Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Posted by Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor @kariulrich, Dec 26, 2016

I am looking for other patients that have been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Although it is caused by compression of the celiac artery many people experience abdominal pain after eating, diarrhea, food avoidance. Usually the first doctors they see are GI doctors. It is a diagnosis that is made after everything else is ruled out. I am curious if anyone else has had surgery?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@dwp60

Hi I’m 59 years old have been suffering with digestive issues for years. Just recently I was diagnosed with two small PEs in my left lung. During a follow up CT Scan I was told I have MALs. I’m just starting this journey and have not been able to eat much as well as extreme fatigue and constantly going back and forth to the hospital. I have an upper aortic aneurysm as well as irregular heart beat. I’m not sure what all is going on but I was told my body is deconditioned. I started trying ensure to see if it would help with my lack of eating and the pain in my stomach after I eat. It has not helped. I feel hopeless because so many things seem to be going wrong for me right now. I live in Maryland and will be seeing a Vascular Surgeon very soon. My gastrologist is sending me to Johns Hopkins to meet with a surgeon. He did tell me this was extremely rare.

Jump to this post

Go on Facebook to the MALSGroup. There’s lots of info on mals and doctors

REPLY

For other people with mals, does it hurt to exhale very deeply. I notice that i inhale fine but I baby the exhale and never exhale all the way. Every once in a while I have to blow air in order to get enough air or I get out of beeath.

REPLY

Another thing is this time I had this flareup, I have enlaged glands like I have the mumps. and I also have pain in my testicles. Anybody else have these symptoms. I had this about 10 years ago also

REPLY
@jpol

I have one strange difference from most people with Mals. I have not lost weight. And when I have pain, i have an overwhelming feeling of hunger and wanting to eat more even though just causes more pain. I currently weigh 300 lbs and am 6' 6" tall.

Jump to this post

@jpol
I didn’t lose weight either. I did not eat much, but preferred carbs, easier to digest. Also, I had an autoimmune GI illness at the same time- not diagnosed at that time either.

REPLY
@jpol

I have been to see many drs and been to the er with this numerous times. After a while they all seem to think I was making this all up and it was all in my head. It's frustrating to say the least. One thing that gets me relief is to get in the fetal position if you can imagine a 300 lb man doing that. Lol

Jump to this post

Don’t give up-keep going and

REPLY

I dont know if it matters but I am also diabetic

REPLY

I have been to see many drs and been to the er with this numerous times. After a while they all seem to think I was making this all up and it was all in my head. It's frustrating to say the least. One thing that gets me relief is to get in the fetal position if you can imagine a 300 lb man doing that. Lol

REPLY

I have one strange difference from most people with Mals. I have not lost weight. And when I have pain, i have an overwhelming feeling of hunger and wanting to eat more even though just causes more pain. I currently weigh 300 lbs and am 6' 6" tall.

REPLY
@jpol

Can I put my pictures back or no.

Jump to this post

I see they are still there just before my original post

REPLY
@jpol

Not yet, I am going to monday

Jump to this post

Can I put my pictures back or no.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.