Dr Hive please diagnose me (women's issues perhaps)

[Halcyon]

For the last 9 days, I have been experiencing upper epigastric pain so bad at times that it will wake me up from sleeping (its right under the ribcage on either side), back ache, nausea, exhaustion such that I need 9 hours of sleep or more a night, and I feel exhausted when I wake up. Not refreshed at all. My mood is not great, but I am not being a terrible b**ch either.

 

I would label it PMS but for 3 things, 1) it's been going on for 9 days, and in the past, my pms has only been for 4-6 days 2) i've never had this weird bilateral pain under both my ribs--feels like a deep ache that comes and goes, particularly bad in the evenings 3) the nausea! oh the nausea.

 

I am 40 yo and no, I'm not pregnant (I tested much to my DH's horror-he doesn't want another child).

 

 

Could this just be really, really bad PMS?

[Lawana]

It might be gall bladder. Although gall bladder pain is usually unilateral on the right side, it might be an atypical presentation.

[Quiver0f10]

I second gallbladder. I would have sharp pain under my right rib but I would also have pain that wrapped all the way around.

[Mejane]

It might be gall bladder. Although gall bladder pain is usually unilateral on the right side, it might be an atypical presentation.

 

I agree. Gall bladder disease is more prevalent in women 40 and over.

 

I've had several gall bladder attacks, and the symptoms are consistent with what you describe. My first attack felt like the worst gas ever, then I thought I was having a heart attack because the pain radiated to my left chest. It can also cause nausea, and will usually be made worse by eating; my attacks were always the worse in the evening after dinner. Lying down made it worse.

 

I seem to have an acute attack every ten years or so and they usually pass within ten days, but they are excruciating while they are going on.

[JFSinIL]

Gall bladder, likely. My dd, 16, had to have hers out this year!

[TravelingChris]

I concur with everyone above. Sounds like gallbladder.

[Halcyon]

wow. I had never even thought of that. I thought, in general, that gb disease hit women who were overweight? (I couldd be wrong on this though). I am not, so I guess it never occurred to me....

[Mejane]

wow. I had never even thought of that. I thought, in general, that gb disease hit women who were overweight? (I couldd be wrong on this though). I am not, so I guess it never occurred to me....

 

Nope. I'm 115.

[ChristusG]

Definitely check your gallbladder. My dad (53) had his taken out last year....it present atypically with unusual symptoms. He's not overweight.

[Paz]

If it persists I would definately get things checked out but I wonder if it is a virus similar to what I am experiencing. You can look at my post from yesterday asking about a stomach virus. Other posters have shared their symptoms, as well. My mom started with severe pain in her stomach to the point that she went to her internist and is scheduled for additional testing. My brother felt the same a few days later. My has been going on for a week now. Severe pain in my stomach and upper throat. I feel like I can't swallow, like a horrible case of reflux and lower and upper stomach pain. I really haven't vomited or had too much other problems. I have been eating only rice and chicken, and chicken broth for over a week now. Last night and today I am feeling more on the mend. I am still eating very bland but my stomach is not killing me and I feel like I can breathe again. I had been hold ice packets on my stomach all week due to the pain. I am from FL also so maybe it is the same virus?

[GoVanGogh]

My first thought was gallbladder.

 

I had mine out ~4 years ago when I was probably the healthiest (and lightest) I had ever been.

My nurse told me that for some reason, they are seeing a lot of younger, skinnier ladies losing their gallbladders - especially within a few years of giving birth.

In my case, I didn't have gallstones, rather my gallbladder simply quit working. It was a pain for the doctors to diagnose! Ultrasound revealed no stones, so they ruled out gallbladder. But the problem persisted so they eventually ran a Hydascan, which showed my gallbladder wasn't working at all.

[ncmom2dawters]

It could be an ovarian cyst.

[datgh]

Don't count out an ulcer. I had pain like that that woke me up in the middle of the night. It was because my stomach was empty so instead of working on food the acids where working on me! If I was you experiencing these symptoms this long, I would get it checked out. Hope you get on the mend soon!

[Halcyon]

Don't count out an ulcer. I had pain like that that woke me up in the middle of the night. It was because my stomach was empty so instead of working on food the acids where working on me! If I was you experiencing these symptoms this long, I would get it checked out. Hope you get on the mend soon!

 

 

Thank you all; it COULD be ulcer--i was hospitalized in January for what turned out to be IBS--i haven't had a spell of it for ages, and I have kept my stress levels low, been sleeping, exercising, eating well. But I did have some stress last week, so it could be that. Combine that with the PMS (which I must have, as my period is due in 2 days) and that couldd be it.

 

I am going to wait and see if it abates when my period arrives, and then decide what to do. I need to make my annual checkup anyways.

[Jamee]

If it is the gallbladder though, keep an eye out for jaundice. that was how I was finally diagnosed. I went in thinking I had a bladder infection which wasn't the problem, and then went back again the next day the pain was so bad. The doctor noticed I had a yellow tinge and ran liver tests as well. Had my gall bladder out a couple weeks later. My pain felt like horrible, awful cramps, and also ran up into my back and shoulder. worst pain ever!

