cholestasis or something else?

[Guest guest]

Every couple of weeks I get a pain/uncomfort 'attack' that may last

from 1 to 8 hours and makes me having to stop working. It seems to

start with some burping, and then the pain close to the sternum (as if

there are cramps or there is something stuck). Without touching the

place seems to be close to the sternum, but with touching the whole

area along the lining of the right side of the cage ribs hurts. The

pain sometimes radiate to the front of the body between the right

nipple and arm-pit. The stomack feels swollen during the attack, but

this is not visible. I haven't found a clear way to end the attack.

Drinking a lot of water does not seem to do it. Drinking something hot

or taking a warm shower may give some relief, but does not end it. The

attack usually ends quite abrupt as if a door is openend and everything

can relax again (a very nice feeling!).

My hepatologist did not think it was liver related, but maybe irritable

bowel syndrome. My family doctor thinks more of a stomack problem, but

blood etc. testing is not conclusive until now. I guess next we will

have to image the upper track of the digestive system, but before, I

was hoping to get some more info from people on this forum who maybe

have experienced similar symptoms. For example, a colonoscopy several

years ago fortunately did not show any sign of UC (or Chrone's), but

could these symptoms be UC or Chrone's related anyway? Do these

symptoms sound like an obstruction in the bile ducts? Any other

information on what these attacks could be or how to stop them would be

highly appreciated ...

Thanks,

Gerard, PSC