Hubbyswifeinsc
06-16-2009, 12:33 AM
I'm new to the website and was wondering if anyone could help me out with what I'm experiencing or have had similar symptoms.
For about 2 months I have had a mostly constant pain in my upper right abdomen. At times it literally feels like someone has sandpaper in there and rubbing it against my skin. It hurts worse when I move my right arm towards my back. Sometimes the pain feels like it is in my right breast near the stomach. I had a complete ultrasound done this past week and they said everything was negative for my gallbladder, liver, spleen, bladder, kidneys, stomach, and pancreas.
In addition to the pain, I normally feel like I need to burp or pass gas (both happen freqently and somewhat relieve the pain but not completely). My stomach rumbles like I'm trying to birth an alien baby =). Also, I go from constipation to diarrhea (mostly diarrhea). At times it takes less than 5 minutes after eating when I MUST find a bathroom. I usually go to the bathroom at least 5 times a day but sometimes up to 20 times each day. I went to a doctor a few years ago with similar symptoms and the doctor told me I wasn't going to the bathroom correctly (lol) and told me to take a vegetable laxative. That worked for some time but has not corrected the current problem. In the past I have woken up (almost always happens during the night) with stabbing pains in my lower stomach. I had to go to the bathroom and would have episodes of diarrhea and then gas and then diarrhea and then gas, etc. for at least 30 minutes. I would start sweating during these and then I felt so exhausted that I needed to go back to sleep. I haven't had one in a few months but they used to happen at least once a month.
I also sometimes have a pain in my chest on both sides of my heart and on both outer sides of my breasts (almost under my arms but not completely). Rubbing the area sometimes makes it feel better, but mostly it makes me nauseas and uncomfortable. I have also had some stabbing pains in my back near my chest area that feel like someone is pinching inside me. They come in rounds of about 5, last less than 3 seconds each, and disappear within 10 minutes tops. I have only had about 4 of these. I am only 29 so not worried about it being a heart attack or anything like that since my blood pressure is normal and pulse is fine. I also take my blood sugar on occassion and it is always normal as well.
I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and take Metformin daily. I also take Singulair for allergies and daily cranberry pills (OTC) to prevent frequent bladder infections that I used to have. I do smoke and drink on occassion. I have smoked for 15 years but realize it is time to quit and plan to within a week. I have stopped for days at a time and not noticed any difference in the pain whether I smoke or not. I took Nexium for about a week and did not notice a difference in my symptoms.
Any ideas on what is going on? The doctors immediately thought it was my gallbladder because of the area of my pain and the fact that my shoulders were sore. I teach and had a rough year so some think it may be stress related. Others believe it is an ulcer. I have never been diagnosed with anything other than the PCOS, high blood pressure at one time (under control now with no medicine needed), and high cholesterol at one time that disappeared once I lost weight (I have since gained some back and haven't had it re-checked). My current doctor told me that if I still felt bad to come back and he would refer me to a gastro-intestinal specialist. I really do not want to go from doctor to doctor because they all have the same answers (eat better and lose some weight). I figured a REAL person who has experienced similiar issues could help me at least go in the right direction. Any advice is appreciated.
God Bless!
For about 2 months I have had a mostly constant pain in my upper right abdomen. At times it literally feels like someone has sandpaper in there and rubbing it against my skin. It hurts worse when I move my right arm towards my back. Sometimes the pain feels like it is in my right breast near the stomach. I had a complete ultrasound done this past week and they said everything was negative for my gallbladder, liver, spleen, bladder, kidneys, stomach, and pancreas.
