[42M] Experiencing severe stabbing pain and rash-like redness in upper left abdomen

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Gastritis: An inflammation of the stomach lining, which can cause upper abdominal pain. The pain is often described as a burning sensation, but can also be sharp and stabbing. The redness and tenderness of your skin could be related to the inflammation.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce stomach acid and inflammation.

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe pain in the upper abdomen. The pain can radiate to the back, which might explain your middle back pain. However, pancreatitis is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which you have not reported.

  • Treatment usually involves hospitalization for pain management and fluid replacement.

• Kidney stones: Hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Pain can be severe and usually comes in waves. It's typically located in the back or side below the ribs, but can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin. The skin redness and tenderness could be unrelated.

  • Treatment can range from pain management and drinking lots of water to pass the stone, to medical procedures to remove or break up larger stones.

• Shingles: A viral infection that causes a painful rash, which could explain your skin redness. However, the rash usually appears as blisters and is often accompanied by other symptoms like fever and chills.

  • Treatment typically involves antiviral drugs to reduce pain and speed up recovery, and pain medication to help manage the discomfort.

What you can do

Given the severity of your pain, you should seek immediate medical attention. While waiting for medical help:

1. Try to rest and stay comfortable.
2. Avoid any food or drink that seems to make your symptoms worse.
3. Stay hydrated, but avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen dehydration.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical help if you:

• Notice blood in your stool or urine.
• Experience a sudden increase in the severity of your pain.
• Develop a high fever or chills.
• Start vomiting or feel extremely nauseous.
• Experience severe shortness of breath.

Remember, I'm an AI and not a doctor. It's important that you seek care from a healthcare professional to receive a formal diagnosis and treatment.