Constant Pain with NO Answers

You need to have an upper endoscopy EGD from a GI specialist. I don’t understand why your Drs didn’t do that first to look into your stomach and small intestines. I have them every year or two. It’s the best way to see inside your stomach. Good luck and don’t give up.

@gbbydad
Me, again.

Do you have any back/spine issues? I looked up if spine issues and nerve compression could cause upper right abdomen pain and this is what I found (may want to see an orthopedic doctor or neurosurgeon for MRI review of spine to see if compression on spinal cord/nerve roots are behind your symptoms).

Spine compression can potentially cause upper right abdomen pain. When the spine is compressed, it can lead to nerve impingement or irritation, which may manifest as pain in various areas, including the abdomen.

How Spine Compression Affects Pain

Nerve Compression: The spinal nerves that exit the spine can become compressed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, or other spinal issues. If the nerves that innervate the abdominal area are affected, it can lead to pain in the upper right abdomen.
Referred Pain: Pain from spinal issues can sometimes be referred to other areas of the body. For instance, issues in the thoracic spine may cause discomfort that feels like it's coming from the abdomen.
Muscle Tension: Compression in the spine can lead to muscle tension and spasms in the surrounding areas, which may also contribute to abdominal pain.
Posture and Movement: Poor posture or limited mobility due to spinal compression can lead to strain in the abdominal muscles, resulting in pain.
If you're experiencing persistent or severe abdominal pain, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Your explanation as to how spine compression was welcome. I also have pain issues that have yet to find a source. Your reply might be what I need when I go back to doctor. I'm just wondering why the docs don't know this stuff - or, if they do, act on it. I take opiates and Tylenol all day long just to be able to stay up on my feet.

@mtnmarge

Sorry to hear you are suffering and experiencing less than stellar doctor diagnosis and treatment. I have experienced the same. Many doctors don’t go deep enough or bother to refer you to other specialists to investigate the root cause of symptoms.

I fired one of my primary care physicians because she kept treating me as a hypochondriac. This was when I had a long list of symptoms. Ended up having a spinal cord compression injury in my cervical spine (degenerative cervical myelopathy). It took me seeing my 4th surgeon to finally diagnose me properly. He recommended surgery as soon as possible to stop further progression and permanent injury.

I have had 2 cervical spine (c5-c6 and c6-c7) and 1 lumbar spine (l3-l5) surgery (2022, 2024 and 2025). If you have any questions, let me know. I have quite a bit of experience as a spine patient with spinal cord/nerve root compression injury and symptoms/treatments.

@gbbydad
Is the pain on the side of where your liver is and under your rib cage?

Did your gastroenterologist do a HIDA scan to check gallbladder function? This test has your gallbladder tested to see how it ejects bile after a fatty meal. Normal is a minimum of 35-40%. Mine was only 7%. They recommended getting my gallbladder out but I have held off due to other surgeries plus l have tried to cut back of fatty foods and larger meals and that has helped reduce symptoms.

You may also want to ask to have a MRI of your abdomen to see soft tissue inflammation (ct scan won’t really show this).

One last thought is to see if you have any circulation or nerve compression causing these symptoms. Did they do a full ultrasound of your abdomen? MRI may show something, too.

@gbbydad
Me, again.

Do you have any back/spine issues? I looked up if spine issues and nerve compression could cause upper right abdomen pain and this is what I found (may want to see an orthopedic doctor or neurosurgeon for MRI review of spine to see if compression on spinal cord/nerve roots are behind your symptoms).

Spine compression can potentially cause upper right abdomen pain. When the spine is compressed, it can lead to nerve impingement or irritation, which may manifest as pain in various areas, including the abdomen.

How Spine Compression Affects Pain

Nerve Compression: The spinal nerves that exit the spine can become compressed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, or other spinal issues. If the nerves that innervate the abdominal area are affected, it can lead to pain in the upper right abdomen.
Referred Pain: Pain from spinal issues can sometimes be referred to other areas of the body. For instance, issues in the thoracic spine may cause discomfort that feels like it's coming from the abdomen.
Muscle Tension: Compression in the spine can lead to muscle tension and spasms in the surrounding areas, which may also contribute to abdominal pain.
Posture and Movement: Poor posture or limited mobility due to spinal compression can lead to strain in the abdominal muscles, resulting in pain.
If you're experiencing persistent or severe abdominal pain, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.

@mtnmarge

Sorry to hear you are suffering and experiencing less than stellar doctor diagnosis and treatment. I have experienced the same. Many doctors don’t go deep enough or bother to refer you to other specialists to investigate the root cause of symptoms.

I fired one of my primary care physicians because she kept treating me as a hypochondriac. This was when I had a long list of symptoms. Ended up having a spinal cord compression injury in my cervical spine (degenerative cervical myelopathy). It took me seeing my 4th surgeon to finally diagnose me properly. He recommended surgery as soon as possible to stop further progression and permanent injury.

I have had 2 cervical spine (c5-c6 and c6-c7) and 1 lumbar spine (l3-l5) surgery (2022, 2024 and 2025). If you have any questions, let me know. I have quite a bit of experience as a spine patient with spinal cord/nerve root compression injury and symptoms/treatments.