Back pain and abdomen pain on left side under rib cage...scared!

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I'm not sure where to start. A lot has been going on in the past month. It all started when I started to feel like I had a couple of drinks when I had not. I was able to calm myself down because I thought I might be having some sort of anxiety attack. Long story short the symptoms did not go away. So I saw my doctor last week. With my vague answers to his questions he mentioned he wanted to do some further testing. Part of the testing was blood work and a 24 hour urine. That was last Wednesday. I had the blood draw on Thursday and turn my 24 hour urine and on Friday morning. It just so happened that I started my period on Friday. Its normal for me to feel a lot of lower back pain during my periods. this time is a little different. I started to feel the lower back pain then the pain moved to my upper abdomen on the left side. Then the pain moved to my lower right side of my back. now the pain is back on the left side of my upper abdomen. Of course everything that I have been reading leads to one thing... Pancreas. after calling my doctor my blood work has come back normal. However my urine test has not come back yet. They told me it could take up to a week. In the past this pain may have been here and it has gone away. But because of how much reading I have been doing on whyI have been feeling funny I've noticed the back pain and the abdomen pain a little more.

I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. However I'm really scared.

10 likes, 182 replies

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  • Posted

    I am having the same symptoms and I am freaking out. I am currently studying abroad which makes it even more difficult. Please let me know how what they find.
    • Posted

      Hi guys im from south africa been through all you mentioned and more probably done 20 test from blood urin stool colonoscopy back front ct scans... pills you name it..are you aware of the term hypochondria health anxiety look it up ..every day i feel like dying or something bads gona happen the smallest pain cramp sting make me flare up in to a state of panic ..it took time for me to believe that it was a mind thing but dont get me wrong the physicle symptoms are real
  • Posted

    Have you found out anything. I too am suffering from something like this. Have had endoscopy and MRCP and all is normal. But the pain is still there.
  • Posted

    Hello everyone I have the aame symptoms and after 4 painful months I could not take it anymore and was taken to the ER. I did ultrasounds and blood test as well as an xray but they all came back normal. Pain is under left rib even to touch it hurts. They gave me a cocktail and about 5 min later the pain was going away! Doctors told me I habe gastritis. Im going this week to see a gastroenterologist to do a endoscopy and see if I have any ulcers or infection on my big intestine. I went last Friday and now its been a whole week. I can not eat a lot of things but pain isn't as bad as before. Pay attention to next time you eat if you feel the pain right after or you have soft to diarrhea stool you will have some type of gastritis the longer you wait the worst it'll be. Also if you vomit or belch thats also a sign. Please check with your doctor's about it. Hope this helps!!
  • Posted

    Hi JSJMS72 I'm having the same systems it started in my groin and over the last 18 months it's progressed to upper left side under ribs pain and burning feeling! I've also had scans and bloods but nothing has shown up. I'm awaiting for a colonoscopy!
  • Posted

    I have been suffering with pain that started on my right side in the lower stomach area (had 2 tender spots to the touch) near a laproscopic surgical scar and a very bad case of gas when the pain first started, then the gas subsided a bit, now I only get it when I eat and I also feel very full and bloated also, then a few days later after the first pains started a burning sensation that radiated to my back on both sides in the upper quadrant and now in the lower quadrant and have like a cool numb feeling that never goes away, also  bad pains below both rib cages and pain in both hips, doctor seems to think it could be postherpetic neuralgia caused from my shingles (which this pain in my back area only, feels like when I get a shingles attack ), so he put me on Gabapentin (Neurontin) which only makes me sleepy but the pain is still there, BUT I never thought that shingles would cause gas attacks or pain after you eat??  But I know what I am feeling in my gut area and around my ribs constantly for 1 month cannot be from shingles??? It has now been close to a month since this pain/ gas/cramps/burning has been with me and I am like all of you w/ the feelings of dread about what could our pain be from?? I have NO insurance, so a trip to the ER would cost me upwards of $3000.00 or more depending on the tests that I believe I would need, so what to do??. .
  • Posted

    I had similar problem you are describing for over a 10 months. After about 5th visit to doctor they discovered I have got stomac ulcer and Helio Pirely (or something like that) bacteria. She has prescribed antibiotics and acidity reduction. Ask them for the Helio test. Its simple you just blow in tube after you drink some potion. Good luck x
  • Posted

    Same as everyone. I'm finally goI got to GI on wed. My dr thinks I have an ulcer, but after 3 months on nexium, pain is back. I also suffer from health anxiety, constipation and have an umbilical hernia and internal hemorrhoid. The one thing that I recently read that fits is Splenic Flexure Syndrome. Look it up. It's making sense for my symptoms at least and will mention it to my GI specialist.
    • Posted

      Hiya,

      Thanks for the tip. I have googled it, not much about it on Internet but I don't have all the symptoms so I don't think it's me. I am thinking to get my guts clean professionally.it cost something like £55 so not bad and apparently really good results from it.

      Good luck in GI. It will be easier once you get diagnosed and get it treated.

    • Posted

      I was going to suggest Splenic Flexure Syndrome to everyone.  I believe I have it also.  Gas gets trapped in that curve of the large intenstine on the left side under the ribcage and doesn't want to move.  It can feel like a knot at times that rolls because the gas is stretching the intenstines tight.  Many times when you have gas a enema will help some but unfortunately that bend in the intestines is too high for it to reach. I had this pain years ago so bad I was in bed for two weeks.  Now it is back again with a vengence and it will not move.  Good luck to everyone and I hope we all get answers.
  • Posted

    I know it's been 10 days since someone has posted but I would love a reply.  Almost three months ago I started getting abdominal and back pain after I ate.  Went to ER where they found gallstones.  They scheduled to take the gallbladder out.  Before I had the gallbladder out I was in the ER about 10 times.  Yes, 10 times!!!!  They have done a CT and MRI scan (no contrast), 3 ultrasounds, 10 blood tests, and xrays.  Everything came back normal.  My stools have been yellow in color.  Not floating or oily.  I eventually had a huge gallbladder attack and had to get it removed before my surgery date due to inflammation.  After the removal of the gallbladder, I knew instantly that the pain was still there...WORSE!  The pain comes after I eat.  It radiates in my chest, abdomen and back (more left side). The doctors have laughed at me when I say pancreas.  I do have a history of heavy social drinking but never an alcoholic.  I definately had my fun in college.  I am currently 32 years old.  I am obsessed with the fact that I feel it is my pancreas.  Tomorrow I am getting an EUS.  My doctors did not want to give me this because I have no signs of pancreas issues.  I am paying for this myself.  I am so scared of the results.  Any advice for me?  I have an 18 month old daughter and my life has just stopped because of this constant pain.  The pain really never goes away and gets worse after food. Thanks for reading.  Advise welcomed.
    • Posted

      Oh, I want to add.... I had a scope done a few weeks ago where they found moderate gastritis and a small hiatal hernia.  I honestly feel this can't be causing this much pain.

       

    • Posted

      Gastritis can cause alot of grief. I find myself with some of the same probs. I have to watch how many fries or greasy,spicy food i eat. It helps. But its not in your head. I promise
    • Posted

      First off, I'm sorry you are in so much pain and I can relate but you can't imagine the pain that gas can cause when you have gastritis or anything causing excessive gas.  I have the same hernia which on occasions becomes so painful I think I am having a heart attack and has scared me to death.  My daughter and I both have this pain on the left side.  I know it's hard not to be concerned with anything that is remotely near your pancreas since pancreatic cancer is the biggest scare for anyone but your intestines wrap around the pancreas and pain does not always show up at the site of the actual problem.  It could be something simple that a diet change could fix.  Please do not drive yourself crazy it will only make you feel worse.  Keep us posted and I am sure everything will be fine.  Please do not worry.
    • Posted

      How did it go with the EUS, Kacey? I am in a similar situation now. I have been having symptoms since Jan and so far all tests are normal (ultrasounds, CT, bloods etc). My doctors also laugh off the idea of it being my pancreas but I am very worried about it. Let us know how you made out. I hope things are going better for you.

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