Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
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Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
I have collagenous colitis and I’m currently in the process of tapering off of budesonide and I’m down to 3 mg (I’ve been on it for over a year). I’m also on mesalamine as well. In the past couple months, I’ve noticed tenderness in my upper abdomen. I’ve been in and out of flares during the tapering process, and am currently in a moderate flare. During the flare I’ve noticed the tenderness even more and my stools have been light colored as well. I know both of these are signs of maybe inflammation in my pancreas, gallbladder, or liver which could be preventing me from producing bile as I should. I have also been diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency in the past, but the upper abdominal tenderness is new. No pain anywhere else in my stomach. And my stool is becoming formed once again, but still pale. Any thoughts or experience with this? Waiting to get in with my GI doc. Thanks!!
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
Hello Sarah,
If you can also feel the pain in back, it may be gallbladder issues. Gallbladderr problems are somewhat common for MC patients, because many organs associated with the digestive system can be inflamed during flares, including the gallbladder and pancreas. Often the problems fade away after the inflammation that perpetuates MC is brought under control, and remission is attained. Light colored stool would certainly fit in with gallbladder issues, but light stool color is also common during flares because of the rapid transit. A certain amount of time must elapse to allow the color of stool to reach the normal brown color.
There's also a possibility the pain could be due to accumulated gas, depending on your diet.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Tex
If you can also feel the pain in back, it may be gallbladder issues. Gallbladderr problems are somewhat common for MC patients, because many organs associated with the digestive system can be inflamed during flares, including the gallbladder and pancreas. Often the problems fade away after the inflammation that perpetuates MC is brought under control, and remission is attained. Light colored stool would certainly fit in with gallbladder issues, but light stool color is also common during flares because of the rapid transit. A certain amount of time must elapse to allow the color of stool to reach the normal brown color.
There's also a possibility the pain could be due to accumulated gas, depending on your diet.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
No, I appreciate it! This helps point me in the right direction. Your book and this forum has been a game changer- I would have never been able to taper down on budesonide if it weren’t for the necessary diet changes! Thank you for all you do, I’m sure I’ll be asking more questions soon!
Sarah
Sarah
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
The upper stomach tenderness can definitely be scary, especially with pale stools. For me, it ended up being related to my gallbladder acting up, but it’s good you're keeping an eye on it. Since you’ve had pancreatic issues before, it’s smart to bring all this up with your GI, especially with the bile stuff.
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
I’ve had something kinda similar while tapering off budesonide too, and I noticed more belly tenderness during flares. Pale stool and upper stomach tenderness could definitely be from your pancreas or gallbladder acting up, especially with your history.
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
I’ve had some similar stuff when tapering off budesonide too, especially the tenderness and weird stool color. For me, it helped a bit to stick to really simple, low-fat foods, just to take it easy on the pancreas and gallbladder.
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
My gallbladder was removed in July 2020 (my opinion HUGE mistake). Having had IBS issues ….. covid, did the surgeon need a surgery for income? No gallstones!!!! Test for malfunctioning gallbladder….. assured by surgeon…. Remove the gallbladder…. Malfunctioning will present issues in the future if not removed….. I consented…. Green sludge diarrhea at times and yucky feeling!!!!
Many people told me a gallbladder is not necessary. Ok …. I had it removed….. August 2022, MC hit out of the blue and was 5 months to be diagnosed! 45 pounds flew off and out of me 24/7! Treated budesonide….. ahhh a few weeks relief….. appearance malnourished but CBC normal. During budesonide treatment to weaning …. My research and daughters…. We found Bile Acid Malabsorption…. I asked GI for the medication for BAM…. Sure he said….. stools finally had consistency BUT still yellowish to pale….. but formed…. Cholestyromine improved the color and consistency.
Cholestyromine still a help in limited quantities…… without….. pale and odd consistency stool…. Float, puffy, certainly annoying…., etc.
Absorption seems certain to be an issue….
Any suggestions for organ test with no gallbladder to do it’s job??
Many people told me a gallbladder is not necessary. Ok …. I had it removed….. August 2022, MC hit out of the blue and was 5 months to be diagnosed! 45 pounds flew off and out of me 24/7! Treated budesonide….. ahhh a few weeks relief….. appearance malnourished but CBC normal. During budesonide treatment to weaning …. My research and daughters…. We found Bile Acid Malabsorption…. I asked GI for the medication for BAM…. Sure he said….. stools finally had consistency BUT still yellowish to pale….. but formed…. Cholestyromine improved the color and consistency.
Cholestyromine still a help in limited quantities…… without….. pale and odd consistency stool…. Float, puffy, certainly annoying…., etc.
Absorption seems certain to be an issue….
Any suggestions for organ test with no gallbladder to do it’s job??
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
Weepy101, my story is similar to yours. In 2018 I had my gallbladder due to a supposed gallbladder attack (hindsight it was probably a kidney stone). Turns out there was no gallstones, although the surgeon said the gallbladder was an odd rusty orange color.
After that I had what I guess was IBS (problems with morning diarrhea on and off). In June of 2021 the dam broke and I had a flare; had to go 5 or 6 times every morning, lost 40 pounds, eventually heavy fatigue.
