Intense Upper Left Quadrant and Mid-Back Discomfort
I am a 31-year-old male, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. After unintentionally dozing off on the couch last night, I woke up this morning experiencing slight discomfort in my mid-back and upper left quadrant (ULQ). I anticipated that this would subside as the day progressed. By around 8 AM, I followed my usual morning routine, completed some errands, and took a moment to sit back down on the couch while waiting for my coffee to brew. However, when I stood up around 10 AM, an overwhelming pain struck me, as if I had been collided into by a train, focused in my ULQ and mid-back area. I found it difficult to breathe and nearly collapsed, so I lowered myself back onto the couch. Profuse sweating overcame me, and each slight movement heightened the pain to the point where I felt faint. Thankfully, I had a heating pad still resting on the couch, which I repositioned to support my back while sitting upright. However, even sitting proved to be excruciating. For the past few months, I have been dealing with chronic pancreatitis, leading my doctor to prescribe various medications, including oxycodone and morphine. At 10 AM, I took 10 mg of oxycodone alongside my other prescriptions, attempting to manage my breathing and block out the pain. This provided minimal relief, prompting me to take a 15 mg morphine tablet around noon. I remained on the heating pad until approximately 2 PM, but every movement was agonizing and utterly incapacitating. The oxy and morphine have offered only slight comfort, just enough for me to attempt lying in a bath and resting on my right side throughout the day. Currently, I am focusing on controlling my breathing and finding distractions from the pain. This is the first time I have encountered discomfort in this area, which seems to radiate close to my pancreas and is exceedingly distressing. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or advice. Any movement is agonizing, and I am also willing to share additional details about my medications, health conditions, or anything else relevant.
Answers (1)
12/16/2025, 5:50:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing such intense pain. Given your history of chronic pancreatitis and the sudden, severe discomfort you're feeling in your upper left quadrant and mid-back, it’s crucial to take this seriously.
Key Points:
- Persistent Pain: Your description indicates a significant escalation in pain from previous days, which warrants careful attention.
- Potential Causes: This pain could be related to your pancreatitis, muscular strain, or other gastrointestinal or structural issues. The pain severity you describe, especially associated with breathing difficulty, is concerning.
Explanation:
Chronic pancreatitis can lead to pain due to inflammation or complications such as pancreatic duct blockage. The symptoms you’re experiencing, including the sudden onset of severe pain and sweating, may suggest an acute exacerbate of your condition, or even complications like pain radiating from other areas (for example, muscular issues or referred pain).
Next Steps:
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Immediate Care: Since the pain is overwhelming and affecting your breathing, I recommend that you seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. If you feel faint or are experiencing severe shortness of breath, please consider going to an urgent care or emergency room.
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Posture and Movement: While waiting for medical attention, try to remain in a comfortable position. Lying on your side with a pillow may relieve some pressure on your abdomen and back. Avoid movements that increase the pain.
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Pain Management: Continue using heat therapy with the heating pad, as it can help relax muscles. Keep hydrating, but do not push through severe pain as this could worsen any underlying issues.
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Monitoring Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in symptoms, such as new areas of pain, changes in your breathing, or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting).
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Communicate With Your Doctor: Since you are on strong pain medications, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know about the inadequate pain relief and changes you’re experiencing. They may need to reassess your treatment plan.
I understand how distressing this can be, and your well-being is the priority. Please reach out for professional care soon to address these symptoms effectively.
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