Causes of Left Side Abdominal (Stomach) Pain

Yes the details was really helpful

Boyfriend has pain in lower left side.He has pain in his groin where his ball sack is. He says it feels like they are skamming against each other. He rides in dirt bike races all the time and his body gets really beat on. He also works a full-time job in a warehouse pulling pallets and loading and unloading trailers. He does wear a belt for protection for his lower back etc. I give him body massage for like all the time. He is spoiled….But back to the point what can been causing this pain? Do you have any ideas?

To Sherry Gordon.

Inguinal hernia (a protrusion of a part of the small intestine through a muscle cleft) or a problem with testicular veins (varicocele) are my first two toughts. It may also be a tumor or swelling from other reasons.

He should see an urologist as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage of the testes.

My daughter has a lower left side pain for the last 3 weeks. Sometimes (rarely) it gets worse, but mostly she can function fine. She is 8 years old and doctors are mostly ignoring this – ultrasound did not show anything. I am very worried. What can this be?

I am sorry – I said lower left, it is lower right for my daughter – I will move my question to the right page. Thank you.

If she was constipated you’d probably know.

In IBS, pain often gets worse after the meal and is relieved with the bowel movement. Abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea or/and constipation are other symptoms.

If it is something within the colon (not often in her age), sigmoidoscopy would reveal it.

If Hemoccult shows blood in the stool, the cause is within the bowel.

If she was getting some antibiotics before the pain has started it can be pseudomembranous colitis due to overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacterium. This is checked by stool test for Cl-Diff.

Maybe she can have a stool test for ova and parasites (O&P), Cl-Diff and Hemmoccult. If this will be negative, basic blood tests can be done to confirm/exclude inflammation. Ovaries were already checked?

You may try with low-fructose diet for four days: no fruits or any fruit product, no sorbitol (in sugar free chewing gum and some sodas), no products with HFCS. If this helps, it’s possible that she have fructose malabsorption.

If nothing helps, you should insist on sigmoidoscopy.

Also read about endometriosis:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/endometriosis.html

Elena,
what’s different on the right side is appendix (chronic appendicitis maybe)and the start of the colon that may twist around its axis (volvulus).

Try to find out if there are any other symptoms: bloating, lose stools, changed stool color (pale or yellow or green stools), if pain is worse shortly after the meal or after certain foods like dairy or fruits. Also try to determine exact location of pain if possible.

In any case – you may try with blood test that reveal eventual inflammation and various stool tests that show occult blood or parasites…

Thank you. The pain does not get worse with any foods and her stool is not loose or of a strange color. I will insist on the tests you suggested. What is strange to me is that the pain is in one specific place on the right hand side below the stomach. If doctor presses on other parts of the stomack – pain in that spot gets worse, but nowhere else. Very specific. And it does not go away even for a time – it is constant. a very quick ultrasound in emerg said that her appendix is fine. (She only saw a resident student and they sent us home as soon as ultrasound did not show appendicitis). Thank you.

Elena,

the sign when pain in affected spot appears after pressuring on the another spot is called “rebound tenderness”, and is typical for localized inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane that covers abdominal organs). This sign is typical for appendicitis, but there could be other reasons. If ultrasond showed nothing this does NOT exclude appendicitis. Appendicitis usually appears with strong pain and nausea/vomiting, but mild acute or chronic appendicitis or inflammation of the near part of the colon IS possible. Ovarian torsion is another possible cause.

Read here about rebound tenderness:
http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/point-tenderness-abdomen

Meckel’s diverticulum can also cause lower right pain and rebound tenderness:
http://www.residentandstaff.com/issues/articles/2005-12_01.asp

So: appendicitis, ovarian torsion, and Meckel’s diverticulum are three possible causes. Blood test would show some inflammation, but to determine exact cause another imaging investigation would be needed: another ultrasound, MRI or CT.

Thank you very much for this information – I am reading through it. THANK YOU.

I am mother of two children. they are 13 and 11 years. I moved to australia 5 years ago. Since i came i put on 14kgs.Now I have left side stomach problem. when i just press it hurts. I sometime feels vomiting like in pregency time. I have already checked pregency test but it is negative. My tommy is big as well. I just eat rye bread, salad and fruits. But still tommy is big. Just like to know the cause. Hope you can advice me. thank you

To jyotika hada.

Any change in stool consistency, frequency or color?
Does pain resolve after the bowel movement?

Left side tenderness, bloating and nausea would suggest inflammation in the colon from different causes: stool tests and blood tests can give more info.

To avoid bloating try to limit some fruits (apples, pears, and stone fruits) and high fiber vegetables like beans.
http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-bloating-and-gas-flatulence.html

I have been having accute left side abdominatl pain for about a week now. It started in the lower pelvis and now is uparound the naval area and below on the left hand side. What could this be? I have no nausea, vomiting or dioreah. My abdoman is very sore to touch from the oustide. The doctor has also put me onto antibiotics.Thankyou.

To cleva.

I suppose that your doctor is thinking that you have diverticulitis – an inflammation of small pouches that often develop in the end part of the large intestine (so, on the lower left side). So, if it is diverticulitis, antibiotics should help you in few days.

If antibiotics won’t help, next things to consider are:
- Clostridium difficile overgrowth in the last part of the colon. This is diagnosed with finding C.diff toxin in a stool sample and treated with a special antibiotic, probably other one as you’re reciving it now.
- ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. This is diagnosed with colonoscopy.

How old are you?

Here’s one detailed article about left lower abdominal pain:
http://www.healthhype.com/acute-and-chronic-left-lower-llq-abdominal-pain-diagnosis.html

Have a pain behind lower left side of my rib cage. I can only get relief when laid down it is getting worse. I had colonoscopy but all tests fine had a polyp removed. Not getting any better just pain getting worse. Please help

To symills.

I would need to know are you constipated, when pain started, how far on the left the pain is located? Also how old are you and are you male or female? Blood and stool tests were made?

A common causes of upper left abdominal pain are:
- Air trapped in the colon, often in constipation. Almost all bowel diseases present with some bowel movement changes.
- Pleurisy – an inflammation of the lung membrane like in viral pneumonia. Pain changes with body position.
- Kidney disease – a moderate hit over the kidney is sometimes painful in kidney disease. Change in urine color or burning urination are common. Urine tests are needed for more information.
- Enlarged spleen from some blood disorders or splenic infarct
- Broken rib
- etc…

Try to think from organ to organ and think what other symptoms you’d have if that organ was affected.

Symills,
pain occuring after the meal, 6 inches left from midline and having diarrhea often apparently speak from a colon disorder. If nothing were found with colonoscopy and blood tests then this may be a “splenic flexure syndrome” or, according to some sources, a variant of IBS.
IBS is considered to be a combination of stress and irritation by certain foods. You can read what is IBS here:
http://www.healthhype.com/what-is-ibs-spastic-colon-symptoms-proper-diet-coping-with-stress.html
and which foods to avoid in IBS here:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

Had gastric band 3 weeks ago – had gastric band removed 2 weeks later as unable to tolerate any fluids. 4 days post second surgery – pain level with my naval but sometimes lower has presented – pain sometimes extremely intense and sharp other times less excrutiating. Went to emergency after 3 days – they did xrays and ultrasound but unconclusive. Suggested that it was due to large amount of fecal matter in bowels – tried enema without success then tried fleet to cleanse internally – pain has not gone. any suggestions???

To Tania.

Bowel obstruction, infection, hernia and other complications of surgery are not so rare and they have to be resolved promptly to prevent permanent impairment of affected organ.

What triggers pain? Pain is constant, also at night? Any fever, any bulges or abdominal skin discoloration? Black stool or blood in the stool? Painful or burning urination? Try to answer all this to help surgeon to find the cause.

Hi,
I have had my spleen remove because ir was enlarged due to blood disorder that I have (HS), and since then years now I’ve had increasing upper left side chest pain, dull, tender to the touch. I’ve also had enlarged lymph notes (tested negative on leukemia) and lately my pain has been spreading to my arm, shoulder, back as well as my next, but only left side. I did few CT’s, seen an oncologist and numerous doctors, no one found anything. I don’t know where to go anymore?? I wonder if maybe some of my nerves were damaged as a result of open splenectomy (44 stitches).

To Halima.

When did you have splenectomy?
When symptoms started?
Which exact part of the body is tender?
Do you have excessive hiccups or do you cough?
How long the pain lasts when it starts?

Tenderness over lower left ribs and spreading of pain to the shoulder may be due to subphrenic abscess (collection of pus under the left side of diaphragm), adhesions (scarring), collection of blood or fluid below diaphragm. Not all of these disorders would be necessary seen on CT.

Another posibility is pleural effusion (fluid between two lung membranes on the left side but this would be cleraly seen on X-ray…

Symptoms of nerve damage would be confined to the site of operation and would probably not spread to the shoulder and arm.

The distribution of pain (under breast bone (?), left shoulder, neck, arm) you’re describing is also typical for angina pectoris (how old are you?) and pericarditis.

Another possibility is bulging disc in the neck spine – this would cause neck, shoulder and arm pain.

——-
I guess a laparoscopy (endoscopic inspection of abdominal cavity with a laparoscope inserted through an incision in abdominal wall) could reveal eventual abnormality under your left part of the diaphragm.

I am a 17 yr old male and I was attending summer skool…after breakfast i went to class and started on my work and suddenly a very sharp pain appeared in my left addomen (it felt like the entire side) it hurt so much that I doubled over in pain and afterwards it would spasm slightly with sharp pains…wats wrong?

To Storm.

Have you noticed any blood or color change in the urine after the pain episode? Pain you’ve described (sharp strong pain and spasms) typically occurs in left kidney or uretheral stone.

Pain from the spleen would be located far on the left side below and under lower left ribs…

I recommend you to visit your primary doctor that can check your kidney and send a sample of your urine to laboratory. From the result doctor will see if you need further investigation made by an urologist.

HI IM 20 AND IM EXPERIENCING A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF THINGS.. IT ALL STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS BACK WHEN I TOOK IBUPROFEN FOR HEADACHES, I WAS TAKING 3 PER EVERY MEAL FOR 2 WEEKS AS MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED.

I STARTED TO HAVE CONSTIPATION AND TILL THIS DAY I STILL HAVE HARD DRY STOOLS. THE FIRST PART IS HARD AND THEN THE REST SEEMS TO BE NORMAL.
JUST RECENTLY IVE HAD A PAIN THAT FEELS LIKE INFLAMMATION NEAR MY LOWER LEFT RIB CAGE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT LIES IN THIS AREA? AND DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY BOWEL MOVEMENTS.
MY BOWEL MOVEMENTS STARTED COUPLE MONTHS BACK, AND IM KINDA SCARED THAT MY STOOLS ARE STILL HARD.
i ALSO THINK I HAVE HEMMOROIDS WHICH SOMETIMES MAKES MY STOOL BLOODY SOMETIMES.
I HAVE NO INSURANCE AND HAVE SO MANY BILLS FROM THE TIME I HAD HEADACHE PROBLEMS, DOES ANYONE HAVE ADVICE????

ALSO ITS REAL HARD TO PASS MY STOOLS, AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE MORE BUT NOTHING COMES OUT.

To RO.

There is a horizontal part of the colon running below the ribs. It often happens that some gas stucks in the left part of the colon and causes pain, especially in constipation.

Your hemorrhoids has probably also aggraveated because of constipation.

To avoid constipation:
- Do not skip meals. Even if you feel cramping try to eat sometzhing to maintain bowel peristalsis
- Drink enough fluid (plain water, juice from oranges or other citruses) – no need to exagerate though
- walk or be otherwise physically active
- schedule a time in the day to have bm – ideal is in the morning after breakfast
- be sure to eat food that have some fibers: bread, cereals, vegetables.
- avoid foods that cause bloating: beans and other legumes, fruits like apples, pears.
- avoid heavy sugary meals, avoid sugar in general, also carbonated beverages, beer…

http://www.healthhype.com/constipation-causes-and-cure.html
http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-bloating-and-gas-flatulence.html

My husband is 52 years old. He suffers from depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. He also has osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease in his neck and back. About two years ago he started having problems with his stomach/bowels. He was first diagnosed with diverticulosis. Treatment seemed to help for a little while. Then he began to have chronic constipation as well. Every time he started having problems there was this place in his LL side that hurt him. He said it felt like a ball was in there pushing. After trying everything OTC the doctor put him on Amitiza for the chronic constipation. It seemed to help for a few weeks. Now it’s hit or miss. But for the past 2-3 he has had constant pain in the LLQ with no relief, even when his bowels move. He had a colonscopy a few months ago. The doctor made no real comments about it. I want him to see a new doctor, but that in itself is a major challenge for my husband. Can someone please give me some ideas on how I can help him? He is getting SO depressed and out of heart with his health.

