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Upper right quadrent pain ? IBS or Something else

Posted , 8 users are following.

christophe81242
christophe81242

Hi

I'm on here to see if this online commu.nity can help give me an idea of what's going on.

Here's the story so if you can shed light on it, I'm not joking I will thank you forever, as its driving me mad....

I started getting pain in the upper right quadrant abdominal area, 2 finger widths down below bottom rib 27 years ago. I'm 47 now and male.

The pain wasn't very deep, just below muscle, I would say if you cut me open in that area it would be the first organ you came to.

The pain would come maybe twice a year and be so bad at times I would go to A&E. Pain was a dull ache gripping pressure type pain that would go after about 4-5 hours of climbing the walls and pacing. Or 6 paracetamol and a handful of ibuprofen. Once the hospital gave me a shot of morphine which also worked.

Had an ultra sound in the states, but came back clear, the guy who did it though was a bit shabby though. Had an xray here, that came back clear and had every blood test under the sun, all clear, slightly high cholesterol, 0.5 over normal range.

First got pain after around a difficult period in my life, now it's less painful, more constant though. If I have coffee of a morning. I have about 3 poo s straight away and when I used to drink alcohol, I'd have 4 or 5 poo s when getting ready because of excitement.

IBS has been mentioned, gallbladder issues, spastic Collin blah blah blah.

I just want to know what this pain is, it's driving me crazy and no doctor wants to give a diagnosis. It's not deep in my body and is overt to the right below my rib cage. I've had all the cancer blood tests and my GP said it's not that, but I'd really love to know what the he'll it is.

Sorry, I know it's a long post, but wanted to give the full picture.

One more thing on location, the pointy bit on your right bottom rib before it slopes down towards your back, I'd say it was 2 fingers right of that, then 1 or 2 fingers down then 2 fingers deep. The pain is spread in area the size of a small tangarine. I have had it for 27 years intermittent, so I wouldn't say it's life threatening, I've had no jaundice , blood in poo etc either. Just want to know what the he'll it is.

Any thoughts anyone.

I would be in your debt.

Chris

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

  • christophe81242
    christophe81242

    Posted

    Sorry when I say fingers I mean width not length.
  • harry69263
    harry69263 christophe81242

    Posted

    Hi Chris ,Have you been checked for diviticulitis ?
    • christophe81242
      christophe81242 harry69263

      Posted

      No haven't been told about that, again another possibility, but looking at it on nhs choices the pain is in the wrong place. The search goes on.
  • paul75665
    paul75665 christophe81242

    Posted

    The area you are suggesting seems to be the liver, gallbladder area, but it could also be roughly where the first bend of your colon / large intestines is. Have you ever had a Colonoscopy?

    One thing I've learned since becomming ill and being diagnosed with IBS is that not all blood tests are conclusive, they can give an idea of any problems, but the more intrusive methods of examination will be used to give a definite diagnosis, such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy. There is also the situation of having what is called as 'referred pain'. This is where there is a problem within the body, but can cause pain in a totally different area, for example, the bloating problems I get within my bowels, cause me to have chest pains. I'm having a bad IBS flare up day right now, and my lower abdomen feels tight and swollen but no pain, yet I'm getting sharp stabbing pains in my chest, shoulders and under both sets of ribs. Its a nightmare cause I'm always wondering if this is just symptoms of IBS, or is there something else wrong, totally unrelated to my digestive system, that the doctors have missed.

    Not sure what else I can say or suggest, but I would try and follow this up with your doctor, and see if they can do some more examinations, and if not, get a second opinion.

    Good luck and all the best.

    • christophe81242
      christophe81242 paul75665

      Posted

      Cheers, I've had several liver function tests and all normal, no jaundice, so I'm leaning away from liver issues but not dissmissing it all together. Gallbladder could be an issue, but no stones have been found and people I know who have had gallbladder issues say it's in that area but their pain was a bit more central and they felt it in there back too. They got an easy diagnosis and got there gallbladder removed. Again not ruling it out, I'm just guessing that if it was definitely gallbladder, it would have been diagnosed.

      Thanks

  • harry69263
    harry69263 christophe81242

    Posted

    yes Chris most divi is on the left side but not all , mine is on the right just about where you say yours is .
    • harry69263
      harry69263 christophe81242

      Posted

      Diet and try not to get too streesed , but you need to be diagnosed to see if it is divi .
  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 christophe81242

    Posted

    If there had been problems with your gallbladder, I would have thought it would have shown up on your ultrasound.    It would not have taken 27 years to appear. Your symptoms sound like IBS especially if the pain is intermittent.  Reactions to food and alcohol and the onset of ill health after stress suggest this.  If all your tests are negative, IBS can be diagnosed.
    • christophe81242
      christophe81242 philippa61759

      Posted

      I am leaning towards IBS it's just so vague and I've seen 5 GPS who have all said different things. But my own research and hopefully this forum will narrow it down. IBS is ahead until I hear otherwise. Thanks
  • philippa61759
    philippa61759 christophe81242

    Posted

    I saw eight doctors before my IBS diagnosis.  They all said different things; some admitted they hadn't got a clue.  One doctor recognised my pain and panic.  He was the only one I had confidence in.
  • carolyn32842
    carolyn32842 christophe81242

    Posted

    Hi Chris

    Its sooooo difficult getting a definitive answer.  Sometimes blood tests and scans can come back normal and you are given false hope but are still left with the underlying problems.  The site where you say your main pain is indicates where the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts are.  A lot of doctors diagnose IBS if tests dont show anything.  I was told I had IBS 3 years ago or functional gastrointestinal disorder but a ultra sound found gall stones.  Had the gall bladder out but problems still persisted.  Initially main pain in the upper abdomen below the rib cage but now also upper right side.  After many normal tests and now a second opinion at another hospital (after being treated as though I was making too much of the issue and being told nothing more can be done) they reluctantly did a  CT scan and EUS and have found abnomalities in my pancreas and liver.  I am having a specialised MRI scan in 2 weeks time and seeing the consultant 2 weeks later for the prognosis.  I know you said you have had this for 27 years so it seems a long time but if your symptoms are getting worse dont give up going to your GP.  There are a lot of people living with IBS which has many differing symptoms and solutions to help with the discomfort but I think the doctors are too quick to send us on our way to get on with things.  I hope you get some answers or relief soon.  Unfortunately I have been misdiagnosed for too long and am now facing god knows what.

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 christophe81242

    Posted

    I think it could be gallstones. They don't always show up on ultrasound you really need an MRI.

    In the meantime keep to a low fat or even no fat diet and see if this helps.

    Also look out for signs of becoming jaundiced.

    Hope this helps

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

  • astrozombie
    astrozombie christophe81242

    Posted

    My symptoms are more severe but as part of my symptoms pain under my right rib cage is just one of the many symptoms. For me I am normally running to the loo between cramps. My cramps are not constant, more intermittent but when they strike I am in such severe pain.

    Still sounds like IBS to me though

     

    • astrozombie
      astrozombie christophe81242

      Posted

      I would never hope for IBS. It has caused me so many problems over the brief time of 5 years I have had it. 

      I am not an expert in IBS but I am an expert in my IBS, if that makes sense to you. 

    • christophe81242
      christophe81242 astrozombie

      Posted

      Hi yes, don't wish for anything, but not knowing what's causing my pain is not easy. I'd prefer a diagnosis, however, no GP wants to label it. If I know what it is, I could then learn to deal with it instead of worrying about it all the time. The not knowing is is a nightmare, along with the symptoms it's wearing.

    • astrozombie
      astrozombie christophe81242

      Posted

      No, please don't 2 weeks ago I was up until 2.20 am being ill. It is not conducive to a good night's sleep. Yes but even if he says IBS will you really know what is causing your pain. What does IBS really mean in terms of a tangible diagnosis. It is very little. Unless you have a particular food intolerance so you are only ill after X food but that seems to be rare. Worrying will only make you worse so I would definitely have a second opinion. Doctors all rotate these days so the chances of seeing the same Doctor will depend on how many in your practice. I have 8 doctors so 1/8. Even if diagnosed IBS your symptoms may not align with everyone in here. I can understand that re: wearing. Good luck.

       

    • astrozombie
      astrozombie christophe81242

      Posted

      My pleasure. I am here to learn from others' more knowledgeable than me but if my knowledge can help others' along the way I will.
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