i have been suffering from abdominal pain for years. I've been thru dozens of tests- still no answer. help

Answer 1

Have you seen a gastroenterologist? Have you had a colonoscopy and upper GI series? Ultrasounds? If you have not been seen by a gastroenterologist, ask your dr. to refer you to one. They specialize in stomach problems, colon, digestive disorders, etc. It could be Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or IBS.

If you're having trouble with bowel movements, avoid laxatives, and use stool softeners instead.

Answer 2

I don't know what types of tests you have had, but it's very
possible you could have an intolerance to certain foods that
maybe you overeat? I have a friend, who had that same
problem for all the years I have known her. Last year, she
went to another doctor, who somehow found out she has an
allergy to gluten. That is found in breads and noodles and
cereals I think also. She would have such pain tho that she
would double over at times. She was eating basically a bite
of this and that, afraid to eat much of anything. Soda
crackers and milk I believe kept her going. I think crackers
also have gluten if I'm not mistaken. So now that she avoids
all of that, she's feeling so much better.
My daughter was also told last year, that her stomach
pains were also caused from eating gluten. So she too has
changed her diet to include only meats in small portions,
and vegitables and fruits. She sometimes cheats to have a
bite of something she misses, and will pay for it every time.
I saw her double over on Christmas Eve with severe pain
from having some food she should have left alone. She
reacted very fast.
I don't know how they test for an intolerance for gluten, but
I wouldn't rule out a test for that, with the pain you describe
has been with you for so long. I guess you've been tested
for intestinal irregularities already like Colitus, and Ulcers,
and other things like that that also cause pain?
Apparently there are still some tests left to run to determine
just what's causing this. Have you had a Colonoscopy? I
decided to have one done since I was having pain myself
for awhile with no explanation. I had four polyps removed,
and I haven't had a bit of pain since. So it was the polyps
that were causing it. I recommend you have one soon. Then
you can cross that one off and try another test til you get down
to none and hopefully are out of pain. You can also change
to a more caring doctor who is determined to find out what's
ailing you. Too many are not as interested as others, and
you have to ask for certain tests and stay on top of your
ailments to get things done and demand that they are. I know
from a lack of good doctors in the last several years myself.
These people who watch the clock and just do a minimal
job, aren't the ones I will not go to anymore.
Good luck on finding the source of your pain and get
relief soon.

Answer 3

This might sound odd to you, but I have worked nursing for years and most recently pharmaceuticals...

I have worked with numerous adults with identical issues..

After watching them exhaust their insurance and suffer through unpleasant tests, the answer is eventually found and it is actually something simple..

Bowel Movement ( eliminating solid mass waste ) ..
Adults should have a normal bowl movement on a daily basis. Most people do not pay attention to this and do not see it as a cause for concern.
Symptoms include : trouble moving your bowles, do not have them frequently, or have small, hard, discolored waste..or unusual cramping and/or sharp abdominal or lower back pain

You need to start yourself on an over the counter bulk fiber supplement ( Metamucil ) .. if you do not have a change in bowel movement frequency or consistency and the pain has not started to subside you might need to get a doctors prescription for Miralax or lactulose and as needed use of a suppository or enema.

The reason for the severe pain is refered to as compaction.
Compaction is a hard solid mass of waste that is "stuck" in a section of your intestinal tract. In rare cases, a compaction gets bad and is unable to be broken up and passed with the common treatments and surgery is needed. The surgery is a section removal of the intestine where the compaction has occured.
Remember, surgery is VERY RARE and is only used when a life is threatened. ( if you do not pass your waste, it continully builds up and becomes toxic )

Also, be sure to eat a diet high in fiber and fluids. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK...

and stay away from painkillers, they will only worsen the pain ( sounds stupid, but is true )
painkillers affect the ability to pass the waste and causes it to harden and swell

Answer 4

I don't know which kind of tests you have had over the years or which specialists you might have seen but I would recommend getting another opinion, maybe from a gastroenterologist if you haven't already to see if they can help you figure out if part of the problem is related to your intestines or another part of your digestive system.

I don't know if any of the drs you have seen are Drs of Osteopathic Medicine or not but if they aren't I would recommend trying one who does Internal Medicine. These drs (Internal Medicine drs) can often be very good at trying to solve the mystery of a pain problem that other drs can't. And with Drs of Osteopathic Medicine they will look at the body as a whole and see if they can pick up clues that way.