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What Causes Upper Left Abdominal Pain, Bloating, Constipation And Abdominal Sounds?

Posted on Fri, 13 Jan 2017

Question: I've been having stomach issues on and off now for about 3 weeks. Sometimes I've had a slight burning feeling in upper abdomen on left side under rib cage, dr put me on Prilosec about a year ago., it helped some but lately it's been back. About 3 weeks ago, instartee having an upset stomach, in the upper abdomen underneath rib cage in middle. Been gassy, bloated, been having gurgling sounds in stomach. My dr did a stomach X-ray and said he only say stool and gas., no obstruction. Said if I didn't feel better in a week to have ultrasound done on stomach and pelvic. Ultrasound came back normal., said gas overlaying pancreatis tail that's all. When I feel the bubbling/gurgling in stomach sometimes I feel the urge in my anus like I have to go but it's usually jus gas.. years ago my dr thought I had ibs... my bowel movements go from constipation to a little loose but not diarrhea.. my Bowel had been fluffy looking lately., I've never seen blood in or on stool. I'm a 40 year old woman. No cancer in family that we've ever known. I had a atrial myxoma 12 years ago and since then I worry about my health. Sometimes to the point I go get testing done. I have an appt with gi but it's three weeks away.. I'm so worried about having colon or stomach cancer :( sometime it's feels like it's in my intestines but I'm not sure....

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Functional dyspepsia and IBS

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

You do not have any red signs. It is less likely that you have colon or stomach cancer.

The most probable causes - functional dyspepsia and IBS.
An upper GI endoscopy, complete blood count, stool analysis and test for celiac disease may be done.

You may get benefited by the following medications.

1. T.Rifaximin 400 mg 1-1-1 for one week
2. T.Acotiamide 100 mg 1-1-1 for 4 weeks
3. T. Librax 1-0-1 for 4 weeks
4. C.VSL #3 1-0-0 for 4 weeks

If constipation is predominant, continue taking metamucil

Regards,
Dr.R.K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 hour later)

What about the discomfort under left rib cage., like underneath where stomach or Panceres is?
Also I feel like my stomach fills
With air but no gas. Also, when i push all around my belly button it's discomfort.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dyspepsia

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me with more questions.
The symptom you are mentioning in your follow up question is due to dyspepsia most probably functional dyspepsia which I have mentioned in my earlier post.

It is unlikely to be due to pancreatic issue as your ultrasound scan was normal. EGD may be done if not done already.

If you get burning pain again, you can take Prilosec again with the medications I have mentioned in my previous post.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 hour later)

I shouldn't have said I get constipated, more of not get urge to go for a couple days. What's is egd? What will it show. Also, can I get those meds over the counter & I should take all of them at once? I feel like my guts are unhappy. Also sometimes when I feel like I need to pass gas I have the feeling like I'm going to poop some but I haven't.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (37 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
EFD is endoscopy.
It will show lesions in the food pipe , stomach and first few cm of small intestine.

No, these are not OTC medications. You need prescription.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 minutes later)

Lesions like ulcers? I was able to get an appt next week with a different dr. Hoping it's nothing serious :(

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, lesions like ulcers.
As said earlier, you do not have red signs and hence there is no need to worry.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (9 days later)

I went to GI dr on Monday... I told him about tth Bloating and feeling of gas and that my guts felt unhappy but also told him that had gotten a little better since I made my appt. he didn't seem to concerned about that...he is doing a egd on Tuesday... but last night the aching/cramping in upper belly(inbetween rib cage and belly button) started back up... and when I push on right side of belly button., jus a couple inches away there's a lot of discomfort. It's weird it's like I feel all bloated and that I need to pass gas or poop but don't. I don't think I'm constipted because Sunday & Monday I went twice, didn't go tues., went a little yesterday and went this morning... I was jus at lunch and shortly after eating my stomach got upset and I get the gassy feeling or feeling like I have to go... and when I push on left side at th bottom of left rib cage there's discomfort.. I'm starting to get really depressed about this and thinking what if it serious and should the egd be done if it's something with Bowels...

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me with more questions.
As said earlier, these are symptoms of dyspepsia and IBS.
Since you have tenderness in the upper abdomen, egd has to be done.
Please get back to me with the egd report.
Regards,
Dr.R.K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 days later)

He didn't see anything but still took biopsy.. I go back in two weeks... I'm glad he didn't see anything but sad cuz idk why I'm feeling this way
Still have the upper discomfort/aching and discomfort around my belly button., and still gassy.. is there any meds I can take to help my stomach feel better?? Now I'm having upper back pain too... when I told him today about the discomfort around belly button etc he said one thing at a time....

Said something about gastritis... would that cause me to have all the discomfort in stomach ?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (38 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Librax

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can take T.Librax twice a day for relief.
Kindly get back to me with the biopsy report.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 hour later)

Would gastritis cause what I'm feeling?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (44 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gastritis alone may not cause all the symptoms you have mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Gastritis alone may not cause all the symptoms you have mentioned.
The abdominal bloat/gassy feeling could part of post prandial distress syndrome.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar