Update

Just an update.

1. My birthday is Thursday and I expect to live through the entire day.

2. Medical Update (non-PC)

for the last few months I've been getting pains in my abdomen on the right side not too far from where they took out my gallbladder. At times the pain has been intense (nearly went to the ER once), and sometimes disappears completely - generally clears up just before a doctor's appointment, but most times it's this dull ache. So far the doctor has ordered a fleet of blood tests, a urine test, CT scan, ultra sound, x-rays, and a fair bit of general poking and prodding.

So far the test results are: all good. No liver problems, no kidney problems, not bilious colic (gallstone in the bile duct), or any obvious cause. I have considered the possibility that I am simply losing my mind.

The current working theory is an intestinal blockage or some kind of scar tissue adhesion (possible adhering to the small intestine). Turns out there is almost no reliable test for this. I have been offered exploratory laparoscopic surgery to identify/treat if needed. Being allergic to surgery, I have declined that for the moment.

The last suggestion by the doctor was to wait till it happened again and then go on a clear liquid diet for a day and see if that helps the problem. That happened this last Friday and while on the this oh so fun diet, the pain went away. Then it returned within a few hours of eating again.

I fear, when I tell the doctor, I'll get that whole, "Should I make the surgical referral?" again. sigh.

There are days when I wish I had a kidney stone - at least then I'd know why I am in pain.

On the plus side, my new thickness planner arrived in the shop this weekend and wow does it make sawdust.

Peace,
Andrew

Andrew - I've had transitory pains like that for some years. The one below the rib cage on your right side is usually thought to be related to gall bladder. The others -- who knows? Mine are usually not that bad, just uncomfortable. They have worsened since radiation treatment. Cooked my guts? Don't know. Once or twice the pain has been bad enough to awaken me from sound sleep, but usually just uncomfortable.

Like yourself, I am allergic to surgery. I had my chest cracked some years ago for major open-heart surgery and don't want to go back there. . . ever. I have, like you, been trying to tolerate this and just soldier on. I find that by keeping to a simple diet, good balance between protein, plant fiber and carbs, but low fat and low sodium helps me to maintain comfort. I have been diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) for decades, and have always believed that my pains are related to this condition.

You have my sympathy. There isn't much they can do to diagnose these things. They try via differential diagnosis, but these pains have so many potential causes that it is rough to do so. Also, they can medicate for some causes, which might help the pain but might just be masking it, so they try not to drop too many meds on you. Also, in my case, some of the meds they might offer could exacerbate other conditions, so again I just keep on keepin' on.

I hope you find an answer. These things are truly a pain.

My best friend had a problem with intestinal adhesions - he had several. They removed a section of his small intestines, which worked well. It had the added benefit of making his weight drop by about 80 lbs. The only problem was all the sagging skin from the sudden fat loss. The skin loses elasticity as we age. He eventually had it snipped away. -

Do not see colonoscopy on the list. I would think a good look inside with a nice ream and steam would be in order. Also many drugs and antibiotics can cause gas... then other diseases / critters / french fries -etc, etc, etc....

Andrew, glad you dropped in, you've been sorely missed.
There is a way for them to look at the small intestine. It's a large (very large) "pill" that contains a camera. The camera r4cords everything as it travels and transmits data to a remote machine in the Drs office. The dr sends it somewhere where it's translated into pictures, irva report, don't remember which. I think it's called a "capsule endoscopy" I had one, when they couldn't figure out why my iron was low.

With that said, I think adhesions would make sense. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Well, at least you seem to have gotten this figured out Andrew. So you know what you have to do, just not when to do it.

I'm glad you finally have some firm ideas about what is going on. The fact that you now know what to watch for is a comfort, too. Better to watch for it than be surprised by it.

I suspect I may have something similar, but I've been reluctant to go through all the diagnostics to find out, as my pains have not been that bad or that long in duration. I'll be watching your case notes, though.