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What Causes Sharp Upper Abdominal Pain Radiating Towards Back And Bumps On Back?
Posted on
Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Answered on
Wed, 5 Aug 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, having sharp pains in upper abdomen on left side and to the back - this is the 2nd day. Feels like it's in muscle and there are several bumps in the back and front similar to mosquito bites that are slightly itchy. Could it be shingles? I thought it was gas as I have a lot of burping. Gall bladder has been removed. Am away on vacation right now.
Brief Answer:
sounds like shingles
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
.
The gas/bloating and the rash are likely unrelated. The gas/bloating may be due to different causes including constipation, carbonated drinks, reflux, use of gas producing foods such as broccoli, cabbage, beans, turnips etc.
The rash does sound like shingles from your description of a itching rash with associated bumps and some discomfort.
Shingles can occur in anyone with a previous history of chicken pox.
Pain medication is used to help with the discomfort and antihistamines or topical creams such as calamine would help with the itching.
There is a shingles vaccine but this is normally not given at your age.
Shingles can result in previously unexposed persons developing chicken pox but only if they come into contact with the lesions.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
sounds like shingles
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
.
The gas/bloating and the rash are likely unrelated. The gas/bloating may be due to different causes including constipation, carbonated drinks, reflux, use of gas producing foods such as broccoli, cabbage, beans, turnips etc.
The rash does sound like shingles from your description of a itching rash with associated bumps and some discomfort.
Shingles can occur in anyone with a previous history of chicken pox.
Pain medication is used to help with the discomfort and antihistamines or topical creams such as calamine would help with the itching.
There is a shingles vaccine but this is normally not given at your age.
Shingles can result in previously unexposed persons developing chicken pox but only if they come into contact with the lesions.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
could it be pancreatitis - did have that when gall bladder was removed - 4 years ago. I'm burping a lot but not nauseus - pain is mostly under left breast - sharp pains and feel like i'm bruised.
Brief Answer:
pancreatitis not normally a cause of bloating
Detailed Answer:
HI
Pancreatitis can cause pain but not normally bloating or excess gas.
Gas /bloating would be related to the mouth, stomach, intestines because they form part of the gastrointestinal tract where food/drink/food products would exit or enter.
If the pain is severe then you should be assessed by a doctor in the area, checking both the abdomen and chest.
In some persons pain related to the chest can be felt in the upper abdomen.
If the pain is in the exact area of the rash then shingles is likely but still assessment may be needed if it is very severe
Please feel free to ask any other questions
pancreatitis not normally a cause of bloating
Detailed Answer:
HI
Pancreatitis can cause pain but not normally bloating or excess gas.
Gas /bloating would be related to the mouth, stomach, intestines because they form part of the gastrointestinal tract where food/drink/food products would exit or enter.
If the pain is severe then you should be assessed by a doctor in the area, checking both the abdomen and chest.
In some persons pain related to the chest can be felt in the upper abdomen.
If the pain is in the exact area of the rash then shingles is likely but still assessment may be needed if it is very severe
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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