I am a 24 year old female with history of a rotated vertebra in my mid to lower back. It causes my lowest left rib to feel uncomfortable at times. For example when I lay on my right side it feels as though my left mid section is sagging, however it has not caused me any pain.
More recently I have been having sever pain starting in the same area as that vertebra and radiating throughout all of my upper abdomen. This only happens at night and if I stand or even sit up the pain in my abs goes away. The pain in my back lessens from sever to an ache (like I need a good massage). This doesn't happen every night. In fact, I would say it is only one night out every three weeks.
I have been seeing a chiropractor once a month, but am worried that he is missing something. When I tell him about the abdominal pain he just says, "well its all connected". He has not given me any exercises like my pervious chiropactor did and seems unconcerned about the whole thing.
I had the pain again tonight, took two extra strength tylonal, and still can't sleep. I figured I would look stuff up on the internet. What I have found so far scares me! Pancreatitis!! The only thing is those symptoms seem to me to be constant not once every three weeks. Also, it has now been two hours since I got up and I am feeling back to normal?? It does not seem to be connected with food or drink or really anything for that matter! I think my primary thinks I am making things up and I just don't know what to do? If I could sleep standing up things would be great but I can't! Can anyone help?

tee1123 -

I do not think you have any pancreatitis. Your symptoms would not go away by standing up. You would be VERY sick, have so much nausea & pain that I think you would seek medical attention just for that.
This rotated vertebra, could you possibly see the orthopedic Dr. & get some type of brace/support for when you go to bed?
That's what it sounds like to me, that your condition puts pressure on your abdomen & lower back.

You may have intestinal problems... ask the doctor for a colonoscopy... and also check for heart problems... better go to a specialist... make an appointment within two days... if later go to the emergency room and go in the early morning hours...

I'll probably get a lot of flack for this - but a chiropractor is not qualified to treat abdominal pain - period. You need to see a medical doctor. Also, there is really no such thing as a "rotated" vertebra - you likely have scoliosis or a curvature of your spine. Since your abdominal symptoms occur only when you lie down - and are relieved when you sit or stand - one thing to consider would be esophageal reflux or a hiatal hernia, both of which can cause abdominal and / or chest pain made worse when lying down and improved when sitting up or standing. Going to a medical doctor is mandatory to diagnose your problem - but until you go, try putting a brick under each leg of you bed's headboard to elevate it slightly. Don't eat, drink or smoke for several hours before you go to bed. If you are overweight, consider losing weight.

Okay, first of all read this: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro...ges/37644.html

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you? They do to me, I am having the same problem. I have always been very active and healthy, I am 28 years old, I am 5'9 and 125lbs. I've been having symptoms for one year. At least 3 times a week I wake up and it hurts to move just to shut my alarm off because of my abdominal pain. It feels like somebody has been kicking me and has left internal bruising. It sometimes wakes me up in the early hours. It's better once I get up and around, but then the outside of my ribcage feels bruised throughout the day and it hurts to touch. I have a doctor appointment on Friday, but I don't want to go through all the tests that everybody else has been through for nothing and find out nothing. I'm a single mom, always broke, and I'm DREADING going through this, but it hurts so bad.