Stomach Pain

[Kat]

I have been experience a minor pain on my left side under my rib cage. It has been coming and going for the past two months. I have been diagnosed with depression which causes me to worry exstensively. I have had other stomach problems in the past, but the docters couldn't find anything wrong. I also have a history of alcohol abuse (I know, not the smartest thing for a depressed person). I hate to keep going to the doctor everytime there is an ache or pain, I feel like I may over reacting. This pain does not feel like acid or gas. More like something is inflammed. I am concerned that I may have something seriously wrong with me, but don't know if I even have symptoms of anything. There is no fever, occasional loose bowels but not bad, no blood. I also have been going through a lot of life changes lately which have been very stressful. I am on no medication.
Questions, What coluld this pain be and at what point should I be seriously worried?

[Susan]

Dear Kat:

Because the pain you desribe is so high a possibility may be gall bladder.  You need to follow up on this - call your local hospital for referrals in your area.  Ask or suggest the following tests - endosopy - small bowel series and colonoscopy.  If you have any imflammation as you speculate you will know for sure after these tests.  A simple blood test measuring your sed rate (imflamation) will also serve as a motivator for these tests, if the imflammation is high.  

Take care of yourself - you are your own healer first!

[Susan]

Dear Bert:

I too have a 16 year old son (who is now in the hospital) and I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease years ago so yes it can happen.  The doctors think it may be related by ethnics rather than heredity but no one really knows.

My son has been seriously ill since last May - he was diagnosed 5 years ago with ulcerative colitis and was treated with prednisone and asacol which always worked in the past.  This time he was not recovering, was hospitalized in August with IV steroids and flagile but was only good for about a week.  He has lost 50 lbs. since May and is deteriorating quickly not to mention depressed.  He is being home tutored because he couldn't make it to school.  I secured the name of another specialist in our area because his doctor was hesitant to put him on 6 mp because it takes 3 months or more to begin working and he wanted to get this event under control first.  The new gastro admitted him to the hospital and I finally got him to start running more tests.  Now they're saying he has Crohn's colitis (even his old doctor but never shared that with us) and the doctor is considering Remicaid infusion ( or Infliximab) which is basically an antibody which reduces the imflammation to nothing quickly.

To start off with your daughter I would suggest a blood test to measure the imflammation(sed rate).  If it is high graduate from there.  A colonoscopy, small bowel series and possibly an endiscope if the small bowel series is indicating imflammation or disease.  Since they use the same type of anesthesia for the colonoscopy and the endoscopy I would suggest having them done at the same time just so you don't have to submit your daughter to anesthesia twice.  

Don't wait any longer - over time your daughter can develop other problems such as depression and eating disorder because she relates eating to pain.  It is not pleasurable any longer so she may avoid food.  

You and your daughter will be in my prayers.  How is your Crohn's doing now?  Are you under a doctor's care or are you in remission?  I have been for 5 years now since my last surgery - pretty much pain free but diarreah (which is manageable) and no meds for 4-1/2 yrs.

[Linda]

My symptoms book says it is most likely an ulcer also... possibly GERD...Reflux, best get seen by doctor won't go away without help...could have H-Pylori virus which will need an anti-biotic, zantac and or prilosec...
Linda

[Freddie]

i have had a hernia removed from my neighbor over six months ago when i went to the doctor one of several visits for severe abdomial pain,then the pain came back and i had my gallbladder removed,now the same pain has returned and my primary physician gave me vicodin until my insurance would approve for me to see a specialist which took over three weeks.i'm going to the doctor finally today and the pain is still there it is a burning sensation in the middle of my stomach.i'm a fifty two year old military person who has done quite a bit of drinking in my lifetime but have cut down the past three years.the pain stops for about one hour when i've taken pepcid or maalox or gavaison but returns stronger and wakes me during the night with severe burning.i have also been given meds for possible acid reflex and have gotten relief with that problem.the pain at this point i sometime think is bubbling feeling and then burning.i have even gotten up during the night to drink cold water due to the burning senstaion.

[comment by kerry]

I work in a local pizza shop the other day i sneezed and my side started hurting like i had pulled a muscle now if I lay wrong or lift something it hurts to the belly button should i see a physician or try to strengthen that muscle

[kathie]

I too have been getting pain under my left rib cage after I
eat a moderate amount of food. I'v had Abdominal ultrasounds,
abdominal cat scan and a Hitus Scan (gallbladder).  It was
determined that my gallbladder is not working well. However,
the surgeon said the gallbladder is not causing my left pain.
Today a gastrologist performed an endoscopy (down my
throat checking out my stomach ect.)  He prescribed prilosic
and said I may have gastritus.  I am trying to get this resolved
Hope this helps you.  Do you have any new news or developments?