I've been having pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen for about a
year. It started as a dull ache that came and went, with a rare sharp pain.
It became pronounced whenever I flew. Now it's a fairly constant dull ache
with occasional sharp pains not necessarily only when I fly.
Doc suggested it might be gas accumulation in my large intestine. Abdominal
ultrasound showed nothing unusual other than a "larger than normal" gall
bladder (but the tech commented that since I'm 6'4, that might be normal
after all)
I had full lab work about six months ago - absolutely normal, including
cholesterol, liver enzymes, etc.
I'm off to the doc again later this week for followup (I think it's off to
the gastroenterologist next) but I'm curious what the problem could be.
The pain in my abdomen is the only symptom I have that I can think of - no
back pain, dizziness, jaundice, etc.
Thanks!
Nova
MilkyWhy - 14 Dec 2004 06:27 GMT
Upper right suggests liver, but your enzymes normal. Flying increases suggests
gas pains. Try chewing a teaspoon of anise or fennel seed to dispel gut gas
(carminative). See if that seems to lessen the ache.
Howard McCollister - 14 Dec 2004 12:56 GMT
> I've been having pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen for about
> a
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> The pain in my abdomen is the only symptom I have that I can think of - no
> back pain, dizziness, jaundice, etc.
Next diagnostic step would be EGD to rule out ulcer disease or gastritis. If
that is negative, a HIDA scan of the gallbladder with CCK to determine
ejection fraction in order to try to diagnose biliary dyskinesia.
HMc
drsiblini@hotmail.com - 14 Dec 2004 17:18 GMT
try to do CT scan of the Abdomen with IV and Oral contrast to rule out
any specific pancreatic abnormalities and to investigate the liver
adequately.
and if all was normal then you have to investigate you stomach with EGD.
Orac - 15 Dec 2004 01:45 GMT
> I've been having pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen for about a
> year. It started as a dull ache that came and went, with a rare sharp pain.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> The pain in my abdomen is the only symptom I have that I can think of - no
> back pain, dizziness, jaundice, etc.
Not being your doctor and not having taken your history and examined you
myself (that's a disclaimer telling you to see your doctor as you are
doing, by the way), I can only generalize what other conditions might be
causing this and what other tests you might require. Other diagnostic
considerations include peptic ulcer disease or pancreatic problems.
Also, gallbladder disease has not been completely ruled out yet. You
might need a HIDA scan. You probably also need an upper endoscopy to
rule out ulcers or gastritis. Depending on your age (if you're 50 or
older or have risk factors for colon cancer), you might need a
colonoscopy as well. Finally, you might even require a CT scan of the
abdomen and pelvis.

Signature
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|
| http://oracknows.blogspot.com