Experiencing moderate-severe abdominal pain below rib cage and on the sides of abdomen.
The great pain prevents me from inhaling normally. The pain is most severe when I try (and fail) to inhale deeply.
Occurs only at night. This pain wakes me from sleep 2-6 times every night.
The pain subsides somewhat after I get up during the night and urinate, which I do every time the pain wakes me up. I first experienced this about 3 years ago, when it happened about twice per month. Now it is every night.
When I get up the next day, the pain is present when I awake but quickly subsides as I move around and go about my day. My breathing is not restricted during the day. However, throughout the day I feel a dull, mild pain on the lower sides of my abdomen. This pain seems to be noticeable on the right side during the day.
The pain does not result from pressing any part of my body. I can press my hand against my abdomen and feel no pain or soreness. The pain feels deep and radiates out.
The pain feels entirely different than gas, a menstrual cramp, or a sore muscle. It is affecting my sleep and quality of life and is not normal. Waking up with pain and restricted ability to breathe several times every not is not normal. I am not one to complain about every slight pain; prior to 2014 I hadn't been to any type of doctor in 7 years.
My primary Dr. has not been able to diagnose thus far after reviewing the following exam/test results. The following recent exams (within the last 2 months) and blood tests indicate a normal, healthy body:
Abdominal ultrasound normal.
Pelvic ultrasound normal.
Gyn exam & pap smear normal.
Urology exam normal, was able to fully empty bladder, although The Urologist requested my abdominal ultrasound results to see if my primary Dr. missed something, perhaps related to the gallbladder. She has not yet reviewed them.
Urinalysis normal,
Blood tests normal: Hep ABC, metabolic panel, lipid panel, direct bilirubin, vitamin D 25-OH LCMSMS, Vitamin B12 serum, ferritin, folate seum, gamma glut transpep, insulin serum, TSH, CBC Auto PLT & Diff, potassium.
My Urologist has advised me to see a gastroenterologist next, as ailments related to other parts of my body seem to have been ruled out.
I think I am physically healthy in general. I am regularly active, I get enough sleep (although my sleep has been suffering with this undiagnosed condition), I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, other high fiber foods, and unprocessed foods in general. I am of normal weight, have excellent cholesterol and normal blood pressure.
I began taking Zoloft (now at 200 mg daily) and Wellbutrin XL (now at 600 mg daily) in April 2014 for lifelong anxiety and depression.
No side effects to speak of.
I see my primary Dr.again in February. I would like to know what more I can tell her about my condition so that we can treat it. It seems serious to me (it certainly feels serious, at least), but she may disagree.
Other details of interest:
Stools twice daily. Every day for the last ~year, they are loose and light brown/mildly orange.
I am always thirsty. I drink water whenever I am thirsty, but my thirst is not quenched. I probably drink too much water every day. It seems I am able to urinate any time during the day. I can always go. This has been normal for me for the last ~15 years.
Menstrual periods are regular and normal, except for the last 4 months, during which I've had the most painful cramps of my life for 2 days out of 5. Ibuprofen normally helps but does not help with these cramps.
Did not smoke or drink alcohol for my entire life, except last year when I drank and smoked excessively for ~6 months (A pack of cigarettes a day, drunk every day, often starting in the morning or afternoon). I stopped cold turkey 4-5 months ago and don't miss it. I feel better without them.
I've had no surgeries except wisdom teeth extraction. No major illnesses.
Family history is physically healthy, except father died of lung cancer at age 72. He did not smoke and was otherwise very healthy and active. Mother is now age 73 and in excellent health.
Category: Gastroenterologist, Medical