Pain in Spleen area

[Lauraboo 0]

I went to see my GP about some hip pain I was having and a very mild sensation in my lower left abdominal area, which I had already put down to my ibs but thought I'd mention it. The doctor examined me for about 5 seconds then said that because ibs is diagnosed by a process of elimination, she would do a full blood count and arrange an abdominal ultrasound, to check all the organs in the abdominal for kidney stones, gall stones , Spleen etc... Then she prescribed me Lansoprazole tablets and arranged a Helibactor test . The next day I was so worked up, then I started getting kidney pain at the thought of kidney stones, so I went to good old Doctor Google for more info, from here I went onto thinking about my Spleen and suddenly that area hurt too. I think the medication made me worse as they are for excess acid but I don't suffer with that so stopped them on Monday. I still have pain in my left upper chest and back near my shoulder blade which I've convinced myself is an enlarged Spleen . I'm a bit of a wreck at the moment because of it. Ultrasound is on 25th Nov which seems far away!!! 

Is it all in my head??? 

[SadWitch 15]

heyy... I have all these symptoms aswel... With an added few... I had a large cyst and my ovary removed last year so iv just put it down to that... Maby adjust your diet a little and drink plenty of water! Xxx

[Lauraboo 0]

Thanks Leaopard89.

Yes I'm drinking plenty of water and what little I am eating is healthy, porridge, veg etc... 

I do wonder if it is all down to anxiety as it all came on after certain things were mentioned, my chest and back are super tense as usual when I'm feeling like this. When I'm out and about and busy I don't get the symptoms so much. 

 

[Cassandra 44]

If you have IBS trouble, look up the low fodmap diet (monash university). Works a treat!  My dietitian recommended it.  I'm on week 4 now, and have had no ibs trouble at all, and my GERD has settled down to a tolerable level.

Anxiety will definitely make any digestive problems worse.  I go for a massage once a week now to keep those back/shoulder/chest muscles less tense.  It got to a point where I was so tense I was making my arms go numb!

Wait for the test results from your doctor, and don't try to predict what it could be.  Likely it's something really minor, then you would have worried for nothing   Doctors do seem to have trouble with diagnosing digestive issues.  I went through the whole range of blood tests too, plus a gastroscopy, only to be sent back home with pantoprazole (similar to lansoprazole). 

The meds help, but do look up the low fodmap diet.  Dietitian also has me having 6 small meals a day, rather than 3 bigger ones.  

[Lauraboo 0]

Thank you Cassandra, I will look that diet up! 

Yes I'm trying not to worry too much about the results as I think my doctor is just being thorough by sending me for an ultrasound, which is good really. I had terrible symptoms on the Lansoprazole which actually caused muscle pain and anxiety so that didn't help!  Thank you for your advice and reassurance! 

X 

 

[Cassandra 44]

There's a whole range of those he could switch you to.  I started on omeprazole and got nasty side effects. Switched to lansoprazole, then pantoprazole, which is what I am on now.  No side effects on that one for me, but it's different for everyone.  Yeah, the increased anxiety on those meds is a pain!

About the low fodmap diet thing, there's an app you can download which is nice and easy when you're shopping to check what you can and can't have.  It's a pain for the first week or so while you get used to the "rules", but once you have the hang of it, it's easier.  And SO worth it.  Not a fad diet either, not meant for weight-loss or anything, this is purely to counter digestive problems.  

Other things that may help: cut out caffeine and fizzy drinks. Don't drink from bottles or straws. Don't multitask during meals (that's the one I just can't comply with, haha)

Good luck

[Lauraboo 0]

Do you mind me asking what side effects you had on Omerprazol? 

Ooh ok I will download the app, I try to eat well but don't always get my five a day. I drink green tea and takje ginger and turmeric for my digestion but I think my stomach went through a lot this year as I was on antibiotics a good few times which seemed to unbalance my good bacteria so I'm currently taking Beneffect tablets! 

Thanks so much for your advice!!! ?

[Cassandra 44]

The omeprazole played havoc on my stomach.  Really painful cramping and bloating. Plus crazy anx.

Green tea is quite acidic. Try chamomile instead, it's easier on your stomach. And strangely,  use sugar rather than honey to sweeten it if you want. 

I take alflorex as probiotic daily.

[Lauraboo 0]

Oh really? Yes I had cramping in my sides and bad headache on LANs. 

I didn't realise that about green tea!  Will switch to Chamomile and maybe peppermint tea!? 

Thank you Cassandra ☺

[Cassandra 44]

Peppermint depends.  Generally good for your stomach but can be a trigger for some so try it and see   pm me your email if you want and I can mail you the sheets dietitian sent me.  It includes a recipe list too if you enjoy cooking and baking.  

Do get the app. It's  cheap and totally worth it. 

[A breath, please. 21]

Took omeprazole for 34 days. Started losing my mind around day 29, so I stopped taking it. Yesterday and early this morning anxiety was okay.  Face returned to normal color, I had positive thoughts and hope, granted I couldn't sleep. But... the acid reflux and indigestion came on like never before last night. So I took half an omeprazole,  10 mg this morning. Face is already blood pressure red, and the panic begins again. Coincidence? I think fucking not. Any suggestions to wean off omeprazole?  Doc says ranitidine,  but I'm afraid to put another witch's brew in my body, so I don't think I want that either. This shit has gotten ridiculous.