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?

Hello Steve, I've been almost through the same thing. I ended by seeing a GI who told me I had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and prescribed Gantaon and Duspatalin. Things improved but the problem didn't disappear. I also got sever constipation and had my gallbladder removed almost 3 months ago. I hope this helps.

@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?

@stevetwarner I self referred myself to Mayo! That is how desperate I was!

Suzanne2, I did the same thing. Called Mayo in tears to get help. Boy, did that operator help me out! Mayo got rid of misdiagnoses! Made new, correct diagnoses and treatment that has and is really helpiing. I'm heading now to gasto in a week for endoscopy, whatever. I have pretty serious esophogeal reflux, very careful what I put in my stomach and been dealing with it for many years. Now, it's a bit worse, having some pain/ache/spasms in my diaphragm, so think it's time to get on top of this. I really suggest you think of getting yourself to Mayo, as they've solved so many issues for me that so many other docs weren't interested in solving or couldn't. Mayo has made my life so much better. I think your Mayo...I'm in Florida....is considered tops in gastro stuff....I know they are in neuro. Wish you the best in your journey. Keep it up, but get to the place that will really find the answers. Don't give up. Blessings.

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

I’m having this same problem only on my right side more. Both ribs hurt terribly. Have had the same test done. Nothing. Please let me know of any answer. Had COVID in 2020

Hi Steven
In reviewing all your pain, discomfort and type of tests you have taken, have you event been diagnosed with MALS? Median Accurate Ligament Syntrom.
A year and a half ago, I started with pain in my sternum, my flank area, abdomen, and rib cage area. I have had every Gastro test imaginable. 2 endoscopies, esphageal manometry test, CTA abdomen, pancreas liver, gallbladder and many more. The HIDA test showed my Gallbladder only functioning 20%. My gallbladder was taken out. I had a nuclear stress test and nothing showed. Then I found a Facebook Page called MALS PALS and got educated on the possibility of that might be what I had. MALS is a very rare disease effecting 2%of 100,000 people. I then researched a Dr in my area who sent me for a few more tests and confirmed thats what I had. My was actually nMALS relating to the bundle of nerves twisting around the celiac artery and median accurate ligament. This is a very serious compression of the Celiac Artery not to mention the very long recovery.
I'm not saying you have those but you might look into it. I have lost 40 lbs because I couldn't eat anything without having 4 hours of pain. No matter how small a meal or even water effected me.
Good Luck! I hope you find some answers soon.

thanks I will look into that

I’m a 36 year old female. I have been experiencing pain in the right upper quadrant of my abdomen that radiates across to the mid left of the top of my abdomen. I have pressure and “fullness” there as well. I’m nauseous and have a pale colored stool. I have had a CT scan, ultrasound, and HIDA scan (95% ejection fraction) and the doctor says all is normal. But nothing is normal about how I’m feeling. I can’t even go to work. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for taking time to read this.