What Causes Pressure And Pain Around Upper Abdomen?

Posted on Thu, 5 Jun 2014

Question: My daughter has been complaining about a pressure type of band all around her upper abdomen just under her breast that squeezes like a girdle all around her body. She gets nausea has lost 20 pounds After endoscopic was done she has not been able to swallow solid food since begin March Goes to swallowing therapy but still no change. Therapist sees something wrong and now says the muscles are getting weaker and may be linked with the abdominal band of pressure. Also left front just under the rib cage is painful if touched or pushed in
We have done so many test and nothing shows up and we do not know where to turn next
test include colonoscopy good no pulups cancer etc
endoscopic procedure no cancer was dialated diagnose gerds gastritis
mri of the brain
ct scan of neck soft tissue
ct scan of abdomen
gallbladder ejection test do not have results yet
manometry don't have results yet
3 different barium swallowing test
blood test 3 times liver something is high but not startling

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:

Hi
Thank you for the query.
I guess barium swallows are normal then the likely possibility of her symptoms is functional.
Need to get her evaluated by a gastroenterologist followed by an psychiatrist.
Her symptoms do not seen to be fitting into one particular diagnosis.
Only test that one can think doing is an MRI of the spine to look for any problem there that is compressing the spinal cord nerves causing band like sensation in the chest wall. But that rarely causes difficulty in swallowing.
Counselling and if your gastroenterologist and neurologist think there is no obvious identifiable cause worthwhile seeing a psychiatrist.
Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.
Happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (9 hours later)

Hello,

I did forget to mention that stool is regular almost daily but is always diarrhea 3 or 4 times with urgency

also up until 5 days ago her diet had been mostly creamy yogurt popsicles and whey protein mixed in water but then she tried potatoe smashed very small and the band(squeezing effect) became much worse and created breathing difficulty

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the query.
Well stool examination will help to ascertain if it is just irritable bowel or some swelling in intestine.
Unlikely the diet consumed has much role in worsening of diarrhoea.
Also band sensation is unlikely to worsen on intake of particular food.
Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar