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What Causes Severe Pain In Right Upper Quadrant?
Question: Hi, I'm bewildered, in extreme pain and at a loss to know what's happening. Before I start, I can confirm that scans have shown there's nothing obviously wrong with my liver, gallbladder, pancreas and kidneys. I have severe pain in my right upper quadrant which radiates through to my back and up under my arm pit. It comes in searing hot, sharp waves that are actually making me feel quite light headed and nauseous. It feels like this whole area has a bad stitch. I haven't injured myself and there is nothing visual on the skin. My eating and toiletting habits are normal. It's making me gasp with pain but there seems to be no explanation. Are we missing something? I'm in agony and relying on anti-inflammatories and analgesia. This has been going on for over two weeks but is now so severe I can hardly move without slicing pain. There is a history of auto-immune as my mother has lupus and my paternal grandfather was type 1 diabetic. Please can you suggest something?
Brief Answer:
A copy of scans reports and following data are needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
You are reporting to:
- have an extreme pain in your right upper quadrant radiating through your back and under your armpit
- scans showing nothing obviously wrong with your liver/gallbladder/pancreas/kidneys
- scans showing sludge in gallbladder
- pain going on for 2 weeks now
- family history of lupus (mother) and type 1 diabetes (paternal grandfather)
1. Sludge that has been showing in the gallbladder is a possible cause to the pain. That might be also associated with inflammation of biliary pathways resulting to pain.
2. Gas and bowel problems (IBS) can also be another possible causes. I need to have a look to the scan reports, so I can analyze the findings myself before admitting bowel problems.
3. Genital problems like cysts in ovaries or endometrium should also consider. May I know if the pain becomes more severe when:
- you expect your periods (one week before of after?)
- after eating (all foods/drinks? any special food/drink: carbonated?nuts?oily/fried foods?)
- when you go to bathroom and pass the urine or stool?
Looking forward to have the requested data in!
Dr.Albana
A copy of scans reports and following data are needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
You are reporting to:
- have an extreme pain in your right upper quadrant radiating through your back and under your armpit
- scans showing nothing obviously wrong with your liver/gallbladder/pancreas/kidneys
- scans showing sludge in gallbladder
- pain going on for 2 weeks now
- family history of lupus (mother) and type 1 diabetes (paternal grandfather)
1. Sludge that has been showing in the gallbladder is a possible cause to the pain. That might be also associated with inflammation of biliary pathways resulting to pain.
2. Gas and bowel problems (IBS) can also be another possible causes. I need to have a look to the scan reports, so I can analyze the findings myself before admitting bowel problems.
3. Genital problems like cysts in ovaries or endometrium should also consider. May I know if the pain becomes more severe when:
- you expect your periods (one week before of after?)
- after eating (all foods/drinks? any special food/drink: carbonated?nuts?oily/fried foods?)
- when you go to bathroom and pass the urine or stool?
Looking forward to have the requested data in!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr Sejdini,
I do not have the scans, they were done at hospital and not provided to me.
The pain seems too high for ovaries? However, my menstrual cycle is erratic now. I have just missed 2 periods. (Negative pregnancy test).
I don't eat fatty, spicy or processed foods or drink sugary soda type drinks. I do drink sparkling water though and my preferred alcoholic drink is Prosecco. Should I avoid fizzy drinks?
My bathroom habits are normal. No pain, burning, constipation, loose stools etc.
I have tried to find a link but can't. (Maybe only fizzy water).
Could my peri-menopause be connected?
Could my connective tissues be inflamed? (I have also had on-going pain in some joints).
My blood works though are normal with the exception of a raised white cell count.
I do not have the scans, they were done at hospital and not provided to me.
The pain seems too high for ovaries? However, my menstrual cycle is erratic now. I have just missed 2 periods. (Negative pregnancy test).
I don't eat fatty, spicy or processed foods or drink sugary soda type drinks. I do drink sparkling water though and my preferred alcoholic drink is Prosecco. Should I avoid fizzy drinks?
My bathroom habits are normal. No pain, burning, constipation, loose stools etc.
I have tried to find a link but can't. (Maybe only fizzy water).
Could my peri-menopause be connected?
Could my connective tissues be inflamed? (I have also had on-going pain in some joints).
My blood works though are normal with the exception of a raised white cell count.
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...............................
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
1. It is common for me to ask my online patients for their scans, and majority of them have access to their tests reports. At least, they can provide a copy to me; that's why I am asking for your scans reports too. If I would review them, it would be much easier for me to understand your case better and help you more specifically.
2. Having irregular periods are strongly suggesting peri-menopause. The ovaries are commonly found to have cysts associated with pain as in your case. An abdominal ultrasound can determine/rule this out.
3. Fizzy drinks intake is highly recommended to avoid/limit.
4. On going pain in some of your joints might be due to osteoarthritis. However, further lab tests would determine/rule it out: complete blood count, C-reactive protein; ERS, etc.
5. The same blood tests are recommended to rule out inflammation problems of connective tissues.
6. The presence of raised white blood cells are suggestive for possible infection inside your body. Further tests are required to determine the type and meds to use.
All the best!
Following answers to your queries...............................
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
1. It is common for me to ask my online patients for their scans, and majority of them have access to their tests reports. At least, they can provide a copy to me; that's why I am asking for your scans reports too. If I would review them, it would be much easier for me to understand your case better and help you more specifically.
2. Having irregular periods are strongly suggesting peri-menopause. The ovaries are commonly found to have cysts associated with pain as in your case. An abdominal ultrasound can determine/rule this out.
3. Fizzy drinks intake is highly recommended to avoid/limit.
4. On going pain in some of your joints might be due to osteoarthritis. However, further lab tests would determine/rule it out: complete blood count, C-reactive protein; ERS, etc.
5. The same blood tests are recommended to rule out inflammation problems of connective tissues.
6. The presence of raised white blood cells are suggestive for possible infection inside your body. Further tests are required to determine the type and meds to use.
All the best!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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