Is My Dad the First Case of This Condition?
My father, who is 69 and has generally maintained good health throughout his life, has recently been struggling with intense discomfort for more than three weeks. What’s particularly strange is that the pain initially began in his stomach, but only at night. Remarkably, it vanishes by morning. After numerous trips to urgent care and the emergency room, as well as a three-day hospitalization and consultations with gastroenterologists and surgeons, they have largely excluded potential causes such as ulcers, infections, and obstructions. All of his blood tests returned normal results. Since returning home from the hospital, the discomfort has shifted from his stomach to his back, oscillating between the lower and upper regions, but it consistently occurs in the middle of the night. When daytime arrives, he feels completely fine, which rules out any position-related issues, as he can nap during the day without experiencing pain. Has anyone else encountered or heard of a situation like this?
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 1:10:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your father's situation is quite perplexing and understandably concerning for you and your family. The symptoms you're describing—pain that occurs primarily at night, shifts location, and resolves by morning—can indeed be challenging to diagnose and often require patience to unravel.
Main Points
- Uncommon Symptoms: While it's rare for discomfort to be so specifically timed, other patients have reported similar patterns related to various conditions.
- Potential Causes: Given the lack of findings from tests, there may be several other avenues to explore, including lifestyle factors and possibly neurological or musculoskeletal issues.
Explanation
Nighttime pain that resolves with morning can sometimes be related to non-gastrointestinal issues. For instance:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): While primarily affecting the esophagus, it can sometimes cause discomfort felt in the back, especially when lying down.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Conditions like arthritis or disk-related problems can behave oddly depending on rest and body position.
- Psychosomatic Factors: Emotional stress or anxiety can manifest as physical pain, often experienced during nighttime when there are fewer distractions.
Next Steps
- Symptom Diary: Encourage your father to keep a detailed log of his symptoms, including the time of onset, duration, severity, and any other accompanying symptoms (like changes in mood or diet).
- Hydration and Diet: Ensure he stays well-hydrated and maintains a balanced diet. Some foods might exacerbate nighttime discomfort (like caffeine or heavy meals before bed). Keeping a food diary could help identify any potential triggers.
- Comfort Measures: Experiment with sleeping positions or supportive pillows to see if his discomfort may be alleviated. Gentle stretching or yoga before bed might also help.
- Follow-up with Specialists: Since gastroenterological causes have been largely ruled out, consider a follow-up with a neurologist or pain management specialist. They may provide insights into possible nerve or musculoskeletal issues.
- Explore Alternative Therapies: Treatments such as acupuncture, physical therapy, or even cognitive-behavioral therapy may offer relief from persistent pain.
By approaching the situation methodically and collaboratively with healthcare providers, hopefully, you can find the relief and answers your father deserves. If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, keep a close eye on those as they may steer the direction for further inquiry. Let me know if you need more details on anything!
Related Questions
Navigating My Medical Journey: An Overview
Greetings, everyone! This is 25FTM, standing at 5'7" and weighing approximately 190 lbs. Currently, my medication regimen includes vibryyd, adderall, androgel, valtrex, lamotrigine, seroquel, mirtazipine, omeprazole, and I recently added keppra in late June. Here's a rundown of my health situation from head to toe: **Neurological Issues:** - Detected a vascular malformation measuring about 10mm in the right mesial temporal lobe (April). - Experiencing persistent floaters in my eyes. - Occasionally, I find lesions on my tongue and inside my mouth. - I've noticed clenching of my jaw. **Spine and Musculoskeletal Health:** - Recently diagnosed with mild thoracic endplate changes (June). - I’ve been dealing with bone pain, particularly in my legs since March. - My joints frequently crack and feel stiff and painful. **Cardiovascular Symptoms:** - Diagnosed with sinus tachycardia exhibiting borderline left axis deviation (June). - My heartbeat often feels like a throbbing sensation, perceptible throughout my entire body. **Digestive Health:** - Identified sclerosing mesenteritis (April). - Mild diverticulosis noted in my colon (June). - Experiencing bleeding during bowel movements. - My abdomen often feels uncomfortably bloated. **Dermatological Concerns:** - Developed a sore on my inner thigh (October 2024) alongside intermittent rashes. - Similar rashes have appeared as raised welts under my armpits and seem to flare up with heat/sweating (May/June). - Noticed an increase in petechiae across my body. - I frequently experience itching and a crawling sensation on my skin. - Occasionally, I observe dark red spots on my face and dark red streaks on my inner leg after taking a shower. **General Health Updates:** - Diagnosed with reticulocytosis (April) and mild anisocytosis (May). - I’ve found it challenging to achieve orgasm, with sensations feeling diminished. - Seizures seem to initiate in my abdomen while I remain conscious and continent (11 episodes recorded between May 21st and June 27th, ceased after starting keppra). *An EEG did capture a seizure during light stimulation, which rendered me momentarily speechless but was classified as non-epileptic.