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 Pain in upper left side
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telly31 Newbie  Posts: 4 |
posted 07-26-2002 10:28 PM
  
For the past 2 weeks my mom has been having pain in her upper left side next to her stomach. It usually starts 15 to 20 minutes after she has eaten. Sometimes she has diareia with it but most of the time it is just the pain. Any ideas what this could be??? Thanks IP: Logged |
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ccc Junior Member Posts: 11 |
posted 07-27-2002 07:43 AM
I get it, too...don't know what it is though. IP: Logged |
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Pastafigioli Senior Member Posts: 143 |
posted 07-27-2002 10:55 AM
If these symptoms persists any longer, she should be evaluated. It could be possibly be something simple, or a form of Colitis (inflamation in the Colon)... however, I had these very similar symptoms, starting 5mos ago. & usually after a short period time of eating. Although these symptoms are not typical of Gallbladder problems, which is usually pain in the upper right quadrant, & this may not pertain to your Mom...none the less, my pains started on the left side, under my left breast, than gradually radiated to mid sternum at the top of my stomach. After several tests, it was revealed that it was my GB, which I just had to have recently removed. Has your Mom been to a Dr on this yet? I would think a Gastro Dr. would be best for her to go to. Is she still having the same discomforts? Sandy IP: Logged |
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ccc Junior Member Posts: 11 |
posted 07-27-2002 11:46 AM
Pastafigioli: I'm VERY curious to hear about your prior symptoms more in depth. I've been mentioned gall bladder by several people due to my symptoms, but part of the reason I haven't gone to the doc about it is because of that LEFT sided pain. It is so hard to find any thing on the internet about the upper left pain because all of the gall bladder stuff indicates a right sided pain. Things have been lingering for me and gradually getting worse for over a year. In addition to that pain, I have a LOT of nausea. Sometimes I get these really bad "episodes" where the nausea and pain wake me up in the middle of the night. It lasts anywhere from 2-5 hours. The nausea is the worst part of it and is absolutely horrid. When all of this happens I usually have really crampy pains all over my stomach (in addition to the LUQ pain) like I'm going to have diarrhea, only the pains aren't relieve by a BM. There is no way to get comfortable during an episode, I just have to wait it out. Also, I cannot tolerate alcohol and I have to be careful of the greasy, fatty foods. A lot of people have told me to get my GB checked out, but I haven't becasue of the left pain so it is interesting to hear your story. My mom has started having some similiar problems which she swears is GB. All of her 4 sisters have had their GB removed and my dad and grandma have has their's out too. Also, I have been on Nexium since the beginning of this and I'm still having these problems. [This message has been edited by ccc (edited 07-27-2002).] IP: Logged |
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Pastafigioli Senior Member Posts: 143 |
posted 07-27-2002 05:56 PM
Hi ccc, When I first started with my symptoms, at first, they had to rule out a possible heart problem (which it wasn't) as GB symptoms can be similar to heart problems. I "always" had my pains & discomforts on my left side, then it eventually would sometimes radiate into my esophagus area,(like sharp spasms) which I was thought to possibly be a reflux problem (Gerd) I was also given Nexium, & an anti-spasm med. But after two months of taking, then trying other PPI (proton pump inhibitors) They weren't helping. By the time, it was discovered I had a GB problem, the pains were starting to go over to my right side too, but always mostly on my left. Usually GB attacks, come & go intermittently, with a time span in-between attacks.. But mine came on to me spontaneously, 5mos ago, as I never had this problem in my life before (I'm 58) & it was chronically painful relentlessly daily. A 2nd sonogram (as my 1st one wasn't done right) & a Nuclear Biliary Scan, showed that I had many tiny stones, gravel & sludge in my GB. Generally GB problems hereditary, mine, I believe was caused by my life style, being overweight & eating fatty foods for a long time, & at the wrong time, like before going to bed. I strongly suggest that the proper test be taken, to put your mind at ease. This shouldn't be ignored, or put off till something bad happens, & could possibly cause complications. A year is a long time, to have been going through the distress you've been going through. Your body is trying to tell you something is not right. At least find out, especially since it runs in your family!!! Feel free to ask me any more questions, I would be happy to help in any way I can. Please, keep me posted, as I am concerned for you & your Mom. I hope I've been of some help. Sandy IP: Logged |
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Shanny Senior Member Posts: 244 |
posted 07-29-2002 05:46 PM
To the original poster-already forgoty ur name lol, i would get it checked out by a doctor, and like someone else said, soemone who specializes in that area b/c i ended up going around a circle with my regular doctor just to be referred to a specialist so cut out that time wasted by going to the specialist originally. CCC- wow we really do have al ot in common like ya said earlier. Tell me if u ever go to the dr and what happens. I havent yet scheduled the app. with the gastrointestinal specalist i was referred to so im not sure what im gonna do now. BIG QUE- Does age have anything to do with gallbladder problems? I am 16, but my mom has gallbladder problems, my grandma recently had hers removed and i have several aunts who have had the problem to. I am not overweight but i do have high cholesterol and high biliruben so i was just wondering cause my doctor said he didnt think it was gallbladder just because of my age. IP: Logged |
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stprdi Senior Member Posts: 140 |
posted 08-05-2002 12:38 AM
I'd like to jump in here and add that I also get discomfort on my left side. I have had increasing shortness of breath and fullness in upper abd for the past 4 years. A year ago I experience excruciating mid sternum pain. I feel like it was a gall stone. Docs say no although nobody has tested for that. I have had a barrage of other tests, heart, lungs, etc and all normal. Lately I feel full/bloated in the upper abd, burping, discomfort in same area and also around heart. The shortness of breath is tiring but I can still function. I've been told that gall bladder pain can radiate most everywhere. IP: Logged |
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Pastafigioli Senior Member Posts: 143 |
posted 08-05-2002 08:05 PM
To stprdi, I understand what your going through. Have you seen a Gastro Dr. yet? What tests have you been through? Has your heart been checked? I don't understand why your weren't tested for GB, as those are symptoms of possible Gallbladder problems. GB pains, do radiate, you can read more info on my above post. You've been going through this a long time. It would certainly warrant further testing to be sure & have peace of mind. Good Luck Sandy IP: Logged |
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sudzie Member Posts: 74 |
posted 08-06-2002 10:59 PM
My gallbladder pain was also on the left side. I also had that bloated agony with the burping and other gas :0 I went to the ER one night because I was in so much pain. I really thought that they would do emergency gallbladder surgery. well to my surprise a little Indian doctor came in and said No can not be gallbladder, did a blood test and took an exray. he came back in and said that the exray showed some stool in the colon and that I have a belly ache. He gave me an enema and sent me home. arrggghh I went to my GP the next day. he thought that I had a hiatal hernia until he touched my right side and I about came off the table, even though most of my pain was on the left. He sent me for a full abdominal sonogram. The girl was very good and thurough. What was found was gallstones and a kidney stone. 2 good major reasons for pain besides a darn belly ache. Any ways an appointment with a surgeon was scheduled and my surgery was June 20. I went with the pain from November to June. I think that it was March or April before I finally figured maybe it was my gallbladder. then I delayed making an appointment. I don't think I could have stood it another day. The pain was constant and they bloating made me look real fat. But back to the subject, most of my pain was on the left. I did get some stabbing in the right and also the worse pain up the side of my neck. It was awful.. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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jitterbug Member Posts: 58 |
posted 08-20-2002 07:44 AM
To STPRDI: Your symptoms sound very much like mine. I know this is going to sound strange but I started taking Effexor for anxiety and it seems to handle my shortness of breath problem. But I also have Restless Leg Syndrome and the Effexor makes that worse, so I can't take it everyday (which I know I should). My left pain first started like a "spasm" attack, and now I've had the dull aching pain for about a year. Had the Hida scan done for GB, only showed slow absorption, no stones or anything else. Have had a gammit of other tests, all with no evidence of a problem. Have you had any success? Please let me know. Thanks! IP: Logged |
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jitterbug Member Posts: 58 |
posted 08-20-2002 07:46 AM
To STPRDI: Your symptoms sound very much like mine. I know this is going to sound strange but I started taking Effexor for anxiety and it seems to handle my shortness of breath problem. But I also have Restless Leg Syndrome and the Effexor makes that worse, so I can't take it everyday (which I know I should). My left pain first started like a "spasm" attack, and now I've had the dull aching pain for about a year. Had the Hida scan done for GB, only showed slow absorption, no stones or anything else. Have had a gammit of other tests, all with no evidence of a problem. Have you had any success? Please let me know. Thanks! IP: Logged |
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tarta Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 08-22-2002 07:19 PM
I just read your quote. I think you should get your GB checked now. Me, my mom and my sister have all got our GB's out. It took a while for the doctors to find out that we needed them out because all three of us had the pain on the left side. All the symptoms you have described I have had. The only downside of getting gb removed, I now have stones in my bile duct that causes pain worse then gall stones. My liver enzymes are high also. Good luck quote: IP: Logged |
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Pastafigioli Senior Member Posts: 143 |
posted 08-22-2002 08:18 PM
tarta, I'm sry to hear that your still in pain after GB surgery. How long ago did you have your operation? How do you know that you now have stones in your bile duct, after GB removal? How was that conclusion determined? Also, what are the symptoms of your pain, & where? I would be most appreciative for your answers to these questions. Thanks Sandy IP: Logged |
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sudzie Member Posts: 74 |
posted 08-23-2002 03:42 PM
Hi Tarta I am also very interested in hearing about the bile duct stones also. I just posted about being in pain again after surgery. I have an ultra sound scheduled but not until September 9. I am also in more pain that before and its constant. I am not happy about this at all. Pastfigoli and I went through our surgeries at the same time. She has had lots of problems since the beginning, I had 2-3 weeks pain free and now its all back. Thanks ------------------ IP: Logged |
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