My Grandson Has Been In The Hospital For With Severe Abdominal Pain A Visceral Hyper-sensitivity Found

Posted on Tue, 17 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 Answered on

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : My grandson has been in the hospital for a week with severe abdominal pain. Every test they did came back normal. CT scan, MRI, Blood tests, Swallowed camera, etc. Today they want to discharge him with him still in severe pain. He can barely stand to walk he is in such pain. They did say they have diagnosed him with Visceral Hyper-sensitivity. Why they waited to tell him this as he was being discharged I do not know. The nurses don't think he should be discharged but they of course have no say. It seems he has flairs. He may go 1 week and the pain isn't too intense and then recently he is in acute pain every day. He has lost 45lbs in 4 months because when he eats the pain may increase. He never knows what is going to cause a flair. He is 28. Too young to be in this much pain.

Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Is he on pain medication?

Detailed Answer:
I am very sorry to hear that. If he is discharged, it is important that you have pain killers at home, e.g. aspirin, NSAID, weak acting morphine. Depending on your geographic region, there will be the possibility of retransmission if he cannot manage the pain at home.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (10 hours later)

Are you familiar with Visceral Hypersensitivity. What is it and how do you recommend treating it. Is diet involved? I will take any help and advice you can give.

Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
What did the scans and blood tests show?

Detailed Answer:
Hi Karenskrafts123,

First of all, visceral hypersensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion, so it should only be used when all other possible diagnoses have been excluded. And in that regard I would need to know what the scans and blood tests showed, anything abnormal?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (8 hours later)

All the tests have come back normal.Even the stool sample,colonoscopy, and blood work. But, he is still in acute pain. Now at home, no IV's to help with the pain. Meds: Gabapentin and Nortriptelene

Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Try aspirin and tramadol

Detailed Answer:
Importantly, there is no reason to suspect that there is anything serious at play. However, this obviously does not help with the pain.

Gabapentin and nortriptelene may be helpful if the doctors think there is a neuropathic etiology. I suggest you also try aspirin and tramadol (or a similar weak opioid) and see if it helps. You can take them with the other medication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (2 hours later)

He was just called to see the dr. He did a 24 hr.urinalysis while in the hospital. They now suspect him to have Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Are you familiar with this disease? They said it is rare. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
He should avoid certain medicines, and receive intravenous glucose.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

I am somewhat familiar with the disease. It is very rare, and the diagnosis is often made by the detection of certain metabolites in the urine.

In most cases of intermittent porphyria, attacks are provoked by intake of certain medications, e.g. NSAIDs, or alcohol. His diet should be rich in carbohydrate, and he should take lots of sugar if he feels an attack is on its way.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (20 hours later)

Is there a mg dose of sugar he should take if he starts feeling an attack coming on. Will the sugar help the acute pain he has. He is going to do a fecal analysis for 4 days. Do you think he needs a liver function test.

Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As much sugar as possible. Liver function tests are a good idea.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

He should eat as much sugar as he can when he feels an attack is on its way (sodas, lemonade, pure sugar, etc.), this will presumably help the pain.

Liver function tests are also a good idea, just to get a complete clinical picture.

Hope this helps.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee