1. < Digestive Health

Chronic Abdominal Pain

Posted by lz5b00 @lz5b00, Mar 21, 2012

I have had acute abdominal pain since April 2011 and it has escalated over the months.. The pain begins early morning, remains unrelenting and escalates throughout the day. It is sharp at times and gnawing most of the time. It radiates down from my sternum and to the lower left of my abdomen. My family doctor nor GI specialists cannot find the cause. I have had CT scans, ultrasound, video capsule endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood tests, push endoscope, H pylori tests, ova stool test for parasites and MRI, to name a few. EVERY test result has been returned as "unremarkable"--no cause found. I am currently taking Paxil 25mg, Nexium and Oxycodein for the pain. Nothing has helped me determine the source of this pain. I am reaching out to this community to see is anyone has a similar experience.

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dannyblues99 | @dannyblues99 | Jun 6, 2013

dannyblues99

You wrote on lz5b00's profile.

I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the ribs for more then 8 months I feel like pain is deep inside under the ribs. When it get worse it goes to the back. The pain is dull continuous and it's intensity varies with time and day. My pain is not affected by food or bowel movement. Pain started in October 2012. Pain starts in the morning and remains all the day. It's gnawing pain. I feel like pain is deep inside the lower left rib. I have gone through battery of tests:
Abdominal Ultrasound, CT(MDCT)with contrast, MRI/MRCP with and without contrast, CT Entrography with and without contrast, 2 Colonoscopies, 3 Upper Endoscopy, 2 Gastric Emptying test, Capsule Endoscopy, Chest Xrays, Hydrogen breath test,Stool test, Numerous Blood test.
Only findings till now were: mild chronic gastritis, infected with hpylori, giardia, fatty liver, sub-clinical hypothyroid and pancreas divisum.
My GI has no answer for the pain. I don't know how and where to reach out for help. Pain has crippled my day today life.

REPLY
5 replies
lz5b00 | @lz5b00 | Jun 11, 2013
In reply to @dannyblues99 "dannyblues99 You wrote on lz5b00's profile. I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the..." + (show)
@dannyblues99

dannyblues99

You wrote on lz5b00's profile.

I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the ribs for more then 8 months I feel like pain is deep inside under the ribs. When it get worse it goes to the back. The pain is dull continuous and it's intensity varies with time and day. My pain is not affected by food or bowel movement. Pain started in October 2012. Pain starts in the morning and remains all the day. It's gnawing pain. I feel like pain is deep inside the lower left rib. I have gone through battery of tests:
Abdominal Ultrasound, CT(MDCT)with contrast, MRI/MRCP with and without contrast, CT Entrography with and without contrast, 2 Colonoscopies, 3 Upper Endoscopy, 2 Gastric Emptying test, Capsule Endoscopy, Chest Xrays, Hydrogen breath test,Stool test, Numerous Blood test.
Only findings till now were: mild chronic gastritis, infected with hpylori, giardia, fatty liver, sub-clinical hypothyroid and pancreas divisum.
My GI has no answer for the pain. I don't know how and where to reach out for help. Pain has crippled my day today life.

Jump to this post

Hi Danny - I am so sorry to hear you are going through the same issues tHat I have been going through. I honestly feel for you because I can appreciate what you are going through. It's so hard to deal with the pain on a daily basis. Wanted to give you an update - I went to the Cleveland Clinic and saw an Internal Medicine Specialist. I also started to develop a numbing in my left leg. He said that I should have an MRI done on my thoracic spine. Well it turns out that I have a big bulge in between T5 and T6 vertebrae. Supposedly the nerves that run from this area control the abdomen and under the sternum area. I am going to a spine clinic and will let you know what they find out. Keep the faith it's very hard to do - especially because I am on percocets daily. Take care Danny.

REPLY
dannyblues99 | @dannyblues99 | Jun 11, 2013
In reply to @dannyblues99 "dannyblues99 You wrote on lz5b00's profile. I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the..." + (show)
@dannyblues99

dannyblues99

You wrote on lz5b00's profile.

I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the ribs for more then 8 months I feel like pain is deep inside under the ribs. When it get worse it goes to the back. The pain is dull continuous and it's intensity varies with time and day. My pain is not affected by food or bowel movement. Pain started in October 2012. Pain starts in the morning and remains all the day. It's gnawing pain. I feel like pain is deep inside the lower left rib. I have gone through battery of tests:
Abdominal Ultrasound, CT(MDCT)with contrast, MRI/MRCP with and without contrast, CT Entrography with and without contrast, 2 Colonoscopies, 3 Upper Endoscopy, 2 Gastric Emptying test, Capsule Endoscopy, Chest Xrays, Hydrogen breath test,Stool test, Numerous Blood test.
Only findings till now were: mild chronic gastritis, infected with hpylori, giardia, fatty liver, sub-clinical hypothyroid and pancreas divisum.
My GI has no answer for the pain. I don't know how and where to reach out for help. Pain has crippled my day today life.

Jump to this post

HI lz5b00
Thanks for your reply. So all the years the pain was because of bulge in between T5 and T6 vertebrae.? What doctor say about bulge ? How sever is your pain and how does it feel like ?
Please keep me updated. You take care too and have pain free days

REPLY
lz5b00 | @lz5b00 | Jun 17, 2013
In reply to @dannyblues99 "dannyblues99 You wrote on lz5b00's profile. I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the..." + (show)
@dannyblues99

dannyblues99

You wrote on lz5b00's profile.

I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the ribs for more then 8 months I feel like pain is deep inside under the ribs. When it get worse it goes to the back. The pain is dull continuous and it's intensity varies with time and day. My pain is not affected by food or bowel movement. Pain started in October 2012. Pain starts in the morning and remains all the day. It's gnawing pain. I feel like pain is deep inside the lower left rib. I have gone through battery of tests:
Abdominal Ultrasound, CT(MDCT)with contrast, MRI/MRCP with and without contrast, CT Entrography with and without contrast, 2 Colonoscopies, 3 Upper Endoscopy, 2 Gastric Emptying test, Capsule Endoscopy, Chest Xrays, Hydrogen breath test,Stool test, Numerous Blood test.
Only findings till now were: mild chronic gastritis, infected with hpylori, giardia, fatty liver, sub-clinical hypothyroid and pancreas divisum.
My GI has no answer for the pain. I don't know how and where to reach out for help. Pain has crippled my day today life.

Jump to this post

Hi Danny - well I went to the Laser Spine Institute and had a conversation with two specialists. They indicated that this may not be the cause of my pain as the pain is concentrated at the front. They recommended that I have a MuscoSkeletal ultrasound to see if I have a torn tendon, muscle in the sternum and chest area. Oh the saga continues. I will let you know what I found out. Let me know how you are during. This is so frustrating living with pain on a daily basis and not finding answers. Hopefully we can both find out what is going on with our bodies. Take care and keep me informed

REPLY
Lucyk | @lucyk | Jun 23, 2013

I have chronic pain in my left ribs and chest. I have been tested for heart problems, lung problems, kidney problem. All normal.it feels like a deep pain also. I'm thinking spleen, costochondritis. I have constant congestion and can't take a deep breath without hurting. The doctor gave me an inhaler which may help a little, but today the pain was really bad. My life hasn't been normal in eight months.

REPLY
Honor_Marie123 | @honormarie123 | Jul 26, 2013
In reply to @dannyblues99 "dannyblues99 You wrote on lz5b00's profile. I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the..." + (show)
@dannyblues99

dannyblues99

You wrote on lz5b00's profile.

I'm also suffering my chronic Upper Left Abdominal under the ribs for more then 8 months I feel like pain is deep inside under the ribs. When it get worse it goes to the back. The pain is dull continuous and it's intensity varies with time and day. My pain is not affected by food or bowel movement. Pain started in October 2012. Pain starts in the morning and remains all the day. It's gnawing pain. I feel like pain is deep inside the lower left rib. I have gone through battery of tests:
Abdominal Ultrasound, CT(MDCT)with contrast, MRI/MRCP with and without contrast, CT Entrography with and without contrast, 2 Colonoscopies, 3 Upper Endoscopy, 2 Gastric Emptying test, Capsule Endoscopy, Chest Xrays, Hydrogen breath test,Stool test, Numerous Blood test.
Only findings till now were: mild chronic gastritis, infected with hpylori, giardia, fatty liver, sub-clinical hypothyroid and pancreas divisum.
My GI has no answer for the pain. I don't know how and where to reach out for help. Pain has crippled my day today life.

Jump to this post

I too, can completely relate to you. I have been experiencing sharp, intense rib pain, and sometimes in my chest, for a year and a half now. Test, after test, appointment after appointment, there are still no answers... I was even told if I wanted to have a "long chat" with someone, like it's gotten to the point, I am giving up now, and it does affect everyday life, knowing it's always there! I hope you all get the answers you need, I am hoping some day I will too!!!

REPLY
Dezi | @dezi | Jul 27, 2013

Does is feel like it's muscular in nature or is the pain originating from inside your stomach, intestines or other organs?

REPLY
mommymaggie | @mommymaggie | Sep 13, 2013
In reply to @wtg4heaven "I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in Feb. I have had constant unrelenting pain for a year..." + (show)
@wtg4heaven

I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in Feb. I have had constant unrelenting pain for a year and a 40 pound weight loss. The doctors are at a loss. They say it is likely neurological and the Gastroparesis a result. The pain is totally unmanageable. What do any of you suggest? The doctors are reluctant to order narcotics. What has worked? Has anyone found that their chronic abdominal pain radiating to the back was related to something else in spite of the failed gastric emptying? I need help before I totally waste away. I had a chest ct and a thoracic MRI (negative). Where they wrong is what I wonder? But how do you get someone to look again?

Jump to this post

For you and many of these other commenters....if you can see a neurologist ask them about abdominal migraines...rare in adults but I have very similar symptoms compared to you all such as unrelenting pain and vomitting etc...and this is what was deduced....

REPLY
Sacrifice2121 | @sacrifice2121 | Sep 24, 2013
In reply to @stillsearching "I had similar symptoms years ago and it turned out that my pancreatic duct was bent..." + (show)
@stillsearching

I had similar symptoms years ago and it turned out that my pancreatic duct was bent which did not allow the pancreatic juices to flow. It took me years to discover this. I had all of those tests too and they came back normal until I had an ERCP with a fantastic gastro wizard at UCSF (San Francisco) Keep track if the pain gets worse after eating (when the pancreas starts to work). Mine hurt more in the morning also because laying flat (sleeping) took the pressure off of the duct then ramped up the rest of the day I hope this helps. I'm on a new journey for chronic pancreatitis that has taken over my life. I'm thinking of going to Mayo clinic for some help to get some (or any) life back. I wish you a positive outcome. Don't give up

Jump to this post

Have you looked up SMA syndrome it was featured on mystery diagnosis and it
Deals with a artery that affects lower bowel.
Look up, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

REPLY
Sacrifice2121 | @sacrifice2121 | Sep 24, 2013
In reply to @stillsearching "I had similar symptoms years ago and it turned out that my pancreatic duct was bent..." + (show)
@stillsearching

I had similar symptoms years ago and it turned out that my pancreatic duct was bent which did not allow the pancreatic juices to flow. It took me years to discover this. I had all of those tests too and they came back normal until I had an ERCP with a fantastic gastro wizard at UCSF (San Francisco) Keep track if the pain gets worse after eating (when the pancreas starts to work). Mine hurt more in the morning also because laying flat (sleeping) took the pressure off of the duct then ramped up the rest of the day I hope this helps. I'm on a new journey for chronic pancreatitis that has taken over my life. I'm thinking of going to Mayo clinic for some help to get some (or any) life back. I wish you a positive outcome. Don't give up

Jump to this post

Have you looked up SMA syndrome it was featured on mystery diagnosis and it
Deals with a artery that affects lower bowel.
Look it up, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sorry posted originally above but meant for bumblebee. It's
Super rare and overlooked a lot.

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