* **Medical History:** I've struggled with GERD, syphilis, and have had two concussions in the past. There’s a family history of Lynch Syndrome and gastrointestinal cancers, although my mother does not carry the gene. A CT scan from 2020 identified enlarged lymph nodes on my mesentery, but it wasn’t until March of this year when I became aware of their existence. The ER staff informed me that their size had not changed since 2020, which caught me off guard. Since October 2024, I’ve felt a general decline in my health, with significant weight loss—going from around 215 lbs to fluctuating between 175 lbs and 190 lbs depending on my gastrointestinal situation. I attribute some of the weight change to starting Adderall in March 2024, which might have affected my appetite, but there's an unsettling feeling that something more serious is at play. I expressed these concerns to my primary care physician back in March, sensing a strong indication that something is amiss with my body. Recently, I've shifted to feeling a pressing urgency regarding my health. **Healthcare Engagement:** Since October 2024, I have made a total of 19 visits, not counting specialist appointments. **Consultations with Specialists:** - **Neurologist:** After diagnosing me with PNES, he referred me to a clinic in the city and recommended against pursuing further evaluation for my vascular malformation, deeming my seizure control through keppra as coincidental. - **Gastroenterologist:** Met with a gastro nurse practitioner for the first consultation last week; I’m now set for my first upper endoscopy and colonoscopy on August 5th. - **Hematology:** My primary care provider submitted my referral incorrectly, so I'm still waiting for my first appointment on August 1st regarding potential internal bleeding. - **Ophthalmology:** An uveitis expert diagnosed my dry eyes, advising artificial tears, but discouraged any further investigation. **Planned Treatments:** - Follow up with the PNES clinic in the city. - Attend upcoming endoscopy and colonoscopy, followed by a follow-up consultation in two weeks. - Hematology appointment on August 1st. So, what are your thoughts? Do you think I'm in a precarious position? Are you as eager to hear the results from these tests as I am? The thought that my story might one day contribute to medical literature is the motivation that keeps me going, so I hope you find this journey as perplexing as I do! Take care of yourselves. 🫂 If I can manage ten minutes of gentle yoga in my current state, you can certainly increase your water intake. I believe in our abilities!
Understanding Nephrology Concerns: A Personal Account
I’m a 21-year-old intersex individual, measuring 5’8” and weighing 125 pounds, and I was diagnosed with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). My current treatment regimen includes vitamin D, magnesium, a B-complex, as well as B12, B3, and hydroxychloroquine. I consume approximately 4 to 6 gallons of water daily, as I often experience significant thirst. My tests show a normal A1C level, normal blood glucose, and no ketones detected in my urine, indicating that I do not have diabetes. Additionally, my bladder functions normally, and after consulting with a urologist, the only issue identified was a tight pelvic floor. My blood pressure consistently remains within a healthy range, fluctuating between 90/50 to 120/80. A recent CT scan revealed slight renal atrophy; however, the medical team concluded that this finding was not a cause for concern. Since around the age of 16, my urinalysis results have consistently indicated the presence of protein, white blood cells (WBCs), and abnormal sedimentation (SEC), along with increased turbidity. Cultures have always returned normal results. Initially, my rheumatologist attributed these anomalies to a less critical issue but after observing protein consistently in three separate samples, she decided to refer me to a nephrology specialist. This has sparked worries within me concerning the possibility of developing lupus nephritis. I seek clarity on whether these findings warrant genuine concern or if they can still be deemed within acceptable limits.
Identifying a Hematoma on MRI Scans
To summarize the situation - my spouse, aged 30 and weighing 100 pounds, underwent a root canal a few months back. Following this procedure, she started to show signs of atypical trigeminal neuralgia, which was later confirmed by a healthcare professional. To ensure there were no tumors or issues with vascular compression, we proceeded with an MRI. I recently came across a study indicating that mechanical injuries, such as hematomas, can potentially lead to neuralgia. It’s worth noting that during the root canal, my wife was subjected to multiple injections in the upper gum area for anesthesia. I still possess her MRI disc and can utilize open-source software to examine the images myself. Is there a way to reliably discern a hematoma in the MRI images? Additionally, what are some potential methods to alleviate or completely resolve this condition? The reason I am inquiring is that neurologists in our vicinity are highly sought after, leading to significant waiting periods for appointments.
