Right mid abdominal and Back Pain

Posted by nmgirl @nmgirl, Nov 8, 2022

Hello, I'm a 47 year old female that has had right mid abdominal and back pain for almost five months now, that started when I had COVID. It started with a dull back pain and then eventually radiated to abdomen and now it is in both locations. It is always present at some level, but is worse after eating and after light exercise. I do feel full quicker than normal after eating too and am tired often. I don't generally get nauseous (but occasionally do a little after light exercise), don't have constipation or diarrhea, and am not losing weight. My pain ranges from 1 to 6 and is mostly dull and achy, but occasionally get quick sharp pains. I have had every test I can think of, CT (2 of them), outer and vaginal ultrasounds, HIDA scan, endoscopy (with biopsy for celiac), colonoscopy, several repeating blood tests, test for catecholamines (my dad has a malignant metastasized pheochromocytoma), and probably more I can't remember. All came back normal. I've been taking prilosec and pepsid both at direction of my Dr. and at times it seems to help a little, but then it doesn't. There doesn't seem to be a pattern with a specific type of food that I eat. I've read everything on the internet that I possibly can and my symptoms just don't fit perfectly into any particular cause/category but it seems like many people have similar symptoms. Any suggestions would be helpful. I can't get the Dr's to respond to my messages anymore and it takes months to get more Dr. Appts.

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@nmgirl

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate it. I have looked into this, and although I agree it does fit some, but the reasons I don't think it fits is because it only happens after I eat, and it isn't super localized. Descriptions I've read state it is a pinpoint type of pain, and mine is larger area than that. I've also had Dr. pressing down in areas of by abdomen and it doesn't seem to hurt anywhere when they do this. If I go see a Dr. again I will definitely mention this though to him/her. Thanks for the reply!

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My best wishes!

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Nmgirl you should remain on the FODMAP diet for a number of months to see if it has sustained beneficial effect for you. You’ve shown that on the short term it proved efficacy so keep on it and give your GI system a break. After 6 months then try adding stuff back slowly so to avoid confusing food effects.

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@nmgirl

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate it. I have looked into this, and although I agree it does fit some, but the reasons I don't think it fits is because it only happens after I eat, and it isn't super localized. Descriptions I've read state it is a pinpoint type of pain, and mine is larger area than that. I've also had Dr. pressing down in areas of by abdomen and it doesn't seem to hurt anywhere when they do this. If I go see a Dr. again I will definitely mention this though to him/her. Thanks for the reply!

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It seems it's not what commonly known Back pain is -- because there is ample information on it and possibly on Mayo and Cleveland Clinic among Harvard Health and others. Occasionally i did have this but on my 8 decades old frame I don't recall it ever been a problem. Why?

I can't say for sure -- our bodies are outcome of thousands of behaviors, emotions and feelings starting with eating well and engaging in all-round strengthening and flexibility exercises, and stress management These three I'm into Daily. It usually translates into good posture too. And in my case rare doc visits, no meds and i even dodged my colonoscopy
as I kept delaying till 76 when they say it's no help! And still able to walk briskly for long all 13 floors in my bldg. If nothing else has worked, maybe this is worth a try -- I see you do say you have some excess weight issue.
Good luck!

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Have you had your GI doctor test your liver. It's an organ on the right side of your body and it can hurt if you are having pain there and in your back. That can be a serious issue. My friend had to have a liver transplant due to her liver going into failure. Have your GI doctor test your liver. It's really important. Hope you get answers and get better.

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I have constant back pain/ spasms. I had 3 MRIs over the course of 3 years. But never one with contrast. I suggest you have a MRI w/ contrast and also see a gastroenterologist for an upper GI. Best of luck to you!

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