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Post subject: chronic left side pain
annetteschleicher - Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:29 pm |
I am a 29 year old female. For the past 4 months I have been experiencing left side pain. It tends to localize below my ribs and around the side to my back. Sometimes I feel like there is a needle stuck in my abdomin about an inch to the left of my belly button. The pain seems to be tolerable throughout the day, and then at night it is most acute. I get constant stabbing pains. Sometimes my skin is sensitive to touch, almost like a rope-burn type sensation. It is completely localized to the left side. The pain does not change or seem affected by what I eat or by my bowel movements. I also have some sort or mass that pops when I apply pressure to the top of my left ribcage. For the first two and a half months I had daily diarrhea. I have had an abdominal and pelvic CT, a CT Urogram, multiple blood tests, stool tests, urine tests, and most recently a Colonoscopy. Every test has come back normal except for one blood test. I was told my white blood cell count was elevated and asked to repeat it...haven't done yet. I have been to a Gastroenterologist. I feel like I have had every test done with no results, and I am still in a great deal of pain. The last thing I was told was to see my Gynocologist. I had a check up a year ago and everything was normal. I feel like I am just being handed off. I am about to give up hope. When will I get any answers. Any help would be appreciated. 
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Post subject:
Tamer Fouad, M.D. - Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:09 pm |
Dear annetteschleicher,
Left hypochondrial pain usually refers to causes from the colon or spleen. Click here for a list of causes.
If you look at the very end of that page you will also see a list of things to take into consideration when the picture is obscure. Those include a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. You are not being handed off. Abdominal pain is one of the most puzzling diagnoses.
Best regards,
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Post subject:
annetteschleicher - Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:14 pm |
Well, I am still no further along. I have been waiting for about a month to get back in to see my doctor. During that time the area at the top of my ribcage on the left side...where the popping occurs has become very tender. It hurts all the time and gets more painful when I take deep breaths. I find it uncomfortable to even wear a bra. I also have pain on my backside in the same location. It almost feels like something is rotting under my ribcage. My colon looks normal. They have run every blood test I can imagine. If it was something with my spleen or pancreas wouldn't a CT or blood test find it? I guess my next step is to ask for an ultrasound. I'm still at a loss of what to do. I understand that my symptoms pose a challenge and that doctors are only human, but I'm tired of hearing "everything is normal". It so obviously is not. Soon I will have to stop the testing because I am going into debt even with my insurance. At this point I am open to any advice. I know it's difficult for you to guide me by just reading my words on the page.
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Post subject:
Tamer Fouad, M.D. - Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:00 pm |
At this stage it is very difficult indeed for me to give you any other possible causes for your pain. However, if I was responsible for your case I would recommend a 'watch and wait' policy. It does not mean that you are being brushed off. This is a wise decision but you will have to stick to the follow up dates. The important question that remains is your pain. You need to be put on adequate pain control medication. Have you taken any pain killers and have any proved useful?
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Post subject: pain meds
annetteschleicher - Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:01 pm |
My doctor put me on Levbid a few months ago, but it has done nothing for me. So far I have not been prescribed any pain medication. If it is a "wait and see" type process I would definitely expect some type of pain management.
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Post subject:
Tamer Fouad, M.D. - Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:18 pm |
Yes I agree. You should contact your doctor immediately and talk to him about pain management. This is one of the symptoms that can be dealt with adequately. If pain killers are unsuccessful ask him to refer you to a pain specialist.
Best regards,
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Post subject: spastic colon
annetteschleicher - Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:23 pm |
The end determination was that I have a spastic colon. My doctor did prescribe Donnatal, and the pharmacy gave me a generic version. It's supposed to work great as far as controlling pain. The only problem I have is it will make my birth control pill less effective...which was not mentioned to me by the doctor even though they are aware that I take OrthoTriCyclen. Since I don't plan on having a child ever this is obviously an issue for me, especially if this medicine is going to be long-term. I am waiting to hear back from the doctor to see if there are alternatives. If you have any suggestions that would be great. I want to thank you for all of your help.
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