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What Causes Abdominal And Chest Pain?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I have been suffering from an unknown abdominal and chest pain for many years now - I have seen many doctors and to date I have spent over $160,000 trying to solve the problem, it is progressively worsening to dangerous levels.
As No Doctor has been able to work it out I started doing my own research which led me to a pancreatic possibility.
My Symptoms are
1/ Inflammation in the entire body - possibly systemic
2/ Heamoptasis (spelling) - blood on pillow in mornings
3/ GERD - Have had a Nissen Fundiplication which I am pretty sure went wrong - 3hr op and my heart stopped maybe it damaged the pancreas
4/ Left Upper Quadrant pain
5/ Popping sound/feeling and then the sound of fluid moving from one chamber to another
6/ Swallowing Motility Failures on Studies
7/ LOWERING 02 Saturation (Prime problem) - getting worse every month, down to 90 now
8/ Arterial Blood Gas studies that show very low O2 and especially P02 = 32 - DE-saturation only happens at rest - I am fine on excercise stress tests
9/ Immuno Deficiency and Lung Infections
10/ Sqaumous metaplasia in the bottom of lungs - scans suggest local inflamation in bottom of airways- no Lung Pathology to support it
11/ Yellow stool - but this may be from Plaquinal
12/ Feeling of Fullness in the stomach - like I have just been punched there
13/ Gas with very odd burps
14/ Enlarged Spleen
15/ High Uric acid (could the kidneys be compensating)
16/ Nuetrophillia - without infections
17/ High Triglycerides
18/ Abnormal LDH
19/ Abnormal (only recent) blood sugar
20/ Abnormal Albumin
21/ Dehydration found on blood tests
22/ Small signs of lower lung colapse without a reason
23/ Alectasis (spelling)
24/ Dark and smelly urine
25/ Increased and unstable heart rate
26/ Joint pain (more likely Psoriatic Arthritus)
27/ Clunking feeling in chest when breathing deep - like fluid is around the Diagphragm
I have not had any dramatic weight loss - in fact I find it hard to lose weight, even though i am very active and play indoor football 3 times a week.
I have had the following meds in the past that may affect the pancreas;
1/ Methotrexate (used for Psoriatic Arthritus) - Chemotherapy family of drugs
2/ Prednisone - on and off for last 8 years
3/ Statin Drugs for high Cholesterol - Tryglicerides
4/ Anti Retroviral Prophylactic drug (I was exposed to a girl who had HIV - took 3 week course) I am not XXXXXXX or a Drug User and I do not have HIV
5/ Immunoglubulan replacement therapy for Immunodeficiency IgG 1 and IgG 3
6/ Nexium
7/ Allopurinol
My O2 saturation in my arteries and lack of PO2 pressure is the prime concern here - it seems to only happen at rest - which is the opposite of cardiac and pulmonary complications - however with the constant abdominal ache I wonder if when i am at rest my subconscious takes over and perhaps I shallow breathe - My ABG's are quite severe and now I sleep with O2 - they will soon put me on O2 permenantly, I have lost everything and finding the solution on my own is the only choice as Doctors will not listen.
I have recenty had an MRI abdo/chest, looking at the acruate ligament in case my arterial supply was being cut off - they noted nothing special on the pancreas, I have had liver MRI's which are unremarkable - other than Fatty Liver - My Bronchoscopy's always find inflammation and sometimes blood and Gastroscopies just finds chronic stomach inflammation Gastritis (spelling).
I may be clutching at straws trying to find the answer, but can you tell me if a normal looking Pancreas could still have problems - as I believe some (a lot) of my symptoms above describe Pancreatitis / Pancreatic Cancer - My Liver has no Cirrhosis (fibroscan) - I am considering getting blood tests for the digestive enzymes etc - But I have heard these are not accurate, and I want to ensure that if I go for an ultrasound I am looking at the right things, Ie ducts vs organ etc.
I hope this all makes sense
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS
Kindest Possible Regards,
XXXX
I have been suffering from an unknown abdominal and chest pain for many years now - I have seen many doctors and to date I have spent over $160,000 trying to solve the problem, it is progressively worsening to dangerous levels.
As No Doctor has been able to work it out I started doing my own research which led me to a pancreatic possibility.
