Medical question

[Thig]

I hesitated posting this because I am not asking for a diagnosis, just wondering if others have experienced this.  I have been having some pain in my lower left abdominal area, nothing severe enough to make me go to a doctor, but if I don't drink for a day or two it goes away.  Then when I start back drinking it comes back.  I don't drink that much, maybe 2 or 3 ounces late at night before I go to bed. I wonder if it could be that I drink and then go to bed with an otherwise empty stomach.  Anyone else had abdominal pain that goes and comes with just moderate drinking?

[tanstaafl2]

That's a tough one. A bit like the old joke (not that this is a joke of course) but if it hurts when you do that, don't do it!

 

Drinking late on an empty stomach may not be the best course of action in general but if it has been going on for awhile and you have noted that it stops when you don't drink then it sounds like it is time to get it checked out. For example the stomach is not (usually) in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen but pain in one area might in fact be pain that is referred from another area like a stomach ulcer perhaps (not intended to imply you have an ulcer, just an example!).

[PaulO]

I would say talk to your doctor about it.  I've never noticed the symptoms you mentioned.  I've had other issues like a stiff neck.  My doctor just told me I'm getting old.

[DeepCover]

It could be a stomach ulcer, but I recommend seeing a doctor to find out what it is. Whatever it is, catch it early, if it's anything at all.

[Richnimrod]

I have never experienced what you describe, Thig; but I understand pain (usually in mid-back, I'm told) can be a sign of pacreatitis.    That certainly doesn't mean you're likely to have it; but any unexplained pain in your abdomen is likely a message from your body that a Doctor visit is needed.

I agree with the folx up-thread who say not to wait.    Whatever it is (or isn't), it's better to make decisions from a base of understanding rather than guesswork.    Get thee to a physician, and follow his/her recommendations for tests, etc.

Good Luck!

[Thig]

Thanks for the replies, pancreatitus is a concern because that is made worse by alcohol but I really didn't think I was drinking enough to hurt anything.

[b1gcountry]

My wife is a nurse practioner and says you should see a doctor.

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[flahute]

None of us like to hear that one of our brothers may have a medical concern.

Go see a doctor and keep us posted.

[Don Birnam]

If by left abdominal pain you are referring to the front of your body, it could be diverticulitis, and if it is, and caught early, it can be treated at home with antibiotics and diet.

If it is diverticulitis and you let it go, it will mean a hospital stay, I.V. antibiotics, nothing by mouth and the a bland diet for a while. 

My son gets it, it is no fun.

Most importantly, as has been said above, see a doctor.

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, Don Birnam said:

If by left abdominal pain you are referring to the front of your body, it could be diverticulitis, and if it is, and caught early, it can be treated at home with antibiotics and diet.

If it is diverticulitis and you let it go, it will mean a hospital stay, I.V. antibiotics, nothing by mouth and the a bland diet for a while. 

My son gets it, it is no fun.

Most importantly, as has been said above, see a doctor.

^ I have this and the lower left is definitely where it typically presents itself for people.  The underlying condition is diverticulosis -- pockets in your large intestine that can get inflamed and become painful -- and drink definitely exacerbates the problem when that inflammation is present.  "Diverticulitis" is the name for when the underlying condition, diverticulosis, is presenting with pain and inflammation -- usually accompanied by diarreah, gas, etc.  But yeah, definitely see a doctor, and do what you can to get the pain and inflammation addressed.  They will likely take some pictures to see if you have diverticulosis, and then you'll have to manage accordingly.  Exercise, high-fiber diet...all that good stuff will be important if you have this condition.  The other thing is to be aware when the "itis" is flairing up.  If you're good to yourself, you can manage your way through it.  If you try to ignore it or tough it out, complications w this disease can be serious.  

 

But def go see the doc.  ; )

 

[Clueby]

33 minutes ago, Steve L said:

^ I have this and the lower left is definitely where it typically presents itself for people.  The underlying condition is diverticulosis -- pockets in your large intestine that can get inflamed and become painful -- and drink definitely exacerbates the problem when that inflammation is present.  "Diverticulitis" is the name for when the underlying condition, diverticulosis, is presenting with pain and inflammation -- usually accompanied by diarreah, gas, etc.  But yeah, definitely see a doctor, and do what you can to get the pain and inflammation addressed.  They will likely take some pictures to see if you have diverticulosis, and then you'll have to manage accordingly.  Exercise, high-fiber diet...all that good stuff will be important if you have this condition.  The other thing is to be aware when the "itis" is flairing up.  If you're good to yourself, you can manage your way through it.  If you try to ignore it or tough it out, complications w this disease can be serious.  

 

But def go see the doc.  ; )

 

Same for me. I have a couple little diverticuli in lower left. Certain foods, drink, etc. will cause some pain. 

Get thee to the dr!!

You will probably have to undergo that wonderful test of modern medicine...the colonoscopy. The test itself is fine. Its the preparation that is the "fun" part.

[dcbt]

My mom has a severe case of this and actually had to have part of her colon removed around Thanksgiving.  Still has a colostomy bag while the body heals itself from that surgery so she can have a second surgery to let her resume normal life.  No fun.  As others have said, don't wait to see a doctor.

Edited March 24, 2017 by dcbt

[Don Birnam]

1 hour ago, Steve L said:

  If you try to ignore it or tough it out, complications w this disease can be serious.  

 

But def go see the doc.  ; )

 

 

Absolutely,  men can be a bit stubborn with medical issues, my boy tried to 'tough it out' the first time, good thing for him the pain was so bad he went to the hospital and all it cost him was a stay and some I.V.'s, as it hadn't ruptured, but was very infected. 

 

13 minutes ago, dcbt said:

My mom has a severe case of this and actually had to have part of her colon removed around Thanksgiving.  Still has a colostomy bag while the body heals itself from that surgery so she can have a second surgery to let her resume normal life.  No fun.  As others have said, don't wait to see a doctor.

 

I certainly hope you Mom gets better, and can resume normal 'activities'.

[Limegoldconvertible68]

A trip to the doctor is definitely in order. Depending on your age it may be time for a colonoscopy and an EGD. 

[Thig]

Thanks all, time for a physical anyway so I am calling.

[Whiskey Dick]

There's not a lot in your left lower abdominal quadrant, mostly just descending colon, a common place for diverticulosis to present. Not sure why alcohol would exacerbate it though. alcohol would usually exacerbate stomach ulcers or pancreatitits. Now, if you munched on nuts while drinking alcohol (as I often do), that may explain the diverticulosis/alcohol connection. Either way, go get the butt-cam and figure it out.

[b1gcountry]

Thanks all, time for a physical anyway so I am calling.

I'm glad to hear, and I'm sure we all hope it's nothing!

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