In addition to the pain, I normally feel like I need to burp or pass gas (both happen freqently and somewhat relieve the pain but not completely). My stomach rumbles like I'm trying to birth an alien baby =). Also, I go from constipation to diarrhea (mostly diarrhea). At times it takes less than 5 minutes after eating when I MUST find a bathroom. I usually go to the bathroom at least 5 times a day but sometimes up to 20 times each day. I went to a doctor a few years ago with similar symptoms and the doctor told me I wasn't going to the bathroom correctly (lol) and told me to take a vegetable laxative. That worked for some time but has not corrected the current problem. In the past I have woken up (almost always happens during the night) with stabbing pains in my lower stomach. I had to go to the bathroom and would have episodes of diarrhea and then gas and then diarrhea and then gas, etc. for at least 30 minutes. I would start sweating during these and then I felt so exhausted that I needed to go back to sleep. I haven't had one in a few months but they used to happen at least once a month.
I also sometimes have a pain in my chest on both sides of my heart and on both outer sides of my breasts (almost under my arms but not completely). Rubbing the area sometimes makes it feel better, but mostly it makes me nauseas and uncomfortable. I have also had some stabbing pains in my back near my chest area that feel like someone is pinching inside me. They come in rounds of about 5, last less than 3 seconds each, and disappear within 10 minutes tops. I have only had about 4 of these. I am only 29 so not worried about it being a heart attack or anything like that since my blood pressure is normal and pulse is fine. I also take my blood sugar on occassion and it is always normal as well.
I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and take Metformin daily. I also take Singulair for allergies and daily cranberry pills (OTC) to prevent frequent bladder infections that I used to have. I do smoke and drink on occassion. I have smoked for 15 years but realize it is time to quit and plan to within a week. I have stopped for days at a time and not noticed any difference in the pain whether I smoke or not. I took Nexium for about a week and did not notice a difference in my symptoms.
Any ideas on what is going on? The doctors immediately thought it was my gallbladder because of the area of my pain and the fact that my shoulders were sore. I teach and had a rough year so some think it may be stress related. Others believe it is an ulcer. I have never been diagnosed with anything other than the PCOS, high blood pressure at one time (under control now with no medicine needed), and high cholesterol at one time that disappeared once I lost weight (I have since gained some back and haven't had it re-checked). My current doctor told me that if I still felt bad to come back and he would refer me to a gastro-intestinal specialist. I really do not want to go from doctor to doctor because they all have the same answers (eat better and lose some weight). I figured a REAL person who has experienced similiar issues could help me at least go in the right direction. Any advice is appreciated.
God Bless!
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MountainReader
06-17-2009, 12:02 AM
Welcome to the health boards.
It really does sound like a referral to a Gastroenterologist is the next best step to really figure out what is going on. It is amazing some of the symptoms that come out of having digestive issues that you don't even realize.
It does sound like you may be having some reflux issues going on. It also sounds like there could be some IBS issues going on. Really only a specialist will be able to tell you for sure. Once you know, then you can work on an appropriate course of action.
I've had some right side pain like that on and off for several years now and they never found anything wrong. In the last year, I have developed IBS and do have some experience in that area now. Your GI doc can also take biopsies to ensure you don't have H. Pylori or something else upsetting your digestive track.
Ask around to get the name of a good GI doc. A good doc shouldn't give you the run around and should listen to you seriously. Unfortunately for me, my GI doc didn't really listen to me until my Pulmonologist sent him results of some testing he had done. Those results really make him stand up and take notice. I communicate much better now that he listens.
It really does sound like a referral to a Gastroenterologist is the next best step to really figure out what is going on. It is amazing some of the symptoms that come out of having digestive issues that you don't even realize.
It does sound like you may be having some reflux issues going on. It also sounds like there could be some IBS issues going on. Really only a specialist will be able to tell you for sure. Once you know, then you can work on an appropriate course of action.
I've had some right side pain like that on and off for several years now and they never found anything wrong. In the last year, I have developed IBS and do have some experience in that area now. Your GI doc can also take biopsies to ensure you don't have H. Pylori or something else upsetting your digestive track.
Ask around to get the name of a good GI doc. A good doc shouldn't give you the run around and should listen to you seriously. Unfortunately for me, my GI doc didn't really listen to me until my Pulmonologist sent him results of some testing he had done. Those results really make him stand up and take notice. I communicate much better now that he listens.
gigi11
06-17-2009, 11:42 AM
Wow you sound just like me - I had my gallbladder removed and my problems started after they were removed. Went to the gasterologist and he thinks a stone may be left behind. I got so stressed with all these test that my condition has gotten worse and i think I have IBS. I have had a h-ployia, pancritis test all came back negative. Tomorrow I have a MRCP done and I am nervous so my gasteroligist had to put me on a pill that relaxes me because I keep thinking the worse.
NYCman
06-18-2009, 12:13 PM
Gigi, when you can, please let us know the results of your MRCP test. Is that the one that checks for S.O.D.? I also have this pain in the RUQ. I have yet to be diagnosed with anything. I still have my gallbladder.
gigi11
06-18-2009, 07:43 PM
I had my test done today and I am so scared. First, I did not know you go through a tunnel like dome to get a xray. This is my first time doing it. I was terrified only because I am a little funny about closed in spaces. Oh, then when I got home I called my doctor immediatly because I want the results. After they give the xray they hand you the xray. I felt like I was carrying a book.
Like I said I had a pancritis test, h-ploria, allergy tested, Liver enzynes are ok, my white blood cell count was tested in April - so should that cover any cancer tests if I have it. I am so terrified that it might be something bad. help help
Like I said I had a pancritis test, h-ploria, allergy tested, Liver enzynes are ok, my white blood cell count was tested in April - so should that cover any cancer tests if I have it. I am so terrified that it might be something bad. help help
gigi11
06-18-2009, 07:44 PM
This xray checks in the tissue of your body to rule out tumors, obstruction, stones etc.
Hubbyswifeinsc
06-22-2009, 09:16 PM
Just wanted to give everyone an update. My stomach was killing me the other night and I was having pains in my chest as well (on both sides of my heart). I really thought I needed to go to the emergency room but my husband (a paramedic) told me to just relax and it would subside...which it did. On Friday night I ate dinner and then took my medicine like normal and noticed that my stomach felt like it was on fire as soon as I took the medicine. I had never noticed this before so I tried an experiment.....
I take OTC cranberry pills for bladder infections that I used to get all the time. Since they aren't prescription, I decided to not take them on Saturday, Sunday, or today. And guess what? My stomach feels almost 100% better! I still have a little soreness but there is no more constant pain. I am not sure the cranberry pills caused anything or not. I know that I have religiously taken 4 every day for at least 2 years. Once I really started thinking of the acidity in cranberry I figured maybe I was making my stomach acid act up by taking the pills. Since my hubby is a paramedic he warns me all the time about taking OTC stuff so much, but I really never thought a simple cranberry pill could hurt me so much. Oh, and to keep the bladder infections down, I've decided to go back to what my doctor said would help keep the kidneys and bladder clean...a beer a day ;).
I take OTC cranberry pills for bladder infections that I used to get all the time. Since they aren't prescription, I decided to not take them on Saturday, Sunday, or today. And guess what? My stomach feels almost 100% better! I still have a little soreness but there is no more constant pain. I am not sure the cranberry pills caused anything or not. I know that I have religiously taken 4 every day for at least 2 years. Once I really started thinking of the acidity in cranberry I figured maybe I was making my stomach acid act up by taking the pills. Since my hubby is a paramedic he warns me all the time about taking OTC stuff so much, but I really never thought a simple cranberry pill could hurt me so much. Oh, and to keep the bladder infections down, I've decided to go back to what my doctor said would help keep the kidneys and bladder clean...a beer a day ;).
Titchou
06-23-2009, 04:38 PM
Be sure to urinate often. Urine staying in the bladder for an extended period of time can cause the infections. Never go more than 4 hours without urinating. ( and beer will make you do so more often!) Also, be sure to urinate before and after sex - evne if oyu think you really don't need to go.
And try cranberry juice instead of the pills.
And try cranberry juice instead of the pills.