11 weeks of Medical Mystery - Need Help!!

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bummedlover

New member
The week of Thanksgiving, I started experiencing upper abdominal tenderness with pain right below the ribcage which got worse when it was pressed. It was accompanied by upper back pain (feels like a ball of pain wedged under my right shoulder blade), copious belching and queasiness. Of note and oddly, I have had no vomiting, diarrhea or fever. Neither Motrin nor Tylenol take the edge off the pain.

I was admitted to the ER with a tentative diagnosis of cholesystitis. An ultrasound, CT scan, HIDA-scan and blood work ruled the cholesystitis, pancreatitis, appendecitis, or any other itis they could think of. I've subsequently had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy which showed absolutely nothing. No ulcers, no erosive esophagus, negative for bacterial or parasitic infection. I have been checked out by my gynecologist who found nothing and does not believe the pain is gynecological in nature.

The pain and discomfort continues. The pain has gotten worse over the last week or two and now the belching is not just after I eat or drink, it's when I change position, especially getting out of bed in the morning, or getting out of a chair.

Including the admitting ER doc and the GI consult, I have seen 6 doctors about this and nothing yet is providing answers. I broke down in tears after the colonoscopy out of absolute frustration. I'm no closer now than I was at Thanksgiving to understand why I am feeling this pain.

At the time the symptoms began, I had just had a perfect physical three weeks prior. I am a normal weight, eat well, and until the pain brought me down, was running 3-5 miles 4 or 5 times a week. I have now missed several 5K races and going mad from the sedentary lifestyle induced by this condition.

Any thoughts on what might be going on? Any other tests to ask my doctors about? Am I condemned to a life of misery at 41 years old?
 
Have they said anything about your gall bladder?
I know two people in the last year that got really sick and had theirs removed. A lot of times vomitting is the main symptom of that, but no two people are identical.

Also, if it doesn't improve, look at taking digestive enzymes (not probiotics, they are different) WITH your meals.. it may not "solve" the problem but help reduce the gas and pain you are experiencing. Good luck!
 
The CT scan and ultrasound showed no gallstones and the HIDA-scan showed a normal gallbladder function, so they have ruled that out. No one has mentioned enzymes yet, but from a dietary standpoint, the gastroenterologist ruled out celiac from the biopsy. Although the pain does seem to be located in the gastric system and the belching also suggests the same, it does not seem to be related to food. I feel the same whether I am fasting or right after a meal. I tried gluten free for several weeks with no noticable difference. I'm just as confounded as the doctors. I can discern no pattern whatsoever.
 
There can be several explanations but sometimes symptoms can point to various causes.
Have you had a barrium xray? do you have acid reflux or hiatal hernia? do you take any medication that can be causing your symptoms? Has helicobacter pylori been ruled out?
Have you been given anything for the burping?
 
The barium x-ray showed nothing. Endoscopy showed no acid reflux and a 3/4 inch hiatal hernia that the doctors said is not the problem. I only take one medication on a regular basis and it is safely ruled out as a cause. H.pylori has been ruled out as have other infections, bacterial and parasitic. I've been given nothing for the burping and none of the 6 physicians has even suggested anything for that symptom. Trust me. They've ruled out everything that comes up from a google search of my symptoms. :confused:
 
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