Pain - anyone have an idea?
 

I am getting pretty bad pain from the bottom of my ribcage all the way down my abdomen. It also reaches through to my back depending on how I sit. This is the second or third time this happened.

It isn't a heart attack because the pain isn't that far up and my arm is fine. It isn't gas because I just took 4 Gas-X strips and it hasn't helped. Any ideas on what this is? I feel like I am going to be sick from this! :(

Second or third time since when? How long does it usually last? I'd go see a doctor, myself. Could be a wide variety of serious things.

Since the end of February. It usually lasts about an hour or so then goes completely away. I am trying to figure out if it os being triggered by what I eat.

See a doc.

Go to the doc. My bro-in-law put off checking out a pain like you're describing he got a temporary colostomy bag for his reticence.

Gall bladder?

I think his intestine was perforated. The tissue was a mess so they shortened it and rerouted things until the tissue was ready for reattachment. um not to scare the hell out of bbro... just do the safe thing.

Sounds like a gallstone attack, but don't assume that it's not a heart attack. The symptoms in women are not always the same as in men, especially the arm-thing. (I think bbro is a girl, IIRC.) Get it checked out.

I wound up in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack -- 'twas gallstones. Had the stupid vestigial organ out, all is well.

Thanks for all your replies.

Griff, even though you didn't want to scare me, you kind of did!! I don't want to wear a bag of poo!!

I am leaning more toward the gall bladder problem. My mom has been treated for some problems with it.

*SIGH* just what I need, something ELSE wrong with me. Why couldn't it have just been gas. If I am lucky, maybe I'll get 5 things that are wrong with me. I already have 3, so this will make 4 depending on what the doctor says.

Much more likely than the truly weird thing my bro-in-law went through. Still it should be seen to immediately so it does not turn into multiple problems.

Bump. Can you give us an update, bbro? Did you get it checked out?

Pie - I was just going to go looking for this thread to update!

I talked to my doctor yesterday. The reason I didn't go earlier is because I didn't have an another attack and I was hoping to make it to April 10th to save on time missed from work. Since I was there yesterday for my lovely cold, I figured I would ask. I told her about all the pain and that my mom had gallstones. She looked at me and said "well, you just earned yourself a sonogram". - which I have tomorrow. She also took some blood to do a liver and gallbladder function test.

I have to meet with her after to discuss the results and hopefully that will be on April 10th.

Another update. Got the ultrasound - it was ookie. All that gell all over everything, yech. The only thing that worries me is on the few images I could see, I saw red a couple times. It is a black and white ultrasound and looked like someone colored on it. Kind of like this http://www.learningradiology.com/cas.../cow179arr.jpg, but not nearly as large of an area.

I will find out next Thursday, that is my marathon of doctor's visits.

The color just means they put the machine in Doppler mode, and it indicates whether substances are moving towards or away from the viewer, and how fast they're moving. Usually they're testing blood flow through various parts of the body, checking for blockages and whatnot. Red on its own is just a direction/speed; it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad at all.

Clodfobble is right; red is not "bad" in a doppler ultrasound, the way red is "bad" in weather satellite images on TV. FWIW, I work in a radiology dept.

Whereas I am merely an irritating know-it-all. :)

Thanks, both of you. Makes me a bit more relaxed. I only have to wait until Tuesday to find out the results of that and hopefully my blood tests. At least I am doing something and not just complaining! :)

Waiting for test results will tell you if there is any stress-related issues with the condition. I, at least, get impatient. 'You know it already, tell me!' Hopefully the problem will resolve with a simple diet change or other easy fix. Good luck!

While you're waiting for the results, I prescribe lots of sex and chocolate. ;)

Well, I have gotten a lot of sex this weekend, but no chocolate.....going to have to remedy that tonight.. :D

Well now, I just happen to have some chocolate... a lot of it... right here in the back of my van... trust me, just climb on in. :cool:

Oh, yea, sure....no problem
:p

Well, the results are in. I have Multiple gallstones. How many is multiple? Don't know yet, my doctor has to call the radiology place. If it is a lot, then surgery to remove the gall bladder. If a couple, then trying alternative remedies and doing another ultrasound in 3 months.

So, what did I do when I heard the devastating news? Went out and ate the worst meal possible and woke up at 2 am in sever pain. Luckily, I had already picked up some stuff she suggested and used that. Instead of having pain for 3 hours, it lasted about a half hour until everything started working. Stupid.

:(

bbro I am really sorry to hear you have gallstones.
I know from non-personal but graphic recounting how painful they can be.

However I am happy to hear it is a diagnosed condition and a treatable one.
Good luck!

The good news is that it is something treatable, and not more serious. FWIW, my mom had her gallbladder removed, gosh, 9 or 10 years ago now and it was a laproscopic procedure. Only 2 small incisions, one in her belly button you can't see, and another on he abdomen closer to her ribs. She was only in the hospital overnight if I remember correctly.

So, even if you do have to have surgery, it shouldn't be a big deal. Let us know what the final verdict is.

It is treatable and if I do have the surgery, it will be like you mom's LabRat. I am still a little scared. I have never had surgery, have only been in the hospital three times and I can't remember the first time and I don't remember if I stayed the second time. Plus the last time I had anesteshia for wisdom teeth removal, I didn't do well on the waking up part. Can anyone say freak out?

It just sucks. I am sick of all these health problems. I mean I'm not even 30 for pete's sake!

I am sure I will be fine no matter what. Besides, mummy is coming down if I have to have surgery.

Thanks for the concern. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. :comfort:

I know several people, including one ex, that had that surgery.
They all lived happily ever after.... except the ex, who's never fucking happy. ;)

Well, it's official. I am definitely having surgery. Apparently multiple means more than 10 gallstones. She said there wasn't an exact count because there were soo many. They also don't know the sizes because there were soo many. Now all I have to do is call my doctor, tell her I decided to do the surgery and figure out what is next. Let me tell you how fun that was to hear at 8:15 Saturday morning.

Just a temporary delay in living happily ever after. :thumb:

Thanks Bruce, that's what everyone keeps saying. After the shock of it, I am kind of in the meh stage. I'm still nervous and annoyed, but at least I won't have to worry about the pain anymore.

Hopefully my doctor will be able to fill me in on what to do now. Never had to schedule a surgery before.

Well, after trying to get a hold of my doctor, I finally did. Since I hadn't been having symptoms, she referred me to a gastroenterologist to get a specialists opinion. They called, made me an appointment for Monday. Talk about service!

Although last night, through my own fault (shouldn't have eaten the greasy food), I had the worst attack to date. I mean within minutes of finishing eating instead of hours. Nothing I did would get rid of it. Finally just had to wait it out for a couple hours.

The appointment is perfect timing.

What was recommended? I have been having the same problems for YEARS - didn't know there was anything you could "pick up". . .

Do tell!!!

Well, there is a supplement called lecithin that I try and take before eating fatty foods or for pain. Also, she suggested a pain releiver for pain in addition. I also use 1 TBSP of castor oil heated in a pan until warm. Use a rag to soak it up, place on right side where gallbladder, etc is located, place a heating pad on top of it. She also gave me digestive enzymes to take before eating fatty foods, but I lost the prescription and the supplements were working so I didn't worry about it.

Seriously, though, if you are having the same pain, you have to go see a doctor. Your gallbladder can burst just like an appendix or have a stone block bile ducts which can lead to pancreatitis and other problems. Not trying to scare you, but it should be looked at.

For anyone still following along, my doctor yesterday decided to do the whole camera down the throat thing to make sure that it is the gallbladder that is causing me the pain. Then the decision on surgery will be made based on the results.

good luck with that. At least it went down your throat, unlike Flint...

Thank god for that!! :thepain:

Oh bbro, you can deep throat a whole camera? I thinks I love you! :love:

;) Apparently I did with no problem what so ever.....they had to drug me first, though :D

no comment - but many thoughts.