To Kathy.

He should try anything to avoid constipation:
http://www.healthhype.com/tag/constipation

Constipation itself may be a cause of pain. Diverticulosis probably aggravates constipation, so he should care to have soft stool (enough fibers, avoidind sugary food). Calcium (if he gets it for osteoporosis) may also contribute to constipation.
Whole-meal or whole-grain bread, (brown) rice, green leafy vegetables, morning cereals, enough fluid (but not soda) give some volume to the stool. It’s important not to skip meals, so have regular meals as much as possible. Ideal time to have a bowel movement is in the morning after breakfast.

My 16 year old daughter was diagnosed with Mono on April 29,2009. She started getting upper left abdominal pain soon thereafter. She still has the pain, that she discribes as a constant dull pain with occasional sharp pains. This has worsened over the last 7 days. Has loss of appetite, nausea, headache, shakiness. No fever. She was seen yesterday by an infectious disease doctor, who told me that the spleen should no longer bother her. (no enlargement) Other possiblities her suggested: Ovary issue or intestinal issues. Was referred to both an OB/GYN and a gastroenologist. any ideas?

To LoriMoreno.

I’m not sure if spleen can be excluded as a source of pain just by physical examination.

Splenic infarct actually may (rarely) occur in infectious mononucleosis. Eventual pain in left shoulder would additionally speak for spleen involvement.

CT is the diagnosis of choise but forv a young female a MRI would be appropriate:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/193718-diagnosis

Sometimes gas builds in the transverse part of the colon – just beside the spleen and causes pain. Condition is called “splenic flexure syndrome” and may be quite painful. Having regular bowel movements and avoiding foods (fibers, sugars) that result in gas formation by intestinal bacteria would help.

I am a 38 year old female, that has previsouly been diagnosed with Diverticulosis. However, the last month I have had HORRIBLE cramping and numbness right under my left rib cage. I have had a CT Scan a bladder and intra-vaginal ultrasound, as they thought it was a large cyst. The cyst is not large enough to be causing this problem and my Dr. says its not my Diverticulitis this time. My skin is numb from below my breast to my waist and wraps around to part of my back. My potassium is at 2.1, Uric Acid is 8.1….and I dont have Gout. Nor does it run in my family. I’m getting tired of my Dr acting like he is grasping at straws. I’m on Flagyl, Cipro & Hyomax-SL for this, along with Percoset for the pain. I also am on Lasik, HCTZ & Potassium for years for my Lower Extremity Edema.

Any suggestions on what is causing my pain and tenderness in my upper left abdomen? Its a horrible, gasp for breath pain when it comes on sharp. For the most part, its just a dull pain all the time. But I have flare ups about 5 times a day where the pain is just too intense.

Im 17 years old, female, and approx. a week ago I got a sharp pain from under my ribcage to just below my hip (Strong enough for me to fall onto my bed.) Sometimes, it feels like there is a needle being stuck into my side. During the day it’s tolerable, but at night I can barely lie down, and some nights need to fall asleep sitting up. All my bowel movements have been normal.
Also, I’ve been having slight breathing problems, like a sharp pain on the same side (slightly under ribcage and upwards.) when I breath in, although I’ve had that problem since grade 4, it’s only recently getting worse, and happens more often.

My parents are sure that I just pulled a muscle, and wont take me to a doctor, but Im worried it could be something else. Should I be worried about it? :S

To Cynthia.

Shingles is infection caused by Herpes zoster virus that usually affects one spinal nerve on one side only. Rash often appear along the course of the nerve from the spine to the middle line in the front. Sometimes only numbness or burning are present.

Bulging disc in thoracic spine would also cause nubmness and pain along or or more adjacent spinal nerves also usually only on one side.

None of above disorders would cause “horrible cramps”, but gas built in the left side of horizontal part of the colon (near the spleen) could. Condition is known as splenic flexure syndrome, sometimes considered as a form of IBS and probably trigered by stress and certain foods. Elimination of some foods, mostly those containing fructose, lactose and other sugars from the diet could help:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

To Natt.

On which side you feel pain? Is there any tenderness – does pain worsens when you press on the painful site?

If your bowel movements are normal, without blood, and you have no nausea, bloating, cramps or fever and you can elicit pain with fingers, then it’s probably from muscles. If pain prevents you sleep this is enough to see a doctor to examine you.

i am 19 yrs old.it is about 3-4 days i am having left abdomen pain and left shoulder pain together.it gets worse for 30minutes and for rest of the day it’s tolerable.its first time .any suggestion?
i am having medicine related to gas.ultra sound showed nothing.

To kishor.

Gas build in the left side of the horisontal part of the colon (near the spleen) can cause upper abdominal pain. Distended colon presses on diaphragm what could be the cause of left shoulder pain.
Try to eliminate some foods from the diet to prevent bloating:
Elimination of some foods, mostly those containing fructose, lactose and other sugars from the diet could help:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html
http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-bloating-and-gas-flatulence.html

I AM 28 YRS OLD I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN OFF AND ON FOR 6 YRS. IT COMES AND GOES. RECENTLY IT HAS STARTED BACK AND THIS TIME IT IS NOT GOING AWAY. IT STARTED WHEN I WAS PEEING PURE BLOOD AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE CHUNKS OF MEAT. NONE OF THE DRS CAN PIN POINT WHAT’S GOING ON WHEN THE IVP COMES BACK CLEAR, THEY TREAT ME LIKE I AM LYING ABOUT THE PAIN. I WAS IN ER LAST NIGHT DOUBLED OVER IN PAIN, AND HE SAID HE DIDN’T KNOW. SOMETIMES I GET CONSTIPATED, BUT I FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE PAIN MEDS. NOTHING GIVES ME TOTAL RELIEF. HEAT HELPS ALITTLE. NOW THE PAIN IS STARTING IN MY RIGHT SIDE, AND I AM SCARED IT IS SERIOUS. IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE AFTER I EAT. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS

To tingleysgirl.

The blood and “chunks of meat were in the urine?

Where exactly do you feel pain – lower or upper abdomen?

yes it was in the urine. the pain starts below ribs on left side and runs down to pelvic area. i had a hysterecomy 13yrs ago. when the pain is really bad my left leg will ache like a toothache. my lower back hurts also.

Tingleysgirl,

all your symptoms speak for a serious kidney disorder. Stones in left kidney or urether would cause blood in the urine and pain would be present in exact areas you’ve described, including sharp pains in the leg. “Chunks of meat” could be from kidney inflammation.

I strongly suggest you to visit nephrologist (kidney doctor) to have urine tests and all other what’s necessary. Pain itself can cause constipation.

Pain on the right could be from the right kidney/urether.

If pain appears within an hour after a meal, below the right ribs – in the middle of the right rib and if (not necessary) radiates to upper right back or right shoulder, it may be from gallbladder – ultrasound of gallbladder usually reveals gallstones in such a case.

I am a 24yr old female, I have had my appendix and gal bladder removed. I am now having sharp cramping lower left abdominal pains about 20-60 mins. after I eat a meal. I am getting a few tests done soon, but the pain is unbearable and I would like to know if anyone has and ideas? I would like to know what im up for?

To srbowles100.

Have you noticed bloody or cloudy urine after painful episode? Does pain spread to the groin or thigh? Is lower left abdominal tender when you press on it? Any change in stool habit?

I am 31 yrs old female I usually have lower abdominal pain on my left for the past 1yr now i have been given diffrent types of anticbiotic but still not going and i don’t know if it is responsible for me not getting pregnant cos have been married for 7months but no sign of pregnancy and I till feel the pain.thank

To seun.

Are you constipated, have diarrhea, excessive gas? Do symptoms worsen after the meal and relieve after bowel movement?

I am having pain on my left side upper and lower at different times(i think the lower is because of my period). This has been going on for the last week. I take birth control pills which cause me to have alot of cramping and pain in the week prior to my period plus I always have cramps during my period as well but now my period is going to start within a few days and I still have the pain on the left side kinda upper. Eating does not make the pain better or worse. It comes and goes. And sometimes it hurts to the touch, but not all the time. I did go away on a trip for about 9days about a month ago when I came back I had cloudy urine…thought I had a UTI when to the doctors and had urine tested, no infection and no problems with kidney. Doctor told me to drink more water, which I have done and urine is clear and no cloudiness. I did read on the Mayo clinic website that exposure to extreme heat (which I had during those 9 days) could cause cloudy urine. I figured that the fact that I was not drinking enough water at that time made it worse as well as the fact that I was sexually active which I am normally not.
I have taken several pregnancy tests, they are all negative. Plus I had a period since I came back.
Not sure what to think…any thoughts?
Thanks! SRR

To StaRR.

Cloudy urine may appear in kidney stones. Stones in kidney may (but not always) cause pain over the affected kidney. Slight hiting over the kidney with the fist could also cause pain. If a small stone is lodged in the urether a sharp spasming pain lasting from several minutes to hours may appear on the side of abdomen, and often radiating down to the groin or thigh. If not specifically tested for stones, urine test may appear normal.

Gas built in the left part of transverse colon (under left ribs on the side) can cause upper left pain.

Where exactly was the tender spot?

I have a spare tire (2 tummies as I call it, lol) and the tenderness is on the bottom tummy. I recalled after writing yesterday that I was taking a different birth control pill(but in the same family) last year and I was having pain on my left in a similar spot and I got tested and had a cyst on my right ovary. Stopped the pills the pain went away as did the cyst. I am having the same reaction to these pills that I had to the previous ones(and maybe a new cyst). But there is also some tenderness on my back on the left,alittle above the spare tire(top tummy). And some come and go pain on the left towards the front of the spare tire, which hurts when I bend sideways toward my left but that pain when it comes on its own tends to radiate or pulsate. I have not had any pain radiating down towards my thigh or groin and no pain when urinating. The pain was worse last week and over the weekend and now seems to be dying down. I think that covers it….so what do you think could be going on, so that I can ask the doctor to perform certain tests. Seems like alot of docs today have to be told what to test for, ie please test my kidneys for stones, lol. Not all but some. Thanks for your help.

Starr,
please, consider seriously to stop taking birt control pills. Reactions you are describing when starting and stopping pills show that they are seriously affecting your ovaries and may cause serious and permanent harm to your ovaries, including infertility and ovarian cancer.

Pain in the back on the left side…yes, “Doctor, what about urine test and ultrasound to check for kidney stones?”. Proteins, calcium and oxalate in urine should be checked. Beside stones, kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) is possible. Kidney is located on the back under the ribs (search for some image online). Spleen is located on the left side, like if you put a thumb of the spreaded hand into the armpit, spleen would be at the tip of your small finger. I believe spleen can be checked during a kidney ultrasound but doctor will examine you before that anyway.

Right lower pain, now when you’ve mentioned ovaries, yes, it can be ovary.

Be sure to mention your symptoms as exactly as you did here (location of the pain, tenderness upon pressing and pain when you bend to the left) to the doctor.

Jan,
Thank you very much for you quick responses. I am going to call and make an appointment with my doctor ASAP or after my period which is due any day.
I had already decided to stop taking the birth control pills but now what do I do about controception…my husband(whom i was visiting in hot Jamaica) is not going to want to use condoms…i have tried other birth controls and they have given me other side effects so I dont think any will work at this point. I know this page is not about that just thinking out loud.
Again thanks so much. Im glad I found this site, now I am going into my appt with questions and ideas so that we can quickly find out whats going on.
I will let you know how it goes.
Have a great day!

Hi. I am 52 and for the past 2 1/2 weeks have been experiencing lower left abdominal pain, dull. Occasionally it will hurt a bit more, if I move a certain way. I was at the doctor at the end of June for 6 weeks of heavy bleeding with my period. She ordered transvag ultrasound and regular ultrasound. They showed a follicular cyst on my left ovary. I had an oophorectomy in 1991 due to a dermoid cyst. I have also been diagnosed six years ago with vaginal adenomyosis. The doctor also ordered a endoscopic biopsy in late June this year. The biopsy was benign. The heavy bleeding stopped about five days after the biopsy. I had another period since then, that lasted about ten days and wasn’t as heavy as this other one. I also have slight exercise-induced asthma, which has been easily controlled with only one spray of Advair in the a.m. Recently I have had a bit more shortness of breath and seem to get winded more quickly. I just don’t feel quite right. I am about 15 pounds overweight, but am in pretty good shape, usually exercise with weights, but with these problems don’t have the energy to exercise as much recently. I don’t notice any change in bowel function or color. Rarely I do have a bit of a rapid heartbeat. Any ideas what might be going on?

StaRR,

search online for “natural contraception”, especially for “calendar method” and “cervical mucus method”, as shortly described here:
http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/contraception/natural.shtml

Join some forum where this is discussed.

To DeeBee.

It’s possible you have endometriosis in the abdominal cavity. I believe that laparoscopy – endoscopic investigation of abdominal cavity would be required for diagnosis. Follicular cyst itself may contribute to pain.

Hi my name is shiloh and i am an 18 year old Female. I dunno why but on my side left from my right hip it hurts really badly. not so bad on the other side though. if i push on or around it my whole stomach hurts. When i walk i can feel pain. every morning when i wake up it hurts the most. I feel like i have to urinate badly, but once i go, It was not all that much. no unusual discharge though.

Hi, shiloh,
The tender spot is above or below the hip level? Is it close to the navel or close to the hip? Any change in bowel habit, changed stool color, nausea, fever?

It could be inflammed appendix, colon, ovarian cyst…Ultrasound of abdomen might reveal the cause.

Thank you. I did go to the doctor and after pushing on the area, she determined that I DID strain my muscle. I was relieved it was something that simple after reading the other possibilities.

DeeBee,
thanks for sharing. Heavy menstrual bleeding may be obviously misleading.

i have been having these pains mainly on the left side of my body. its a sharp pain and somtimes its a aching feeling.

im a 19 year old boy and i weigh about 135lbs and im about 6′2″

the pain is usually on the left side of my chest around the area where i can feel my heart beat. sometimes it moves to my side on on my back. and accasionaly my jaw hurts as well. I’ve noticed since all of this has started happening i have been having heart palpitations. some days they are really scary because i can feel them in my throat and for some reason its usually only when i breath in deep or eat or drink anything.

the pain sometimes goes through my left arm as well. and i can sometimes fell it in my fingers or in the palm of my hand. And sometimes i feel the pain in my right arm or the right side of my chest or lower abdomen. sometimes up into my neck as well.

and im not sure if this has anything to do with it but i get this loud ringing noise in my ears from time to time.

im not sure if this matters or not but i just recently found out that i have sleep paralysis. a lot of people don’t know what it is, let just say its a horrible experience.

ive gotten checked my the doctor and they just say its anxiety. i have had an ekg done and x rays but everything seemed normal. also, i have an appointment for a stress test soon and i hope it goes well.

sorry for such a long post, im just terrified.

any clue about whats wrong with me?

Doug,

pain around the heart radiating in the neck and left arm and all other symptoms you’ve listed strongly suggest a heart disorder. I can’t say if all this may arise from anxiety but it’s possible you have heart arrhythmia. An EKG taken only once and not at the time when you have symptoms may miss arrhythmia.

When having stress tests, ask the doctor about checking your heart rhythm with a Holter monitor – a device that records your heart rhythm for 24 hours and you wear it around your waist.

You’ve probably already read about sleep paralysis. Lack of sleep, non-regular sleep schedule, sleeping on the back and stress events or toughts before going to bed may aggravate it.

Ringing in the ears may also be from anxiety or other causes like changes in blood pressure which may be from eventual heart disorder.

jan,

thank you for your reply.

is heart arrhythmia serious?

another thing i forgot to mention is that in the ekg, it said i have a left bundle branch block. the doctors said its nothing to worry about though. could that have anything to do with it?

Doug,

heart arrhythmia refers to iregular heart beat. This is a broad term that includes some innocent errors in heart rhythm or it may be life threatening.

Left bundle branch block by itself is not arrhythmia if it does not cause irregular heart beat. It is true that some people with this block have no symptoms. But you do have symptoms, only that is not clear if they have something with this block. Some small inborn error or other heart disorder, past infection of a heart muscle, etc. may cause bundle branch block.

For you it is important that, until you have symptoms, avoid heavy exercise and unnecessary stress. Write down all questions you might have and ask while having a stress test. They are your symptoms that are not normal, so use your intuition and common sense when judging if it’s only your anxiety or is it something more. Quick one time testing cannot show all about heart.

I would insist to have ultrasound of the heart which can show a lot of details.

ok i’ll definitely try to get a ultrasound done.

thanks so much for the help.

Hi, im 17years old and ive been getting a stitch like pain next to my belly button on the left side.
the pain gets bad when i exercise, when i jump around doing star jumps or etc. it feels like a stitch sort of pain.

today i went to train to see if i still have it and its no longer on the left side its on the right side now (feels like on lower right 6th pack)

i dont have any blood in stool or dirareah, i have a stool every day
ive had ultrasound done , showed nothing, blood test done, everything was perfect, would could it be?

Bosanskir33@hotmail.com

Hi Doug

I am a 24 years old male. I have been feeling pains on my lower left abdomen (right above my left thigh) for 2 years now. The pain comes unexpectedly and will usually gone after I sleep it off (no pain whatsoever when I woke up). One thing that I note is that If I did not drink enough water, the pain will come back. I have done an ultrasound check on the abdomen last year the result is normal. Lately I have been experiencing sharp pains (comes and goes in less then a sec) which I think comes from the colon. I have asked my GP, and she feel my tummy and could not found anything, however she has referred for a colonoscopy.

What is the possible causes?
Can you describe the symptoms of colon cancer or diverticulitis? Are there any relation with High cholesterol or uric acid (my recent blood tests is not that good)?

Thank you

Samir B,

it may be streched or ruptured muscle. In this case you would feel pain when leaning left-, right-, back- or forward, or by pressing on the affected area.

If you know some sport doctor, he would give you diagnosis quickly.

Kyo,

colon cancer typically appear after 50 years of age.

Diverticulitis appears with fever and diarrhea. Diverticulosis (non-inflamed pouches in colonic wall may cause constipation but is otherwise without symptoms.

Pain “above the thigh” could be from intestinal hernia – in this case you (or doctor) would see a bulge or feel it when pressed on the site with fingers.

Urinary stone can cause a short sharp pain in the urether. If you have elevated uric acid in the blood, it’s quite possible you have urinary stones. When a small stone dislodges from the kidney it travels through urether, bladder and urethra and is excreted with the urine.

I suggest you to visit urologist (or kidney doctor) and ask for an ultrasound of the kidneys before colonoscopy, since you may have urinary stones and colonoscopy then probably won’t be needed.

Yet another posible reason would be torn muscle. In this case you would be able to trigger pain with certain body movements or by pressing on the spot where pain usually appears.

Are you sure?
becasue i only get the ache dull pain when im doing star jumps or any other jumping activity
but day to day walking i dont feel much.
it feels alot like a stitch

Samir B,

how many centimetres from the navel (to left or right) does pain appear?

When you feel the pain, stop with exercise, calm down a bit and then squeeze your abdominal muscles (to make them hard). If the pain worsens, it probably originates from the abdominal wall muscles (streched or simply fatigued muscle). Stitch pain would not likely worsen with sqeezing abdominal wall.

ok ill give it a go next time i exercise, thanks alot for help, big relief

Hi Jan

Thank you for the reply.

as previously said, I have done abdominal ultrasound last year (this includes kidney) and they did not found anything. If I do not feel the pain (since the pain is intermittent), I can move to whatever position I want without triggering any pain. So I would not think torn muscle is the case.

Me and the doctor have felt the area around above said pain (lower left abdomen near left thigh), but there is no bulge that I/the doctor can feel.

I do not have diarrhea/fever.

The GP suspects it is an IBS, but I think she wants to make sure that there is no cancer whatsoever (which is why the colonoscopy was referred).

One thing that I tried recently, I drank “Royal Jelly” that I bought, and surprisingly it improves my stomach conditions (rarely felt any pain). But Once I stopped taking it, The pain returns.

Quite confused now

I always face problem during bowel movement to through out stools, its not hard as in the case of constipation, but does not come easily either. and when it comes out its quite soft and thin. but some times it contains some very small hard stone like stools along with soft stools. the problem i feel is like that i can sense in my abdomen that more stools will come out, but some how i cannot bring it out. while doing this a lot urine also comes. one more point the amount of stool is too much.

To nabil.

Large amount of stool may be from fiber-rich food like a lot of vegetables, legumes, cereals…

Large amount of urine is from drinking a lot of fluid.

“Stones” in the stool commonly appear in constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

What exactly is your diet? Do you have any other symptoms and when did they start?

Kyo,

if Royal Yelly, which contains magnesium sulfate and other substances with laxative properties helps you, it probably means your pain was from constipation. In this case you may find some natural foods with laxative effect (whole grain bread, green vegetables…) and spare some money…

If so little was needed to get rid of pain, it is not likely you have any colonic or other disease. I strongly encourage you to duiscuss about Royal Yelly effect with your gastroenterologist and if colonoscopy is still needed then. It is really not likely that a simple yelly would treat some serious colonic disease…

Colonic cancer is extremlyl rare at 24 and even those rare cases appearing in this age are mostly hereditary types of cancer (would run in your family). Most of other colonic disorders, except constipation, come with other symptoms (diarrhea, fever, nausea, etc..).

Hi,I have had not really pain but something like malaise on the left side of the stomach for the last 5 years.Ultrasound is ok,X-rays ok too.I had a duodenal ulcer 10 years ago.Usually the malaise awakens me at night with an accelerated heart beat.Then I can go days feeling fine or even weeks.Recently I was diagnosed with gallbladdeer polyps. thanks

my diets are usually white rice and chicken and sometimes vegetables. but my question is that why stool does not want to come out easily. i sense something in my abdomen, but for some reason they dont want to come out. the feeling is like as if something is blocking the way of my rectum. and the hard stone like like stools are usually very small like the size of small gravels.

Pavol,

can you explain this malaise a bit more? Do you have nausea, excessive burping, bloating, loose stools? The symptoms are in upper or lower abdomen?

Duodenal ulcer often causes symptoms at night. Gallbladder polyps probably don’t cause any symptoms but if they are big (>1.5 cm) the gallbladder should be removed since they may develop into cancer.

Hi,I would not call it a nausea but it is very close to that.It is a feeling that something is there a does not want to continue down the intestines.Every time I try to touch and localise it I just can not find it.It seems to be in upper and lower abdomen.Both.No burping at all but there is some bloating.Stools are fine.Every time I fart(sorry)I feel a bit better.It seems to get worse when I am very tired.And again there are days when I feel perfect.I am 34. thanks

Pavol,

maybe all discomfort is just from bloating – relief after passing gas speaks for this.

There are several causes of abdominal bloating, some are caused by certain foods (food groups).

If you have lactose intolerance, dairy products, especially milk (in certain amount) would cause bloating. Remove all dairy products from the diet for 4 days and if it helps, it means you probably have lactose intolerance.
http://www.healthhype.com/what-is-lactose-intolerance-symptoms-test-diet-medicine.html

If you have fructose malabsorption, removing all fruits and foods containing fructose, HFCS or sorbitol for 4 days would help you.
http://www.healthhype.com/fructose-malabsorption-cause-symptoms-and-diagnosis.html

You can also try a “low-FODMAP diet” that covers both of above two.
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

In celiac disease, removing all gluten-containing foods would help.
http://www.healthhype.com/what-is-celiac-disease-sprue-symptoms-test-foods-to-avoid.html

I suggest you to read above articles, one by one and try related 4-day diet one after one until you find the cause. On the end you will maybe find out that only few foods bloat you; some fiber-rich food like beans, sugary food like honey, soda, certain fruits or sweets..or milk.

