What next?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi,

I've been having abdominal pain for over 8 months now, it started off very vague and intermittent but is now a lot more persistent, the worst pain is to the right of my belly button, but is now also in the upper right and left abdomen as well as left side of the chest and across my back.

I am constantly very tired.

Stools are mostly loose with occasional diarrhea.

My abdomen pulses up and down constantly. I am neither skinny or overweight. 5'11" and just over 12 stone.

I have now noticed my abdomen protrudes on the right side of my belly button much more than the left hand side.

I have been back and forth to doctors and a few gastro's, had countless tests: ultrasound, numerous ct's, mrcp/mri, colonoscopy, endoscopy, bone scan, angiogram, fecal fat and numerous bloods. All have come back clear and no one can tell me what is wrong.

Before all this started, I was a fit, strong, happy and healthy 41 year old, I am now a shadow of my former self. I have become anxious and have been on mirtazapine for 5 months.

Since my last post (https://patient.info/forums/discuss/rain-and-swollen-right-side-abdomen-702915?page=0#3523601) I have now had a EUS, which has come back clear, so I think I can now rule out a problem with my pancreas. I am still having the same pain, it is now also in the left side of my neck. I really don't know what to do next to find out what is wrong with me, my gp is out of ideas and I've seen a few specialists too, without any answer

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Have you been to a neurologist? and can you recreate pain by stretching muscles or while crunching if yes then its a abdominal wall pain and is mostly related to nerves.

    • Posted

      Hi, no I haven't been to a neurologist. The pain isn't related to movement or exercise.

  • Posted

    Has IBS been mentioned and have you had a HIDA scan to check your gallbladder?

    • Posted

      IBS was mentioned at the very start of all this, but no doctor has diagnosed me with it or treated me for it. I haven't had a HIDA, but have had an MRCP and EUS

    • Posted

      Maybe ask for an antispasmodic to see if that helps. Your doctor should have tried you on one when IBS was mentioned to see how you responded to it. Doctors often try you out on a medication to help diagnose your problem. My doctor, tried me on an antispasmodic to see if I had IBS. The medication made me worse and that confused them more for a while. Eventually, I was dIagnosed with IBS and I tried a mild OTC antispasmodic instead and it worked without upsetting my stomach. Also ask if a HIDA scan is needed just to rule out your gallbladder.

    • Posted

      I have tried Buscopan, which didn't work for me. My pain is not related to bowel movement or eating habits, which makes me doubt IBS

    • Posted

      Does stress bring on your symptoms? Some people have IBS which is related only to stress but not to food. This is what my IBS is like. Buscopan is very mild so maybe ask your doctor for a different antispasmodic; there are others you could try. I was tried on Mebeverine first before diagnosis and it made me worse but Buscopan because it was mild enough not to upset my stomach. Sometimes, you need to try different medications to find one that suits. Keep going back to your doctor.

  • Posted

    Have you checked the side effects of all the meds you may be taking?

    • Posted

      I wasn't taking any meds at all when this started, I began taking Mirtazapine after 3 months of the symptoms

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