[Dobela]

Do some research on gall bladders and surgery. According to friends of ours that work in hospitals, gall bladder surgery is the cash cow of surgery right now and because of that you can see where there has been a tremendous rise in the number of them done. Some people have serious health issues after gall bladder surgery - including getting enough nutrition because the gall bladder directly effects food digestion and absorption. There also seems to be a correlation between gall bladder removal and future incidents of IBS.

 

I had the same pain that would circle my rib cage. It was so bad I could not breathe it seemed. Twice I ended up in the ER with it and twice I was told it was my gall bladder. The specialist at the ER sent me to a surgeon who immediately recommended I have mine removed. He wanted to schedule surgery the next week if possible. In the meantime I had another check up with my PCP who recommended I wait - he really thought I had a form of gastritis (sp??). He sent me for follow up tests that the surgeon didn't see as necessary - one was a very expensive dye test that showed how well my gall bladder would fill and empty in addition to seeing if there were any stones. (No stones had shown up earlier in other tests). The tests ordered by my PCP showed my gall bladder was just fine, no problems and no stones. He suggested that I eat a healthier diet and avoid fatty foods while increasing my water intake.

 

I say try changing your diet and see what happens first.

[Halcyon]

Thank you for this insight! I do eat quite healthfully-I am a vegetarian primarily (some fish), fruit, salads, only whole grains, although last week I have been eating white pasta (my DH had a hankering) and I odn't think that's good for my stomach. I have been doing some research on GB surgery and think there's reason to be cautious for sure.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Do some research on gall bladders and surgery. According to friends of ours that work in hospitals, gall bladder surgery is the cash cow of surgery right now and because of that you can see where there has been a tremendous rise in the number of them done. Some people have serious health issues after gall bladder surgery - including getting enough nutrition because the gall bladder directly effects food digestion and absorption. There also seems to be a correlation between gall bladder removal and future incidents of IBS.

 

I had the same pain that would circle my rib cage. It was so bad I could not breathe it seemed. Twice I ended up in the ER with it and twice I was told it was my gall bladder. The specialist at the ER sent me to a surgeon who immediately recommended I have mine removed. He wanted to schedule surgery the next week if possible. In the meantime I had another check up with my PCP who recommended I wait - he really thought I had a form of gastritis (sp??). He sent me for follow up tests that the surgeon didn't see as necessary - one was a very expensive dye test that showed how well my gall bladder would fill and empty in addition to seeing if there were any stones. (No stones had shown up earlier in other tests). The tests ordered by my PCP showed my gall bladder was just fine, no problems and no stones. He suggested that I eat a healthier diet and avoid fatty foods while increasing my water intake.

 

I say try changing your diet and see what happens first.

[texasmama]

Gall bladder pain is aggravated by eating foods high in fat. I had issues with my gall bladder when I was pg with babies 1 and 2. I avoided fatty foods and it cleared up. It would hurt pretty badly after eating and always felt a bit better if I pressed in on the spot where it hurt. The skin was sore and sensitive, too. Weird stuff...

[Tree House Academy]

Gall bladder.

[jewellsmommy]

Ok, I'll toss out another, how about pancreatitis? I didn't see this one mentioned. Our Pastor's wife had this. She is thin and eats healthy too. But her symptoms started as you describe.

[Halcyon]

Ok, I'll toss out another, how about pancreatitis? I didn't see this one mentioned. Our Pastor's wife had this. She is thin and eats healthy too. But her symptoms started as you describe.

 

Hmmm, they say that 80% of pancreatitis sufferers are either alcoholics or suffer from gall stones. I don't think my 1 beer every other night counts but i will keep it in mind as a possibility.

[kbed0849]

I say gallbladder. I have "IBS" as well. Although a gluten free diet has fixed that. Can we say misdiagnosis?? Anyway, I had my gallbladder out after my first child. My symptoms or side effects from the surgery pale in comparison to the pain/complications that would have arisen if I had continued without the surgery. THe hydascan will show the MD objectively what needs to be done. See a doctor you trust and then trust that them. Not all surgeons just want to make money. It is sad that a few bad apples can spoil the reputation of others. So, make sure you go to someone you trust! Good Luck!

[Nakia]

Might be gallbladder, but I'm thinking gastritis. Have you tried something otc like zantac or pepcid? I think you should definitely call your doctor.

[mrs.m]

Gastritis. I have something very similar to what you describe including the rib and back pain. I think it was my gallbladder but tests show it isn't. Antiacids help!!!

 

Call your doctor to get scoped because it can be bacterial.

[Nakia]

Gastritis. I have something very similar to what you describe including the rib and back pain. I think it was my gallbladder but tests show it isn't. Antiacids help!!!

 

Call your doctor to get scoped because it can be bacterial.

 

Yep, most often it is H. Pylori

[daughterofsarah77]

I agree with other suggestions that it may indeed be gallbladder. However, I have the same symptoms, and in my case it is IBS.