Hi Jan,

I am a 34 ye old male. I have recently gone through a bout of ‘kidney stones’ although neither the doctor nor the lack of stones in my urine were able to prove that diagnosis positive. As of the 5th day, I am still finding a good amount of sharp pain in my lower left back and abdomen – enough to take painkillers every 5 hours or so. The pain has also extended to the right side of my back. I am also experiencing cramps and some sharp pangs in the lower right abdominal area – nothing as extreme but there nonetheless. Is there something other than kidney stones that could be causing this?

The pain in my lower left is sharp and goes right through my body like a nail being pressed – sometimes to the point of doubling over. There was white and red blood cells in my urine among other things – it was a fairly dark orange when I went to the ER, this is largely cleared up now. But to this date I have not passed anything that looks like a stone nor has there been any small crystals in the strainer the ER gave me.

I hate taking painkillers on a regular basis – any other diagnosis you could suggest?

CL,

stones do not always appear in the urine. If your kidneys are bleeding, blood clots in the urether may also cause spasming pain.

Both sides back and abdominal pain and dark orange urine suggests kidney disorder: inflammation (glomerulonephritis), infection (pyelonephritis), stones, tumor.

Red and white cells may be elevated in practically all mentioned disorders. There are certain substances like oxalate or calcium that could tell more about stones. Elevated proteins are elevated in inflammation. Elevated white blood cells in the *blood speak for inflammation or infection. Ultrasound of the kidneys is usualy the first imaging investigation in suspected kidney disease.

I strongly recommend you to ask for ultrasound of kidneys (done by nephrologist) since all your symptoms seem to arise from the urinary tract.

Jan,

Thanks for the response. I had both an xray and ultrasound (a CT was suggested but declined due to the fact that I had just had one on my head for sinus issues and wanted to avoid more radiation exposure if it was not completely necessary). The ultrasound was fairly thorough from what I understood and there were small shadowy particles that were not confirmed as stones but assumed to be so. There were no apparent blockages/impingement on the kidney or bladder. They wouldn’t say further without a CT but the attending Dr. said she was pretty sure it would be stones.

Now with sixth day of noticeably sharp pain and the added discomfort etc I am not as convinced that she was right. However, like I said the urine seems to have cleared up, but earlier unrelated blood tests (I got the pains after they were done) did show slightly elevated enzymes but that was said to be connected to diet or the possibility of a slightly fatty liver.

All of this is rather sudden – until a month ago I had felt in relatively good health aside from my sinus issues. Although, I have had odd back pains when trying to sleep that seem to be unrelated to muscular or bone pain – they kind of mirror the areas I am having pain now but they would go away during the day and I attributed it to a bad mattress since they seemed to get ‘better’ when I slept on my harder couch.

Would a CT scan help to clear up the questions over blockage and kidney health etc?

CL, CT is becoming the basic investigation for kidney stones nowadays. It may detect all types of kidney stones, small stones not detected by X-ray or ultrasound and most of other kidney disorders. From blood and urine tests doctor should be able to suspect stones and other kidney disorders like inflammation or infection. In any case your symptoms strongly suggest kidney involvement.

Dark urine can be also from excessive bilirubin and this may arise from blood, liver or bile duct disorder. Bilirubin would be obviuosly elevated in the urine in this case and I guess it was checked.

High doses of vitamin supplements, some medications and even some food like beetroots can cause dark color of urine.

Sleeping on a hard matress is a good idea. Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing and lifting heavy burdens,and having regular daily walks may all help to your back. Physiotherapist can show you some exercises. All this may give you some back relief and help you to distinguish between back muscles/spine pain and kidney pain.

Sharp pains are also in constipation. But white and red cells in the urine are likely from kidney disorder – stones or something other.

Thanks Jan. I feel much better informed now and will make sure I get the right stuff done to help me correct the problem. I really appreciate it.

Hello and thank you for the time to read my post. I am extremely scared right now and Im unsure what to do at this point. For the past 5 years I have had a pain that comes and goes a very sharp pain that is in my lower pelvic region that normally lasts for a few minutes and will decrease to a dull constant pain and come and go for a few days then leave completely for a wile. I also occasionally get a very sharp immense pain under my left breast rib cage. (Im a 25 year old female) Well a few days ago the pain in my lower pelvic area started and I felt a lump(could be gas) but it went away. The pain has come and gone a few times but tonight I also had the sharp pain under my left breast under the rib cage and all of a sudden my back muscles on the left all the way up to my neck tightened so tight that my arm went a bit numb. I just found out that my family has history of heart disease and Im wondering who I should be seeing at this point? Could it be gas related or should I worry more about my heart? As well Im not sure if it makes a difference but I have also noticed that my urine is very dark. I drink water during the day and have not saw it this dark in a wile. I went to the local drug store and got an ept test, a urine test(tests for protein) and a vaginal test. All of them came back negative. Im just very worried and am unsure what to do at this point. Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Tye,

you should see a kidney doctor (nephrologist); if you can’t get an appointment soon, try to come in through ER. Dark urine clearly speaks for urinary tract involvement. Pain in the back and in upper left abdomen are likely from the left kidney and lower left abdominal pain is likely from the urether. It may be an urinary stone, a blod clot or a part of kidney tissue, which sticks in the urether for several seconds or minutes and is then released into the bladder.

Hi Jan

Continuing from our discussion,

I actually proceed with the colonoscopy yesterday. The gasentrologist said that the colon is normal (no diverticulitis, polyps, cancer, what so ever). However he noted about internal hemorrhoid and he says its normal and it might sometimes cause bleeding (I think this is my case). He says no treatment is needed.

I was wondering whether this hemorrhoid is what causes the lower left abdominal pain?

Thank you very much

Kyo,

internal hemorrhoids, if not thrombosed, usually don’t cause any pain at all. Thrombosed hemorrhoids would likely cause strong pain in the rectum (not likely in lower left abdomen) during the bowel movement; thrombosis would be also likely detected by colonoscopy.

Pain disappearing after sleeping, drinking enough water and Royall Yelly strongly speaks for constipation as a cause. They are strong cramps in the colonic wall or colon distension from gas built in the colon that probably cause your pain. So, you can assume, your problem is constipation and possibly bloating.

Ingesting enough fibers (but not exaggerating to avoid gas built), drinking enough fluid, physical and psychical activity and avoiding certain foods are main measures to fight with constipation. To help you find which foods to remove from the diet, you can read:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

This diet can also help you to lower cholesterol a bit; I do encourage you to solve this since raised cholesterol is a strong factor in developing atherosclerosis.

Hello,I have recently been diagnosed with 12 gallbladder polyps ranging from .2cm to .7cm in size.One doctor says I should have my GB removed and other says I should not worry and do just a follow-up.I feel I am still too young for operation.What is your suggestion?I am 35 yers old. thank you

Hello, Peter,

gallbladder polyps do not need to be removed if they don’t cause any symptoms. But sometimes (rarely), when they are bigger than 1cm in size, they may develop into gallbladder cancer.

Gallblader removal is not a big operation. On the other hand, some people experience diarrhea after gallbladder removal from constant flow of the bile into the bowel.

Pls i av pains in my lower left abdominal side with middle back pain and body itchy. Also i had a surgery on Appendicitis 4weeks ago pls advise as am also trying to concieve.

What the symptoms should look like and how do I know for sure the symptoms come from polyps? thanks

Peter,

gallbladder polyps and even gallbladder cancer commonly don’t trigger any symptoms until their developed stage. When symptoms appear it’s often late to do anything more. It is regular ultrasound checking of your gallbladder that shows how fast polyps grow; it is your doctor who can tell you how frequently you should have ultrasound.

Gallbladder can be completely filled with polyps or stones and still causing no symptoms.

Faith,

does all your body itch? Any rash? Are you taking any medication and which?

I have been experiencing pain on My lower left side. The pain is a dull ache that stays with me during the day. Every once and a while a sharp pain comes on and then subsides. The pain starts in my lower back and moves around to my front. To void it burns. Sex is not very pleasant either.

I had a Monarch Sling inserted back in February. I have had two UTI’s within weeks of each other. I have gone back to the Urologist and my Physician numerous times. My tests are now normal and they can not seem to locate what is wrong with me. It has become very frustrating. I am seeing the Physician again this week. I have asked to be referred to a Gyno but they feel that it may be a different direction that is causing the pain. However, I have had history with my Left ovary. Any suggestions???? I would like to get rid of this pain.

Neely,

pain going from back to front and burning at voiding speeks for urinary tract disorder (kidney infection or inflammation, maybe stones…). Sharp pain in the lower left abdomen may arise from the left urether or ovary.

Ultrasound of the kidneys could be the first next investigation.

I’ve been suffering from sharp llq abdominal pains for two months with constipation, bloating and fullness. The pain sometimes moves around to the right side but the sharp pain with tightness is left side above the hip. It is not tender to the touch. I also had bouts of gas and noise but not recent.

Alan,

any fever, skin rash, nausea, weight loss, change in stool color?
Causes of LLQ pain:
http://www.healthhype.com/acute-and-chronic-left-lower-llq-abdominal-pain-diagnosis.html

body itch not really(sometimes after bath), I use folic acid but antibiotics some weeks ago after the surgery

There are several possible causes of left lower abdominal pian:
http://www.healthhype.com/acute-and-chronic-left-lower-llq-abdominal-pain-diagnosis.html

One possibility is overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacteria caused by antibiotic treatment. In this case you’d probably experience some bloating, gas or diarrhea.

Mid back pain + left lower abd. pain without any other bowel-related symptoms could arise from the thoracic spine (bulging disc, spondylitis or so).

Jan
No none of the conditions listed. I have lost weight due to not eating beacause of the constipation and bloating. I did have black sttools 2 weeks ago, but has resumed yellow/brownish. I’ve told my doc and scheduled for a colonoscopy.

Alan,

OK, if colonoscbpy will show nothing, you should be aware that black stool may be from stomach bleeding.

Avoiding eating aggravates constipation. It is drinking enough water and eating enough fibers (bread, leafy vegetables, cereals…), being physically active, and coping with stress that help against constipation.

I am a 22 year old female. I have been experiencing abdominal pains on and off for about 4 yrs. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopoy, and was diagnosed w/ IBS. For the past few weeks I have been getting pains in my left side just below my rib cage (w/ some swelling) and my lower abdomin. It feels like someone is stabbing below my ribs at times and is very dicomforting. I seem to only feel relief after burping and laying still…. I have also been urinating more frequently. What could this possiby be?

EB,

it is quite possible that pain below your left ribs is caused by gas trapped in the left part of the transverse colon. It’s a common issue. I believe you can solve this problem with excluding/limiting one or more of the following nutrients from your diet:
- fructose, sorbitol and HFCS (fruits and several artificially sweetened packaged foods, including diet soda, sugar-free chewing gum)
- lactose (dairy)
- galactans (in legumes)
- fructans (in wheat and onions)

Details:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

Frequent urinating my result from gas in the rectum that presses upon the bladder and irritates it. If you also experience burning during urination, and the urine has changed color or smell, it may be urinary infection.

Thank you for the reply. I received a call from my doctor today. I went to get an ultra sound on Tuesday, and she told me that they had found something. There is a lump on my left ovary, and they believe I have stomach ulcers. I am currently setting up appointments to go see a specialist asap. They have also ruled out a cyst w/ the u/s. What else could this possibly be. Thank you in advance.

EB,

if you burp excessively (?), you can ask for “urea breath test for H. pylori”. This bacterium often causes inflammation of the stomach and may produce a lot of gas.

Another cause of upper abdominal bloating is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Dx is with “hydrogen breath test with lactulose”.

Left ovary disorders doesn’t likely cause pain under the ribs (you may still have ovary cysts, only that this doesn’t explain under-rib pain) , and I believe stomach ulcers should be clearly seen during upper endoscopy you’ve had.

Enlarged spleen was probably excluded during the ultrasound…

Pain from kidney stones or infection can radiate to upper abdomen and causes frequent urination…

Anyway, if pain is relieved by burping, the first thought is a gas somwhere in your gut. So, consider to ask about breath tests.

I need some help! I have been having abdominal pain on the left side only. This pain started up under the ribs in the stomach area. Exactly two weeks ago! Now the pain seems straight left of the belly button and lower abdomen I also feel it in the lower left back and sides. Also strange note: A pain in my left foot and left testicle. I went to my normal Doc, she said it was a muscle. I was not worried until burning and itching started so I went to the ER on 09-18-09 that is one week after the pain started. They did blood work, a urine test, and an ultra sound of the testicular area. ER said they found nothing! I was just having some testicular pain and did not give a reason.

I went back to my doc she has me scheduled for a CT in the mean time I went to a chiropractic. I am still in pain it feels like someone is squeezing some organ in my body; it also feels like someone is kicking me in the left testicle it also feels like someone is stabbing me in the bottom of my foot.

When I sit up makes it worse, laying down makes it better, elevation of my left leg and foot helps. When I belch or pass gas I feel better. After eating it seems a bit worse or better I have not decided. Does anyone have any ideas what is wrong with me?

Chris,

few questions:
- What happened 2 weeks ago? Have you eaten something different; have you had some vigorous physical work or have you lifted something heavy?
- Would you say you are bloated in last two weeks more than you were before?
- Have you noticed change color of urine or burning at urination?
- When you sit down, does pain worsen immediately?

Possibilities:
- pinched spinal nerves from bulging discs
- psoas muscle syndrome
- kidney (urinary) stones
- intestinal hernia

Depending on the causing event, there could be more than one condition that cause your symptoms

Thank you for your response.

To answer the questions on my/your post from July 8, 2009.

I’m a 30 year old female, I had splenectomy almost 3 years ago, 10.27.2006, as I said my spleen was enlarged because I had a blood disorder, hereditary spherocytosis, it was quite largem 983gms, so I ended up having open splenectomy with 44 stitches. About 6 weeks after surgery because I was in a lot of pain I was diagnosed with PVT, portal vein thrombosis, likely a side efect from the surgey, I was on anticoagulants for 6 months and that was it. I’ve continued to have left side pain, my rib cage, breast bone, more like tenderness then pain and the wright thing is that my chest wall is tender right to the middle of the chest and then i have no pain whatsoever on my right side. It has spread to my back left side, lower and upper, shoulder, neck to the jaw, only my left side. I cant say that I’m ever pain free because it’s always there. If I tough a spot on my left side I feel pain for few minutes afterwards. My left breast is tender as well as my inner left arm. I also have quite elevated white blood cells, couldnt figure out the cause. I’m not taking any medication. I’ve had CT’s, numerous, blood tests, different doctor opinions, nothing found. I was told that it’s possible I have scarring issues but have not been reffered to a surgeon for further investigation.
My pain/tenderness is present at all times, the only thing that makes is worse is when I stress out, then its sharp pain from my chest/neck/jaw, almost like a cramp. It lasts for few minutes sometimes longer.
I was reffered to a neurologist but havent seen one yet. Honestly, I’m just exhausted from all the tests and my primary telling me he dont know what’s wrong with me or what to do next.
I cannot get a good nights sleep, tried new pillows, few different pillows, new matresses, even foam, nothing works. I feel very stiff when I wake up and very tired. On some nights I just stay up when I wake up because it hurts more to lay down. I cannot lay flat on my back or stomack on hard surface, not even for a minute.
Thank you, any suggestions are very much appreciated.

I forgot to add… another thing that makes my pain worse is stomack fullness, regardless if I eat or drink a glass of water. This usuallly makes the pain spred to shoulder/neck

Halima,

it is an irritaded diaphragm (the main breathing muscle, separating the chest and abdomen), which can cause pains on your left side. I would think that scaring tissue (“adhesions”) grown after splenectomy may pull the diaphragm in a certain direction and cause this pain.

The stomach lies dierctly under the diaphragm. When you start to eat or drink, stomach muscles start to contract (persistalsis) and could irritate the diaphragm and cause the same symptoms as adhesions.

But, maybe even moving of the esophagus could irritate the diaphragm or some structure in the chest thus causing the pain.

Do you have exxecive hiccups?
Is your pain also triggered by cough?

I suggest you to read through patient’s medical history questionnaire here:
http://www.healthhype.com/patients-personal-and-family-medical-history-questionnaire-form.html

…to see, if you can recall any other symptom or certain circumstance..

Have you try some pain-killers like ibuprofen? This could help you, if you have costochondritis or fibromialgia.

Another possibility would be spondylitis (spinal arthritis)…

What to do:
1. Laparoscopy – endoscopic investigation of the abdominmal cavity – doctor could see if there is any excessive fibrous tissue (scarring) there.
2. MRI of your cervical and thoracic spine to check for spondylitis (leukocytes are elevated in spondylitis…)

Thank you very much for your response.

No, I do not have any hickups and my pain is not triggered by a cough. I’ve taken ibuprophen in the past I believe for 4 weeks about a year ago and it didn’t help because my doctors thought it could be costochondritis.

I’ve been trying to avoid Laparoscopy, I’m just afraid that another fairly common procedure ends up being something big again but it seems that’s the next step to do.

I’m a 32 yr old male…the pain started 4 months ago when I felt left side chest pain…it was a dull kind of pain as if something was pushing on my diaphragm. I did all the cardiac tests (EKG, Stress Test, Ultrasound of the heart) and the results came out ok. This put me at ease for three months and I just lived with that pain. About a month ago the pain increased and began spreading to other locations. No longer do I feel the pain on the front left chest but it’s now mainly below my ribcage, my back, left side of chest under my arm, lower left abdomen (mainly from the back side) and lately I have had severe pain in my left leg that came for two days (I don’t know if it’s related!). During the last month I did feel some itching for about a week but is now gone. I have done a CT scan on the pancreas, spleen, liver, kidney and results were all ok. Lately (past week), I have been noticing Irregular bowel movement as I have to go to the bathroom a lot more often.

Bander,

gas, trapped in the left part of the transverse part of the colon may cause most of symptoms you’re describing (except itch and leg pain). Gas distends the colon, which presses upon the diaphragm, what causes chest (and eventual shoulder) pain.

A common cause of gas is irritable bowel syndrome – your bowel gets irritated by certain foods and additionally by eventual stress.
You can try “low-fodmap diet” for few days to see if it helps:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

Itch was all over? Do you think it was related to some food? Itch appears in food allergies (few minutes to several hours after food ingestion).

Where was the leg pain located?

Yes the it was all over but I no longer feel the itch as i did a couple of weeks ago. The left leg pain starts from my foot all the way to my knee!
I just remembered now that one day during the past 3 months i noticed my stool color was completely white! just like mucus and it only happened once, any explanation for that? is it related?

Bander,

apart from allergy, itch could be caused by intestinal parasites.

Pain from the foot to the knee could be from pinched sciatic nerve (from bulging disc). This may happen after lifting something heavy, or after prolonged sitting or driving.

White stool – if it was translucent, not reall white, but, like you say, as mucus – it may appear in IBS and in intestinal parasites.
Other causes of mucus in the stool:
http://www.healthhype.com/what-causes-mucus-in-bowel-movement.html

I recommend you to try a low-fodmap diet (link in my previous comment), and if you have IBS, this diet may help you in few days.

If no improvement within a weak, you can ask a doctor to order a stool test for parasites.

If your stool was actually bright white, sticky, greasy, this speaks for fat malabsorption.

So, try diet and maybe a test for parasites before thinking on other intestinal disorders.

I’ve been experiencing discomfort from around left ribcage (side and back parts)to the hip area. I had urine infection since Sunday with very strong odour. Started on Pyridium Monday to Wednesday (2 tabs 3 timespd). Not much relief. The pain on the left started today and I’m wondering ifit has anything to do with the actual bladder infection. I used to suffer continuosly with bladder infections and 5 years ago had a bladder cyst removed. Can this pain be related to the kidney? If kidney infection, where exactly would the pain be? Consulting with urologist next Monday

Jan Modric

No heavy lifting.
No difference in color of urine
No I have not been eating anything different.

I would say I might feel a little bit bloated. The pain does not start when I sit immediately but over time. Like when I wake up in the morning I think it’s going to be a good day. After I have been up awhile it starts to hurt.

2 weeks ago: Last thing I remember doing before I got a sharp pain in my side and my left testicle ascended was I had masturbated. The testicle descended immediately and the pain never has gone away yet.

My doc says Urine is clean and clear. They also said no hernia. No turned in testicle. They did an ultrasound of the testicular area and found nothing. I just had my ct scan yesterday. No word yet!

Feels now like I am still getting kicked in the left testicle. Also feels like I just did a lot of sit ups. With a glassy feeling in my stomach. And a burning pulling feeling like some thing is being squished inside left stomach. Burning and itching too in the lower left pelvic area.

Hi,

I am a female in my mid 20’s and have had severe pain in my left stomach where rib cage is at that also shoots down to pelvic area and sometimes to my back. I have had blood test, stool samples, CT scan, ultrasound, and a recent colonoscopy. ALL were normal. I have no medical insurance and no Primary Care doctor since the company i worked for went bankrupt.

I do have lots of diareah, some constipation, i get green stools and frequently get mucus in my bowel movements- lots of mucus. I do have a very small umbilical hernia and had my gallbladder taken out 2 yrs ago. Pain is so bad i cannot jog, walk for long, and hurts constantly.

I need advice on what I should do next? Go get more test- but which? Should i just try to live with it and igrnore the symptoms? Thank you for any advice.

Tan,

in kidney infection, you might (not necessary) have tender area over the left kidney (on the left side of the back, just under and below the lower rib, meaning if you hit that area slightly with the fist, you could feel pain. Pain (not tenderness) would eventually spread to the left upper abdomen.

Pain may cause constipation, and this can be accompanied with gas built in the transverse and left part of the colon and cause pain. If you have appointment THIS Monday, it sounds ok; I wouldn’t wait to the NEXT Monday, since if you leave a kidney infection untreated, some complications may occur.

Chris,

by itching, do you mean a feeling that makes you scratch? Or is it like tingling?

If it is an itch, and no rash, it may be from the colon, like parasites or something other in the colon.

If it is tingling, it may be from something pressing on the nerve(s) in your thoracic and lumbar spine. Foot pain speaks for this. Now, the question is, if the pressure on the nerve is caused by a spinal disorder (bulging disc, spondylitis…Lifting a streched left leg should actually cause pain in this case…

Angelica,

when did diarrhea start: after gallbladder removal, later, or was there even before?

Did you have stool test for parasites? This test is often false negative…

One possible cause of green diarrhea is bile, not been completely re-absorbed in the small intestine, thus reaching the colon and irritating it. In this case, adding fibers (metamucil, psyllium husk..), which can bind bile salts, could help.

Next: IBS.
Foods to avoid in IBS
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

apart from urine infection now, i always have a problem with left hip. Did a scan/xray 2004 for bladder cyst. Results for abdomen read “sclerotic focus noted in relation to the left supra acetubular hip bone probably an incidental bone island”

what does that mean?

Tan,

“sclerotic focus” = a small area of dense bone tissue
“noted in relation to the left supra acetubular hip bone” = in the pelvic bone, above the hip joint (acetabulum is a concave part of the hip joint).

Explanation: “probably an incidental bone island”: doctor doesn’t think this needs any attention, but if pain in the hip is affecting your life, you might want to ask an orthopedist for furter investigation of your pelvic bones.

I am die slowly of pains in my left upper abdomen. It was diagnosed many years ago as ulcer. Then, anytime I take the medication prescribed by my doctor, I will get well, but after a while, it will come up. Recently, i started having hot sensation in my legs muscles and pains in my shoulder which is very painful. i met my doctor and he suspected rumatisim because I did some strenous diging of the earth in the cause of harvesting plant roots, but he was afraid to give me strong drugs/medication because of my long lived stomach pains called ulcer. However, he gave me mild prescription.Recently, I discovered that my inside lower abdomen is paining me mostly, in the night when I am sleeping and gives me discomfort. It comes and goes especially, whenever I eat heavy meal and fruits before sleeping. I thought it is because I sit almost the whole day in the class as a student. Please, what is the solution to my problems.

Njoku,

was it a stomach (gastric) ulcer and was it confirmed by a colonoscopy? What exact medications you are taking for an ulcer? One common reason for non-healing stomach ulcer is an infection with Helycobacter pylori bacteria. An “urea breath test for H. pylori”, performed by a gastroenterologist, may confirm/exclude this infection.

Your pains may be also called by gas built in your intestine. If you find fruits problematic, have a few days lasting low-fructose diet trial; read details here:
http://www.healthhype.com/low-fructose-diet-in-fructose-malabsorption.html

If this doesn’t help, you may want to try a more rigorous “low-fodmap diet”:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

Foods, mentioned in the above articles often cause bloating and pains in the stomach.

