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What Causes Pain In The Upper Abdomen Radiating To The Shoulder Blade?
Question: I've been having painful stomach pressure, mostly upper intestinal, sometimes reaching my up under my left shoulder blade in the back since Sun. Thought might be an ulcer trying to form so cut out caffeine, etc. Pressure started feel a little better (from severe to moderate). Also have dull pain in left rib cage (does NOT hurt to touch from outside), for about 4 days that is not feeling better.... I took OTC antacids for first 3 days. 2 nights ago it became painful to open mouth, hurting right jaw and it's not getting better (possible related ???). Had diarrhea on Sun AM and little bowl movement since but haven't been eating much either... Urine is not cloudy or bloody
Brief Answer:
You should get an abdominal X-ray with blood work.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
A lot of your symptoms are concerning for stomach or small intestine in origin. Based on your symptoms, it sounds like you could have pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, small bowel obstruction, mesenteric ischemia ( which is decreased blood flow to the intestine), or splenic issues. Heart disease and lung disease can also give you very similar symptoms. However, with heart disease the pain is usually short lasting.
I would have to say based on your symptoms and your history of gallbladder disease and surgery, small bowel obstruction would be very possible. The pain in your shoulder is from your diaphragm being pushed on by your small intestine. Generally with small bowel obstruction your small intestine becomes extremely dilated as food and liquid cannot pass through it which is giving you a stomach pressure pain and shoulder pain from the diaphragm. In addition, not having a bowel movement for about six days now is concerning for obstruction also. Taking medication for constipation will not help because the stool cannot move through intestine regardless of how much you push on it.
Obstructions are common after surgery because adhesions form from scar tissue in the abdominal compartment. I would recommend seeing a medical professional to get an abdominal x-ray, as well as a chest x-ray to make sure there is no pulmonary disease. I would also recommend getting routine bloodwork to make sure there's no infection.
Let me know if you have additional questions or if other symptoms appear.
You should get an abdominal X-ray with blood work.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
A lot of your symptoms are concerning for stomach or small intestine in origin. Based on your symptoms, it sounds like you could have pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, small bowel obstruction, mesenteric ischemia ( which is decreased blood flow to the intestine), or splenic issues. Heart disease and lung disease can also give you very similar symptoms. However, with heart disease the pain is usually short lasting.
I would have to say based on your symptoms and your history of gallbladder disease and surgery, small bowel obstruction would be very possible. The pain in your shoulder is from your diaphragm being pushed on by your small intestine. Generally with small bowel obstruction your small intestine becomes extremely dilated as food and liquid cannot pass through it which is giving you a stomach pressure pain and shoulder pain from the diaphragm. In addition, not having a bowel movement for about six days now is concerning for obstruction also. Taking medication for constipation will not help because the stool cannot move through intestine regardless of how much you push on it.
Obstructions are common after surgery because adhesions form from scar tissue in the abdominal compartment. I would recommend seeing a medical professional to get an abdominal x-ray, as well as a chest x-ray to make sure there is no pulmonary disease. I would also recommend getting routine bloodwork to make sure there's no infection.
Let me know if you have additional questions or if other symptoms appear.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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