Seeking Guidance: Ongoing Health Challenges
In March 2024, I awoke with sharp, cramping pain in my upper right quadrant. Having previously passed kidney stones, I recognized the severity of this discomfort. After a visit to the emergency room, I received pain relief, Mylanta, and underwent a CT scan. The scan revealed a 1cm kidney stone on my left side, a 1.4cm celiac artery aneurysm, diverticulosis, and several gallstones. However, the doctor dismissed these findings as the source of my pain and advised me to take omeprazole before sending me home. Over the following weeks, I found myself repeatedly returning to the emergency room, struggling with persistent pain and a sense of complete digestive stagnation. My appetite was severely diminished, leading me to rely on pain medications, Mylanta, and occasionally a laxative to manage the situation while I worked. During one ER visit on a Monday, the doctors informed me that my gallbladder was inflamed and infected. Even though no obstructing stone was identified, immediate surgery was deemed necessary. With children to care for and a lack of backup, I requested a delay, and surprisingly, they arranged for me to meet with the surgeon the following Monday instead. By Wednesday, the pain returned stronger than ever, and despite my efforts, the pain medications failed to provide relief. Upon another scan, they determined that the gallbladder was no longer inflamed, so an emergency surgery was not warranted. I was given pain relief and sent home yet again. On Friday evening, while resting with a heating pad and sipping tea, I felt a sudden popping sensation just to the right of my sternum, which astonishingly alleviated about 95% of the pain. Additionally, I started to hear digestive sounds that I hadn’t noticed in months. When I visited the surgeon that following Monday and recounted these events, he suggested that the pain was psychological and recommended a gallbladder removal to remedy the issue. I felt uneasy about such a drastic measure without further exploration. Things steadied until the fall of 2024 when I began experiencing cramping on my left side, correlating to the region around my ribcage, particularly from my belly button to my side. The discomfort was not sharply painful but was bothersome and frequent. I found myself relying on pain medications (ibuprofen 800, oxycodone 10-20mg), Mylanta, and heating pads nearly every day for relief. By February 2025, I consulted with a gastroenterologist who performed a CT scan with both oral and IV contrast along with blood tests. The results came back normal aside from minor inguinal hernias, the prior aneurysm, and the kidney stone. However, nothing indicated a cause for my pain. A visit to a vascular specialist confirmed that the aneurysm was unlikely to be responsible for my symptoms. Urology consultations indicated that the kidney stone could be a concern, but since there was no blood present in my urine and no signs of movement, it was deemed not a factor. I suspected the discomfort might be digestive in nature. I've started to question whether the pain medications I’ve been taking for months could be contributing to the cramping, as they are known to irritate the stomach, particularly the ibuprofen. Alternatively, the gallbladder could still be an issue. Conflicted about which direction to take and needing to maintain my work responsibilities, I'm left seeking solutions while in constant discomfort. Currently, I have nothing scheduled except a colonoscopy in June, and I feel without guidance moving forward. What options could I explore or attempts would be worthwhile?
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 11:40:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through a complex and challenging series of health issues, and I'm here to help provide clarity and actionable steps moving forward. Your ongoing pain and discomfort, along with previous medical evaluations, understandably leave you feeling uncertain about the next steps.
Key Points:
- You have multiple findings (kidney stones, celiac artery aneurysm, diverticulosis, and gallstones) but a clear source of pain hasn’t been determined.
- Pain medication may be contributing to gastrointestinal discomfort.
- You are seeking options to alleviate persistent discomfort while managing your responsibilities.
Explanation:
The combination of factors you've described suggests a multifaceted situation. Kidney stones and gallstones can indeed cause cramping and pain, but other factors like stomach irritation from medications and potential digestive issues could also play a role. It’s important to consider that long-term use of medications like ibuprofen can lead to stomach irritation and discomfort, which might exacerbate your cramping.
Next Steps:
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Medication Review: Consult with a healthcare provider about your current medications, particularly the ibuprofen and oxycodone. Discuss potential alternatives for pain management that are less irritating to the stomach. Non-opioid options or adjusting dosages may help alleviate side effects.
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Dietary Adjustments: Pay attention to your diet. Certain foods may trigger digestive discomfort, especially if there are underlying issues like diverticulosis or gallstone-related symptoms. Consider keeping a food diary to identify any potential triggers and include more fiber-rich foods gradually, ensuring ample hydration.
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Pain Journal: Track your symptoms, including the frequency and intensity of pain, and any correlation to activities, meals, or stress levels. This can help you identify patterns and provide insights that may help healthcare providers understand your situation better.
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Mind-Body Approaches: Explore stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation. There may be a psychosomatic component to your pain, and addressing stress or anxiety may alleviate some discomfort.
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Follow-Up Tests: Since you have a colonoscopy scheduled, ensure any new symptoms are communicated to your gastroenterologist during that visit. Consider asking if other imaging or tests might be needed to explore digestive issues further (like an ultrasound for gall bladder concerns).
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Physical Activity: Engage in gentle physical activity as tolerated. Exercise can help stimulate digestion and may improve overall comfort. Activities like walking or stretching can be beneficial, but listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
Supportive Measures:
While you navigate these steps, ensure you have a solid support system in place for daily responsibilities, especially given your pain management situation. If you ever feel overwhelmed or if pain escalates, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.
I hope this guidance helps clarify your options and reassures you that there are steps you can take to manage your discomfort while maintaining your daily life. Let me know if you have further questions!
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