Any ideas what these symptoms could be? Digestive problem? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Mudiefeets · 08-07-2006, 12:30 PM

For alomst a year now, I have been bothered by a medley of different bothersome symptoms that I can't really tie down. Most bothersome though is a feeling of a constant side-ache, side "stitche" in my right side, right at or below my ribcage like a person gets when running etc, but I have it even while i'm at rest. Some days are worse, some it's milder but on a whole I experience it for at least a few hours each day and many times it is accompanied by a feeling of fullness and or bloating below my stomach in the abdominal area. I should mention that I was diagnosed with GERD awhile back but am on meds for that and I don't know that there has ever seemed to be a connection between my abdominal/side pains and my GERD symptoms.

I went to see the doctor about my symptoms and they did blood tests and then ultrasounds to check my liver/kidneys/gallbladder and reproductive organs and came up with no conclusions or answers as to a cause. I also will sometimes experience with it a shortness of breath of sorts during the hours/days that the pain is there, as well. Just like I need a deep breathe but have to try a few times to actually get one. The only thing I can think of is maybe it is stress-induced or some other condition that maybe the doctors haven't thought to look for? I

I have tried removing certain things from my diet (I did find lactose was a problem and have since eliminated that)and doing stretches , etc to see if that could be the cause, but to really no avail there, either.

I dont drink, I am not over or under weight (5'8 1/2" 145), I get regular exercise and my other health stats are very good according to my doctor so I am a bit worried, wondering what the cause could be? Does any of this sound like a digestive thing to any of you? Any one have any experience with this kind of pain or any ideas as to what could be the cause or if this could be a symptom of anything else in particular?

crampster · 08-07-2006, 03:49 PM

Mudiefeets,
Sounds like gallbladder. I also have GERD and IBS and my test results for gallbladder came back normal 2-Hida scans, ultrasound and CT scan. I had my gallbladder removed last monday and just saw my doc today... he said the pathology report from my gallbladder confirmed inflammation.

My symptomology sounds very similar to yours. I found myself using hot water bottles to try and lessen or sooth the ache as after a while the pain became almost constant. Don't give up. get a second opinion perhaps. Now I am finally painfree (well except for the incisions that are healing and the very tender abdominal area).
Wish you well.
crampster

Mudiefeets · 08-07-2006, 04:29 PM

Could you pinpoint specific things that made the pains worse? Did yours get worse when you ate greasy foods? And did the pain coincide with a feeling of a lump in your throat or back or chest pain as well?

crampster · 08-07-2006, 06:56 PM

Got worse with sitting, eating anything, rubbing right under my right ribcage, bending, crouching.
Crampster

crampster · 08-07-2006, 06:59 PM

Mudifeets,
Also had pain in the back and sometimes when things were really bad in the side, in the back and up into my right shoulder.
Does any of this info help you? Hope so. I used to think it was my reflux. I told my old GI doc I had a pain in my side when it was really bad felt like a pit bull bit me and wouldn't let go.

Let me know how it goes. I hope it doesn't take you a couple of years of persistance to find a doc who could figure it out.