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Hey Doctor, I’ve Been Getting This Ache Like Pain Just
Question: Hey doctor,
I’ve been getting this ache like pain just below my upper right shoulder blade. I seem to get it after eating certain things like mayonnaise or egg anything fatty or if I drink alchooo like last night I had two Vodka cruisers 4.5% strength and started getting the pain and I had dinner maybe an hour before that. What do you think it could be? I have ongoing stomach problems but drugs like PPI, h2 blockers and antacids don’t really do anything at all for it and I’ve had numerous tests including a gastrosocopy/colonoscopy, blood tests, abodmianl ultrasound, spinal and chest x-rays and nothing came up. I was reading up about lymphoma and alcohol and how it was related to back pain my friend had the same thing but in his left shoulder. Could this be a possibility and if so what other tests other than what I’ve already done would find anything? My friend had a chest x-ray and that’s how they found the mass but mine was clear is there one I should get of my back the pain feel as if it’s a headache in my back or a stretched muscle but all I do is eat and drink alcohol to cause it? I don’t always seem to get it with alcohol though last weekend I had no such pain.
I’ve been getting this ache like pain just below my upper right shoulder blade. I seem to get it after eating certain things like mayonnaise or egg anything fatty or if I drink alchooo like last night I had two Vodka cruisers 4.5% strength and started getting the pain and I had dinner maybe an hour before that. What do you think it could be? I have ongoing stomach problems but drugs like PPI, h2 blockers and antacids don’t really do anything at all for it and I’ve had numerous tests including a gastrosocopy/colonoscopy, blood tests, abodmianl ultrasound, spinal and chest x-rays and nothing came up. I was reading up about lymphoma and alcohol and how it was related to back pain my friend had the same thing but in his left shoulder. Could this be a possibility and if so what other tests other than what I’ve already done would find anything? My friend had a chest x-ray and that’s how they found the mass but mine was clear is there one I should get of my back the pain feel as if it’s a headache in my back or a stretched muscle but all I do is eat and drink alcohol to cause it? I don’t always seem to get it with alcohol though last weekend I had no such pain.
One concerning thing I just noticed since I went out last night is that I just passed very dark brown almost black looking stools I’ve never seen anything like that either and I don’t take any medication.
Brief Answer:
Cancer is not my first concern...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sometimes when the gall bladder is inflammed besides cause abdominal discomfort and dyspeptic symptoms, the pain is referred to the right shoulder. Further the pain from inflammed gall bladder is precipitated by high fatty food and alcohol. Therefore from your description my first impression had to be pain from gall bladder. Now, since ultrasound scan was normal, I would suggest a CT scan of abdomen as well as HIDA scan specifically to look for more details on gall bladder structurally and functionally.
You should consult a gastroenterologist if you haven't met one earlier and discuss the problem. He/she will know about the tests I referred to and help you through it.
I understand your concerns about cancer; but with all these tests being negative and the strong connection of pain to specific dietary products, I wouldn't consider cancer as the priority.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Cancer is not my first concern...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sometimes when the gall bladder is inflammed besides cause abdominal discomfort and dyspeptic symptoms, the pain is referred to the right shoulder. Further the pain from inflammed gall bladder is precipitated by high fatty food and alcohol. Therefore from your description my first impression had to be pain from gall bladder. Now, since ultrasound scan was normal, I would suggest a CT scan of abdomen as well as HIDA scan specifically to look for more details on gall bladder structurally and functionally.
You should consult a gastroenterologist if you haven't met one earlier and discuss the problem. He/she will know about the tests I referred to and help you through it.
I understand your concerns about cancer; but with all these tests being negative and the strong connection of pain to specific dietary products, I wouldn't consider cancer as the priority.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hey doctor,
I did suspect my gallbladder but I was just a little concerned with lymphoma and getting pain with alchool below the right shoulder. I’m currently overseas visiting on holiday in the United States from Australia is there anything a local doctor could do for gallbladder pain or even if it was lymphoma would it be bad waiting until I get back home in 3 weeks? Is there anything I can take to manage it in the meantime?
I did suspect my gallbladder but I was just a little concerned with lymphoma and getting pain with alchool below the right shoulder. I’m currently overseas visiting on holiday in the United States from Australia is there anything a local doctor could do for gallbladder pain or even if it was lymphoma would it be bad waiting until I get back home in 3 weeks? Is there anything I can take to manage it in the meantime?
Brief Answer:
More likely related to gall bladder and not lymphoma
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concern; but from the details provided I consider gall bladder inflammation / dysfunction more likely here and not a lymphoma. CT scan will be able to identify any masses missed out from the previous test and therefore rule out lymphoma.
Until you get to see a doctor back at home, you may also try over the counter pain medications either tylenol or ibuprofen in addition to the antacid medications you are on. It should be able to ease the pain and discomfort. It will also be wise to restrict high fatty food and alcohol since they are the triggering factors.
Hope this helps. I will be happy to answer any more questions.
Regards
More likely related to gall bladder and not lymphoma
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concern; but from the details provided I consider gall bladder inflammation / dysfunction more likely here and not a lymphoma. CT scan will be able to identify any masses missed out from the previous test and therefore rule out lymphoma.
Until you get to see a doctor back at home, you may also try over the counter pain medications either tylenol or ibuprofen in addition to the antacid medications you are on. It should be able to ease the pain and discomfort. It will also be wise to restrict high fatty food and alcohol since they are the triggering factors.
Hope this helps. I will be happy to answer any more questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What about these black stools I’ve been having the last day? I’ve attached an image from it what do you think could be the cause of it? I haven’t been eating the best the last week could that be the reason why not as many vegetables as I usually have? Is it a cause for concern I’ve attached an image.
Brief Answer:
Alcohol may have led to it...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Unless the stool is examined under microscope and tested for possible blood we may not be able to confirm the cause of dark stools. However many a times ingestion of alcohol can worsen a pre-existing gastritis / ulcers. This worsening may cause bleeding and thus the dark stool. I would recommend probing into it if you persist to have the dark black stools.
At this point of time, I stick behind my previous answer. The symptoms are more likely to be related to gall bladder condition. You may also have a co-existing hyperacidity condition which needs continued treated with PPI + prokinetic drug (domperidone / ondansetron). Cancers and lymphoma are very, very distant possibility.
Hope I am clear. If you have any more questions I will be pleased to answer them.
Regards
Alcohol may have led to it...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Unless the stool is examined under microscope and tested for possible blood we may not be able to confirm the cause of dark stools. However many a times ingestion of alcohol can worsen a pre-existing gastritis / ulcers. This worsening may cause bleeding and thus the dark stool. I would recommend probing into it if you persist to have the dark black stools.
At this point of time, I stick behind my previous answer. The symptoms are more likely to be related to gall bladder condition. You may also have a co-existing hyperacidity condition which needs continued treated with PPI + prokinetic drug (domperidone / ondansetron). Cancers and lymphoma are very, very distant possibility.
Hope I am clear. If you have any more questions I will be pleased to answer them.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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