Upper Abdominal Pain and upper back pain- gallstones or pancreatitis?

[Amp180]

Over the past 5 years or so I’ve had sudden flare ups where my upper abdomen (below breast bone) hurts terribly and my back (between my shoulder blades/thoracic region) hurts. The flare ups range in duration from 1-2 hours to 24 hours. Post flare up the residual (slightly reduced pain) lingers. The back pain and tightness has been off and on constant for the past year. My GI has done elimination diets, ruled out CIBO, and ruled out ulcer. Hypothesis is GERD but I don’t believe this is the right diagnosis. I don’t have pain or burning in my throat or esophagus. I’m a 30 year old female 122lbs and eat rather healthy and not overly fatty foods. I need to get blood work done to check the enzyme levels and ultrasound of gallbladder. Any guidance or thoughts on what this could be would be very helpful. Thanks!

[Italkr2]

Amp180 I have had that problem for many, many years and got the same diagnosis as you did.  The doc put me on Omeprazole, but it does not help those attacks.  I am still wondering if it is my pancreas .  I was told years ago at Mayo Clinic to have two tests run on my pancreas while I was having an attack.  I never did, because they usually came in the middle of the night then and I hated to make my husband get up and take me to the ER to have it done.  I recently had 12 inches of my colon removed and now the attacks are much shorter and less painful, but the bowel surgery caused me to have diarrhea all the time.  I had diverticulitis and IBS and was in bad pain a lot.  Now I don't have that pain at least.  

I hope you find a solution to this problem.  I don't travel without my heating pad.  It seems to help when I put it on my back and lay down, but not flat down.  I use pillow props.

[Amp180]

Italkr2 I’m sorry to hear that you have had all that pain! I’ve also been on omeprazole twice daily and just as you, have not had it reduce the flare ups. Mine also often occur in the middle of the night, which is very convenient ;) I use heating pads as well! I’ve also recently purchased a heated back massager as it seems to help relieve some, not all, but some of the back pain. It’s been a week since my last flare up and still have that residual back pain and some discomfort in my stomach.

I will let you know what I find out. My mother, a nurse, wants them to do some blood work to check for specific enzyme elevation which would indicate gallbladder or pancreas. Then possibly do an ultrasound of the gallbladder. Either way, should I got a prognoses and it is helpful I will gladly share.

I hope that you also are able to feel better and I’m glad to hear you at least have minimal pain and discomfort from your bowel related problem!