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What Causes Adbominal Pain After Taking Zocor?
Question: Please review my history on this site. I have been diagnosed with mild gastritis since early January. I have taken all the blood test and all the imaging exams. I have had abdominal pain most of the entire time, and I changed my diet and restricted all alcohol, chocolate, and fatty food. I have noticed a difference. Last month my doctor took me off of Zocor. I met with him this week and we decided to go back on this med. I have not had abdominal pain during sleep for the entire time I was not on Zocor, except when I had a larger meal late one night. Last night I started Zocor and I had abdominal pain and could not sleep. I am allergic to dairy and probably lactose intolerant. Should I stop Zocor again? I have been taking Zocor for many years.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Zocor contains Simvastatine which is used to lower cholesterol level. I would like to know what is your last cholesterol level.
If you are able to attach last gastroscopy result with H.Pylori test it would be easier to help you. Since when do you take Nexium?
This medicine can cause stomach pains. Usually this side effect is only at the beginning of the treatment (with first few dosages). So I suggest you to try it for few more days and if the pain will be still present, than you should stop taking it and consider gastroscopy again (to see if it has not triggered peptic ulcer).
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
I can see only first page of gastroscopy report (added twice). I assume that gastritis was the only thing mentioned in the report and H.Pylori was negative.
In my opinion, as you still have the pain, you should have gastroscopy repeated. It is necessary to see if the gastritis has responded to Nexium and stomach is healed. If not, samples should be taken for histopathology, Nexium dosage increased. If this also wont help, 24 pH monitoring should be done (as you may have GERD) and laparoscopic surgery considered (fundoplication).
Please discuss it with your doctor. Zocor should be continued as advised by your doctor.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Stanko, sorry for duplication. You are correct, the only diagnoses was mild gastritis and no H Pylori. I take Zocor at night. Should I take it another time? Also, my cholesterol was 174 on my last test, which was November 2013.
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Zocor needs to be taken at night. Otherwise it wont work property.
But it is possible that you do not need it any longer. As you have modified the diet (no fatty foods), I suggest you to check cholesterol once again and see how it has changed. If LDL will be low and HDL normal or high, you may not need Zocor.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Nexium is a very good medicine for gastritis (seems to be the best one). So another medication is not recommended.
You should not take more than 40 mg a day. So if you take 40 mg in the morning, no need to increase the dosage.
However if you take Nexium 20 mg, than you should increase the dosage to 40 mg. Treatment should take 4-8 weeks. If after this period symptoms are still present (like at your case), gastroscopy should be repeated.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Stanko, I do believe another Endoscopy may be in order. My endoscopy also referred to a gaping lower esophageal sphincter, but no erosions were seen. Also, my Upper GI reported no acute findings, but did report an Organoaxial malrotation. The endoscopy did not find this malrotation. How could a Upper GI show this and not on the endoscopy. And could something here be the reason my symptoms continue?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Generally Upper GI is also called endoscopy. So this can be the same test. Malrotation can be sometimes hard to diagnose with Upper GI endoscopy (gastroduodenoscopy precisely which is the same as Upper GI endoscopy). This condition is quite rare and only experienced endoscopist is able to diagnose it.
To diagnose malrotation, barium swallow and series of X-rays should be done.
And yes, it can be the reason of your symptoms. Due to malrotation you may have some narrow areas in the duodenum (due to fibrous band over the duodenum).
Surgery is necessary to fix it.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Stanko, The Barium test is what diagnosed the malrotation and interpreted by the radiologist. What kind of a operation does this require?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
So by Upper GI you meant barium swallow test right?
The surgery which needs to be done can be laparoscopic (key hole surgery). The fibers which cover and narrow duodenum needs to be removed.
That is usually enough to heal it completely.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, I meant the upper GI as the Barium test. My first appointment with the GI, he thought this could have been the problem, but once he did the endoscopy, he said he found no malrotation. Since then, 3 months ago, I have taken all the imaging exams, numerous medications, and stress that I have never experienced. I have the same symptoms, No better, no worse. Also, how long does
this surgery usually takes to heal? It really seems this could have been the problem all along.
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
He could not find the malrotation in the endoscopy as (like mentioned before) this test is not used to diagnose it. Please note that during endoscopy, the stomach and duodenum is pumped up with air. This causes high pressure in the stomach and duodenum. So even if there is a narrowing in the duodenum, due to high air pressure, it gets widen for the endoscopy.
It is minimal invasive surgery and it should take no more than few days to get discharged from the hospital and a week to get healed enough to get regular activity.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If the duodenum is narrowed by this malrotation, could I get pain on my right side, and the upper right quadrant? Also, could the tenderness in the abdomin be felt during a physical exam?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Yes, upper right side is exactly where duodenum is located. Tenderness is more characteristic for gastritis than for duodenum narrowing. But it is also possible.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, I plan to consult with my doctors on Monday morning.
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Stanko, I have been doing research and are you referring to the Ladd's procedure? It appears not too many people do this. Also, my test did show that my Duodenum did not have any obstruction. But, it positively shows organoaxial malrotation. Do you know where or who has experience in this procedure?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
You may consult Dr. XXXXXXX E. Seymour, MD from Baystate Medical Center 759 Chestnut Street in Springfield, MA 01199.
Yes, I was thinking about Ladds procedure. Your condition is very rare. That is why it is hard to diagnose it (hard to consider something very rare). Although Ladds surgery is easy to perform, not many surgeon have ever done it.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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