Uncomfortable feeling Under Left Lower Ribs and varying bowel movements

Update:

It has been a year now.

I think my primary GP thinks I am crazy. And my GI Dr. only did one thing, and endoscopy, and dismissed everything as IBS.

My pain is very acute, left side below rib cage, left side, and left side back up to shoulder blade. Sharp intermittent pains, some weeks are better, but I always feel some discomfort, like something is there putting pressure on.

Tests done: blood tests x 2, including liver function tests and pancreas (i think). Nothing abnormal found other then a declining testosterone level, rather rapid for a year. Also took auto immune tests (lupus etc), all negative.

Xray/procedures: Chest X-Ray, Digestive X-Ray, and endoscopy. Nothing found, also endoscopy biopsy all clear. Doctor refuses to let me have a CT scan because of radiation. I'm 32 years old. No other tests have been performed

My own work: tried Gas-x for a week, not much help. Tried IBS medication, not much help at all. Tried modified diets etc.

I think it's taking a major toll on my mind and body, I don't know how long I can go, but I keep pressuring the doctors to do something for me.

Note: I'm a mild hypochondriac so this is REALLY affecting me. I still believe I have Cancer. Pacreatic cancer scares me the most as my pain areas mimic PC.

Any advice on what I should do?

I have the same issues going on for 4 months now and still counting.

My symptoms:

1. No pain but something feels irritable on the left side under rib cage (Upper left quad of abdomen). As if something's there in the way underneath my rib cage. It doesnt hurt when I press on it. it's "just there"

2. This irritation occurs more often as I sit for excessive amount of time. Especially while driving.

3. After eating, pressure is built up to my upper left chest and back. It has gotten to the point where shooting sharp stinging pains occur in that area as if someone is stabbing me with a knife from the upper left chest to the shoulder blade to the neck and to the back of my head.

4. I feel faint afterwards. Like as if my body is sending messages to my brain that my system is about to shut down and Im about to pass out right there. Anxiety might be kicking in.

5. I can't sit and watch a movie for longer than 2 minutes. My brain feels irritated and want to get up and move else where.

6. Nausea/constipation, burping, belching. Loss of Appetite, Fatigue/Weakness.

7. I feel as if I have gas and poo stuck somewhere in my abdomen area and going to the bathroom forcefully trying to get it out but doesnt seem to work. (There might not be anything really but my body is telling me there is). If i do poop it's in small amounts. They are not normal size.

8. These symptoms get to start to really kick in after 6 or 7 pm.

9. It helps if i start moving around and standing but gets worse if I just sit on a chair (more specifically in my car)

10. 2 months ago my rib cage would hurt if i pressed on it with my finger and it would change to different spots on my ribcage. But that seems to have passed as I dont feel that any more.

11. Shortness of breath here and there.

What I think may have caused these issues:

1. Eating a sandwich made at a freinds house with lots of dogs around, unsanitary house which made me think that the mayonnaise must have been contaminated because people tend to use a spoon to feed their dogs which is gross and I may have used that spoon or was dipped in the mayo that may have had some sort of bacteria in it. I may have contracted a virus or disease of some sort.

2. Driving for 10+ hours. Excessive work/strain on my body (working as a mechanic).

3. Drinking sugary drinks in the morning.

4. Alcohol mixed with a drug that gave me panic attacks (I think this is where anxiety has been kicking in)

4. Sexually transmitted disease (Did not use a condom on any partners)

What I have tried:

1. CT scan, X-rays, stress test, echo, colonoscopy, blood work (White blood and red blood cell counts), Cholesterol levels, Sugar levels, pancreas test, liver test. everything came back negative and normal.

Who I have seen:

1. 2 PCP's

2. Cardiologist

3. Gastroenterologist

4. I have an appointment with an Neurologist on the 23rd of April and will have blood work done to see if there are any artery clogs are any similar issues that is causing me to feel faint and maybe see if this irritation under my rib cage is caused by neurons.

What I have been prescribed:

1. Dicyclomine 20mg as needed for abdominal pain. (This pill is used to treat types of intestinal problem (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). It helps to reduce the symptoms of stomach and intestinal cramping. It works by slowing the natural movements of the gut and by relaxing the muscles in the stomach and intestines. This has only been a temporary help and not a permanent one.

2. Omeprazol 20mg for acid reflux (I dont feel this helped at all and stopped using because it gave me some pain instead)

3. Clonazepam 1mg for anxiety (not very effective when you have pressure problems on your upper left chest but does hep you calm down and sleep)

4. GaviLyte - Liquid powder that helps clean out the intestines. It is a laxative that works by drawing large amounts of water into the colon. I definitely felt it was flushing out my intestines but my symptoms still persist.

About me:

1. Hard worker. I love working and prefer to work rather than sit. But I get the feeling that as I age my body can't handle the work like it used to. I know I'm still young as a 29 year old man but for some people and their body, it is different. I may be stressed out certain days. I dont smoke, I drink alcohol once a week. I eat pretty healthy. I used to weigh 160 but now I am at 145. 

What I think might be the problem:

1. Combination of stress, depression, and overworking myself. I noticed that when I hung out with friends who i a comfortable with, my symptoms started to lessen. 

2. Infection (probably some sexually transmitted disease. I have been checked for HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, etc except for Hep b and Trichomoniasis. Although Ii feel as if the testing place did not test me accurately due to the fact that they could not find my results at first then I had to wait 30 min to an hour for them to find my lab tests, they came back and told me I was negative for STD's. I am going back to have another STD test done at a different clnic. For those of you who know that your partner is definitely clean or never had any sexual partners, this might void the issue with irritation we are having.

3. Bacteria from food that has effected one of my organs functionality.

4. I read from previous comments about people mentioneing the ileocecal valve and Gastric Ulcers. Well I did some research and came across this:

------For ileocrcal valve taken from Drjockers website:

"Problems occur when this valve is stuck open or closed.

Once food has been digested and is ready for passage from the small intestine into the large intestine, a closed ileocecal valve will result in constipation. When constipation occurs due to this valve being stuck closed, fecal matter and toxins are not able to get through the entrance into the large intestine.

Instead, these waste products are left in the small intestine and the function of the small intestine is to absorb. Therefore, these toxic waste products continue to be absorbed into the body, which can cause many health issues"

This maybe a possible issue and will have to get this checked out soon.

As far as Gastric Ulcers, I did some research and had a colonoscopy done where the doc reached the camera down to the start of the small intestine and found nothing abnormal. Ulcers are found in the stomach and tend to be a whitish color.

At the moment Im not taking any medication and the doctor I have currently is really attentive to my problem and is awaiting to see what my upcoming visit Neurologist appointment is going to bring to the table. I will also have an  STD done in the mean time as well. I have had too much blood work done and wont stop until I find what the hell is going on here.

If anyone has any update or any findings please share. I am not looking forward to dealing with this for years as some have. It is affecting my lifestyle and I cant seem to enjoy life at all. I'd rather be dead than alive at this moment. I hope I can provide a solution to this and If I do find one i will gladly share and update. I cant stand to see someone else go through this. This is a nightmare!

Hi! I am having the same symptoms several months ago and it is driving me crazy, I can live with the discomfort on the bottom of the ribs but the lack of energy is killing me . Any news about this problem? Have you done an endoscopy to see if it is gastritis? in my case I have done dozens of exams and doctors cant find the cause and I am totally desperate. I know it's an old post but I would be so glad if you read this.