Thankfully my GP mentioned Microscopic Colitis and I found this site (GI found no sign of MC but that's a long story). Went on the restrictive diet and improved. However, I have to take Cholestyramine because I can get bile in my colon. My BAM improves when my gut reduces in inflammation, but I still take a small amount of Cholestyramine at night before bed - about half a dose. I've tried going off Cholestyramine twice and both times, within two days I start having problems.
I've had fat malabsorption a couple of times and the floating, light colored stool was a symptom of that. My uneducated advice is to make sure you are not ingesting something that triggers an immune response.
After gallbladder removal the liver still produces bile, but it enters the small intestine in a small trickle. You might try to eat smaller amounts of meat fat at each meal so you don't run out of bile to break down the long chain fatty acids. Basically, smaller meals more frequently.
Good idea to get your liver checked by your GP and/or GI, in my opinion.
John R.
After that I had what I guess was IBS (problems with morning diarrhea on and off). In June of 2021 the dam broke and I had a flare; had to go 5 or 6 times every morning, lost 40 pounds, eventually heavy fatigue.
Thankfully my GP mentioned Microscopic Colitis and I found this site (GI found no sign of MC but that's a long story). Went on the restrictive diet and improved. However, I have to take Cholestyramine because I can get bile in my colon. My BAM improves when my gut reduces in inflammation, but I still take a small amount of Cholestyramine at night before bed - about half a dose. I've tried going off Cholestyramine twice and both times, within two days I start having problems.
I've had fat malabsorption a couple of times and the floating, light colored stool was a symptom of that. My uneducated advice is to make sure you are not ingesting something that triggers an immune response.
After gallbladder removal the liver still produces bile, but it enters the small intestine in a small trickle. You might try to eat smaller amounts of meat fat at each meal so you don't run out of bile to break down the long chain fatty acids. Basically, smaller meals more frequently.
Good idea to get your liver checked by your GP and/or GI, in my opinion.
John R.
Re: Tenderness in Upper Abdomen
John
Thank you for your response about gallbladder removal. Always helps to hear similar experiences and knowledge others have gained from such experiences, etc.
I have a CT with contrast of abdomen and pelvis May 1….. the GI ordered that…..my reseach indicates the CT will show the liver……
** Your doctor will order an abdominal or pelvic exam with IV contrast when he wants to get a detailed look at your:
liver
abdominal arteries or veins
kidneys
ureters
bladder
pancreas and other internal organs
Hopefully the CT will reveal any possible issues.
As for meals…..I eat totally gluten free now and zero foods that I know I am now sensitive to. The strict dietary restrictions certainly help ….. the BAM …. I thought I had improved and had stopped the cholestyromine powders…..
I take a packet 3-4 times a week at bedtime….. is the half or (or partial) packet a better way or a way that is best for you? To take a full packet each night now (unlike 2023), a full packet every night I feel sure would cause constipation. The cholestyromine definitely helps to have a more ‘normal’ consistency and color of stool…….
Certainly I feel the absence of my gallbladder created the bile issue. I will NEVER tell anyone I believe as many people (including the surgeon who removed my gallbladder) ….”you don’t need your gallbladder”…….
Not one person (few) told me that I should keep my gallbladder. Like the surgeon saying “it needs to be removed because it is malfunctioning”….. a few friends (with well/good intentions) said “you will be fine with no gallbladder”….. for years I had IBS…..for me MLC is a beast in comparison to IBS!!!!!
Definitely what we put in our mouths (if we have MC) is the consequences of what goes through our digestive system and out…..
Certainly could be worse….. Thankful it isn’t and appears the strict diet is helping me!!!!
TOD
Thank you for your response about gallbladder removal. Always helps to hear similar experiences and knowledge others have gained from such experiences, etc.
I have a CT with contrast of abdomen and pelvis May 1….. the GI ordered that…..my reseach indicates the CT will show the liver……
** Your doctor will order an abdominal or pelvic exam with IV contrast when he wants to get a detailed look at your:
liver
abdominal arteries or veins
kidneys
ureters
bladder
pancreas and other internal organs
Hopefully the CT will reveal any possible issues.
As for meals…..I eat totally gluten free now and zero foods that I know I am now sensitive to. The strict dietary restrictions certainly help ….. the BAM …. I thought I had improved and had stopped the cholestyromine powders…..
I take a packet 3-4 times a week at bedtime….. is the half or (or partial) packet a better way or a way that is best for you? To take a full packet each night now (unlike 2023), a full packet every night I feel sure would cause constipation. The cholestyromine definitely helps to have a more ‘normal’ consistency and color of stool…….
Certainly I feel the absence of my gallbladder created the bile issue. I will NEVER tell anyone I believe as many people (including the surgeon who removed my gallbladder) ….”you don’t need your gallbladder”…….
Not one person (few) told me that I should keep my gallbladder. Like the surgeon saying “it needs to be removed because it is malfunctioning”….. a few friends (with well/good intentions) said “you will be fine with no gallbladder”….. for years I had IBS…..for me MLC is a beast in comparison to IBS!!!!!
Definitely what we put in our mouths (if we have MC) is the consequences of what goes through our digestive system and out…..
Certainly could be worse….. Thankful it isn’t and appears the strict diet is helping me!!!!
TOD