Ulcer? Hiatal hernia? gallbladder?- longish

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

I've had problems before with esophogitis, which caused extreme referred right shoulder pain and have been on meds (mostly successfully) for almost 2 years. Right after Thanksgiving, I got a bad bout of severe right shoulder and neck pain, followed by extreme fatigue and flu like symptoms (woozy, quesy, but no nausea or vomiting). I thought it was flu, even though I'd had my flu shot. However, the same syndrome reccured starting December 7 and then again on December 28. This time I had odd bowel issues as well, so went to ER and they did a lab test for liver and it was OK. My doctor has done an ultrasound for gall bladder, also OK. Last Thursday, the pain recurred again. I usually feel woozy, chilled (no fever), and this time also have discomfort below my breast bone. I know you guys aren't given medical advice, but if anyone has had similar symptoms (and hopefully a solution)please let me know. My best friend and I are planning a weekend trip to San Francisco the last weekend in January and now I'm worried that this will keep me from going (or put into pain if I go). Alka Seltzer (which I usually avoid because of the aspirin) is the only thing that helps the referred shoulder and neck pain and yesterday I tried Manuka Honey, which seemed to help the pain under my breast bone. I'm trying to play sleuth here and am going to try to go see a gastro doctor, but any ideas would be welcome.
Thanks,
Liz

 

[Lee B]

This seems way beyond heartburn, but I have this anecdote. I told a friend that I needed to take an antacid for heartburn and he suggested enzymes instead. I really doubt his ideas, but bought a combination of three enzymes (one for carbs, one for fats and one for proteins) in a tablet and tried it for heartburn, and it nearly always fixes the problem. It speeds up my digestion besides relieving the throat burn.

Will this do anything for you? I'm skeptical, but wanted to pass it along. Good luck!

 

[Jestjoan]

The symptoms do sound like some of these below. I know you said your doctor ruled out gall bladder, though.


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gallstones/DS00165/DSECTION=2

I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV but I did have a terrible nausea
attack which my doctor said might have been caused by my gall bladder. I do have a gallstone.

Disclaimer:This is not medical advice. YMMV.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[JudyH]

I also know someone who had symptoms like this, and they turned out to be gall bladder also. Get a second opinion with a GI specialist.

 

[Keitht]

I'm glad to see that you are already trying to arrange an appointment with a specialist and simply attempting to get additional info from members here.
It really does scare me when I see folks asking for medical, financial or legal advice here as an apparent alternative to paying the pro's for the facts.
Hopefully you'll get the problem resolved quickly.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

I will check our local pharmacy for an enzyme combination. It can't hurt anyway. I feel a little better today, after taking Manuka Honey and not eating much and sleeping propped up in case it's a hiatal hernia. Hopefully, the GI doctor will be able to get me in for an appt. soon. I have an appt. with my arthritis specialist tomorrow anyway, and even though this isn't at all his area of expertise, he can probably give me trigger point for pain and at least some advice.
Thanks,
Liz

 

[Kay H]

Try to get your gastro app't before your trip. Will help you physically and psychologically. Not knowing what the problem is always is worse for me than knowing. At least once you determine the cause, you can start on the treatment.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

Kay, I totally agree. I'm waiting for the gastro doc to call me back. I spoke at length to the receptionist and will call again tomorrow. I am trying to eat next to nothing and seem to be doing better. More heartburn type sensation and the acute back pain isn't happening at the moment, so that is easier to cope with. Many people tell me that it's good if nothing is wrong and yea..it is, but when something keeps hurting and I keep feeling ill, I'd like to know why so it can be treated.
Thanks,
Liz

 

[Chrisky]

Hi. Sounds like you're on the right track by going to a specialist. But one thing I would like to mention, and I don't know if that is what you have, but have any of your doctors checked out your heart. Why I ask is that heart problems manifest themselves in women very differently than in men and some of your symptoms sound like a heart problem. Having arthritis, and depending on your meds for that condition, heart problems could arise.
It's good that your following up with this. I find in our country, although we have good doctors, sometimes they have to be pushed and prodded. Just be persistent if you don't think you're getting the right answers.

 

[BobbiC]

It still may be your gallbladder

Hi - Just wanted to tell you I have been having wierd bowel problems also--my ultrasound was negative for gallstones --but your gallbladder may not be working properly -there is a test called the HIDA scan--it is a scan of your gallbladder - but down with radioactive isotopes- completely painless--although it takes about 2 hours to do --they see the actual functioning of your gallbladder then--I had this test--but the hosptial didn't do the complete test in error --so I am going to have it done again. I am no doctor - but Google "HIDA scan" and it will tell you more about it. Your symptoms sound like gallbladder -especially the shoulder pain. Go look it up on internet - and get in with a GI specialist or even your GP can order the test done right away if your live near a hospital--done in radiology dept.
Good luck.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

Thanks, good suggestion and I will ask my doctor. I feel more confused than ever. The gastro doctor (after describing my symptoms to his receptionist) wants to do the colonoscopy I cancelled a couple weeks ago while feeling sick. I'm asking him to do an endoscopy. My arthritis doctor (who is probably the most knowledgeable, thorough and kindly of all) told me today it seemed like gall bladder and an ultrasound wouldn't necessarily show the problem. He ordered some pancreatic enzyme tests. At least the pain is in my stomach now and not in my neck and back, but no real clear signs on what is causing it yet. I have only been eating vegetable broth (home made) and cooked apples, a pear or two and applesauce. The most scary thing was today when I weighed in at the doctor's and had lost 20 pounds since October, I thought he's been happy and I said, "Well, that's a good thing, isn't it?" And he said, "Maybe, it depends." Ugh. Fortunately, my good friend who is going with me to San Francisco also has health issues, so both of us will be careful what we eat, bring some simple food along and avoid any high fat meals.
Liz

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

Just an update here, gall bladder ultrasound can back negative, no stones, no blockage, second round of amalase and lipase can back within range. I had to see the other doctor in the office and when I could get him to slow down and listen to me he ordered a chest x-ray to check for a hiatal hernia. Looking at the original endoscopy pictures of a year and a half ago, he said that the reason I had pain was that I had gastritis. I reminded him that with one week when I needed to see him and change meds, it had been controlled by medication until Thanksgiving, he seemed willing to consider that perhaps something else or additional was the cause. I have been getting good results from New Zealand, Manuka Honey, and although it isn't cheap, I think I may just stay on it for at least a few months. I thought the achiphex (and stopping Fosomax) would heal the esophogitis, but he says it doesn't. Maybe the honey will.
Thanks,
Liz