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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/15/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I found healingwell on google. I have been experiencing RUQ pain for 8? years. I had my gallbladder out in 2001, because I finally convinced the doctor that I was having pain that I couldn't shake. The gallbladder was not functioning at all. At the time, I had small nodules along the line right under the ribs, in the liver. The doctor attributed my pain to the gallbladder of course. Since then, I have had bouts of pain still right up under the right rib, in the liver. I have basically been ignoring it.

In the last year, I have started experiencing IBS symptoms. Constipation w/diarrhea alternating. I have been taking stool softener, which sometimes works. Then other times, I get hit with diarrhea that is so bad, I almost don't make it the restroom. I had my yearly physical last month and mentioned the symptoms, and she said that she thought it was IBS also. I mentioned to her the pain in my RUQ area, but she didn't find anything through the normal physical exam, like an enlarged liver. I guess my question is, I am kind of worried about this pain, because it is starting to be there on a more regular basis...just trying to convince my doc that what I'm feeling isn't right. I hurts when I stand, sit, or sleep, at this point in time. It's kind of dull throb, but when I prob it alittle with my fingers, I can feel nodules, and it makes them flare up with intense pain that just throbs for awhile, then finally will subside again. That area has also taken on a full feeling! on that side. Anyway, I guess my question is, does this go along with the IBS or is this something different. Have felt these nodules for 8+years now. They just seem to be getting more irritated.

Thanks for the responses ahead of time!!!!

Cindy

Posted 3/15/2008 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
No, I don't believe this has anything to do with IBS.

If your Dr. didn't order a full lab work up, she needs to!!! The blood work up can detect abnormal numbers/level pertaining to your liver.

You said that '"At the time I had small nodules along the line right under the right rib , IN THE LIVER.' Are you saying you think you had nodules in/around your liver, or you were TOLD you had nodules in your liver???

If you were told you had nodules in your liver, would they not have been concerned enough to run tests immediately at that time? I guess I don't understand if you were told this, or if this is what you yourself feel when you're feeling that area.

Remember that with laproscropic surgery there is a heightened chance of complications with the surrounding tissue/organs. More and more you're hearing of people with post-surgery problems. There could issues with the bile duct, etc. And as my GI told me, even with the GB removed you can still be susceptible to gall stones. Sounds like you need to address some of these issues with your MD, and then possibly be referred to a GI specialist for further testing.

The alternating between constipation/diarrhea certainly can be a symptom of IBS, but other things could be causing those symptoms too. If there is a problem with the ducts it's pretty safe to say that your symptoms are NOT going to go away on their own, so starting down the road of finding out what's going on might as well be a trip you start on now, so the sooner you can find answers, the sooner you can start to feel better.

Have you had a colonoscopy or small bowel follow through ? And ERCP? Do you suffer from GERD at all, or are your bowels the only issue you have right now?
Posted 3/15/2008 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I call them nodules, because they have a round shape to them. No one has called them that. I tried to have the doctors 8 years ago feel them, and they did, but didn't think they were anything. Sometimes I feel like the doctors I see tend to just dismiss what I say to them. At that time, I had seen my regular doc, and then two more, before they sent me to the specialist. He is the one the found out about my GB not working. So then we did laproscopic to remove that. Since then, when these areas are tender I press into the area, and feel them. It just seems within the last several months they are getting more tender. I am scheduled back next month to see my doctor. She wanted to follow up on my IBS symptoms. I guess I need to have a more serious conversation with my GP, and let her know exactly what is going on.

No, I have never had a colonoscopy, or anything like that, ever. My birthday is tomorrow. I will be 39!! Maybe, age is starting to tell on me?! :-) Thanks for the feed back.

Posted 3/15/2008 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I must be crazy cause I can't see how one could feel anything on their liver cause it is not that close to the surface and behind the ribs, I thought. Anyway, why don't you ask for a CT scan if you are concerned. If they didn't think they were anything they probably are not. I had lumps I felt in my skin by stomach and it was just fatty tissue. They used to get tender from time to time for no apparant reason. Maybe you have a fatty liver. I have heard of that.
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