Undiagnosed Severe Right Upper Abdominal Pain
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi There,
My name is Danielle, I am a 36 year old who has been having severe right upper stomach pain for almost 9 months now. I am having other symptoms as well, vomiting sometimes(when not taking zofran or promethazine) but nauseous all the time, fatigue, swollen stomach(no weight gain), loss of appetite, diarrhea, and constipation. I have had many blood tests to rule out H-pylori, I had Ultrasounds, CT's, a HIDA Scan, and EGD, a Small Bowel Follow Through and some X-rays. With all that all they have found is that I have bilateral kidney stones, both of which are tiny at 2 mm and nonobstructing! So, no answers for why I am in so much freaking pain!! In the past I did have a microscopic kidney stone hide in my right ureter for 3 years before they found it through an exploratory surgery, but this pain is higher than that pain was. I am seeing a pain management Doctor now who did nerve blocks in my back because he believes this to be muscle pain. It's been 3 weeks since he has done the blocks and I have no relief! I am frustrated! I have nothing for pain, and can't sleep, and barely eat! Does anyone out there have any thoughts?
0 likes, 22 replies
fernando90225 danielle30458
Posted
Hi. Did you have an endoscopy. I'm thinking with the symptoms you have might be possible ULCER. I had an ulcer a long time ago. But I remember the constant nausea and loss of appetite too. Anything spicy or citrus avoid. Also the pain felt like if I was very raw inside. And very irritable. I had this for over a year. Until my doctor gave me this certain ulcer medicine. It was a miracle I started to feel well again. Nausea gone what a relief. within a month I was cured. Happy Days. Hope I helped you. Good Luck.
fernando90225 danielle30458
Posted
Hi. Did you have an endoscopy. I'm thinking with the symptoms you have might be possible ULCER. I had an ulcer a long time ago. But I remember the constant nausea and loss of appetite too. Anything spicy or citrus avoid. Also the pain felt like if I was very raw inside. And very irritable. I had this for over a year. Until my doctor gave me this certain ulcer medicine. It was a miracle I started to feel well again. Nausea gone what a relief. within a month I was cured. Happy Days. Hope I helped you. Good Luck.
danielle30458 fernando90225
Posted
Hey There,
I did have one. That was one of the first things they did. No ulcers. But just in case they stuck me on Famotadine and Sucralfate for 4 weeks to see if it helped and unfortunately it did not. Thank you though. I appreciate you taking the time to write.
heidi40319 danielle30458
Posted
I have been through what you are going through now. the problem with me was that my bile ducts were dilated and my biliary bundle was stenotic. this caused Nile to not freely move through the gallbladder to the pancreas to break down food which eventually led to pancreatitis. now, it took years of this pain for pancreatitis to materialize. I argued with doctors about the ducts, it had to be the problem, turns out it was. my doctor did an ERCP and cut my sphincter of oddi and for awhile I was fine. Until, the pancreatitis came back. At that point, a biliary stent was placed and all fluids moved seamlessly through the ducts. I dont know if this is your problem but your case sounds very similar to mine and 7 GI docs ignored the dilated ducts for almost 8 years. I finally have some relief but it was a really sucky road to go down.
fernando90225 heidi40319
Posted
Hello, Heidi. Sounds real familiar. Wow I had GB removed year and a half ago. About 4 months after I got sick again worse than when had GB. Went back to hospital took a CT and found common bile duct was dilated. Due to stone lodged in there. Had ERCP and of course got pancreatitis. Was sick on and off the whole year. Still not quite well. How would I know if I am still experiencing the pancreatitis. Surgeon told me it wouldn't be chronic. Thanks. So glad you are feeling normal again. Bless you.
danielle30458 heidi40319
Posted
Heidi,
I am already on GI #2 and I mentioned the sphincter of oddi on my last visit. Right now though we are waiting to get a CT angiogram of my abdominal area, but insurance is taking their time approving it. I honestly don't know what this doctor is searching for. I honestly don't think they hear me when I am explaining things.
heidi40319 fernando90225
Posted
Once you've had pancreatitis you will never forget that pain. It's always above the belly button and radiates to the back. It's an excruciating pain that is unrelenting. On a side note, if you get it again do not let them give you Morphine for pain, it causes spasms in the duct. Dilaudid is one of the only pain relieving meds that bypasses the ducts from spasms. I hope this info. helps. I know it sucks folks!
danielle30458 heidi40319
Posted
Heidi,
That is interesting that you say that morphine causes a spasm with that. Because when I went to the ER for my pain last and they gave me morphine it almost seemed to make my pain worse! They then gave me dilaudid and it started to help to relieve some of my pain. Hmm...Interesting my brain says!
lynn9409 heidi40319
Posted
I was hospitalized with pancreatitis. now I have the pain and all my blood test are in range. I've seen several specialists. I dont get it
heidi40319 lynn9409
Posted
I have had pancreatitis 7 times times, each time my numbers are lower that's because your pancreas goes into a burnout phase. Yes, the pain will be there, it may not be pancreatitis but your bowel may not be communicating with your bile ducts and the transfer of bile is slower, which causes upset. if you truly have a bout of pancreatitis and your numbers are fine a CT scan will always trump your bloodwork. My pancreatitis is unrelated to alcohol so its harder for my doctor to treat me, I just have bad Gene's unfortunately.
heidi40319 danielle30458
Posted
Yes it's very true but the sad thing is that most ER docs don't know that morphine causes these spasms and likely will accuse the patient of being a drug seeker and preferring dilaudid. my GI doc who is wonderful added notes to my hospital chart saying "do not give morphine, only dilaudid" because it also makes it harder on him to operate when my ducts are spasming.
lynn9409 danielle30458
Posted
how about your pancreas? That's my problem same symptoms.
danielle30458 lynn9409
Posted
I think they are ignoring my pancreas because my scans and blood levels are fine and all my pain is on my right upper stomach and right lower back. On paper I look completely healthy. It's super frustrating.
fernando90225 danielle30458
Posted
That's the problem today. I get sick of hearing. "Oh your numbers are good ".. Yet they can see we are hurting. Until you find the right Doctor or tests . You are told we will try something else. The medical field today is a total waste of time and energy. Very frustrating....
heidi40319 danielle30458
Posted
Danielle read my post, most doctors do ignore the pancreas at first. Mostly because if the pancreas has been damaged before the numbers arent super high for them to take a second look. I know its exasperating but dont let the doctors dismiss or run you over. I finally found a doctor that listened intently.