What Causes Severe Pain In Upper Abdomen And Back?

Posted on Thu, 29 Jan 2015

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

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 Answered on

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I have had severe left side and upper pain in my stomach area it also wraps around to my back. I went to urgent care and they ruled out constipation and heartburn. They took bloodwork for pancreatitis and they came back normal. Is it possible it could still be pancreatitis? What else could it be? My dr referred me to get an ultrasound but that probably wont happen till next week.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Pancreatitis, peptic ulcer are possibilities

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr. R. K. and I am pleased to assist you.

It still can be pancreatitis. Blood tests done very early or very late ( after week) would be normal only. An ultrasound or CT scan may be done to confirm whether pain is due to pancreatitis.
Other possible causes are peptic ulcer, constipation, left lower lung issues, neuromuscular pain.
You can discuss with your doctor about these possibilities.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. R. K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 days later)

So they did an ultrasound and didnt find anything but i am now also having yellow diarreah. Is it possible they missed somethingvon the ultrasound? Also i cant eat and when i dovthe pain gets a lot worse. Even just bread. Ibupropion helps the pain .

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You probably have neuromuscular pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Ultrasound scan is to look at the internal organs.
As discussed earlier pancreatitis is a possibility. This has been ruled out as both scan and blood work are not suggestive of it.
Peptic ulcer is also unlikely as you say ibuprofen provides relief.

As discussed earlier neuromuscular pain is a possibility as you get relief with ibuprofen.
Since you have diarrhea you also having a stomach bug which can be confirmed with a stool test. Take probiotic supplements.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

So why would eating make it worse. Also have yellow diarreah

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stomach bug

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The diarrhea could be due to a stomach bug.
A stool test may be done to confirm it.

Pain that is worsened after eating can be due to gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, mesentric ischemia or gastroparesis.
Pancreatitis is ruled out in your case.
Since you saay ibuprofen provides relief other causes mentioned here are also ruled out.
I still feel it is a musculoskeletal pain.
Also try to take smaller meals and see whether you still get the symptoms..

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad