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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michrn | @michrn | Jun 4, 2018
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

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HI jan11442 nice to meet a fellow RN. Struggling for years with IBS?? In constant pain now...CT clear...so frustrating to still be on constant pain...my life is being sucked away..

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 4, 2018

I had chronic abdominal pain also for years. Every possible test done. Turns out I had MALS- Median arcuate ligament compressing the celiac artery- severe pain after meals especially. Had lap surgery to release ligament and needed a stent to keep artery open. There is a MALS group here also. Diagnosis by Doppler ultrasound and confirmed with CT angiogram.

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nobletype | @nobletype | Jun 4, 2018

Hi.. I've been struggling with unrelenting abdominal pain since a subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastamosis a little over two years ago for colon inertia. After the removal of my entire colon, I have struggled with intractable diarrhea, up to 20 bowel movements a day. I've also had stomach pain with absolutely everything I eat, some days worse than others, but always, always after I eat and sometimes when I drink. I don't know if this would help you with your IBS symptoms, but it is worth a shot. I have been to every physician imaginable and have every test imaginable and finally ended up at Mayo Clinic, first Rochester, then Jacksonville and my GI physician in Jacksonville has prescribed abdominal myofascial release therapy every day for 1 hour a day for 30 days. I have been going to therapy for about two weeks now and the pain has subsided TREMENDOUSLY. If I skip a day of therapy (the weekends), it starts to come back. My diarrhea isn't any better, and maybe worse as when the therapist does the therapy, she is loosening adhesions and fascia in the abdomen that has been moved, removed, put back in, from multiple abdominal surgeries and what she and my Mayo physician say "carrying stress in the abdomen/gut." You might see if you have a myofascial release specialist in your area. Mine is actually a massage therapist specifically trained in myofascial release. It has change my quality of life quite a bit, just in 2 weeks. Hope this helps. Leigh

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nobletype | @nobletype | Jun 4, 2018
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?

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I saw a physician at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic who uses acupuncture for gastroporesis. Dr. Ronald Reimer. You might give him a call and try this route. It seems to work very well for his gastropresis patients.

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1 reply
hokiefan | @hokiefan | Jul 1, 2018

Have your doctor order restains of biopsies for eosinophils and mast cells. These are not standard ly examines for on endoscopy or colonoscopy

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carolel | @carolel | Aug 11, 2018

I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002 and was very well post op. Since January this year I have suffered pain, mostly severe, round about the site where my gallbladder was. It is now accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This has been investigated as an inpatient by various scans and scopes, but as far as I can see, by the physicians and not from a surgical point of view. When I mentioned the possibility of adhesions to my GP he just dismissed it. I feel like no-one believes me because I’m not rolling around and screaming in pain. I admit that I do have a high pain threshold but even for me it is getting unbearable. I’m taking Amitryptiline, Oramorph and Paracetamol, which do very little regarding pain relief. Could it be adhesions or any suggestions as to what else it could be?

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2 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 11, 2018
In reply to @carolel "I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002 and was very well post op. Since January this..." + (show)
@carolel

I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002 and was very well post op. Since January this year I have suffered pain, mostly severe, round about the site where my gallbladder was. It is now accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This has been investigated as an inpatient by various scans and scopes, but as far as I can see, by the physicians and not from a surgical point of view. When I mentioned the possibility of adhesions to my GP he just dismissed it. I feel like no-one believes me because I’m not rolling around and screaming in pain. I admit that I do have a high pain threshold but even for me it is getting unbearable. I’m taking Amitryptiline, Oramorph and Paracetamol, which do very little regarding pain relief. Could it be adhesions or any suggestions as to what else it could be?

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Hello @carolel, welcome to Connect. I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled "Chronic abdominal Pain." I did this because some of the symptoms you explained matched many of the symptoms other members have talked about in this discussion in the digestive health group. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on the VIEW & REPLY button so you will be brought to the new location of your discussion.

@carolel, You mentioned that you have been dismissed by your GP when you bring up adhesions and that your scans and scopes reveal nothing. Has your provider suggested any other tests?

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carolel | @carolel | Aug 11, 2018
In reply to @carolel "I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002 and was very well post op. Since January this..." + (show)
@carolel

I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002 and was very well post op. Since January this year I have suffered pain, mostly severe, round about the site where my gallbladder was. It is now accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This has been investigated as an inpatient by various scans and scopes, but as far as I can see, by the physicians and not from a surgical point of view. When I mentioned the possibility of adhesions to my GP he just dismissed it. I feel like no-one believes me because I’m not rolling around and screaming in pain. I admit that I do have a high pain threshold but even for me it is getting unbearable. I’m taking Amitryptiline, Oramorph and Paracetamol, which do very little regarding pain relief. Could it be adhesions or any suggestions as to what else it could be?

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All bloods have also been clear but awaiting results of stool tests

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 12, 2018

@carolel

I am sorry to hear of your chronic pain. Your concern is certainly understandable. Have you discussed this with the surgeon who performed the laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002?

Please remember that it is always your right to get a second opinion.

Teresa

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2 replies
carolel | @carolel | Aug 12, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@carolel I am sorry to hear of your chronic pain. Your concern is certainly understandable. Have..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@carolel

I am sorry to hear of your chronic pain. Your concern is certainly understandable. Have you discussed this with the surgeon who performed the laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2002?

Please remember that it is always your right to get a second opinion.

Teresa

Jump to this post

Believe it or not the hospital where I was operated on has been demolished, but thanks for the suggestion because I can still remember his name so I might be able to find out if he still practices. I will definitely try that

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