[45F] Experiencing abdominal pain, numbness, and neck issues

Patient Description

A 45-year-old female presents with a 2-year history of sharp, localized left lower abdominal pain, rating an 8 out of 10 in severity, sometimes radiating under the left rib cage. Accompanying symptoms include chills, nausea, bloating, and constipation. She also reports severe left neck pain radiating to her left shoulder blade, difficulty lifting her left arm, numbness and tingling in her left arm and fingers, and a clicking noise in her neck when turning her head. These symptoms have been present for approximately 1-3 years. No recent injuries were reported. The patient has a history of gallbladder removal 15 years ago and is currently taking Desipramine 10 mg at night, along with various supplements including multivitamins, sea moss, vitamin C, D3, omega 3, B complex, and magnesium. There is no known drug allergy, and no family history of related gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal disorders. Her mother has similar shooting head pains, but no formal diagnosis has been made.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

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

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and constipation. The pain you've described in your left lower abdomen, which sometimes radiates up to your left side under your rib cage, could be related to IBS.
- Treatment typically involves long-term management of diet, lifestyle, and stress. More-serious or persistent symptoms may be treated with medication and counseling.
Cervical Radiculopathy: This condition occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes inflamed or damaged, resulting in a change in neurological function. This could explain your neck pain, numbness, and tingling in your left arm and fingers.
- Treatment often involves physical therapy, medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, and, in some cases, surgery.
Occipital Neuralgia: This is a condition in which the occipital nerves, the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, are inflamed or injured. This could explain the shooting pains from the base of your head to the crown of your head.
- Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. In some cases, nerve blocks and other procedures might be recommended.

Please note that these are potential explanations based on the symptoms you've described, but they are not definitive diagnoses. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms in person.

What you can do

Here are some general suggestions based on your symptoms:

Keep a symptom diary: This can help you track when your symptoms occur and what might be triggering them. This could be particularly helpful for managing potential IBS symptoms.
Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet: This can help manage constipation.
Regular exercise: This can help improve many symptoms, including constipation and abdominal pain.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: These may help manage your pain, but they should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

What you should look out for

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

Severe, sudden-onset abdominal pain
Blood in your stool
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty swallowing
Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood
Severe, worsening, or persistent pain in your neck or shoulder
Sudden-onset severe headache
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body
Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Loss of vision in one or both eyes

Remember, while I strive to provide accurate and helpful health information, I'm an AI and not a doctor. Always consult with a healthcare professional for accurate information.

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11 mo ago

Top picked over-the-counter products for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines