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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Has Prolonged Stomach Problems Anything To Do With Gall Bladder Function?

My boyfriend began having stomach problems in 2007. The first time I took him to the emergency room they said it was a virus little did we know that 3 years later and countless visits to the ER would we still be getting the same diagnosis. He has had an endoscopy, XRays, CAT scans, blood tests all showing nothing yet every few weeks he gets sick to the point that he has to go to the ER for IV and whatever prescriptions they give. He is now on a diet of pretty much clear liquid stuff because he is afraid of his stomach acting up again, but that doesn't help anyway he will still get sick. What else could this be? I've told him to have them look at his gall bladder, but no one (ER nor his PCM) does anything

Fri, 25 Aug 2017
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  User's Response
Hi there,

It's possible his symptoms could be due to his gallbladder, especially if he has pain after eating.

Sometimes CT scan doesn't pick up on stones in the gallbladder. I'd recommend he have an ultrasound to look at his gallbladder, which is a quick and non-invasive test.

Other rare causes of abdominal pain and how to diagnose them - median arcuate ligament syndrome - this is when the median arcuate ligament (one of the ligaments that holds the diaphragm in place) compresses the celiac artery and this causes pain after eating due to the lack of blood flow from compression. MRI is the most accurate way to diagnose this.

Hiatal hernia is usually seen on endoscopy, but not always. This is when the lower esophageal sphincter is in the wrong position, and causes food to reflux from the stomach to the esophagus. Usually people will complain of heartburn, but this sometimes can cause pain as well. I'd recommend he start taking an acid reducing medication like prilosec (can be bought over the counter) and see if this helps. A good test to start looking for this is called an upper GI, which is a test where the patient drinks some contrast and a series of X-rays are taken.

I would recommend he stop going to the ER and save it for a true emergency. ER doctors are good at dealing with real emergencies, but not very good at dealing with specific problems such as these. Tt sounds like he's been having these problems for a very long time, and I'd recommend he start by seeing an experience gastroenterologist.

I hope I have answered your questions. Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.
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Has Prolonged Stomach Problems Anything To Do With Gall Bladder Function?

Hi there, It s possible his symptoms could be due to his gallbladder, especially if he has pain after eating. Sometimes CT scan doesn t pick up on stones in the gallbladder. I d recommend he have an ultrasound to look at his gallbladder, which is a quick and non-invasive test. Other rare causes of abdominal pain and how to diagnose them - median arcuate ligament syndrome - this is when the median arcuate ligament (one of the ligaments that holds the diaphragm in place) compresses the celiac artery and this causes pain after eating due to the lack of blood flow from compression. MRI is the most accurate way to diagnose this. Hiatal hernia is usually seen on endoscopy, but not always. This is when the lower esophageal sphincter is in the wrong position, and causes food to reflux from the stomach to the esophagus. Usually people will complain of heartburn, but this sometimes can cause pain as well. I d recommend he start taking an acid reducing medication like prilosec (can be bought over the counter) and see if this helps. A good test to start looking for this is called an upper GI, which is a test where the patient drinks some contrast and a series of X-rays are taken. I would recommend he stop going to the ER and save it for a true emergency. ER doctors are good at dealing with real emergencies, but not very good at dealing with specific problems such as these. Tt sounds like he s been having these problems for a very long time, and I d recommend he start by seeing an experience gastroenterologist. I hope I have answered your questions. Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.