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What Causes Constant Pain In Gallbladder Area, Lethargy And Nausea?
Question: I am 47 years old. For a month or so, I have had constant dull pain in the upper middle/right side of abdomen. My mother died of pancreatic cancer in 1992. My gall bladder was removed in 1998. The pain is somewhat similar to what I experienced with the gall bladder "attacks"--just less intense and constant. It feels similar to when the wind is knocked out of you. Sometimes the pain radiates to the right side, feeling similar to a stitch when you are running. Initially, my PCP ran blood tests. I believe the tests checked for issues related to the liver, pancreas, and stomach (ulcer H-pylori?). My PCP indicated that all ranges came back normal. Because the symptoms persisted, a CT scan was ordered. The scan indicated no issues related to appendix, bile duct, intestines, pancreas. The scan only looked at the bottom portion of the right lung. A small spot was noted at the "crown" of the liver. My PCP, along with another surgeon and radiologist, have looked at this and all concur that it looks like a collection of blood vessels (hemangioma?) and almost certainly benign. A follow-up MRI has been ordered just to be sure. However, each doctor listed above is almost certain that this is not the cause of my symptoms. I am frustrated and worried. The symptoms are not letting up at all. I continue to experience constant pain, and feel lethargic and sometime nauseous (no vomiting or loss of appetite yet).
It feels like a solution is not close at hand, and I worry that time is slipping away. Is there something that may have been missed?
It feels like a solution is not close at hand, and I worry that time is slipping away. Is there something that may have been missed?
Brief Answer:
As discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
I have read the history and understood your concerns about not finding the diagnosis in spite of blood tests, CT scan (PCP, Surgeon and Radiologist saying hemangioma at the crown of liver), MRI to confirms.
You have symptoms of constant dull pain in the upper middle/right side of abdomen- 1 month like that of gall bladder attacks but less intense and ''constant''. (GB removed in 1998) It is frustrating, worrisome, feel lethargic, and sometimes nauseous (no vomiting- appetite normal), feeling like solution is not at hand, and worry that time is slipping away, something is missed.
Well, one of our Dictum is: if the routine is not helping you to get to the problem change the tract, change the thinking. Medical field is full of miracles and it is like a Pandora's box in many cases.
Hence my thoughts:
- MRI of the Spine, as the compression caused by the disc or some other pathology at the nerve roots or the spinal cord can cause such problems.
- Watch for post-herpetic neuralgia
- Costochondritis
- Sphicter of oddi dysfunction, but would cause spasmodic pain and not the constant dull pain
- Hemangioma is always benign and do not cause pain unless had leaked and caused the adhesion of the liver to the parietes.
- Colitis at the hepatic flexture too can cause such a problem.
If you can please provide me the really detailed history I may get more points to get a thought process more clear and towards a probable diagnosis. Give details about bladder, bowel, Backache, any change in life, stress, worried, any other history you may think is unrelated to the present problem and so on.
I hope this answer helps you, Please feel free to give all the feedback, ask relevant queries.
As discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
I have read the history and understood your concerns about not finding the diagnosis in spite of blood tests, CT scan (PCP, Surgeon and Radiologist saying hemangioma at the crown of liver), MRI to confirms.
You have symptoms of constant dull pain in the upper middle/right side of abdomen- 1 month like that of gall bladder attacks but less intense and ''constant''. (GB removed in 1998) It is frustrating, worrisome, feel lethargic, and sometimes nauseous (no vomiting- appetite normal), feeling like solution is not at hand, and worry that time is slipping away, something is missed.
Well, one of our Dictum is: if the routine is not helping you to get to the problem change the tract, change the thinking. Medical field is full of miracles and it is like a Pandora's box in many cases.
Hence my thoughts:
- MRI of the Spine, as the compression caused by the disc or some other pathology at the nerve roots or the spinal cord can cause such problems.
- Watch for post-herpetic neuralgia
- Costochondritis
- Sphicter of oddi dysfunction, but would cause spasmodic pain and not the constant dull pain
- Hemangioma is always benign and do not cause pain unless had leaked and caused the adhesion of the liver to the parietes.
- Colitis at the hepatic flexture too can cause such a problem.
If you can please provide me the really detailed history I may get more points to get a thought process more clear and towards a probable diagnosis. Give details about bladder, bowel, Backache, any change in life, stress, worried, any other history you may think is unrelated to the present problem and so on.
I hope this answer helps you, Please feel free to give all the feedback, ask relevant queries.
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
Answered by
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