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What Causes Severe Burning Pain In Upper Abdomen Radiating Towards Back?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: What could cause severe burning acid like pain in the right upper abdomen pain radiating to the back and right shoulder. I had my gallbladder removed years ago. I've had this pain for months. I take zegrid twice a day for gerd and it is not helping. I have gastro paresis and idiopathic polyneuropathy with orthostatic hypotension. I had a upper endoscopy 7 years ago which showed gastritis. The gastro paresis was confirmed by a gastric emptying test. It was over 90 min to digest a egg. I also have severe diarrhea immediately after eating for 6 months. My dogs were treated for Guardia.

gastro paresis dx 10years ago gastric empting time over 90 minutes. XXXXXXX caused Parkinson symptoms. Domperidone for years. Stopped due to high prolactin level and drug was never FDA approved. Had to get it from Canada. I also have esophageal motility problems and spasms.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stone in bile ducts or chronic pancreatitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Upper right abdominal pain which tends to radiate to the back and right shoulder is very characteristic symptom of gallstones. Nausea, diarrhea, acid like feeling can be all caused by gallstones as well. As you have gallbladder removed, stone can be present in the bile ducts. This sometimes happens especially that by removing a gallbladder we do not solve the direct reason of stones creation. So stones can appear in bile ducts.

Similar symptoms can be caused by pancreas inflammation, however diarrhea is usually fatty and bad smelling. Weight loss and lack of appetite are characteristic for chronic pancreatitis as well.

I do understand that you have gastroparesis, but not every sign and symptom from your abdomen has to be caused by this issue.

I suggest you to start your diagnostic from abdominal ultrasound. Stool test is a good idea for chronic diarrhea. Colonoscopy is necessary as well as you are over 50 (the risk of colon cancer significantly rises over 50 - it needs to be ruled out). AST, ALT, GGTP, AP, bilirubin, amylase, lipase, urine amylase should be also checked.
For pancreas diagnostic, abdominal CT might be necessary.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)
The pain is worse today spreading to right chest and back. Nauseous and can't eat. I feel like lm being eaten by acid. I don't feel feverish or look jaundiced. The Tylenol and codeine are not reliving pain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please visit ER and have mentioned tests done.

Detailed Answer:
You do not need to look jaundiced to have a stone in bile ducts. Does your urine look dark? Dark urine can be a symptom of bile ducts stone.
As the symptoms are worse I suggest you to visit ER and have mentioned above tests done.

Regards
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Severe Burning Pain In Upper Abdomen Radiating Towards Back?

Brief Answer: Stone in bile ducts or chronic pancreatitis. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Upper right abdominal pain which tends to radiate to the back and right shoulder is very characteristic symptom of gallstones. Nausea, diarrhea, acid like feeling can be all caused by gallstones as well. As you have gallbladder removed, stone can be present in the bile ducts. This sometimes happens especially that by removing a gallbladder we do not solve the direct reason of stones creation. So stones can appear in bile ducts. Similar symptoms can be caused by pancreas inflammation, however diarrhea is usually fatty and bad smelling. Weight loss and lack of appetite are characteristic for chronic pancreatitis as well. I do understand that you have gastroparesis, but not every sign and symptom from your abdomen has to be caused by this issue. I suggest you to start your diagnostic from abdominal ultrasound. Stool test is a good idea for chronic diarrhea. Colonoscopy is necessary as well as you are over 50 (the risk of colon cancer significantly rises over 50 - it needs to be ruled out). AST, ALT, GGTP, AP, bilirubin, amylase, lipase, urine amylase should be also checked. For pancreas diagnostic, abdominal CT might be necessary. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.