Severe LUQ Pain

[Megengal]

For the past 2-3 years it seems, I've been having digestive issues. My symptoms started with what I thought was IBS. I started on digestive enzymes and probiotics, changed my diet a bit and the symptoms didn't progress so I didn't think much of it. The past 6 months however, have been difficult. I have been experiencing severe bouts of upper left abdominal pain. Under the rib cage. When I have 'an attack,' I experience tightness in my chest, difficulty in getting comfortable and my side is very tender to touch. Sometimes, an attack can be so bad that I can't really do anything during. The pain can be described as tight, knawing, pinching and above all, severe. Like someone has their hand around my pancreas and is squeezing. Other symptoms include random nausea and unhealthy stool. Sometimes it's green, sometimes it has an orange hue, sometimes it's oily. The past month or so, I've been experiencing symptoms that include fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss among other not so pertinent issues. When not experiencing an attack, my left side, under my rib cage and around to my back feels very tight on the inside. As though those organs just ran a couple miles and need to stretch. The non-attack pain is worse after eating and sometimes brings on the tight chest feeling. Breathing exercises help with the pain. The attacks seem to be associated with the consumption of foods containing chemicals. Especially high fructose corn syrup. I've essentially completely changed my diet to not include what I feel inflames the area and I still feel the uncomfortable tightness in the LUQ area and it hasn't been long enough to see if it will slow the attacks. That tightness never seems to go away. What really gets me is, when I was younger, I'm 23 now, I would experience a dull pain in the LUQ area when I would drink Sprite. Never knew what that was, but maybe, with your help, I can. I just wish I had some answers. I'm tired of feeling this way. Thanks so much.

[Megengal]

Thanks so much guys. The biggest reason I haven't been to the doctor yet is that I was between jobs. We know how tough that can be. I'm with a great company now and I'll be going to the doctor very soon. I wanted to get some opinions outside of my circle from people with varied knowledge on the subject. I'll let you know if I find out anything.

[Caryopteris]

I agree with CalGal, as I always do.  To get you some comfort now, you might try magnesium tablets to try to get things to move through better.  Continue the probiotics.  Avoid greasy foods and dairy.  Get tested for Celiac disease and have an abdominal ultrasound for gallbladder, pancreas, liver.  You must get on top of this because you might be getting very depleted in iron and vitamins.