Guest guest Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 How far to the left of your belly button is the center of pain? And is it between your lower ribs and waistline, or a bit higher, behind your lower ribs? It is a good thing that you’re beginning to identify foods that trigger a symptom flare. I’ve found that is a big help to me; helps me figure out what foods to eat but also helps in talking with my doctors. When I first read your post I was thinking a stricture where your transverse colon meets your descending colon. That is a common point for pain. But that is more to the left edge of your ribs, not so close to the center. Other possibilities are pancreas or spleen or left kidney. I have talked to many people with my primary digestive disorder, Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (in a support group). Most of us have issues with liver and common bile duct, but a lot have more problems with their pancreas. The pain levels can be quite severe, and usually involve the back as well, as they do with common bile duct problems. Does your right shoulder blade area hurt sometimes? That is one of the usual referred pain points for pancreatic problems. Could also be that your digestive tract has become super sensitive, so that normal peristalsis triggers pain. Left-sided pain usually indicates constipation issues; having problems in that regard? Could also be pressure upwards on your upper GI coming from a pelvic mass of some sort. I had this problem to some degree. Although most of my problems were right upper quadrant, I still had some left sided pain just above my waistline. A month after my diagnosis of Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, I began developing severe lower left quadrant pain and turned out to need rush surgery for a large ovarian cyst that was putting pressure on my colon and small intestine. I had PCOS, so knew ovarian cysts were likely part of my health issues, but I couldn’t convince my primary care doctor at the time to order up a pelvic ultrasound until my pelvic symptoms became quite pronounced, not to mention my frequent fainting spells from pressure on the vagus nerve. Fortunately I didn’t need an intestinal resection from the adhesions and endometriosis, although I did have a complete hysterectomy. The surgery saved my life even if it didn’t “fix” my upper GI dysfunctions [sigh]. Anyway, there can be pressure on the lower intestines that can have an influence on the upper GI. If you know you have an issue with ovarian cysts, you might want to get a pelvic ultrasound. It will probably help to also see other gastroenterologists who can do some more testing. I saw 3 gastroenterologists before I found my current one who happened to be a specialist in pancreatic and biliary tree dysfunctions, and who identified my Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, which is one of the less common disorders. I feel very lucky to have found him so quickly (8 months); most people with my particular disorder suffer for years before they finally get a diagnosis. So don’t be afraid to seek other opinions, especially since the standard tests aren’t identifying anything. There are tests for some of the unusual conditions, but you need to find a doctor who consider those possibilities. And unfortunately there is still so much to be learned about our bodies, particularly in the areas of digestion and the nervous system, so sometimes we don’t find answers immediately. Kim M. SCD 6 years Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I know it can be tricky to self diagnose - but I get this incredible pain in my left side, lower than the rib cage, across from the belly button. It will also radiate towards the back. It comes and goes, and it the worst when I eat the wrong thing (like tomatoes or orange juice - both I obviously stay away from now) I have been to doctor just recently [again] and all my bloodwork looks normal. He ended up perscribing me with muscle relaxers & pain pills, as he thinks it's muscle related. I totally disagree. I think I have a really sensative spot in my intestines that is getting irritated at times, and maybe I have an ulcer or a torn up spot that is trying to heal, but experiences major set backs if I consume a food I can't yet tolerate. This pain was pretty severe before starting the diet 9 weeks ago, and now comes and goes. It's also way worse if I am experiencing any bloating or gas (like when I have eaten raw apples, I now stay away from those too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2010 Report Share Posted August 10, 2010 Wow, Kim, thank you for so many thoughtful ideas and suggestions. About six months ago (preSCD) I thought maybe it was my pancreas, so I started taking all these digestive enzymes. I took them for 2 months along with lots of vitamins, and din't see any real improvements, and digested the same without them, so I assumed it might not be my pancreas? I also got worried I was pre-diabetic, so I cut out all processed sugars - wow how in just 2 months SCD has cured my sugar cravings & mood/energy swings! No more worries about heading diabetes at least. I suspect it could be what you described " stricture where your transverse colon meets your descending colon " , as I have been imaging there is a real rough senstive spot there, where waste is causing pressure & pain. I hadn't heard that term before, but it sounds like it could be right. I will do more reading on it. I have regular bowl movements (once a day, same time everyday), always floaters, but almost always well formed, unless I eat the wrong thing! My other guess in another ovarian cyst. I plan to move in a month, and find a new job (hoping for one with medical insurance), so I will then be on the road for another pelvic ultrasound, a few months out all together, but I can't afford to put myself into serious debt at the moment, as doctors will line up one test after another for me again, and again, may not have any answer. The good news if I haven't had the pain for the last day & a half. It's hard to believe that the wrong food (even one that is SCD legal) can cause so much pain! I guess I will just stick with super easy to digest food for this week, lots of smoothies, squash, home smoked tuna fish, and see if the pain stays away. For the last 7 months I have had the left side pain, more on the side, just parallel with the belly button but not near it, and I have had it more than I haven't, but SCD seems to be helping. I just have to stay strict, and not indulge in all the advanced goodies, like a glass of wine, which I found out also makes it hurt like a son of a gun! Thank you everyone - and thank you SCD - I already feel SO much better - no more painful bloating or up & down energy swings! My boyfriend is also a huge believer in this diet now, and I trust his judgement, as I was getting pretty moody & difficult just before I found SCD. He tells me he can't believe the progress, and its nice to hear it from someone else, because sometimes we can't see all progress since we live it everyday. Thanks! SCD 9 weeks > > > > > > How far to the left of your belly button is the center of pain? And is it > between your lower ribs and waistline, or a bit higher, behind your lower > ribs? It is a good thing that you're beginning to identify foods that > trigger a symptom flare. I've found that is a big help to me; helps me > figure out what foods to eat but also helps in talking with my doctors. > > > > When I first read your post I was thinking a stricture where your transverse > colon meets your descending colon. That is a common point for pain. But > that is more to the left edge of your ribs, not so close to the center. > > > > Other possibilities are pancreas or spleen or left kidney. I have talked to > many people with my primary digestive disorder, Sphincter of Oddi > dysfunction (in a support group). Most of us have issues with liver and > common bile duct, but a lot have more problems with their pancreas. The > pain levels can be quite severe, and usually involve the back as well, as > they do with common bile duct problems. Does your right shoulder blade area > hurt sometimes? That is one of the usual referred pain points for > pancreatic problems. > > > > Could also be that your digestive tract has become super sensitive, so that > normal peristalsis triggers pain. Left-sided pain usually indicates > constipation issues; having problems in that regard? > > > > Could also be pressure upwards on your upper GI coming from a pelvic mass of > some sort. I had this problem to some degree. Although most of my problems > were right upper quadrant, I still had some left sided pain just above my > waistline. A month after my diagnosis of Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, I > began developing severe lower left quadrant pain and turned out to need rush > surgery for a large ovarian cyst that was putting pressure on my colon and > small intestine. I had PCOS, so knew ovarian cysts were likely part of my > health issues, but I couldn't convince my primary care doctor at the time to > order up a pelvic ultrasound until my pelvic symptoms became quite > pronounced, not to mention my frequent fainting spells from pressure on the > vagus nerve. Fortunately I didn't need an intestinal resection from the > adhesions and endometriosis, although I did have a complete hysterectomy. > The surgery saved my life even if it didn't " fix " my upper GI dysfunctions > [sigh]. Anyway, there can be pressure on the lower intestines that can have > an influence on the upper GI. > > > > If you know you have an issue with ovarian cysts, you might want to get a > pelvic ultrasound. It will probably help to also see other > gastroenterologists who can do some more testing. I saw 3 > gastroenterologists before I found my current one who happened to be a > specialist in pancreatic and biliary tree dysfunctions, and who identified > my Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, which is one of the less common disorders. > I feel very lucky to have found him so quickly (8 months); most people with > my particular disorder suffer for years before they finally get a diagnosis. > So don't be afraid to seek other opinions, especially since the standard > tests aren't identifying anything. There are tests for some of the unusual > conditions, but you need to find a doctor who consider those possibilities. > And unfortunately there is still so much to be learned about our bodies, > particularly in the areas of digestion and the nervous system, so sometimes > we don't find answers immediately. > > > > Kim M. > > SCD 6 years > > Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years > > neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years > > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > > > I know it can be tricky to self diagnose - but I get this incredible pain in > my left side, lower than the rib cage, across from the belly button. It will > also radiate towards the back. It comes and goes, and it the worst when I > eat the wrong thing (like tomatoes or orange juice - both I obviously stay > away from now) > > I have been to doctor just recently [again] and all my bloodwork looks > normal. He ended up perscribing me with muscle relaxers & pain pills, as he > thinks it's muscle related. I totally disagree. > > I think I have a really sensative spot in my intestines that is getting > irritated at times, and maybe I have an ulcer or a torn up spot that is > trying to heal, but experiences major set backs if I consume a food I can't > yet tolerate. This pain was pretty severe before starting the diet 9 weeks > ago, and now comes and goes. It's also way worse if I am experiencing any > bloating or gas (like when I have eaten raw apples, I now stay away from > those too). > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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