Problems started 8 months ago. Persistent fever of 99-100 one month later had appendicitis. 2 months later respiratory infection and vaginal infection both cleared up. Have had severe painful diarrhea for about 1-2 years. A few weeks ago they removed my gallbladder because it was diseased. Now I’m recovering but still have these symptoms of persistent fever *everyday*, severe painful diarrhea even if I haven’t eaten, sharp pain and sometimes dull to nagging throughout the day everyday in the middle left abdomen. It hurts really bad to go to the bathroom for BM’s I feel the pain in the middle left abdominal area and down low throughout lower abdominal area and it radiates to my back. Suppose to see two specialist next week…rhumetoid and GI to see if they can figure out what else is going on. Oh and I also have a hemmrrhagic cyst on right ovary. I could use some help figuring out why the constant pain, fever, exhaustion, nausea, diarrhea are occuring. I feel like my body is attacking itself these past few months but I have no clue what they are going to look for.

I feel horrible everyday….could use some ideas please. I am also only 29 years old.

Nicole,

fever, left abdominal pain and diarrhea suggest a colonic inflammation. Gastroenterologist can perform an X-ray with barium enema and colonoscopy to see, if your colonic mucosal layer is inflammed.

Other disorders, like ovarian cyst, which can eventually spread to the blood, should be considered and treated as appropriate.

Jan Modric

So the CT scan showed nothing wrong with the internal organs. No masses, tumors, stones, my doc said everything looks fine.

?!!?!

Chris, would you say that you feel pain in red areas, like here:
http://backpainadvice.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/06-420radiculopathy.jpg

Do abdominal, testicular and leg pain all appear at the same time?

I have been suffering a lighthead and dizziness for over 3 years now along with severe lower abdominal pain and feel it is related to bowel function. I feel dizzy shortly after I eat a meal, I then suffer severe lower left (front joint of thigh and pelvis) and front pain (under pubic bone). This pain then builds up and up until I am able to have a bowel movement and gets so bad I feel I may pass out and I see flashes infront of my eyes. My eyes get heavy and glazey too. It feels like a blockage and the pains builds until it can push through. The pain keeps me awake at night and affects day to day things and more so the dizziness that comes with it (sometimes a foggy\spaced out feeling). When the pain is bad it radiates down the left leg. It hurts to lift my left leg at that stage. All symptoms seem to be better when I have a bowel motion, but beforehand the pain and feeling is unbearable. I have had a laparoscopy and they found no endometriosis. I had a colonoscopy and the bowel is okay. The consultant says the sigmoid muscle isn’t working right and said I have ODS and prescribed Amitriptyline which doesn’t actually help me go to the bathroom and the pain still exists and it makes me feel down. I googled Obsrtuctive Defeactation Syndrome and no site says to use Amitriptyline for it. Is there something outside the bowel on the left side and really low down at the front that can affect the bowel and when stools try to pass through to cause such pain and dizziness. Does the bowel need room to stretch and it cant with me? I have tired high fiber diets and other things to help me ‘go’, but to no avail – the actual motion causes these symptoms. If I have diarrhea sometimes I get a really drunk spacy feeling until it passes through. It is a horrible sensation, I actually stagger when I walk when feeling like that. Does a blockage or obstruction, if that is what it is, cause all these symptoms? I am desperate for help and between the pain and the lighthead it is getting me really down. I am thinking my last hope is to ask for a CT\MRI of the whole pelvis.

Cathy,
how old are you?

Yes, it’s possible that a benign tumor, like fibroma, or ovarian cyst, or adhesions (fibrous tissue) would press on the sigma and obstruct defecation.

Another cause could be a bulging disc ot other spinal disorder at the level from Th10 to L3, especially because you are mentioning left leg pain.

So, maybe you should see neurologist before continuing with bowel- related investigations.

Jan, thank you for the advice. I am 33yrs old, and have no children. The area is very tender and painful to touch also. I will ask my GP about the neurologist path. I think I would be happy if I got a scan to see what it is.
Thank you…

Dear Mr. Jan Modric,
I’d like to ask your help about my persistent symptom.

I am male 32 years old and basically healthy, with height 181 cm and weight 88kg.

For the last 29 months (more than 2 years already) I have slight discomfort around my left abdomen. Rather than pain, I prefer discomfort, since it doesn’t hurt me.

It just like a feeling that a golf ball is stuck there. It doesn’t have one exact location, sometimes it is in left side around navel, sometimes around my left groin, but most often it will come around lower rib cage.

It is intermittent (comes and goes), usually it will comes in evening after I am tired with my works. Fortunately, when I sleep and wake up in the morning the discomfort will be gone completely. The symptom is quite similar with splenic flexure syndrome, however, it doesn’t always come after meal and it doesn’t get better when I pass my gas.
The discomfort often come after I sit in front of my computer or driving my motorbike for long time.

I have chest X ray and routine medical check up and blood test that showed no abnormalities since 4 years ago.

I am just afraid of colorectal cancer, however my doctor doesn’t suspect it. He said that USG or colonoscopy is not needed since I don’t have other symptom of cancer, and the symptom already there for long time (chronic).He said that cancer symptoms tend to get worse quickly rather become chronic.

Sometimes (very rare,maybe only twice a year) I have a small amount red fresh blood in my stool, but the doctor diagnosed it as hemorrhoid and doesn’t concern about it.

Could you please give me some advice, I know that cancer is less likely because my symptom is the chronic one and I have no other symptoms, but I need to ease my mind.

best regards

Cathy,

does the leg pain spread down the leg to the knee or even further?

Also, do you feel dizzy nd have eye flashes before the pain occurs, or this is directly related to pain?

You can also check medical history questionnaire, which can help you to express eventual other symptoms:
http://www.healthhype.com/patients-personal-and-family-medical-history-questionnaire-form.html

Hi, p.widiaruta.

Colorectal cancer at your age appears almost exclusively in a familial adenomatous polyposis – a hereditary form of cancer. It is extremely rare, and it would appear in your family, if you had had it.

On the other hand, I encourage you to find out for sure what’s the cause of bleeding. It may be hemorrhoids, but even if you have hemorrhoids, they are not necessary the cause of bleeding. They may be polyps. Discomfort, as you describe it, seems to arise from the left, descending part of your colon. If this discomfort arises from the gas, or from food irritation, then a 4 day low-fodmap diet trial would probably help you:
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

Bleeding is not likely food-related, though. Colorectal cancer typically appears after 50, but there are other colonic disorders that could show up during – colonoscopy.

Dear Mr. Modric

Thank you for your answer, I really appreciate it.

My family history is quite clean from cancer, nobody died from any form of cancer.

Hemorrhoids itself really runs in my family, since my mother and brother have it. When I have bleeding, it usually in very small amount, very rare, and accompanied with anal pain.

I have read the site which you referred to me, about the FODMAD diet and it is interesting. Almost all foods which cause gas are in my daily menu such as garlic and coffee. I will try and wish it can help.

Once more thank you, and wish you will maintain this site since it is really help and useful.

Hi I’m 20 I’ve been having severe pain on my lower left abdomen. its constant with a few sharp pains here and there. No fever, no constipation, frequent urination, and indigestion. With lots of shoulder and knee pain as well. Do you know what the problem could be.

also with irregular periods and bleeding in between periods

Hi, jdillard,

left side abdominal pain and irregular cycle suggest a disorder of the left ovary. Blood levels of sex hormones and ultrasound of the abdomen could be done first.

Do you have any vaginal discharge? Any skin rash, mouth ulcers, eye redness?

No vaginal discharge, yes on the eye redness and yes on mouth ulcers but they arent the normal mouth ucler they are more like little bumps filled with clear liquid. And they can be easily popped but hurt. And no skin rash that i have noticed.

Jdillard,

I suggest you to read about Reiter’s syndrome:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Reactive-Arthritis.htm

Are you sure that both knee and shoulder joint symptoms appeared at the same time as abdominal pain, or one or another could be a separate problem?
Another cause I can think of, is Crohn’s disease (search to check symptoms), an inflammation of the colon and other parts of the gut. This would require colonoscopy to prove. Celiac disease is another intestinal disorder with possible systemic symptoms. Symptoms would lessen within few days of gluten-free diet, diagnosis is made by blood test and/or biopsy of duodenal mucosa during upper endoscopy.

There was a lot of knee and shoulder pain the past two weeks and now three days ago the abdominal pain showed up. Also some toe pain but only when i’m on my feet a lot.

Jdillard,

to find out the cause, it helps a lot, if you write down all symptoms you have now, and all your medical history:
http://www.healthhype.com/patients-personal-and-family-medical-history-questionnaire-form.html

Hi i am a 19 Female and i am having very bad pain in my lower stomach and also when it is hurting, my left knee is also hurting very bad i had a UTI about a month ago but nothing serious. Is there anything you could tell me about this?

Lorrie,

knee pain after UTI may occur in Reiter’s syndrome (reacive arthritis).

Hi. I am praying you can shed some light on a reoccuring problem. I work in a residential facility and have had a resident that is experiencing consistant pain on her left side. She first noticed that her belly button became slightly distended and over the last few weeks she is developing lumps that start at her lower left rib cage and follow along to her belly button. She has had a peptic ulcer but has taken medication for it for many years and it has not been an issue. Xrays and CT scan did not show anything. I am guessing an ultrasound may need to be done as it should show more. She is 26 yrs old and desparately needs assistance. The doctors where we ar eare not very aggressive in treatment or diagnosis. Her mom died of cancer and she is fearing the worse. Any light you can shed would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Hi there-
I am a 25 yr old female with pain/discomfort on my left side of my abdomin. It almost always starts while I am sleeping or laying down, and a lot of times wakes me up at night. It feels like a throbbing somewhat side ache. when I wake up some days it lasts
well into the rest of the day, slowly going away. It does not seem to matter what time I eat before I go to bed or what I eat. I have tried everything to see if I can pinpoint what is the cause. It is not a horrible pain, but it is a pain enough to wake me up and I have a lot of discomfort. Any Ideas?? I also Have a lot of problems with loose stools. Ulcerative Colitis, Chrones and pancreatitis run in my family. Not sure if these symptoms are for any of those, but thought maybe? Please let me know any thoughts! I just do not want to waste time with a colonoscopy if it is nothing! Thanks.

Heatherbell69,

The lumps are visible? How big they are? One thought is intestinal hernia – loops of intestine are pushed through weak abdominal muscles. X-ray and CT does not necessary show any change, but yes, ultrasound could be an option. If possible she should see a doctor she can trust. It’s not likely to be a cancer. It’s extremely unlikely any type of cancer would appear as visible lumps on the abdominal wall, especially in her young age.

Jessamaria,

left side abdominal pain, loose stools and Crohn’s/ulcerative colitis in your family is a good combination of reasons to have a colonoscopy. Before that you can discuss with your doctor to have a “lower GI” – an X-ray with barium enema that shows an outline of the colon, and can show eventual changes caused by inflammation in the colon.

She has 3 lumps approx 2 1/2 to 3 inches long each. Her side is swollen so they are not visible to the eye but can be easily felt by running your hand over her side. The most noticable change she experienced at the onset of her pain was her bellybutton began pushing outward. I pray that it is nothing more serious than what you have advised. Her mother died at in her mid 30’s, hence the concern. Thank you for your quick response and I will let her know and give you any feedback I hear. ~ Heather

Heatherbell69,

she has swollen left side (an only left side)? Beside intestinal loops, there may be an air from a perforated bowel or free liquid (ascites) from a liver problem. This sound much more serious as it sounded after your first question. What exact cancer her mother had?

Here’s medical history questionaire to help both of you to recal additional symptms and their time course:
http://www.healthhype.com/patients-personal-and-family-medical-history-questionnaire-form.html

You two should start to actively seek for a reliable doctor. Carefully writing down all her symptoms could shed more light to her overall condition.

Hi. I have colds for the last 10 days and I am constantly coughing. I dont have any fever, nor am I vomitting. However, when I cough or sneeze, I experience a sharp pain on my lower lefy abdomen (a little bit lower to my belly button). Also, I had observed that I inconsistently have cloudy urine and had discharge with a little blood. Is there any reason to be alarm? I have not been to the doctor since I thought that if my cold will go away the pain will also subside. Thank you.

To lagi.

How old are you, male/female?

Cloudy urine with blood IS a reason for alarm: it can be an infection, urinary stones or other cause, including cancer. I recommend you visiting a doctor soon.

Hi Jan,I am a female in my mid 30s. Thanks so much for your fast reply Jan. Really appreciate it.

Lagi

im 43 years old regular periods, on monday on lower left pelvic noticed a dull ache, monday tues and wed morning was waking up feeling sick and had bad pains in stomach, ignore it thought it might be trapped wind, everything i could put up with untill 10.00am wed morning and the pain stabbed me like crazy getting worse asthe day stretched out, i took lots of painkillers, and went to have a hot bath and went to bed wasnt still suffering this pain couldnt stand up straight and even laying still it was stabbing me, as the night went in, i could feel the pain moving across the bikini line and into and around the right hand pelvic sort of near the appendix, butthe mass of pain was still centred on the left hand side, i went to my gp thursday am cos i was by now crying with the pain, he gave me cefalexin 3 tabs per day, and has sent me for a blood test friday am, but i am now finding that the pain is in my sides and ribs and i have for the last 3 days bright yellow stools and as i mentioned earlier a sick feeling. somebody said it might be PID, but i would so appreciate your views, the gp also mentioned my temp was slightly high. Kind regards Brendax

To brenda.

Any burning at urination, chnged urine color, or vaginal discharge?

Pain on both sides and under the ribs, suggest cramps or gas built within the colon; yellow bowel movements are simply from fast persistalsis from any cause.

If your symptoms are only gastrointestinal (plus temperature), bacterial or parasitic food poisoning should be suspected first and stool test done.

I am a 37 yo male with left abdominal pain. I do have gas. I’m not constipated. I don’t have any blood in urine or bowel movement. No fever or vomiting.

Mark,

when did your symptoms start, are they constant, are they related to meals, or certain type of food (dairy, fruits..)?
What is your diet?

for about a month now I have been experiencing pain just left of my naval. The pain started roughly two weeks after I got off an antibiotic for a uti. The pain has been becomming more severe so I went to urgent care. The doctor said I was constipated (although he did not do an exam). I have regular bm’s that are not hard or dry, nor do I strain to have a movement. I have made an appt to see an obgyn, but I am not sure what kind of doctor to see, and obviously uc is too busy to take me seriously.

by the way I am a 26yr old female who is definitely not pregnang

To sonson.

Did you have any abdominal pain before starting antibiotics, and was it on the same site as you feel it now? I mean, would you say that uti has came back – any cloudy urine or burning at urination?
If not, and if you have no loose stools, obgyn could be a good choice.

You can check this medical history questionnaire to prepare yourself for an appointment. You can mention to the doctor in advance, you are not constipated or having diarrhea, so the doc can concentrate on other causes.

while i was at urgent care i insisted they check me for a uti. they said the culture was negative. It seems that the pain is lasting longer each time that i feel it and also becomming more painful which is why I am so worried about going to the right specialist the first time around.

thank you for your help

Hey Jan.
I’m a 19 year-old female. About a year ago I felt a sharp and VERY strong tearing pain in my lower left abdomen. The pain is more specifically two to three inches in from my hip and it seems to move . . . . It only lasted about 10 minutes. Throughout the year it has happened 5-10 more times. Each time it’s just as bad (move you to tears, bad). Any idea what this could be?

KatieS,

can you identify any trigger (exercise, meal..) or time of the day when pain occurs, or is it completely random?

Any burning urination, blood in urine around the painful event? Changed bowel habit in the last year?

Sharp transient pain occurs in spasm of a tubular organ (urether, Fallopian tube, intestine) and ovarian cysts.

You should consider:

- Ultrasound of kidneys that can detect eventual urinary stones (that travel down to the lower part of the ureter and temporarly lodge within it and cause pain) and
- gynecological examination with eventual investigations as instructed by your doctor

Where do I start? I have been suffering with this condition now for 8 years. I went on holiday when I was 18 to Cyprus which is where i believe this all started. Whilst away I was hospitalised with salmonella which was horrendous, after returning to the UK I continued to have quite an upset stomach and a trip to the doctors saw me on a course of anti biotics which cleared it up. However this was only the beginning of worse to come. I began to have stomach cramps followed by diarrhoea directly after eating, and periods of constipation which after several months I consulted the doctor to be told I had IBS. Over the course of the next couple of years I have changed my diet and have also been prescribed colofac, mebeverine, laxatives, fybogel etc. but the problems have just got worse.
In the last three years my life has become hell. Eating is something people take for granted as every time I put anything in my mouth, including some drinks; I am waiting to see the outcome. I have learned what to expect, after eating if 20-30minutes have gone by with no pain then I have got off lightly whereas if I start to hear gurgling or any pain I know I’m in for it. The pain begins with stomach cramps/spasms which increase in severity until I need to make a run to the toilet. There have been times when the pain has got too much and I have actually vomited or experienced pins and needles in my hands and feet before passing out on the bathroom floor. It is almost as if my body is getting rid of what I have just eaten in record time and once it gets through my system I have violent diarrhoea. The whole process of cramps then diarrhoea repeats about 3-4 times until there seems to be nothing left after which I am completely exhausted and feel like I have done ten rounds with Mike Tyson and usually need to go to bed and sleep. During the spasms I can often hear the gurgling inside I become grey looking and sweat profusely needing to strip off and becoming soaked in sweat. The diarrhoea can be very painful, there is often blood in the toilet which could be from the piles I have incurred from all of this, and it smells horrible almost like a bile smell like something is off and can sometimes be yellowy in colour.
On one occasion my partner phoned an ambulance upon me passing out and hitting the floor I was rolling around the landing upon their arrival stark naked before running to the toilet with diarrhoea foolishly I didn’t go into hospital as by this point I just wanted to go to sleep.
This is something that has been going on for too long, I have had many trips to the doctor where I have sat sobbing only to be told once again that it is IBS and in the words of one doctor ‘it’s in your head deal with it’. It only seems to be getting worse I have had to take time off work which is not thought to highly of at work it’s bad enough having time to go to see the doctors which in their eyes is inconvenient. I really cannot cope anymore, I don’t know how much more I can take, and if this is what life holds for me then it’s cruel. I am only 25 I have a good diet I don’t drink, smoke etc. and just to be able to eat something without actually feeling like someone is stabbing you or without messing yourself if you don’t get to a toilet would be a dream come true. I know lots of people with IBS but none who suffer with the pain and spasms to the extent I do. It also often feels like part of my bowel may not be working or something is getting stuck as it seems to feel like I am completely full (despite passing small BM on a daily basis) and when the spasms start it feels like everything is being forced through and I have solid stools firstly followed by diarrhoea and this is on mass. I have had a sigmoid endoscopy and everything looks fine and I am now on the FODMAP diet and whilst the episodes are further apart they are more severe. Please help me as no one else will I am willing to try anything to take control of my life back but am beginning to lose faith

Hannah,

I guess you’ve had some stool tests for bacteria and parasites. There’s also overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacterium possible (barnyard smell is typical) and this requires a separate test – stool test for C-Diff toxin.

How strict is your low-FODMAP diet?

No I haven’t had any of those tests done I have struggled to get anything done apart from being put on antispasmodic medication. i’ve pushed for more investugation and have had a sigmoid endoscopy but nothing showed up and they have told me it is IBS due to me having sallmonella which they think is the original trigger but I just didn’t think IBS could be this severe. My FODMAP diet is STRICT it’s not low FODMAP more like no FODMAP however this still doesn’t seem to be problem free it is better but far from perfect and they just keep telling me to continue as they’re sure this will work I think they are getting fed up to be honest but they are not the ones living like this. What are those other tests you have referred to what would they be looking for. Thank you for your quick reply I have an appointment with a consultant tomorrow (although have had to pay to privately as not getting anywhere through my GP) I shall ask about these tests.

Hannah,

all details about the bowel movement (smell of the bile, starts as solid then loose stool..), bowel color, does stool floats, is there any mucus and all other details of your current and past medical history can be of big importance to get proper diagnosis.
Check medical history questionnaire and write down any symptoms, previous results of tests, past and current medications, eventual surgeries…in a chronological way.

One thougt I had, maybe you have developed colonic adhesions – a scar-like tissue conecting the colon and a certain adjacent organ, pulling the colon from its original position and causing its blockage. Endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease are common causes. Maybe salmonella could cause such scars within the colo – colonoscopy would show this.

- Stool culture shows eventual bacterial infection (chronic food poisoning?)
- Cl-Diff test shows Cl-Diff toxin
- Ova and parasites (O&P) test shows intestinal parasites.

i have a girlfriend shes 17 and she recently (about 3days) been having sharp pains under her left rib cage. the pain seems to settle when layin down in different positions, along with it mostly occur during evening/nights. lately she has been taking tyenol and using a heat pad on the area. It hurts more when applying pressure on the area. what could cause this?

Nik,

can she describe this pain further? Is it constant or cramping pain? Does it extend over the entire left upper abdomen or is more precisely located – if so, where exactly – how many inches from the middle line? Does pain radiate into her left shoulder or arm or back? Does she have elevated body temperature, nausea, change in bowel habit?

What happened 3 days ago – did she eat something different or in excess? Does she have any chronic problems of any kind?

Her description of pain was ” dull and slight cramping every once in a while”. the pain is similar to a light switch, just on and off. for example like today she told me after she had ran three miles and hung out in the sauna she has a slight sharp pain for a quick moment… then 30min after the pain came back but was present for a longer time so she took a nap. The pain is 4inch left of belly button and 1 inch on, it doesnt more anywhere, and its been at the same spot consistantly. it even hurt a bit worse when pressure is applied. she doesnt have elevated body temps, nor nausea, or bowel changes, no blood or vomit.

i question about three days ago and she say thoses days were normal. eat consistantly, drink fluid no noticeable/ memorable change other than the sharp pain that has been occuring. as to my knowledge i know she cough a bit of a cold( running nose, stuffiness , slight conjestion) other than that no chronic history.

Sharp pain, located always on the same spot, aggravated by pressure and relieved by certain body positions can be from the strained or partially torn muscle in her abdominal wall – especially if she was exercising or made some quick or forced movement that day when pain appeared. In this case, pain would be obvious even after slight to moderate touch and would be relieved in positions with relaxed abd. muscles. Avoiding exercising for few weeks would probably result in healing.

If pain worsens only when deeply pressuring on the spot, it may originate from the transverse part of the colon, especially if she is convinced it’s a “cramping” pain. A common cause of such pain is gas (from digestion of dietary fibers) trapped in the colon. Passing gas would (not always) be releiving. Trapped gas can resolve in a due time, but can recur. Avoiding carbonated drinks, legumes, fruits and anything what can cause excessive gas could help (Low-FODMAP diet).

If nothing of this helps, she should see a doctor – ultrasound of abdomen could show something.

thank you Jan Modric. I really appreciate your help and knowledge, and along with the quick responses. i will be back because i have a friend that has pain in his stomach region. But ill get more info on that.
thank you again

-nik

My 5 1/2 year old daughter has had abdominal discomfort steadily since July 09. She has had numerous viruses (including H1N1 3 weeks ago)& respiratory infections that have had her on lots of antibiotics since Jan. 09. She has had an annoying clearing throat cough for this entire year which is the same standing as laying down. A recent CT scan of her sinuses revealed 2 chronic sinusitis areas. She is on Augmentin for 21 days and has completed 9 days so far.
A few days ago she had extreme burning with urinating for half of a day. Because it went away, we did not follow up. Yesterday & today she is complaing about her Left ‘hip’ hurting. When she points to the area she is referring to, it is between her bottom ribs and illiac crest on the left side of her body. Her stomach discomfort (center at diaphragm)has not gone away and neither has her dry throat cough. The doctors have done an immune work up as well as a growth work up (she is tiny in weight and height) and everything comes back seemingly normal. Should I wait until the antibiotic is through or is this something that we need to look into immediately? I am not sure what to do and who to see at this point, and could use some advice for a direction to pursue.

Kaylee,

burning at urinating is suspicious for urinary infection. Dx is with urinary culture.

Discomfort “in the center of diaphragm” may be from gastritis caused by flu or by drugs she is taking.

