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RHS pain, Pancreatitis, Gallbladder or something else?

Posted , 10 users are following.

hezzie
hezzie

Hello all, I wonder if anyone can help shed any light on my pain. I've had an achey pain in my right side for the last 2 years, if I stick 2 fingers in my right side right under the bottom rib that's where the pain is, very specific and in that area, occasional I get an ache in between my breastbone and occasional stomach ache, sometimes severe. I've drunk heavily for the last 20 years but cut right down in the last year or so, (I'm overweight 16 stone and 5 foot 10 male) the pain sometimes radiates to my back, some days it's there other days it clears up, if I drink too much it flares up but spicy food or fat doesn't seem to make it worse or better nor does normal drinking on occasion. I had an ultrasound done last year, which came back normal, liver tests have been normal, kidney tests ok and I've been tested for H Pylori and that came back clear. Last week I had a Gastroscopy and that came back clear, I do suffer with excess acid, the doc put me on Lansaprozole but that hasn't helped the pain and as I had to stop taking them for a fortnight before the Gastroscopy and I didn't feel any difference and the acid didn't get any worse I've stopped taking them. I'm going back to the Doc's this week to see about further tests, does this sound like Pancreatitis or gall bladder, oh, I do have loose stools and go to the toilet at least a couple of times a day, sometimes more. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Nathp83
    Nathp83 hezzie

    Posted

    Hi fellow sufferer. From what I've read pancreas problems is usually left sided pain. If my pain was right sided I'd be a little less concerned
    • kerry05339
      kerry05339 Nathp83

      Posted

      This is inaccurate.  I have diagnosed chronic pancreatitis with several acute attacks.  I also have 2 pseudocysts on my pancreas.  My pain is almost always on the right side and usually radiates to my back. 
    • hezzie
      hezzie kerry05339

      Posted

      Oh, that's possibly not good news for me, how was yours diagnosed Kerry?

      Incidentally, what is the outlook for Chronic Pancreatitis in terms of life expectancy?

    • kerry05339
      kerry05339 hezzie

      Posted

      About three years ago, I had abdominal pain that progressed over the course of about three days.  It got to the point where I was also having terrible chest pain.  I thought I was having a heart attack.  (I was 35 at the time.)  I went to the ER, where they ran all kinds of tests (blood work, ultrasound, EKG)  My amylase and lipase were very high, and the US showed inflammation of my pancreas.  Since then, I have had eight more hospitalizations, they now diagnose me with a CT scan with contrast (I have to drink this awful stuff and they inject dye as well).  I have also had 6 ERCP (the internal upper-GI scope) and two stent placements.

      I have read terrible things about life expectancy, which as others who have replied have suggested, I try to ignore.  Every person responds to treatment differently.  Also, even though doctors seem to have a difficult time diagnosing problems with the pancreas, there are many amazing things that can be done to help treat it.  I am not as worried about the length of my life at this point, I am worried about the quality of my life.  It is very difficult to even make plans due to the pain and nausea.  I no longer have my job.  Eating is not enjoyable, it is scary. 

      I hope that your doctors are able to figure out what is causing your pain, and that they find a treatment that works well for you.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Please let me know how you fare out.

    • JoBlack1
      JoBlack1 kerry05339

      Posted

      I, too, thought I was having a heart attack (had two with heart stents at age 42).

      Then my pancreas tail blockage was discovered last May. Dr thought they could do a stent but discovered it had calcified so had to resect it.it last.

      At that time they also discovered 23 pseudo cysts which they now call IPMN. So much confusion around pancreatic issues.

      Two months ago another ERCP revealed a benign tumor in the head of my pancreas (with IPMN and/or pseudo cysts still existing) so for me it's all about food (especially sugar/diabetes) and pain management.

      I'm working on building energy and endurance to hit a bucket list plan to take my graduating grand daughter to Hawaii this July.

      Advise and prayers are appreciated!

    • Nathp83
      Nathp83 JoBlack1

      Posted

      Hi Jo, sorry to hear about your diagnoses.

      Could you explain your pain please?

      I've found over the last few years the pain when I've get a flare up can be just left of my sternum but more recently I can feel it around the left side of my ribs, probably about where my elbow meets my rib cage.

    • JoBlack1
      JoBlack1 Nathp83

      Posted

      Nathp83

      My pain is three fold: sharp left side bottom rib cage to center of my back, with newest pain in center of stomach (assume pancreas head cyst) and lastly after eating I have a heavy food drop sensation. After eating can bring on a depressing feeling.

      Probably the most frustrating is not pain but lack of energy. Hope this is helpful.

  • Nathp83
    Nathp83 hezzie

    Posted

    Much of what you said sounds a lot like me. However my pain is left sided and I'm sure it's pancreas related although that's not been actually confirmed yet. I've had a ct scan and that was enough for the Drs that my pancreas is fine.

    In my younger years a drank a fair bit but cut down considerably 6-7 years ago. I've still drank regularly but only a couple of drinks at a time. I've only continued to drink as the docs assured me it wasn't my pancreas and a few drinks generally made me feel better not worse.

    I've been bad again for the last few months so I've stopped again and put myself on a low fat diet, not that I ate bad before. I have a horrible feeling that I might have caused more damage and it's now caught up with me

    • hezzie
      hezzie Nathp83

      Posted

      I have a good diet too. I'm fed up of going to the docs but I need to find out what it is so maybe something can be done about it, I was reluctant to find out anything at first but now I just want to get an answer. I hope you feel better again soon. I go on holiday in 5 weeks and don't want to feel like this all the time I'm there, although I suspect it won't be sorted out by then if it's been going on all this time. Thanks for your reply.
    • Nathp83
      Nathp83 hezzie

      Posted

      The last time I went back to the doctors I spent the whole time apologising for being back there and complaining about not being well.

      The best result for me would be to be told look you have this. Do these things to reduce your symptoms and live your life.

      The docs have no idea and just think I'm crazy for keep going back. It's really hard to know what to do. Hopefully you can switch off during your holiday and have a nice time.

  • Theresaa
    Theresaa hezzie

    Posted

    I've seen a few post's which say that pancreatitis is left sided pain. However my husband has been diagnosed with early chronic pancreatitis. Albeit the endoscopy ultrasound said early chronic pancreatitis and 3 ???.defi not cancer. He has a pseudo cyst at the head ebd. He has vomiting (not all the time) intermittent on and off loose stools and pain on the right side. He has had upper and lower endoscopy and ct and mri. Initially they missed the cyst. He was being treated for a duodenal ulcer at the beginning which has cleared. I'm so confused as you don't get an information from the gastroloist consultant. Are they just guessing he has no medication or any other treatments. If it is this it is idiopathic as a result of a serious crush accident 17 years ago. He had severe back pain which may have been acute pancreatitis. This group is the only place you learn anything. Thanks Theresa
  • JoBlack1
    JoBlack1 hezzie

    Posted

    My experience it was only after an MRI, Car Scan and finally an ERCP (along with blood rest measuring amilyse and lipase)was my pancreatitis diagnosed.
    • JoBlack1
      JoBlack1

      Posted

      Correction cat scan. And all of the pain was left side only.
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