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What Causes Persistent Pain In Stomach, Back And Diarrhea?
Question: Hi
I am a 67 year old female. I have had stomach and back pain for about 3 weeks now. It is just almost persistent. Bowels are fairly normal reduced appetite no other symptoms apart from the pain. I am rather worried as my mother aunt and grandmother all passed away from bowel cancer albeit in their 80's. I am 2 years post triple negative breast cancer ( lumpectomy chemo and radiotherapy) and not on any medication. The only symptom I have had is loose bowels over the last 18 months or so but no bleeding. I am part of the U.K. Bowel screening programme the last test being September 2014. I know you will say go to docs but I hate going as I have had one thing after another and worrybtheybeill think I'm a hypochondriac... Pain in lower back but all over tummy
I am a 67 year old female. I have had stomach and back pain for about 3 weeks now. It is just almost persistent. Bowels are fairly normal reduced appetite no other symptoms apart from the pain. I am rather worried as my mother aunt and grandmother all passed away from bowel cancer albeit in their 80's. I am 2 years post triple negative breast cancer ( lumpectomy chemo and radiotherapy) and not on any medication. The only symptom I have had is loose bowels over the last 18 months or so but no bleeding. I am part of the U.K. Bowel screening programme the last test being September 2014. I know you will say go to docs but I hate going as I have had one thing after another and worrybtheybeill think I'm a hypochondriac... Pain in lower back but all over tummy
Brief Answer:
you really need to go to doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
You are right we have to tell you to see a doctor. It is good that your bowel screening was normal so that is a good indicator that you do not have colon cancer. There are other things however that can cause your symptoms like an ulcer, gallbladder or pancreas disease, an infection or some lack of blood flow to the bowel. It is also possible that something is going on in your back, like disc disease, causing pain to radiate around to the abdominal area.
Try warm compresses to the abdomen and some omeprazole to ease off your symptoms. A probiotic may also be helpful, but I still have to recommend that you see your GP soon. You could take some acetaminophenn for pain but with abdominal pain you want to avoid antiinflammatory mediations like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin because they can cause ulcers or cause stomach irritation.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson
you really need to go to doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
You are right we have to tell you to see a doctor. It is good that your bowel screening was normal so that is a good indicator that you do not have colon cancer. There are other things however that can cause your symptoms like an ulcer, gallbladder or pancreas disease, an infection or some lack of blood flow to the bowel. It is also possible that something is going on in your back, like disc disease, causing pain to radiate around to the abdominal area.
Try warm compresses to the abdomen and some omeprazole to ease off your symptoms. A probiotic may also be helpful, but I still have to recommend that you see your GP soon. You could take some acetaminophenn for pain but with abdominal pain you want to avoid antiinflammatory mediations like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin because they can cause ulcers or cause stomach irritation.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thankyou for your prompt reply. I don't think it's disc trouble as its not that sort of pain I'm also worried about ovarian cancer (I know I'm a worry wart!) I have made an appointment for docs on Tuesday, the pain is so bad I am confined to bed. At least we have the wonderful NHS so thankful for small mercies. I'm trying to plan a much needed holiday but this has stymied it all.
Brief Answer:
may need to be seen sooner
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your follow up. It is good that you have an appointment on Tuesday but if the pain is so severe that you can not get out of bed you may need to be seen sooner. I think you should consider going to Accident and Emergency today. There could be a surgical problem that can be corrected that will only get worse if you wait until Tuesday. I wish you the best.
Dr. Robinson
may need to be seen sooner
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your follow up. It is good that you have an appointment on Tuesday but if the pain is so severe that you can not get out of bed you may need to be seen sooner. I think you should consider going to Accident and Emergency today. There could be a surgical problem that can be corrected that will only get worse if you wait until Tuesday. I wish you the best.
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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