Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Recurring Abdominal Pain
Question: Hi Dr., I am now 39 yr, WF with reoccurring abdominal pain on the left side of navel. The pain is severe. Past surgeries include: appendix removed, gallbladder removed and at 34 a hysterectomy (total) by lap. I can no longer stand this horrible pain and swelling. Went to ED last eve , CT scan was negative, blood neg. I have been on Morphine 30mg ER by a Pain specialist that works with my Rheum MD in the same clinic. I have extreme confidence in both.
Last evening, in the ED, the doctor did a CT scan and it was NEG., I let the Dr. Know that in recent past I had tried to not take this pain medication anymore, and as I did so I began to feel the excruciating pain in my lower left abdomen. 2 yrs prior I had been diagnosed by 2 ED doctors at different hospitals with a possible colitis. My pain, the location and noticeable stretch marks are worse on the left side. I was very worried that perhaps the pain medication had been masking this lower left belly pain issue. Trying to take less pain med definitely has given me this horrible pain again that reminds me of the dx of probable colitis & also a fatty liver.
No person in ED wanted to listen to me, but I did ask for Cipro and Flagyl prescriptions. The ED doc. would not ask for old chart record from other hospital showing the extensive GI work up done 2 yrs ago with colitis issue. In ED, last night I was given pain medication x 1, a liter of fluids. I asked repeatedly for a GI doctor to please, please see me in ED. Ultimately, I was threatened that if I did not leave the hospital I WOULD BE ARRESTED?! I had no right to ask for any further" treatment."
My pajamas were forcibly put on me by a nurse. I signed nothing, my husband did earlier. Doctor, PLEASE, PLEASE help me. I did ask for a referral to GI doctor, but will not be able to see him until after January 1, so I will have more than Medicare.
I had no idea bc of the pain medication that my lower left abdomen, approximately 4 inches from navel is the epicenter, felt like it could perforate or explode! I now notice how the stretch marks have come. GI doctor that treated for cholecystectomy, approx 3 yrs ago had thought I had given birth to children. I sadly have not.
I do not know what to do. I have decided to stop taking an aspirin a day, a gluten free diet last month for a few days seemed to help noticeable swelling, but bc of pain medication I have no idea of if my belly pain was helped. 5 yrs ago, I
took NO MEDICATION.. Not even birth control. I know that autoimmune disease can cause big GI problems.., but I am now stuck back at home with my stupid pain med and ANTIBIOTICS I had to ask for along with a GI doctor referral that may take a while. This left side severe pain and swelling is recurrent.
I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago with LUPUS/SLE, and Dec 1, 2014 with RA now.
I need an answer to get my life back. My occupation as a Pharm D., I have had to stop. This awful stabbing pain affects my husband terribly as well. What can I do to rid myself of this severe, excruciating pain and swelling? I have not eaten food since Dec 23.
Last evening, in the ED, the doctor did a CT scan and it was NEG., I let the Dr. Know that in recent past I had tried to not take this pain medication anymore, and as I did so I began to feel the excruciating pain in my lower left abdomen. 2 yrs prior I had been diagnosed by 2 ED doctors at different hospitals with a possible colitis. My pain, the location and noticeable stretch marks are worse on the left side. I was very worried that perhaps the pain medication had been masking this lower left belly pain issue. Trying to take less pain med definitely has given me this horrible pain again that reminds me of the dx of probable colitis & also a fatty liver.
No person in ED wanted to listen to me, but I did ask for Cipro and Flagyl prescriptions. The ED doc. would not ask for old chart record from other hospital showing the extensive GI work up done 2 yrs ago with colitis issue. In ED, last night I was given pain medication x 1, a liter of fluids. I asked repeatedly for a GI doctor to please, please see me in ED. Ultimately, I was threatened that if I did not leave the hospital I WOULD BE ARRESTED?! I had no right to ask for any further" treatment."
My pajamas were forcibly put on me by a nurse. I signed nothing, my husband did earlier. Doctor, PLEASE, PLEASE help me. I did ask for a referral to GI doctor, but will not be able to see him until after January 1, so I will have more than Medicare.
I had no idea bc of the pain medication that my lower left abdomen, approximately 4 inches from navel is the epicenter, felt like it could perforate or explode! I now notice how the stretch marks have come. GI doctor that treated for cholecystectomy, approx 3 yrs ago had thought I had given birth to children. I sadly have not.
I do not know what to do. I have decided to stop taking an aspirin a day, a gluten free diet last month for a few days seemed to help noticeable swelling, but bc of pain medication I have no idea of if my belly pain was helped. 5 yrs ago, I
took NO MEDICATION.. Not even birth control. I know that autoimmune disease can cause big GI problems.., but I am now stuck back at home with my stupid pain med and ANTIBIOTICS I had to ask for along with a GI doctor referral that may take a while. This left side severe pain and swelling is recurrent.
I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago with LUPUS/SLE, and Dec 1, 2014 with RA now.
I need an answer to get my life back. My occupation as a Pharm D., I have had to stop. This awful stabbing pain affects my husband terribly as well. What can I do to rid myself of this severe, excruciating pain and swelling? I have not eaten food since Dec 23.
Brief Answer:
possibilities clarified
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for contacting Healthcaremagic.
From the description given, I do understand that you have been having this left paraumbilical pain for some time now. Colitis is usually associated with bowel abnormalities and significant colitis can be picked up on a CT scan. Other things to consider in a left paraumbilical pain are ureteric issues, tail of the pancreas, small bowel issues and mesenteric issues and rarely ovarian pathology. But in all these some indications will be seen on a good contrast CT abdomen and pelvis.
As the CT scan is normal and with an underlying SLE, a good physical examination and a directed history would be required to unravel the cause of pain. Other causes of abdominal pain with normal imaging will be like lead overexposure, Porphyria, migraine and rarely mesenteric vascular issues.
Hence try to get yourself the GI consult earlier or see a good general physician to workout these possibilities
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX KS
possibilities clarified
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for contacting Healthcaremagic.
From the description given, I do understand that you have been having this left paraumbilical pain for some time now. Colitis is usually associated with bowel abnormalities and significant colitis can be picked up on a CT scan. Other things to consider in a left paraumbilical pain are ureteric issues, tail of the pancreas, small bowel issues and mesenteric issues and rarely ovarian pathology. But in all these some indications will be seen on a good contrast CT abdomen and pelvis.
As the CT scan is normal and with an underlying SLE, a good physical examination and a directed history would be required to unravel the cause of pain. Other causes of abdominal pain with normal imaging will be like lead overexposure, Porphyria, migraine and rarely mesenteric vascular issues.
Hence try to get yourself the GI consult earlier or see a good general physician to workout these possibilities
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX KS
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