Concerns About Perineal Changes and Symptoms
Greetings, I'm a 32-year-old female and have recently noticed a bulge on the right side of my perineal area. After a visit to the emergency room, the doctors did not identify any significant issues, merely referring to it as "asymmetrical tissue growth" or something similar. I've perceived a firm area extending toward my anus, resembling a tense or bulging muscle. During a self-examination, I discovered that the vaginal wall exhibits noticeable firmness on the right side, while the left side feels much softer. Interestingly, when I apply pressure to the firmer section of my vagina, I can sense pressure in my rectum. Moreover, just yesterday, I realized that the firmness in my perineum seems to be moving towards the left side, which is new for me. This all began quite suddenly one morning when I noticed a bulge that hadn't been present before while wiping. While the discomfort isn't severe, I do experience a sense of tightness in the perineum, along with some unease. In terms of sexual activity, I find that inserting something vaginally isn't painful as long as I'm adequately prepared. I'm reaching out for insights on what this condition might be. Although the ER noted no signs of prolapse, my concern has grown as this firmness seems to be expanding. It was recommended that I consult with an OBGYN, but given the tightness extending towards my anus, I'm contemplating whether I should seek a specialist focusing on rectal issues instead. This change happened abruptly, which adds to my anxiety. If anyone has any advice or insights, I would be grateful. I’m particularly seeking preliminary ideas and suggestions about which type of medical professional might be the most appropriate to consult, as I have very limited financial resources and don’t want to waste time seeing someone only to be referred elsewhere. I’ve done some research, but haven't found information reflecting what I am currently experiencing. Thank you for your help! In terms of medication, I'm currently taking Nuvigil at 250 mg, Effexor XR at 75 mg, and I’m momentarily using Nexium 40 mg for heartburn. I have narcolepsy accompanied by cataplexy, suffer from depression, and just had my gallbladder removed last month. That's all I can think of regarding my medical history that might be pertinent to share.
Understanding Seromas in Post-Surgery Recovery
Subject: Inquiry about Seromas – A 35-Year-Old Female Perspective Hello everyone, I would like to share my experience and seek advice regarding a seroma following my recent tummy tuck procedure, which included muscle repair but no liposuction. The surgery took place on June 17th, making me six weeks post-op this upcoming Tuesday. Right after the procedure, I had my drain removed after a week. However, during a follow-up appointment at two weeks, the nurse observed a seroma and attempted to aspirate it, but no fluid was obtained. She suggested we try again during my next visit. By week three, she noted some improvement and mentioned that it might just be swelling, therefore not proceeding with another aspiration. At the four-week mark, there was another aspiration attempt, yet again, she could not draw out any fluid. She advised that my surgeon would evaluate the situation further. When I saw the surgeon at five weeks, he assessed the area and mentioned that it might be seroma but didn’t want to proceed with a needle blindly since it didn’t feel like a classic pocket. He suggested I continue to have weekly check-ins and assured me that it should gradually resolve. If there was no improvement, he could arrange for an ultrasound. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any changes, and I’m contemplating asking for an ultrasound and perhaps a more focused aspiration from the surgeon this time. I’m concerned about the risk of encapsulation or the fluid becoming more viscous as time passes. While the medical team doesn’t seem overly concerned, I’ve been experiencing intra-abdominal pressure, even in the absence of a noticeable bulge. Currently, I am increasing compression in that area by using foam inside my garment and applying warm compresses three times daily. Although I am trying to move around to assist with drainage, I’m mindful not to overexert myself to avoid aggravating the area. I strongly feel an ultrasound is warranted, and I will request one, although I will need to coordinate this externally. I also believe the surgeon should attempt to drain the area himself. While the area isn’t excessively ripple-like, pressing in on one side does result in some bulging on the opposite side. Will this fluid eventually be absorbed naturally? Could it be that the pockets are either too small or challenging to access? My abdomen appears quite flat most of the time, except in the evenings when I suspect the additional swelling might be normal along with the seroma. If I can, I will share some images and a video in the comments for better understanding. Thank you for your support!