in Michigan so biking will have to take a break too. I did see a neurologist (spine surgeon) after the Cervical MRI and he was concerned about the stenosis though it was unrelated to any of the symptoms. His concern was about long term effects of balance issues, impact activities, etc. and of course wanted to schedule surgery - you know how that goes - I said no thanks for now! Eventually would like to speak with a neuro that really understands the nerves that innervate the organs/digestive system and the vagus nerve which as I understand it feeds a lot of that. Yes I will keep an eye on this post and give try to give updates. After my physical will probably start researching a visit with Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, etc to see if this can be figured out.

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!

Good afternoon Steve, I know this may be a long shot given its been 2 years since your original post, but I was curious if you were able to get a diagnosis as I am currently, and for some time now have been, experiencing the same symptoms almost to the t?

No one has been able to provide a diagnosis and like you I have had cts upper lower endos mri’s and my labs are all in the normal ranges.

Thanks in advance

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!

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!