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Avatar universal

left-sided abdominal pain and hypophosphatemia

Hello,
I have been having left-sided pain in my ribcage area that radiates into my back.  The only abnormal lab values are slightly low vitamin d-25, low serum phosphate/phosphorus 2.0mg/dl and then 1.6 mg/dl after taking vitamin d supplements (normal being 2.5 - 5.0).  I've also had an elevated hs-crp over the course of several months around 5 and a couple of high total protein levels, althought it fluctuates.  The only medical condition I've really ever had is acute pancreatitis about 20 years ago.  My pain hurts in the same place but is not the sharp, disabling pain I had with acute pancreatitis, but a milder form of constant pain.  Any ideas as to what is causing this would be greatly appreciated.  I also feel really tired all the time.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the feedback.  I do have more pain when I eat fatty foods and feel really bloated after just small meals sometimes -- so maybe the gallstones do have something to do with it.  I've been tested for celiac disease and thankfully don't have that problem.  All that has shown up for me is the gallstones, some mild colon inflammation on a CT scan and some larger than normal lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum and some vitamin deficiencies mild vitamin d and b12 and a very moderately severe phosphorus deficiency.  Anyway, thanks for the helpful comments.

I'm still debating having my gallbladder removed and I am going to have a HIDA scan soon -- the gallstones were found on the ultrasound, but the gallbladder itself did not seem to be too inflamed.  Have you had any problems since having your gallbladder out?  Some folks I've talked to said they continued to have pain and digestive problems for months after the surgery.
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1340994 tn?1374193977
My gallbladder attack pain was on the left side and in the back, so don't rule out the gallstones as the cause of the pain.  If you're a masochist, you could test the theory by eating as little as two bites of cheesecake.  When I did that, I had a 30-hour gallstone attack.  I had only been diagnosed the week before after six months of nausea and vomiting.  The attack had me doubled over in pain and made me press my back against the wall to try to get relief.  

Hope you figure it out.  I lost a lot of weight.  After the surgery I had to take mirtazapine (an antidepressant) to get my appetite back.  Just a few weeks on it and I was able to regain my weight.  

But I also turned out to have celiac disease, and celiac disease is notorious for killing gallbladders.  So you might want to get the blood test for celiac disease.  
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the feedback.  I will consult my doctor about both of these issues -- the parathyroid and the costochondritis.  My blood phosphorus was always normal until a little over a year ago and it has steadily fallen even with the vitamin d supplements I currently take.  My blood calcium hovers around 10mg/dl and occasionally my total protein comes back high -- around 9 mg/dl.  My doctor also told me I had gallstones but that they usually cause pain on the right side rather than the left side where I feel the most pain.  
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
With low Vit D and low phosphate, you could be having parathyroid gland problem and should consult an endocrine specialist regarding this. If there is pain on pressing the point, then you could be having costochondritis. This causes pain and tenderness at points where your ribs attach to your breastbone.  The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose this for you. Generally there is no cause. However it can be due to infection, blow, injury, or fibromyalgia. It usually goes away on its own. Otherwise it can be treated with muscle relaxants, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Other than that it could be due to acidity. Take a late night snack. Raise head end of bed. Take Omeprazole empty stomach in morning and an antacid gel at bedtime. Refrain from smoking, alcohol, fuzzy drinks and spicy food. Walking around also helps clear gas. It could also be muscle pull that can be treated by applying local analgesic creams. It can also be muscle pull. Shingles can also start this way.
Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
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