Not sure what this could be

[amaranthe]

For the past 3 nights I have been awakened by severe mid back pain and stomach (?) pain. (I guess it is my stomach. The pain is located about the width of 3 fingers above my belly button.) The pain is so intense and severe, it feels like it is searing thru my back. It hasnt been happening in the daytime...only at night. I have also noticed acid indestion during these episodes. (At least that's what I think it is since I have been getting that acid taste in the back of my mouth and esophagal pain too.)

I have been d/xed in the past with GERD, but havent been bothered by it recently. However, I never had pain like this before, so dont know if it is related or not. The back/abdominal pain is the worst! Thank God I had pain meds on hand! But, I am telling you, it took antacids, pain meds, muscle relaxors, Lidocaine patches, the heating pad and then getting up and walking around ALL to finally get this pain under control each time!

I am making an appt with my GP to try to get to the bottom of this. But, just wondered if anyone had this happen before and had any idea what it could be?

Oh! One last thing! I dont know if this is related or not, but at each episode when I awoke in severe pain, I also had to urinate really bad. (But, that didnt relieve the pain.)

Thanks for the help!

Kind regards,
Amaranthe

[leelee88]

Thinking maybe Gallbladder?? Maybe someone else will chime in who has dealt with this..

But I do hope you get some relief soon..(((hugs)))

[dg2901]

Sounds like gall bladder pain. I only had 1 "textbook" attack and you just described the symptoms I experienced.

Hope you get some answers from your Dr.
Diana

[amaranthe]

It cant be my gallbladder b/c it was taken out several years ago. But that was a good thought! I cant get into see the Dr. until next week because of the holidays. :( But, I appreciate all the responses very much! Will let you guys know what it turns out to be. Thanks again!

[leelee88]

Humm, That is odd then sounds like it could just be a bad case of indigestion?? I know I should not be guessing.. That is what we have Drs for. But I do have Acid Reflux and it can get so bad with the indigestion that I have the burning somewhat like you described. But I do not feel it in my back..

[snowgirl]

It cant be my gallbladder b/c it was taken out several years ago. But that was a good thought! I cant get into see the Dr. until next week because of the holidays. :( But, I appreciate all the responses very much! Will let you guys know what it turns out to be. Thanks again!

yes gerd reflux that bad can radiate to your backpain. Sounds like you need to see your md good appt made. Have you ever seen a GI md for a workup for the GERD or any further testing of the GERD. Do you take nexium? VIcky

[snowgirl]

It is a night because you are lying down. Your two bed posts at the head of the bed need to be elevated on blocks of wood so head is higher then the feet. Don't lie down until 3 hours after you have eaten. Do you take nexium
I would try some over the couner zantac until you are seen by the md that should help. sometime people have gerd so bad we thought it was a heart attack and had to rule that out the pain can be that bad. Try taking a little maalox will help that heartburn as well. Your md may discuss nexium with you.

Vicky

[amaranthe]

thanks vicky! You are probobly right. Yes, I did see a GI for it and he did do the complete workup to d/x the GERD. I had a r/x for Aciphex a while back, but it hadnt been bothering me lately for whatever reason, so I quit taking it. But, I will try going back on it daily again between now and my appt to see if that helps. (If nothing else, at least he'll be able to rule that out, if I go back on that med.) I hate taking stuff if I dont need it, but I guess I need it after all, huh?

Thanks again to all of you for all of the help! Though I realize the info we get here is no substitute for seeing our Drs, it definately can help when we cant get in to see them for a few days. Also, (like in this case), it can help us help our Drs more to help rule things out.

So, thanks again to all of you!

Sincerely,
Amaranthe

[ICNDonna]

I'm glad you'll be seeing your doctor soon. If you have another attack, I think it would be a good idea to go to ER. Having the gall bladder removed does not necessarily mean you will never ever have another stone --- my mother had a stone in her common duct many years after her gall bladder was removed.

There are many, many possible causes for your pain.
Donna

[amaranthe]

I'm glad you'll be seeing your doctor soon. If you have another attack, I think it would be a good idea to go to ER. Having the gall bladder removed does not necessarily mean you will never ever have another stone --- my mother had a stone in her common duct many years after her gall bladder was removed.

There are many, many possible causes for your pain.
Donna


Wow! I had no idea it was possible to get any stones after it was removed! Who knew? Thanks for the info, Donna! I will definately keep that in mind.

I did go ahead and call one of my other Drs today and talked to him about it. He thinks the GERD is very likely too, and also told me to go back on that med and called in Aciphex for me. He also told me to keep a food diary for the next few days in case I am ingesting some sort of GERD triggers that I am unaware of. He is a GYN, but he told me if I am still having this problem on Fri (after taking the Aciphex the next few days), then for me to call his office and he'd call one of his friends, a Gastro, to try to get me seen soon by him. (He said that would be preferable in this instance to seeing my GP, since the GP would just refer me to the Gastro for the tests anyway.)

So, that's the plan! But, if things worsen, or the Aciphex doesnt take care of it, I will definately go to the ER. That pain was horrific!

Thank you all again very much!

Sincerely,
Amaranthe

[Mothergoose]

I think you need to be assed again. But a OCM that works well for this is Gaviscon, I know you have tried others but this works in a different way, it puts a barrier on top of yours stomach and really clams things down quickly.

It is well worth a try, till you can get seen. You just chew up 2 tabs well and swallow with quite a bit of water, it dosen't taste too bad, a little chalky. Don't drink with anything fizzy.