Chronic upper abdominal pain

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2004
Chronic upper abdominal pain
9
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 1:43pm
Hopefully my symptoms will sound familiar to someone, and someone can give me some insight..

In June I started having left flank pain that would come and go. I then started having upper abdominal pain, right below where your ribs meet in the middle. (This upper abdomen pain has been a constant ongoing pain now since August.) I was sent to the GI Dr. in August who thought I had an ulcer. No luck with Nexium so she had an endoscopy done. The only findings were inflammation in my esphogus. The thing about the pain I have, eating and drinking does not affect it at all. But if I touch my abdomen it is very sore. All my labwork has also come back negative. I was sent for a ct scan to rule out a mass yesterday, although I still haven't heard about the results. So pretty much it can be summed up to a very tender spot on my upper center abodmen for months. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks so much!

(Other info about me.. I'm only 21, I am a very healthy eater, and generally healthy besides this.)

-M

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Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 2:56pm

Hi and Welcome

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2004
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 3:54pm
I already said it in my initial post(maybe you overlooked it) but I've been seeing a GI dr. since August and I eat only healthy foods. For example a normal day is: B- oatmeal and raisins, L- salad and apple, D- grilled chicken and veggies, S-frozen yogurt. But food has no effect on me at all. The spot on my upper abdomen is just very very tender to touch, there is no pain 'within me,' if that makes any sense.

-M

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Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 8:15pm

Hi M!


Welcome aboard!

 
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Registered: 10-26-2004
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 8:44pm
Thanks! The Nexium didn't work, so I am now switched to Aciphex. And in addition to the inflamation in my esphogus there was also some in my duodendum.

(I also got my ct scan results today, the only unusual finding was a splenic pseudotumor. And that's basically an extra little spleen. weird.. So I guess it doesn't really relate to my current problem!?)

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Registered: 04-13-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 5:20pm
Hi, mkiwi20, I do not have left sided abdominal pain, but I do have a tender spot under my right ribcage in the center, like you. From this spot a burning sensation spreads across my upper abdomen and into might right shoulder, also , especially, up my esophagus. I had an endoscope exam before having my gallbladder removed last Feb. 3rd. I had the burning before the surgery and continue to have it to the present day. Before the surgery I had taken many antacids both OTC and prescription including Nexium, PepcidAC Prilosec, Aciphex, You name it, I took it, all to no avail. After the endoscope exam I was told I do not have Gerd, but rather something they called Nerd which means you have slight irritation of the esophagus, but it is not causing any ulcers or other serious damage. I see my doctor tomorrow and am going to pester him for further help with this. I am presently on a celiac diet. Have not been diagnosed with this, but have dealt with various digestive problems over my 76 years, almost constantly and felt this would be a good way to test out whether wheat, rye, barley and oatmeal cause my problems. Trouble is, celiac harms the villi in the small intestine. Some people who go on a celiac diet get relief in a few weeks. Some are still having problems months later. I guess I feel that I also need some more input on this via tests. The burning this afternoon definitely does not feel "slight". Sometimes putting food in seems to quiet it temporarily, sometimes makes it worse. I am eating only certain vegetables, unprocessed meat, fish, eggs, fruit. ( I really only tolerate bananas, the others are too acid.) I don't know if this input has any value for you, but at least it is a way of finding out that this under the center right ribcage thing is experienced by others. I follow several message boards and run into this every so often. So far no one has posted a real solution. Ruth S.
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Registered: 11-05-2004
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 7:30am
Oh my gosh, I have the same kind of symptoms - for about the same amount of time, do you also get a burning or pinching feeling in your stomach. I get it and it is almost all the time now. I too have had several tests done and they can't find anything wrong. My doctor told me to lose weight (i am very much overweight) but, I just can't believe my weight would cause this type of pain - something has to be going on. The pain feels more like it is in my skin or muscles - like it is tearing or being ripped. But when I cough or bend it is more of a dull sharp pain. I have no clue - and really need some help. It is so annoying and frustrating. So if anyone can help - please do. Thank you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 1:55pm

How over weigh are you? If you don't mind me asking..


Being overweight can cause acid reflux

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2004
Sun, 11-07-2004 - 4:03pm
cl-wren53, thanks for the encouragement. Believe it or not - I try everyday to stick to a healthy diet - but just like other addictions - it's hard. I did just go buy this cute little diet journal and I am going to right down every little thing that goes in my mouth. Not only for this reason but for many other's, I have to lose weight. BUT, ya know how you know your body better than anyone else? I know my weight has nothing to do with this pain, it doesn't seem to be caused by eating - it's more muscular or skin most of the time., than every know and then it feels like uhhhhhhh something else. Who knows, hopefully it just goes away. Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 8:21am

Please Don't feel bad about weight.

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B