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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Abdominal Pain On The Left Side?

My mom (65) was diagnosed with what they thought was diverticulitis 11 days ago (she is having pain in lower left side of abdomen) she has been on cipro & flagel for 10 days, no fever, no blood in stool. Pain has not subsided. I took her to er they did a cat scan said no obstruction, no inflammation, no infection, not appendicitis, not gallbladder, but symptoms sounded like diverticulitis to them so stay the course. ( they did see diverticulosis) but doesn t think diverticulitis? Still in pain so Friday they did an ultrasound and we are waiting on results. Pain still the same no improvement. Went to gastro dr. He said he is kinda baffled that she is still having pain. Wants her to have a colonoscopy in August. But we are concerned because she can t stay in that amount of pain until August. Called gastro dr back Friday and left message. Any thoughts ? My email is YYYY@YYYY
Wed, 6 Nov 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted the history about your Mother who is in severe left lower abdominal pain, CT scan showing diverticulosis but not sure about infection part of it, pain continues in spite of a 10 day course of Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole.
Yes this is baffling as CT scan if showing diverticulosis without any evidence of inflammation, this is possible as the CT scan can miss the inflammation if the CT is done during or after a course of an antibiotic and Metronidazole.
CT scan also helps to see for other causes of pain as you have mentioned like no appendicitis, no gallbladder issues, no obstruction, no infection and so on.
Gastroenterologist is also baffled.
Hence I would advise her the following:
Take a second opinion of another Gastroenterologist or still better would be a Gastro Surgeon as this may be a surgical problem that the Specialist can really help, CT scan is not a guarantee of every diagnosis.
To continue with another antibiotic like Cefixime or so.
To give anti-spasmodic round the clock.
Also to rule out any neurological problem in spine that can cause referred pain.
Enterocele, rectocele also can cause such pains.
Colonoscopy may help.
This way the diagnosis can be done and once found may help for proper management.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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What Causes Abdominal Pain On The Left Side?

Hi, Noted the history about your Mother who is in severe left lower abdominal pain, CT scan showing diverticulosis but not sure about infection part of it, pain continues in spite of a 10 day course of Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole. Yes this is baffling as CT scan if showing diverticulosis without any evidence of inflammation, this is possible as the CT scan can miss the inflammation if the CT is done during or after a course of an antibiotic and Metronidazole. CT scan also helps to see for other causes of pain as you have mentioned like no appendicitis, no gallbladder issues, no obstruction, no infection and so on. Gastroenterologist is also baffled. Hence I would advise her the following: Take a second opinion of another Gastroenterologist or still better would be a Gastro Surgeon as this may be a surgical problem that the Specialist can really help, CT scan is not a guarantee of every diagnosis. To continue with another antibiotic like Cefixime or so. To give anti-spasmodic round the clock. Also to rule out any neurological problem in spine that can cause referred pain. Enterocele, rectocele also can cause such pains. Colonoscopy may help. This way the diagnosis can be done and once found may help for proper management. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon