Insane high abdominal pain / low chest pain- starting to worsen.?

Question

I'm a generally healthy 16 year old female, 5'4", 112lbs. My only known illnesses are hyperthyroidism and a minor cold. Medication includes 60mg Propanolol for tremor and 120mg Tapazole- an anti-thyroid drug.

Ever since last Tuesday, I've been having these severe abdominal pains that last all day. They hurt the most just beneath my ribcage right in the center of my abdomen. The pain seems to radiate towards my left- where my liver is, but isn't nearly as intense- and to my lower back. What could this be? The pain is a dull, blunt pain, but sharpens to resemble stabbing when I breathe, cough, lean back, lie down and stand up. I haven't vomited thus far, I'm very nauseated, have no appetite but have no other gastrointestinal issues. My veins are darker and I bruise easily- there are mysterious bruises below my ribcage I don't recall getting but I don't know if this is related.

Its rare, but Tapazole can cause liver disorder. I'm not sure thats it. Any help or insight would be fabulous.

In response to the flurry of questions: wow, I feel dumb. Trust me, I know my left from right and my liver from my spleen- I just made a hilariously embarrassing mistake on the internets.

I've cut caffeine out of my diet since I started Tapazole, since it made my tremors a thousand times worse. I don't drink alcohol either.

I haven't found that eating greasy / spicy foods affects me- the pain is pretty consistent as long as I don't move or breathe deep.

Glandular fever is ruled out, since I had a bout of it when I was ten.

Would appendicitis cause a pain in this location, even though the appendix is way lower?


I know I'm being awful vague, especially to ask the internet to be my doctor, but I'm trying my best to find a cheap solution since I wouldn't be able to afford a CT scan. Can I rely on blood tests to accurately diagnose something as serious as a liver issue or pancreatitis?

In response to the flurry of questions: wow, I feel dumb. Trust me, I know my left from right and my liver from my spleen- I just made a hilariously embarrassing mistake on the internets. The pain radiates toward MY RIGHT, to my liver.

I've cut caffeine out of my diet since I started Tapazole, since it made my tremors a thousand times worse. I don't drink alcohol either.

I haven't found that eating greasy / spicy foods affects me- the pain is pretty consistent as long as I don't move or breathe deep.

Glandular fever is ruled out, since I had a bout of it when I was ten.

Would appendicitis cause a pain in this location, even though the appendix is way lower?


I know I'm being awful vague, especially to ask the internet to be my doctor, but I'm trying my best to find a cheap solution since I wouldn't be able to afford a CT scan. Can I rely on blood tests to accurately diagnose something as serious as a liver issue or pancreatitis?

Answer 1

Actually sounds like cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder. Since pancreatitis is a possible related complication, you really should go to the doctor.

Avoid spicy or fatty foods until you know for sure. (makes the pain worse)

Edit: No, appendicitis would not cause pain in the area that you describe. Know that cholecystitis has a variable presentation and doesn't necessarily mimic the textbook. I think that you really need to see a doctor. CT scan costs aside, there is a lot a doctor can tell you from a more detailed history and physical exam. Maybe you will not need expensive tests. The only way to know is to go. There is no cheaper solution, and the alternative may not be worth the gamble. It's not a backache your talking about, but a potentially more serious problem. Don't take the risk.

Answer 2

First off, very educated for a 16 year old.
Secondly, your liver is on YOUR right side, your spleen is on your left. Do you have any other symptoms? Someone at your age, and left sided pain is classically "Mono" or "kissing disease", but medically known as Ebstien Barr Virus. Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands (especially under your jaw.

Other causes of abdominal pain in that area include pancreatitis (do you drink?) or gallstones (more severe after eating a fatty meal). You should go to the ER to have them do a CT scan to rule these out. They can also check Liver function tests and pancreatic enzymes.

Answer 3

iam 18 years old and when i was 16yrs old i suffered terrible abdominal pain to the point i was on the floor in pain..then it would cause chest pain which caused me to feel like something heavy was on my chest then i would get severe back pain . i waited about a year before i went to the doctors which was stupid it turned out i had gallstones and a gallbladder problem. because i waited so long i had caused my liver to enlarge and my liver readings were more then 5times then what they should be..your gallbladder is just below your liver it is a tiny green sac that contains bile..when you eat fatty foods or anything green you will cause an attack..the doctor told me the pain was because a stone got stuck into a duct and into my pancreas which causes terrible pain...he later removed my gallbladder which has stopped the gallbladder attacks somewhat but i still get them..i can not eat any green veggies because it triggers an attack which has made life a little harder since i love salads. ask your doctor to do an abdominal scan or ultra sound to see if you have gallstones..and yes when a gallstones goes into your pancreas it causes pancreatitis..to lessen the pain put a hot water bottle on it i always used that

Answer 4

i would go to the doc right away because you can ruin your liver quick.
you may also be having apendicitis or gallbladder inflammation.

maye a kidney ifection (yor drinking a lot of sodas?) try lots of water

Answer 5

you must seek emergency care right away is all i know and i pray you are once again well!

Answer 6

liver is on the right

what you describe "could" be pancreatitis

see your doctor ASAP please, call over there

Answer 7

LOOK!..........ITS TIME FOR A DOCTOR.