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Original poster

Anybody care to diagnose me?

27 replies

DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 18:39

I have had stomach pain on and off for a few weeks on my right side - around waist level. It has been more frequent the last few days. Now the pain has travelled though to my back. I think it is indigestion although Rennies aren't having any effect. I don't have a gallbladder (already been removed) and the pain is a dull ache with the odd sort of spasm of pain rather than excruciating (so I'm not thinking appendicitis). Do you think it is indigestion? I have burped about three times today Blush Smile but other than that my stomach is fine, no other wind or poo related problems!

Please, diagnose away.....

OP posts:
LadySybilDeChocolate · 21/02/2012 18:43

Kidney stone? I'd call NHS direct.

bigscarymum · 21/02/2012 18:50

How would it be indigestion at waist level?

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 19:07

That's what I am slightly confused about. I have had indigestion many times before and it isn't as persistant and is much higher up.

OP posts:
LadySybilDeChocolate · 21/02/2012 19:11

Indigestion is usually in your stomach, at the bottom of your sternum. If it's in your abdomen (the squishy bit in between your ribs and your pelvis) then there's not a lot there. It's likely to be kidney stones as these travel down and is a spasm pain. Can be severe. You need to get it checked.

droves · 21/02/2012 19:19

Rumbling appendix ?

Ovulating pains ?

Mild Ibs ?

It's a strange one , hope your not in too much pain .

vitaminC · 21/02/2012 19:34

Well, if it's been going on for a few weeks and is becoming increasingly painful, I would get to the doctor and ask to be referred for a scan of your liver and pancreas, just to make sure everything's OK.

The appendix is a bit lower than waist-level, so I don't think that's as likely (have you had a high temperature?), although there can be some strangely shaped and oddly-positioned appendices!

If nothing on scan, I would think it's intestinal. How old are you, OP? Is is made better/worse by drinking? eating? lying down? bending over?

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 19:36

Thanks droves. It's not ovulating because I've just finished AF. I used to have ibs, years ago and it's not like that either. It's a bit like having a stitch but in my middle and now my back. I am going to ring NHS direct and see if they can offer any advice. It's really annoying rather than dreadfully painful and because it is persistent it is quite tiring. Grrrr.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 19:41

I'm 36yrs. I have had pancreatitis in the past - although that was caused by a gall stone (hence the gall bladder being removed). Don't feel like I have a temp. Nothing seems to particularly make it worse or better apart from pressing on it which sort of helps a bit - but not if i press too hard! I haven't tried lying down today - been at work, I might to tell dh I need to do that now...for medical research purposes Wink

OP posts:
vitaminC · 21/02/2012 19:57

Sounds like it may be your pancreas again, especially if it's relieved by pressing on it! I would definitely go back to your Dr, and point out your past history of pancreatitis!

If you do go and lie down, try curling up into a ball with your knees tucked up by your chest and see if that helps relieve the pain! If so, it's pretty certainly pancreatitis of some form.

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 20:05

LOL, now I think about it I do remember when I got pancreatitis and was on holiday ringing for a bottle of water to be sent up to room and opening the door doubled up and just talking to the waiter's feet and taking the bottle from him. He asked if I was ok and I was being all terribly British and saying, oh yes, fine, fine Grin.
How could I have pancreatitis again? Last time it was caused by a stray gallstone but i don't have any of those anymore. Curling up does seem to help a bit. I'm not weeing tango though which is what happened last time, it was quite amazing.

OP posts:
Sidge · 21/02/2012 20:09

Your right side has your ascending and transverse colon - could it be bowel spasm, or constipation? Even if you've pooed lately you could have a bit of backlog?

vitaminC · 21/02/2012 20:14

Lol, the orange urine was due to the gallstone blocking your gall bladder and billirubin spilling into your urine! Obviously that can no longer happen.
However, if your pancreas suffered some kind of damage that hasn't healed completely, it's possible that it may become inflamed or infected again without being triggered by gallstones!

Have you had your cholesterol checked recently? Do you drink much alcohol? Because high cholesterol or high alcohol consumption can also trigger pancreatitis.

How long have you been having the pains? How long ago did you have the gallbladder op? You really do need to get in to see your dr asap, just on the off-chance it's something else, in which case it's best to catch it as early as possible!

I'm not trying to scare you :( I just think it's best to get it checked out properly and not wait until it gets bad to deal with it!

vitaminC · 21/02/2012 20:18

Sidge, I considered that too, but OP says the pain has been there for a few weeks but is now getting worse and irradiating! I can't think of a bowel condition that would persist like that in a 36yo :/

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 20:26

Ok, so pains have been a couple of weeks just dull aching on and off but have been getting progressively longer each day. I have had pain all day today although as I said aching rather than severe pain - only today has it spread to my back.
I had my gall bladder out 5 years ago, so quite a long time. I haven't had a cholesterol test - ever I don't think. I don't drink so alcohol isn't a factor.
Are you a medical bod VitC - you sound like you know a lot about this topic!
I can't miss work tomorrow but I will go and see the GP afterwards. Hopefully they will take me seriously.

Sidge -no constipation, probably the opposite actually, going a bit more often but not loose or anything (sorry if TMI Grin)

OP posts:
Sidge · 21/02/2012 20:31

vitC I wonder if it could be IBS spasm?

But worth seeing a GP Daffodils given your history I think.

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 20:36

OK now siege, no talking over the patient's head on a thread, that's just naughty Grin
As I mentioned I have had IBS in the past and I had a lot of bloating and a very hard stomach. I haven't got that now. Also when I have had IBS in the past the pain was lower down. Would a spasm feel more acutely painful? This is just a dull ache and the odd twinge?

Thank you Sidge and Vit C so much btw I was feeling very stupid worrying about this but you've almost put my mind at rest saying to get in checked - ridiculous really because pancreatitis is not funny, I do hope that it isn't what it is.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 20:37

Sidge not siege - ruddy iPad.

OP posts:
vitaminC · 21/02/2012 20:44

Yes, I'm a medic, but not in the UK, so I don't really know how easy it is to get access to tests etc over there! Definitely insist they take you seriously and at least do an ultrasound scan!

sidge It could be IBS, but I definitely think a GP appointment is called for!

Hope you get some answers and relief, Daffs. Let us know how you get on!

Original poster
DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 20:50

Aaah! Not sure about the ultrasound, from experience it's difficult to get into the system but once you do then the NHS is pretty good. They were excellent when I had pancreatitis, can't fault them. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again for taking the time to post Smile

OP posts:
Sidge · 21/02/2012 20:52

Sorry Daffodils trying to type a response to 2 people and not managing to integrate them very well!

IME IBS spasm can vary hugely, from sharp catchy pains that take your breath away, to duller gripey aches that radiate around.

Bu definitely worth getting checked by your GP, just to be on the safe side Smile

lyndie · 22/02/2012 06:44

Do you know if you still have a bile duct? If you have had your gallbladder out but they have left the duct in it can go into spasm or have an old stone left in it. Is it related to eating at all?

fledtoscotland · 22/02/2012 08:25

I'm a triage nurse and my first instinct was to say gallstones. Go to your gp and see if they can refer to you for a scan

melika · 22/02/2012 08:41

When I had my kidney trouble I had pain from the front radiating to my back. Dull ache to a pain. Felt as if I'd been shot by an arrow! It's still a thought, infection etc.

therapymumsy · 22/02/2012 08:46

Hope your going to get checked out at GP real soon? I gad something very similar a few years ago and it was a kidney infection. Get well soon x

lookbutdonttouch · 22/02/2012 12:55

My evil kidney stone started there and radiated to the back and began spasmodically.

Good luck with GP.

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