Hi all. I am looking for advice as I’ve just had a rather underwhelming telephone conversation with a GP about stomach pain. To summarise, I had really bad problems with my back stating mid January. Was put on Naproxen and Ibuprofen gel and briefly (about 10 days) Baclofen 10 mg. I was already on Lansoprazole 15mg since Aug23, just before going on Pred 15mg for PMR. I have gradually tapered down and yesterday started on 6.5mg. My problem is that since Feb I have been getting a gripe pain/ ache in my lower left stomach. It is a bit random, but I think it has been steadily getting more frequent. I initially thought it might be to do with the Naproxen etc, so I didn’t raise it with my GP until the end of April. By that time I’d been off the Naproxen, Baclofen and Ibuprofen gel for over a month. I saw a GP face2face the following day. She examined me and asked the usual questions regarding change of weight, diet, bowel habits. Nothing different. Referred me for a FIT test(poo test) and a blood test. Ashes me about my Pred dose and I explained tapering, so she said they would test CRP as well. I mentioned about being on Lansoprazole. Not entirely happy with being on it long term as I have osteoporosis as well. She was happy for me to discontinue Lansoprazole by tapering, which I have now done and am taking my Pred with plain yoghurt. I had a letter back saying that my FIT test was negative and they said it was being referred to secondary care for further review. I had the blood test last week and the results all came back as normal, no action. The CA125 was 10 and the notes said if it was below 35 it was down to clinical assessment. The upshot is that I’ve now spoken to another locum GP and felt that I was being fobbed off. He said that he didn’t think the FIT test would be followed up and proceeded to explain about how other scans might not show anything and an Ultrasound isn’t generally suggested as its expensive and doesn’t show anything usually. He mentioned about medication for bowel spasm, but when I said that it doesn’t always show up after I’ve eaten something he seems to dismiss the medication. He said its not usual for someone my age to get a cyst, but did say he’d refer me for an Ultrasound scan, which I said I’d prefer. I got the feeling that his attitude was to let things go, do nothing and see what happens, but I’m not happy with that. The pain is generally low level first thing, then comes on stronger and in varying degrees on and off throughout the day. I’m really sorry for the long post, but its been going on for a while and I tried to summarise everything. I would like to try and find out what’s causing this, but I feel this last GP would rather I not have bothered any more. Advice please.
Lower stomach pain: Hi all. I am looking for advice... - PMRGCAuk
Lower stomach pain
"He said its not usual for someone my age to get a cyst"
He did, did he? Well, poo to him since I developed one in my 60s as far as I know because that was when it was found! It could have been there earlier of course but not found. The pain is there and worsening - it needs looking at.
Thank you, Pro. I did feel that I had to push a bit to get something else done. Incidentally, he never even mentioned PMR and my Pred dose, so I kept quiet about that. I’d rather just taper slowly without any interference. The last GP I saw was very good, but is not in our surgery very often, but the one I saw about my back wanted me to taper 1mg per 2-3 weeks until I got to about 1mg and then drop by a half mg. I didn’t have much confidence that the one I spoke to today would be much good, so I let sleeping dogs lie. Will have to wait and see about the scan. Thanks again.
Hi Indigo2417,
Interestingly, I've been experiencing similar symptoms over past 6 to 8wks too. I was waiting for the end outcome before posting, but having seen your post, I felt it might be helpful to comment now.
It began with low grade abdominal discomfort in middle/lower abdomen with pain/discomfort at both left and sometimes the right side. The 'ache' would frequently spread around to lower back too.
Over a 3wk period this became gradually more troublesome, until one night it escalated into more severe pain resulting in a trip to A&E where blood tests showed nothing unusual, but an x-ray revealed a small blockage of hard faeces in the bowel (and at left hand side where most of pain had been manifesting.)
This was sorted very quickly and things seemed to calm down a bit, but over the following few weeks, the discomfort continued to 'grumble' away, so I went to see my GP.
He did a comprehensive set of blood tests and a FIT test, all of which came back normal, but because my symptoms have continued with pain/discomfort (predominantly at right hand side this time as well as centrally) I've now been referred privately to a gastroenterologist and a gynaecologist. It's expected that I'll now have a colonoscopy and some ultra sound scans.
Several possible diagnoses have been considered....... IBS, diverticulitis, ovarian cyst, etc, and several ruled out with all the previous tests (ie. Coeliac disease) However, further tests are required to discover exactly what is causing the problem.
I really feel you should pursue the cause of your pain further too.
These kind of symptoms should always be investigated fully so I would urge you to be quite insistent with your GP and emphasise the discomfort you're in, the concern that you feel and request further investigations be carried out.
If he still remains unhelpful, don't forget you are entitled to request a second opinion.
I hope you get sorted and are soon feeling much better.
Thanks for your reply, Kendrew. I can empathise with you although at present, my pain isn’t as widespread as yours. It’s generally on the lower left of the stomach. I’m not usually aware of it when I wake up, but afterwards it presents as a low level discomfort that increases at various times during the day. Sometimes quite painful, but bearable. I’ve tried to keep notes, but it’s a bit difficult to keep track of when it comes and goes. The first GP I saw was great. She explained what she was going to do clearly. The one I spoke to yesterday … Well, I got the impression it was “blood tests and FIT test normal” not inclined to do anything much. He didn’t suggest anything other than a brief mention of medication for bowel spasm. Apart from that, the main message was that ultrasound scans are expensive and most of the time they don’t show anything up. My letter after the FIT test said it was being referred for further review, but GP seemed to think nothing further would be done. I’ll wait and see if they get back to me as they said if I didn’t hear anything in 4wks to contact them. The first GP did mention a colonoscopy. Anyway, I have got the referral for the ultrasound scan, so I’ll wait and see what happens with that. Good luck with your referrals. Hope it all goes well.
PS. The GP I spoke to yesterday is not there very often, thankfully. Our surgery is staffed by locums, so you don’t generally see the same one every time. Unfortunately, when you see a good one, they’re not there very often either. Its pot luck.
I'm not trying to diagnose your situation, but your description of symptoms mirror what I went through. They did a CAT scan and diagnosed diverticulitis with abscesses. Antibiotics resolved the case. Since then, my breakfast is 1 1/2 to 2 cups of bran for breakfast. My bowel has never been so healthy.
Prednisone had lowered my immunity and I believe that was the cause of my infection.
I did wonder about diverticulitis. At the moment I’ve got to wait for the scan. My diet is generally quite healthy. Breakfast is muesli with added oats and fresh fruit and I’m having my Pred with yoghurt now. Bread is homemade and mostly wholemeal. We eat quite a lot of fruit and veg. I don’t have sugar. I try and cook from scratch rather than ready meals. We do have a treat at the weekends, but try and keep things balanced. Also have plenty of water. I don’t really know what to make of this as the pain varies in intensity and not always after I’ve eaten. Its just that the GP on Mon didn’t seem too bothered about taking things further. Thanks for telling me about your experience.
You should have a commendation for how healthy you eat! My GP suspected diverticulitis when she palpated my abdomen. She pressed down hard in one area and it was very painful in that spot. That's when she sent me for a CAT scan. The next morning she called to tell me to go to ER for IV antibiotics. They decided to hospitalize me. A surgeon and radiologist concurred that my abscesses were too small to warrant surgery.
My pain was felt mostly in my low abdomen. It was not severe, but I told myself: "Something is not right."
I have been told that everyone has diverticula (diverticuli). They don't usually cause a problem. I was in ER on Oct. 6, 2023. At that time, I had been on prednisone for PMR for 5 months. Prednisone had lowered my immunity (plus having other effects from the drug). I am still on prednisone because I don't want the pain of PMR to return in full force.
I am grateful my GP ordered a CAT scan to make an accurate diagnosis.
I hope the source of your pain can be identified, so you can at least rest at ease, knowing the cause. 🙏
Glad you got your problem sorted out. Like you I can feel that something’s not right and I’d like to know what’s causing it, so I didn’t want to let it go when the GP was not very forthcoming. Will have to wait and see. I’m going to try and find out how long the wait is for a scan.
Hi! I was advised by my rheumy not to take Naproxen, or ibruprofen with steroids. I do however use a bit of voltarol when my back
Yes, I realise that it was not a good situation, but my back pain was severe and co-codamol makes me dopey and I only use it as a last resort. I stopped the Naproxen as soon as I was able to. I’m gradually building up some exercises to strengthen my back now. I was under the impression from somewhere that Voltarol shouldn’t be used if you’re on steroids. I can’t remember where I read it. No doubt someone with more expertise will put me right on that.
Any NSAID in tablet form shouldn’t be used regularly with Pred…. but as a topical gel it can be used occasionally and sparingly. Although it can still be absorbed through skin, it’s less harmful that way,
Does that include Voltarol? I vaguely remember reading somewhere about not using diclofenac. I don’t remember where.
Yes... same thing..
Thank you. Thankfully have been off the Naproxen by mid March. Trying to build up the exercises to strengthen my back and it’s a lot better now. Steady progress is what I’m aiming for.
Steady progress is all we can hope for - well done and good luck..
Yes I think you are right, I have spinal stenosis and when it gets bad I rub a bit on. It seems to help.
how are you managing with your adrenals? Tummy / bowel / digestive pain is one of the signs that they are struggling a little ….at your dose that might be beginning to kick in????
When it first started, I was on 8mg. I didn’t go to the GP then because I was on the Naproxen and for a short time Baclofen. The Baclofen did make me a bit constipated. I thought that the medication might be having an effect, so I waited until after I’d stopped taking it. The pain is still there and I’ve now been off the medication since about mid March. When I reduce my dose, I usually get some slight nausea for a couple of days, but it goes away. This time I think I’m feeling a bit more tired so I’m trying not to take on too much, but at the same time trying to continue with exercises etc. Its a bit of a balancing act.
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