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Abdominal pain

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Chronic Pain
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Jelly98
New Member
Joined : Mar 2019
Posts : 2
Posted 3/11/2019 6:20 AM (GMT -6)
Hey guys,

I've been struggling with severe abdominal pain for almost a year now with no relief or results. It's localized just to the right of my belly button and ranges from a dull constant ache to intermittent sharp instense almost cramp like pains. I am also extremely fatigued, losing weight and having bouts of constipation.

A bit of history I'm a 21 y/o female: last year I was in hospital numerous times where eventually they decided to remove my appendix and diagnosed me with mesenteric lymphadenitis and appendicitis. The said the ML would clear up within a week, however it clearly hasn't so I'm doubting whether this was an accurate diagnosis since they were also adamant I didn't have appendicitis but were wrong there.

Since then the pain has got worse and more relentless, I'm constantly fatigued and starting to feel hopeless. I've been scheduled for colonoscopies, which they were reluctant to offer, however the prep they give me keeps failing so they can't proceed with the test. They've now decided there's nothing more they can do to investigate and are no longer helping me.

I'm struggling with what to do, I'm in so much pain with no professional seeming to listen to me. Any advice on what this could be, next steps or even just how to deal with the pain on my own? It would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks everyone
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(Seashell)
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 1080
Posted 3/11/2019 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
“Functional abdominal pain/disorder” might be worth reading about to see if it has similarities to what you are experiencing.

Abdominal pain is often difficult to diagnose with a specific named cause/source. Sometimes it is more of an evolving and fluid diagnosis where minimizing symptoms is helpful.

I hope you and your physicians are able to find some solutions to have you more comfortable,
Karen
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straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18929
Posted 3/11/2019 10:40 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Jelly98 & welcome to Healing Well. So sorry to read about what you are dealing with. It's very difficult for patients that have problems & it feels like the medical community offers up little insight with an answer.

Just a thought, but have you considered getting a second opinion with another gi dr? If you have been that route already my only other thought is this. Try to locate a teaching/university hospital in your vicinity. You can google search such a hospital to see what one is the closest to you. A phone to one will give you information on how to be seen & if a referral is needed. Your pcp can make a referral. It is not uncommon for people to go this route in order to get help when the main stream drs are not getting to the root of the problem.

Take care.
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Alcie
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 5169
Posted 3/11/2019 3:41 PM (GMT -6)
Have they checked gallbladder?

If your doctor has given up get a new one. AKA second opinion.
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Jelly98
New Member
Joined : Mar 2019
Posts : 2
Posted 3/12/2019 2:52 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks Susie and Karen.
Functional abdominal pain syndrome isn't something I've had mentioned to me yet, I'll have to do some research on it tonight and hopefully it can shed some light on what's going on with me!
I'll definitely be looking for another doctor on a second opinion that's a great idea. I guess I could have got the bad one of the bunch first time round so next time I could possibly see someone who doesn't give up to a challenge!

Thanks alcie, the dr completely ruled out gallbladder despite no tests due to the fact I'm not the 'typical' gallbladder patient since I'm young and skinny (literally his words, ruling something out of testing since it's not the norm seems so careless to me!)

Also I forgot to mention in the original post that my heart rate bounces all over the place, not corresponding with the pain, it can reach 140bpm when I'm resting.

I'll get booked in with another GI, fingers crossed they can help, I'm losing my mind with the pain!
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(Seashell)
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 1080
Posted 3/12/2019 6:32 PM (GMT -6)
Jelly:
Your initial post indicates that your physician suspected mesenteric inflammation of lymphatic tissue at one point.

Which leads to another related avenue that may have escaped detection . . . called superior mesenteric artery syndrome or SMAS. Basically, periodic compression of the superior mesenteric artery by the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). The pain is sharp and significant, but also transient (episodic, not constant). SMAS is not a routine or common diagnosis so it can escape detection. Diagnosis requires a flow study of the intestinal vasculature. Interestingly, being thin/underweight is a variable that increases the likelihood of SMAS.

Your GI physicians’ comment that you are too thin to have gallbladder disease lacks accuracy. A person need not be overweight to have bile duct occlusion or bile stones. Gall bladder dysfunction has a strong hereditary link, especially in women. If your mother, grandmother, or great grandmother (on the maternal side of your family) had a history of gall stones/sludge or bile duct occlusion then you will have a higher risk of similar. Other variables associated with gall bladder dysfunction: Caucasian, petite body frame.

Gall bladder attacks are just that . . . Attacks or episodes of high/stabbing pain, usually felt under the ribs. Referred pain is felt as intense shoulder pain/scapula pain.

I was 35 years old and tiny/petite when I began to experience gall bladder symptoms. Like you, an initial GI physician discounted my symptoms - deciding I needed a sigmoidoscopy. Really? 6 months later and I had surgery for a necrotic gallbladder. A gross physician oversight. My great grandmother, grandmother, and mother had each suffered from gall bladder disease. All were slim and did not eat a diet high in fats. Its just in our familial genes.

If you have a history of gall bladder dysfunction on your mother’s side of family, this would be informative enough to press your GI for a HIDA scan to rule in or rule out a possible gall bladder source of your pain.

I hope you are able to source a new GI physician to give you a second opinion and a fresh perspective.
Karen
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