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Original poster

So I’m in A&E for the sixth time in a 9 weeks

104 replies

Soubriquet · 27/09/2022 23:26

And they still don’t know what’s wrong with me

I am in constant pain in my stomach area. It’s an intense pressure that can then sort of spasm and throb.

I cannot walk. I cannot sit. I cannot eat meals. Without it hurting.

Today, I couldn’t even lift a glass of drink.

OTC do nothing. I’ve been prescribed buscapan and codeine and that did nothing.

I’ve had an MRI, a CT scan, an ultrasound, two x-rays, various blood tests and urine tests. All are clear.

I am on the waiting list for an endoscopy but that is two months away and I’ve been told by the doctor at A&E to come back everytime it gets worse or in days I can’t cope because it helps me get pushed up the list.

I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I’m sat in the stupid “fit to sit” area and I’m in agony because it hurts to sit.

I’ve been given oramorph but I chucked it up about 10 mins later.

Just saw the junior doctor and she is completely clueless too. Has no idea. She’s gone to speak to her supervisior for an opinion but it looks like I’m going to be sent home to suffer again.

I can wait for diagnoses. That’s not the problem. I just want a decent pain management scheme where I can be a relative pain free 33 year old!!

OP posts:
Discovereads · 27/09/2022 23:38

One possibility is a pinched nerve in T6/T7/T8 area of the spinal cord causing chronic neuropathic pain. The medical term for this is thoracic radiculopathy.
Common symptoms include localised pain (abdomen), radiating pain, tingling, numbness, arm or leg weakness and even difficulty walking or breathing.

A spine specialist should take a look at your spine and spinal cord for a herniated disc, or a narrowing of the spinal foremen in T6, 7 or 8. Or if you’ve had a sports injury a rare cause is an intercostal muscle sprain. It would show up on an MRI, but it’s easy to miss if the person looking at it isn’t a spine specialist but a gastroenterologist….

Original poster
Soubriquet · 29/09/2022 11:22

I got sent home again.. with painkillers that don’t work.

I’ve decided I would rather suffer at home than sit in A&E for 12 hours.

I was wondering though, is there anyway I can insist I be admitted for observations and try to get on top of the pain?

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 29/09/2022 11:26

GP could help with pain management whilst you wait for the appointment.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Original poster
Soubriquet · 29/09/2022 11:53

Currently on the phone now (well in the queue)

On Tuesday I had a call saying I should use OTC painkillers and they wouldn’t give me anything.

So let’s see what they are going to say this time

OP posts:
Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/09/2022 13:15

Well. I’ve been given something

Thought it was a painkiller. Nope. Another gastro tablet.
This one is called Mintec and it literally tastes like I’ve swallowed several polo mints.

OP posts:
DoYouWantDecking · 30/09/2022 15:32

Going to message you ... hope that's okay

Angrymum22 · 30/09/2022 15:44

Could be endometriosis. The only way of diagnosing it it laparoscopically though. It doesn’t necessarily follow your menstrual cycle. It is crippling and rarely responds to OTC painkillers. I suffered for ten years before it was fully diagnosed and the only thing that worked was anti inflammatory suppositorys because when the pain started I could not swallow or keep anything down.
Mine was often triggered by food because it was all over my bowel, bladder and most abdominal organs. Orange juice was the worst. Anything highly coloured triggered it, probably the food colouring.
Many women are misdiagnosed with IBS which is actually a symptom rather than a disease in itself.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/09/2022 15:50

DoYouWantDecking · 30/09/2022 15:32

Going to message you ... hope that's okay

I’ve replied thank you.

I doubt it’s endo but I guess we shall see.

I’m currently comfortable. Pain still there but not debilitating

OP posts:
Shiningstarr · 30/09/2022 15:58

You should refuse to be sent home while in that much pain. You can do that you know. Just say you are in that much pain you cannot sit down, or do anything x

Whylurkwhenicanjoinin · 30/09/2022 16:00

Kidney stones can feel like this. I hope you get some answers soon.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/09/2022 16:07

Whylurkwhenicanjoinin · 30/09/2022 16:00

Kidney stones can feel like this. I hope you get some answers soon.

Definitely not kidney stones.

I have had every possible test for kidney stones and appendicitis

OP posts:
Datafan55 · 30/09/2022 16:08

Yesterday I was looking at all the cakes/eavesdropping on someone in Tesco (pick the worst confession :-) ) as she told someone she'd been in and out of A&E with severe stomach pain several times, and on her last visit finally said she couldn't go home. After a long wait, they admitted her and found she had gallstones (?). This was her first time out and she showed the friend her bandage where she'd had surgery.

Thefriendlymoth · 30/09/2022 16:12

Have they investigated the possibility of stomach migraines? I work with someone who had very similar symptoms to you and she had a nightmare with them dismissing everything, I’m sure she was seeing someone in neurology when she finally got her diagnosis. Obviously not diagnosing but wondering if it’s been considered.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/09/2022 16:13

Well, next time, I will insist on being admitted I think.

I was talking to a woman around my age who seems to suffering from the same thing I had last time I was there. She had been in pain for 3 months! And needs a catheter to urinate now too.

OP posts:
msbevvy · 30/09/2022 16:23

I have been suffering like this with debilitating stomach pain that gets worse when I eat. I was lucky and had a gastroscopy within 2 weeks of talking to the doctor. It turned out that I have 3 stomach ulcers.

I had been on medication similar to Mintec and have now had to stop it immediately because it can irritate ulcers.

I hope you get sorted soon. Can your GP help in hurrying up the endoscopy as a lot of other things have been ruled out?

justabigdisco · 30/09/2022 16:25

I’m sorry you’re struggling. I’m also sorry you got told that attending A&E ‘bumps you up the list’. It doesn’t work like that I’m afraid.

FluffySocksAndHotChocolate · 30/09/2022 16:32

Going to a and e constantly does not push you up the list. Whoever told you that is speaking crap.

However...
I had very similar issues to you, I had both a endo and the other one (I've forgotten the name Blush) and turns out I had a lot of inflammation in my oesophagus, stomach and bowels. Was given anti-inflammatories that I take on a daily basis which helped a lot and now only flare ups occasionally.

SayCheeseBoris · 30/09/2022 16:34

Very simialr here too OP, you have my sympathy. I've suffered with lower right sided abdominal pain coupled with attacks of severe stomach pain (not related to bowel motions every time but definitely some times) and pressure possibly at the very top of my rectum (sure feels like that anyway). I can't sit or stand when it hits and take 2 buscopan and 2 x 30/500mg cocodamol and just lie rocking back and forth til it passes. I've had every test you've mentioned and keep getting sent to A&E with possible appendicitis but it's clearly not that as all tests are fine. Also awaiting a colonoscopy since 2018!!

The only thing I can suggest it asking the GP for the 30/500mg cocodamol but they are very strong and not for regular use (I get them for my gallstones so between the 2 issues I'm afraid to eat and just don't eat for hours at a time til I'm home for the day).

Original poster
Soubriquet · 30/09/2022 16:36

It’s was the surgeon at A&E who told me that. It will give weight to the Gp to push forward.

Thank you for all the advice. Co-codomol does nothing. I’ve had 30mg of codeine and it did nothing.

Oramorph is the only thing that touches it and I know it’s not a long term solution.

OP posts:
justabigdisco · 30/09/2022 16:38

The surgeon knows nothing about how GPs or referral systems work (which is not uncommon). Going to A&E will literally do nothing to get you an outpatient appointment any quicker.

SayCheeseBoris · 30/09/2022 16:40

Have to agree that going to A&E won't help get you up the list. However your GP referring you as urgent to the gastro team might speed up your appointment.

Wibbly1008 · 30/09/2022 16:41

Chrones disease? That is very painful

Sophieleigh26 · 30/09/2022 16:41

Is it possible you have an opioid addiction, OP? Chronic stomach pain is not an accident nor an emergency. Is something else going on?

Chikapu · 30/09/2022 16:41

Well, next time, I will insist on being admitted I think

Is that even a thing? If a doctor doesn't think you need admitting how will you insist?

Pigsinmuck · 30/09/2022 16:48

I don’t mean to scare you, but a friend of mine was like this. In and out of hospital with stomach pains, told it may be gallbladder.

It turned out to be neuro endocrine cancer. She sadly died a few months ago age 34.

It’s more than likely not to be this in your case as it’s very rare, but keep pushing for answers. Covid stopped my friend getting seen as quickly as was needed and by the time they figured out what it was it was too late.