I can do that. :D

keep us posted. sending good vibes

Thanks Griff. Right now, my next appointment is next Thursday. I should get the results then. They also took some biopsies just to be sure so those should be done as well. Right now they have me on Prevacid. We shall see, although, they seem to be moving fast which is nice. No dilly-dallying around

GERD

It is also used to treat ulcers. I don't think it is GERD because I really don't get heartburn as long as I am watching what I eat. I have only had it a handful of times since I started eating better in September.

I will find out on Thursday I am sure, you may very well be right.

Went to the doctor's again and the verdict is in. Not only do I have gallstones, but I also have erosive gastritis. Trying to find information on it is impossible. All I know is that I can't take any pain killers but Tylenol. I'm sure he told me, but I don't remember. Just another health problem to worry about.

Lots on erosive gastritis here.

Bummer bbro, but at least you know what you're dealing with and not something even worse.

Again, sorryit's not great news, but after all you've had it all this time anyway - now you have the opportunity to do something about it and live in a way that doesn't aggravate it.

Good news is on its way I'm sure of it!

Thanks everyone. That link is great, dar! I saw it when I was searching, but I thought it would be pushing a drug or something since Merck is a drug company. Lots of good information. Although, I read on another site that alcohol can be a cause, but that site doesn't mention anything.

The plan is to take new stomach medicine (the Prevacid was bothering me) for 2 weeks, stay away from anything but tylenol, and (by my own decision) stay away from alcohol just to be safe.

My mom was saying that she had gastritis, but it was taken care of by medicine (the purple pill, can't remember the name) and now her gallstones don't bother her. There's that silver lining! Maybe this will stop my pain and I won't need surgery....for a while :D

Nexium. Not all proton pump inhibitors are the same, you may have to switch around every now and then to find the one that works the best.

An update

Pills seem to be working well. I get some pain, but it is more like an annoying ache that comes and goes when I eat something I know I shouldn't. Hopefully this will be ok and I won't need the surgery. I have to report back to the doc next week.

Mentally, I am ok now. I am over the poor me phase and onto the naming the soap opera that is my intestinal system "As the Stomach Turns". As many people said, both of these conditions are treatable, so that is all I have to do, then forget about it....mostly.

just feel like a :jig: today

Good for you, winner.:thumb2:

Off to a surgical consult next week. No more jig. I was hoping it would all be good. I still know they are treatable, don't want a knife cutting me open.

Nobody does, but the alternative is even less inviting... plus you can tell your great-grandchildren a wonderful story, about how a dragon tried to make off with you, as a young maiden. ;)

A dragon?? is my gallbladder the dragon? If so, his name is Arnold. He will be relocating from Abdomen Falls to the town of Pathology on Tuesday at approx 1:30 pm. Mummy has already booked the car and will be making her way down on Sunday.

bwahahahahah

get well soon!

bbro - the knife is your friend in this situation!

I'm not really scared of surgery (sez the woman who's never had any) but I do feel for you.
You're intelligent enough to know it's for the best - you'd have lived out your life in excrutiating pain 100 years ago. Doesn't that make you feel calmer?

I found out today that my Uncle's throat pain should have been picked up as a symptom 10 years ago - and it's something my Mum suffers from and I might do too - so I now have a personal reason to advocate getting things checked out. Glad you did and glad (given that you need an operation) that it's asap.

All my best wishes.

good luck, bbro! the surgery doesn't sound too scary. come back after you've recuperated from the surgery and give us an update.

as for getting things checked out, a person really should! many years ago, i never experienced pain, but my lower abs was feeling a bit hard. i ignored it, thinking it was constipation. then my stomach got bigger, i figured i was getting fat. a year later, and after many urgings from friends and family, i went to the doc and found out i had a tumor. surgery went fine but had i gone to the doc earlier, my scar would've been much, much smaller.

Thanks everyone. I am okay, just nervous. I don't think that is going to go away. Now my brother is coming down as well. His work arranged for him to work at the office near me, so he won't even have to take a vacation day.

Oh and I definitely get things checked out these days. I used to lecture my mother about it because she had a similar experience with a tumor, but different symptoms. She waited so long it grew to the size of a basketball! So, now I can lecture because I go get things looked at and she still doesn't.

Besides, what is the point of suffering if it can be fixed.