tightness in the upper abdomen

You guys have any updates? For about a year now I've been feeling these symptoms and nonstop the last 6 months. I can not seem to relate to when I eat or the type of foods eaten. I only seem to get relief by laying down which may be like the previous post (relief by stretching stomach). I feel this whether I eat or go w/o eating. I feel a tightening in my upper stomach, much like a fist turning, just under my left breast/rib. For some reason I only feel it on the inside and not by the outside touch. When at it's worst, I feel numbing along my left side, sometimes my left arm, and at other times even the left side of my face. Although this feeling is 100% on the left side, at lt's worse, sensates to my right side at the same time. I have had SEVERAL test over the year. Fructose, lactose, and lactulose. Also, several complete stomach ultrasounds (negative), Duplex ultrasound which checks the blood flow through the whole stomach/digestive area. This reflected what they call (MALS) Median Arcute Ligament Syndrome. Basically a ligament compressing on the celiac artery, reducing blood flow. Was then referred to a Vascular surgeon who performed an arteriogram to get an inside look at the ligament and percentage of occlusion. Surgeon then recommended surgery in which they cut you form breast bone ALL the way down to complete a bypass on this ligament. Said it was 80% effective. I declined thinking I could deal with it now knowing what it is. After a couple months of getting worse and affecting my quality of life, I decided something had to be done. Before such major surgery I went for a 2nd opinion at Vanderbelt Hospital in Nashville. This Vascular Surgeon said he agreed that I did have MALS, however, disagreed that was the source of my symptoms and that it was 50/50 effective and that would be on someone of larger sige who had lost a substancial amount of weight in a short time, not someone of my small 120 5'3" size. He contacted my Gastro here at home and ordered a Hida Scan to test my gallbladder. An ultrasound of the stomach was required within 6mths of hida scan to rule out gallstones (my 3rd stomach ultrasound in a 1 1/2). Just had these proceedures Friday, awaiting results today. I am very confused as to liver/gallbladder/etc all on the right side with my symptoms on my left. Also, the numb feeling on my left side/arm/face sporadically with this tightening. I know this is a lot of info, i'm just at a loss. Tonya

I have the same problem but my gallbladder was removed 22years ago. Any other ideas?

Can a gallbladder grow back?

A friend of mine that had a tight abdomen was diagnosed with a sensitive gut. Have you been drinking alcohol, maybe it's an inflamed gut which can cause a hard or tight abdomen as well.

Food sensitivities or allergies will cause gas, swelling/tightness and pain in the abdomen.

Do you also have diarrhea and/or constipation? Nausea? What other symptoms are you noticing?

Hope you will answer some or this can help some.

Sometimes writing a food journal to see if foods are a trigger is helpful. I have Celiac disease and therefore stay on a gluten-free diet but other foods sometimes can cause internal distress as well and finding those foods can be tough and the journal helps.

Sounds like you have a hiatal hernia. Your symptoms sound exactly like mine (gall bladder gone, too). Not much that can be done about it aside from major surgery. :/

I have been dealing with the same symptoms as yours and too have gone thru many tests with no real answers. Sometimes I feel like the doctors think I'm making it up! Wish we could get answers!!

I had gallbladder removed i experiencing the tight rubberband /rope type feeling across my upper abdominal area it doesn't seem to ho way an if there is relief it doeen't last long i have had it for over a week closer to two hiantal hernia can only eat small meals definitely can't get upset at all or its worse going to gasterogist may28 but i don't know if i can wait that long dealing with yhis on a daily i can't take it it hirts really bad at time other times it just feel s like it is like a part my body that is like a stretched band under my breast across y sturnum an on each side i want it to stop so bad

Get them to check your gallbladder

I have also been dealing with the tightness on my upper mid section, feels like a tight rubberband around me and leaves me with shortness of breath, I know my gall bladder needs removed (no stones, it just gets inflammed) I have been dealing with this over a year now. I have had 9 gallbladder attacks, they will not remove it because I do not have insurance. I have Obamacare starting tomorrow. Can't wait to find out about this problem, it makes me miserable. They say if I eat too much, it pushes the stomack acids up into my gallbladder. I will keep you informed after I get it out to see if this continues.

I have same feeling now i don't know whats going on but i think mine is a little differently because my heart also beat really fast !!! I dont know what it is but i did ger ultrasound and they said everything looked normal !! I just dont understand what going on with me

I also have had this problem for quite some time. I have had ekgs,xrays etc.. Drs found nothing. I was told IBS or anxiety as well. Very frustrating!

I have also been experiencing tightness in my upper abdomen for a year. I went to a health and wellness doctor and he had me do a stool test. It came back positive for intestinal candida, an overgrowth of yeast in my intestines. As far as I know that is why I am experiencing this horrible tightness. I was given many supplements and told to do a very strict diet of no sugar or grains. I have been doing that for over 3 months and I still have the tightness, but it can take at least 6 months to heal with diet alone. It had been very frustrating. Have you gotten any answers?

What what was the results . I'm experiencing the same. Lost weight. It's awful. It's been happening for 4 months

I have the same thing. It's happening for 4 months . It's scary. Do you know what it is?

It may be your gallbladder. 4 weeks after I had my daughter I had the most horrific pain in my gallbladder area. I was hot and flushed and in excruciating burning pain. Oftentimes gallbladder issues will present themselves right after giving birth.

Have you checked your blood pressure