My Symptoms are
1/ Inflammation in the entire body - possibly systemic
2/ Heamoptasis (spelling) - blood on pillow in mornings
3/ GERD - Have had a Nissen Fundiplication which I am pretty sure went wrong - 3hr op and my heart stopped maybe it damaged the pancreas
4/ Left Upper Quadrant pain
5/ Popping sound/feeling and then the sound of fluid moving from one chamber to another
6/ Swallowing Motility Failures on Studies
7/ LOWERING 02 Saturation (Prime problem) - getting worse every month, down to 90 now
8/ Arterial Blood Gas studies that show very low O2 and especially P02 = 32 - DE-saturation only happens at rest - I am fine on excercise stress tests
9/ Immuno Deficiency and Lung Infections
10/ Sqaumous metaplasia in the bottom of lungs - scans suggest local inflamation in bottom of airways- no Lung Pathology to support it
11/ Yellow stool - but this may be from Plaquinal
12/ Feeling of Fullness in the stomach - like I have just been punched there
13/ Gas with very odd burps
14/ Enlarged Spleen
15/ High Uric acid (could the kidneys be compensating)
16/ Nuetrophillia - without infections
17/ High Triglycerides
18/ Abnormal LDH
19/ Abnormal (only recent) blood sugar
20/ Abnormal Albumin
21/ Dehydration found on blood tests
22/ Small signs of lower lung colapse without a reason
23/ Alectasis (spelling)
24/ Dark and smelly urine
25/ Increased and unstable heart rate
26/ Joint pain (more likely Psoriatic Arthritus)
27/ Clunking feeling in chest when breathing deep - like fluid is around the Diagphragm
I have not had any dramatic weight loss - in fact I find it hard to lose weight, even though i am very active and play indoor football 3 times a week.
I have had the following meds in the past that may affect the pancreas;
1/ Methotrexate (used for Psoriatic Arthritus) - Chemotherapy family of drugs
2/ Prednisone - on and off for last 8 years
3/ Statin Drugs for high Cholesterol - Tryglicerides
4/ Anti Retroviral Prophylactic drug (I was exposed to a girl who had HIV - took 3 week course) I am not XXXXXXX or a Drug User and I do not have HIV
5/ Immunoglubulan replacement therapy for Immunodeficiency IgG 1 and IgG 3
6/ Nexium
7/ Allopurinol
My O2 saturation in my arteries and lack of PO2 pressure is the prime concern here - it seems to only happen at rest - which is the opposite of cardiac and pulmonary complications - however with the constant abdominal ache I wonder if when i am at rest my subconscious takes over and perhaps I shallow breathe - My ABG's are quite severe and now I sleep with O2 - they will soon put me on O2 permenantly, I have lost everything and finding the solution on my own is the only choice as Doctors will not listen.
I have recenty had an MRI abdo/chest, looking at the acruate ligament in case my arterial supply was being cut off - they noted nothing special on the pancreas, I have had liver MRI's which are unremarkable - other than Fatty Liver - My Bronchoscopy's always find inflammation and sometimes blood and Gastroscopies just finds chronic stomach inflammation Gastritis (spelling).
I may be clutching at straws trying to find the answer, but can you tell me if a normal looking Pancreas could still have problems - as I believe some (a lot) of my symptoms above describe Pancreatitis / Pancreatic Cancer - My Liver has no Cirrhosis (fibroscan) - I am considering getting blood tests for the digestive enzymes etc - But I have heard these are not accurate, and I want to ensure that if I go for an ultrasound I am looking at the right things, Ie ducts vs organ etc.
I hope this all makes sense
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS
Kindest Possible Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Does not appear related to pancreas
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thankyou for contacting HealthcareMagic.
I read your case history and I must admit it is quite complicated.
The main crux of your query seems to be whether or not you may be suffering from pancreatic disease. To me it appears that a pancreatic disease is unlikely.Pancreatic disease presents as pain upper abdomen mainly left side and it radiates to the back. In addition there may be associated diabetes and exocrine gland / digestive enzyme deficiency. Your pain does not fits pancreatic pain, also you do not have diabetes. Digestive enzyme deficiency presents with steatorrhoea which means oil containing faecal matter. Milder deficiency can present with bloating or gas.
Normally CT scan or MRI would pick up pancreatic diseases easily. Only if it is a mild disease it can be missed. Enzyme studies can be done but you are right these may not pick mild disease. If you suspect you have enzyme deficiency then you can take pancreatic enzyme preparations and decide how you feel with these.
I think your pains and gas can be explained by hypoxia. Try oxygen therapy and that should help. Also in my view since your problems are very complicated follow your physician advice, i am sure he must be trying to help you. He may need to discuss your problems with other speciality physicians also since you have multisystem problems.
Best wishes.
Dr Dinesh Kumar Singal
Does not appear related to pancreas
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thankyou for contacting HealthcareMagic.
I read your case history and I must admit it is quite complicated.
The main crux of your query seems to be whether or not you may be suffering from pancreatic disease. To me it appears that a pancreatic disease is unlikely.Pancreatic disease presents as pain upper abdomen mainly left side and it radiates to the back. In addition there may be associated diabetes and exocrine gland / digestive enzyme deficiency. Your pain does not fits pancreatic pain, also you do not have diabetes. Digestive enzyme deficiency presents with steatorrhoea which means oil containing faecal matter. Milder deficiency can present with bloating or gas.
Normally CT scan or MRI would pick up pancreatic diseases easily. Only if it is a mild disease it can be missed. Enzyme studies can be done but you are right these may not pick mild disease. If you suspect you have enzyme deficiency then you can take pancreatic enzyme preparations and decide how you feel with these.
I think your pains and gas can be explained by hypoxia. Try oxygen therapy and that should help. Also in my view since your problems are very complicated follow your physician advice, i am sure he must be trying to help you. He may need to discuss your problems with other speciality physicians also since you have multisystem problems.
Best wishes.
Dr Dinesh Kumar Singal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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