Severe Abdominal Pain

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2004
Severe Abdominal Pain
3
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 11:38am
Hi. Just figured I'd give this a try. I've had severe upper abdominal pain since @end of February. The pain would occur about once a week or so. I thought I was developing an ulcer and would just drive to the local drug store, buy a bottle of Maalox and drink it on the way up to counter. Obviously, this didn't help and I eventually was referred to a GI specialist in May. He performed an upper endoscopy and biopsy - both showed normal. The pain continued and started occurring more frequently. A HIDA scan (gallbladder scan)was performed and showed my gallbladder to be malfunctioning -- Gallbladder was removed on July 14.

So - 2 weeks of no pain post-op, then it started again - worse than ever and much more frequently. The pain is dead center in the upper abdomen, directly below the center of the ribcage. I am now getting nausea along with it sometimes although no vomiting. I went to another GI doctor who said to cut back on some caffeine and decrease the stress in my life and the pain would go away. (I informed him I took 5 percocet before 12noon and that did not eliminate the pain - only dulled it. His response? You shouldn't take them; they're addictive).

My concern, of course, has been increased because I was told about 3 different woman who had their gallbladder removed, continued to have pain, and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My gyn symptoms include heavy painful periods, bleeding sometimes every 2 weeks, then 4 weeks, then 3 weeks (no rhyme or reason even though I take birth control pills). I also have an incredibly frequent urge to urinate, particularly during the night but no burning or pain with urination. I am scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound, then a transvaginal ultrasound on Tuesday.

I apolize for the length - if anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks for your time.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 5:22pm
Dear Molebaby, You are describing my experiences exactly. I had gallbladder surgery on Feb. 3 of this year. Actually the burning pain in my upper right ribcage next to the midline is just where my pain is. I can put my finger on the source of it. It spreads across to my far right side . Also have some lately above my right hipbone. I am currently trying a celiac diet. By the end of the first three weeks the pain was diminishing both in frequency and strength. However, I slipped badly in the fourth week due to having company all week. Now everything is haywire again. I have not been diagnosed with celiac, just have had digestive problems so long I am willing to try anythng. I am 76 years old and have had problems, later diagnosed as ibs constipation oriented mainly with diarrhea thrown in now and again. The first episode I remember was when I was four or five. Being able to share experiences is good. Hope you get some answers. I will see 3 doctors on Monday, An eye exam at 7 fifty , followed by primary doctor at our clinic and last, the podiatrist for my right foot which hurts alot. Maybe whatever you find out about your upper ribcage pain will shed some light on mine. Or vice versa. Cheers, Ruth
Community Leader
Registered: 10-01-2002
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 6:22pm

Hi and Welcome to iVillage

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Sat, 08-28-2004 - 10:48am

Hi Molebaby123!


Welcome to the board!!