Pain at the hip and the left side may be from inflammation of the descendent colon caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria overgrowth that sometimes occurs during prolonged antibiotic treatment. Dx is by “stool test for Cl-Diff toxin”. In any case, you can ask her doctor about Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic capsules, which prevent Cl-Diff overgrowth.

I have an intermittent pain in my LLQ. Sometimes it also develops into a dull ache in the middle of my lower abdomen like a period pain. I am 47 and in the menopause. I have irregular periods which are heavier than they used to be. My bowel patterns are irregular and I do get full of wind at times but the pain does not come when I have wind.

I’m a 16 year old female, and for almost three months now i’ve been dealing with chronic abdomal pain. I have pain in both my sides but mostly the left &rarely in the right, i get very dizzy when i’m hungry&under my ribs begin to hurt when im hungry also ..i have pain near my kindeys in the back &in my lower back on my left side. I have gotten checked for a urinary tract infection, gull bladder infection, kidney infection, kidney stones, and i have had an ultrasound on my stomach, i have to go see the gino because i get excrutiating pains in my stomach when i get my period& it lasts about 10 days. i dont know whats going on.. could you psosibly give me any answers? thankyou very much ..all is appreciated!

Kalruth,

when did you feel the pain for the first time and from when do you have irregular bowel movements? What is your diet in general? Are the pain or irregular bowel movements related to meals, and is the pain stronger before or during your periofs?

Nicoliiee,

visiting gyno is surely a must. Irregular periods may have something with your ovaries – this could be a possible cause of your pain on both sides of the (lower, is it?) abdomen.

Any change in bowel habit? Is it pain worse after meals or near/during the period?

My girlfriend is 18 years old and has periodic severe left abdominal pain that comes and goes what seems to be almost randomly, it comes in spurts and will also go away at random… what could cause this? and what can we do?

To noflags.

Where exactly does she feel pain? When pain appears, how many minutes/hours does it last? Is it tender to touch? When she felt pain for the first time? Any change in bowel habit, burning urination, irregular period?

Hi,
Below are the problems i would like to ask. Thank you in advance for sharing your medical expertise.
1. I have frequent pain (like spasm) in my left stomach near the belly button. Sometimes the pain is in the middle part just above the belly button.
2. Twice I experienced severe pain (middle part of the abdomen) after I ate boiled beef. The pain lasted around 2 hours. I never ate beef since then.
3. Normally I eat 2 cups of rice, but now only 1 cup coz I feel full and bloated already.
4. Everytime I eat I would feel slight pain, there would be a lot of air, I would need to burp or fart to release the air. Drinking hot water helps to relieve the pain and release the air.
5. Few weeks before experiencing the frequent pain I saw blood in my stool. I ignored it because I thought this was maybe my stool was hard. Now I have not seen any blood on my stool.
6. I have no constipation, no diarrhea, brown color stool. I urinate smoothly, normal color urine.
7. I lost weight, maybe coz I choose the food I eat and scared of the pain after eating.
8. Also notice there is always a rumbling sound on my tummy before and after I eat.
9. Had CT Scan – ok, Xray –ok, Stool test – many bacteria, Urine – found a bit of blood, CBC – LDL cholesterol a bit high (see results).
10. I was given the following medicines : Nov. 3 (domperidone motilium, famotidine 40mg, buscopan dhacopan,) Nov. 8 (tramadol 50mg, metoclopramide 10mg) Nov. 16 (prevacid fdt 30mg, disflatyl, zocor for the cholesterol, antibiotic 1 tablet only 1000mg)
11. I have an asthma. I take (fenoterol berotec only when acute seldom use, seretide evohaler daily maintenance, flixonase nasal spray seldom use) . I’m allergic to seafoods.
12. I have no fever, no nausea, no vomiting, no rashes, I don’t think my stomach is hard or soft, feels normal.
13. I’m 37 yrs old. 5’ 9” 155 lbs. Had an appendectomy when I was 13.
With this what do you think is wrong with me? I am scheduled to see a urologist in 2 weeks. Would gastroenterologist be better? thanks

To amm.

I think both urologist and gastroenterologist would be ok. Blood in the urine is never normal.

When did your symptoms start? Have you being traveling before symptoms started?

How were “several bacteria in the stool” explained by the doctor? Have you already had a stool test for parasites? All symptoms you’ve mentioned can appear in intestinal parasites – not that I’m saying you have them. In certain parasites blood can appear in both blood and urine.
Check medical history questionnaire to see, if you can recall any other symptom or circumstance.

Hi Jan,

The pain started oct. 30, 2009. I’ve travelled to Philippines and singapore. They were never explained to me. I was just given 1 antibiotic with 1000mg. The stool tests show no ova or intestinal parasite seen. Yeast cells few. Bacteria many.
The pain is around 2 inches to the left of my belly button. It is not severe, i can do anything. It does not radiate to other parts. Dont smoke, seldom drinks. We have diabetes and ulcer in the family. But from the CBC results, i have no diabetes.
Jan many thanks for answering our questions. You dont know how greatful we are for your help. More power to you and i hope you continue helping others.

Amm,

if symptoms won’t clear with your current drugs, I encourage you to repeat the test for intestinal parasites; these tests are often false negative. Also, can you recall any itchy skin rash anywhere on the foot, hands or anywhere on the skin; intestinal parasites sometimes enter through the skin during walking barefoot or swimming…

Hi Jan,

I dont remember any rashes. I do swim and walk barefooted. I will go and have another stool tests. Thanks for the advice…regards.

My girlfriend began experiencing sharp pains in her lower left abdomen this morning at around 6am and it is now almost noon. She says the pain has also moved to her lower left back and that the skin is sensitive in a spot on her back.

She also began her period yesterday. Normal stool, urine, and saliva.

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

JSTL,

is her skin sensitive even after a light touch or only if she presses upon the spot? Does she feel back pain under or below the lower ribs on the side? If so, this speaks for a kidney disorder (ultrasound could maybe show this). Lower left abdominal pain could be from a small urinary stone lodged in her left ureter.

If her back pain is around the left hip, she should visit gynecologist.

Muscle strain (if she had some exercises the day before) is also possible.

I believe she said the skin was sensitive to touch. However, the back pain is gone. No to the pain under her ribs and no to it being around the left hip and muscle strain.

She contracted fever last night approximately 4 hrs after my last post. Her temperature stayed between 99 and 100 degrees until just about 20 minutes ago it was 101. I have not taken it again since. In addition to the fever she has a headache and says she “feels heavy” in her stomach.

I called a local clinic and was told that we could come in if we wanted to, but that a fever is usually not something to worry about until over 102 degrees.

Back again.. so i recently found out my problem was that i have a tipped uterus. &the questions about the meals&what not.. i get pains before meals &they go away after meals most of the time, i don’t have a very good diet.. like any other teenager.. lol but i know i’m not unhealthy and overweight, i am short but i weigh 110.. i am affraid that this uterus problem was caused by either Endometriosis, or Pelvic inflammatory disease.. im not sure how to present this to my doctor?

JSTL,

several causes are possible from these symptoms:

- kidney or ureteral stone(s) can cause pain over the kidney and sharp spasms (pain persisting for several minutes then disappearing and appearing again). Pain typically move as the stone moves.

- gastrointestinal infection from bacterial food poisoning would probably cause loose stools and symptoms would go away in 2-3 days

- urinary or gynecological infection are also possible.

- if she already had such symptoms around her previous periods, had (or will have) abnormal period in any sense, it can be an ovarium-related condition.

- Crohn’s disease – a chronic inflammation of the bowel (starting as acute inflammation) is another option;

………..
If her symptoms will worsen even after the 3rd day, she should see a doctor, no matter what her temperature will be.

Nicolee,

to help your gynecologist to find the cause, you can help a lot, if you check this medical history questionnaire and write down all your symptoms in a time line, what triggers the pain, what relieves it and so on.

I started feeling cramping pain around my suprapubic area & radiates to my anus. It was painful for me to move. And then it would go away but I notice to have that loud bowel sound on my left lower abdominal ever since I had that pain. When i lay on my right side, my left lower abdominal side hurts. the pain is like someone pitching you. Its not consistent. Its there for like 20 seconds and then it goes away, and then it comes back. if i put pressure on it, it hurts. my urine is maybe amber in color, no odor. No pain upon urination.

I was taking lasix once a week as part of my dietary plan. It was prescribe by the doctor to take every friday. I have been doing that for a year and just decided to stop maybe a month ago.. I hope Im not having any kidney problems. I am also taking dietary tea every night that makes me go every morning.

I am also 2 weeks late with my menstrual period, however pregnancy test shows im negative.

I want to go to the doctor but im frightened of what this could be.

I hope you can help me figure this out. Thank you so much.

I have andorminal pain and leftt back pain and sometimes itt gets to my left thy. can u pls help.

Carissa,

late period seems to be the first thing to check, so I recommend you to visit your gynecologist.

To khwashaba.

Is the pain there all the time or it comes and goes? Any change in urine color or bowel habit?

I was guessing I have kidney stones because of all the signs that ive been seeing. ive been drinking alot of water right now and all night i havent felt the pain.

What could it possibly be if im 2 weeks late? im usually irregular but for a year now i’ve had my period regularly. I usually get cramps on my heaviest day of mestrual period. And i’ve also noticed thick yellowish whitish discharges. no odor though. thanks

Carissa,

you can check a medical history questionnaire to put all your symptoms in a time line, including your past diseases.

From “suprapubic pain” and “late period” my first thought was there is something happening within your uterus or ovaries. Discharge is usually a sign of infection and it sounds like the main symptom from which a doctor can give you diagnosis.

I strongly suggest you to visit your gynecologists as soon as possible. You will likely need to get treatment for an infection.

From your left-side symptoms it’s possible you aditionaly have a rectal infection. In any case, write down your medical history and have an urgent visit to your doctor.

Kidney (ureteral) stones cause a sharp cramping pain that lasts for some minutes and then goes away. I can’t exclude stones, but gynecologist sems to be your first choise now.

Hi! Right now I haven’t felt any pain but I do feel some sort of vibration in my rectum.. it vibrates every 10 seconds. Im scared what it could be. Tomorrow I have an appt with a gynecologist. Should I consider seeing a different doctor too?

Carrisa,

as you know, vagina, uterus and rectum are anatomically closely related. Be sure to mention all symptoms you have/had:
- irregular periods in the past
- late period
- discharge
- suprapubic pain radiating to anus
- loud sounds in the lower left abdomen
- vibrating in the rectum

Gynecologist will tell you if you also need to visit gastroenterologist.

hi.. i didn’t make it to my gynecologist today i will have to go on monday.. i’m so anxious and really scared at the same time.. with all the symptoms i’m experiencing, do u have any idea what it could be? its still vibrating for some reason. my breasts are getting sensitively tender, usually its one of the signs before i get my period.

Carrisa,

vibrating may be from small muscular spasms in your rectum or in the muscles of the pelvic floor. It can be also from spasms in the vagina or uterus that are then felt in the rectum. I really can’t speculate what would be the cause, but if this appears only before your period, it can be hormonal related – like breast tenderness. Another posible cause is neurological: focal dystonia. It is discharge you have to solve first with gynecologist to prevent spread of infection and complications, and then you would maybe need some investigation regarding your irregular period. I believe gynecologist will know, if you need additional checking by gastroenterologist or not.

Hello, going on 3 months now I have went to the my PCP (who said that he doesnt think nothing is serious but a urine culture and gave antibiotic for infection), to visiting the ER and having a exray and found that i was very constipated and still have bladder infection, then went to gastroenterologist who set me up for a colonoscopy in Jan. I just dont know if i could wait that long. I am a 40 year old female, married with two children 17 and 12. As mentioned, for the past 3 months I am experiencing severe bloating, lower left abdominal pain (sometimes a tingling feeling), constipation (taking prescription laxative) to just go to the bathroom and when I do its not full diarrhea but it is loose and thinner then usual, however, no blood in stool. I feel like my symtoms are getting worse and I cant wait until Jan for the procedure. I just want answers cause this is not normal and Dr’s are feeling “I am OK” when I know something is going on. Please let me know what I should do. Thank You!!!!

Kim coffey,

when did constipation appear – 3 months ago?
Did you have a stool test for bacteria or parasites? Did constipation and urinary infection stert at about the same time?
Revealing more symptoms, eventual diseases you’ve had/have, medications you were taking…and putting them into a timeline would help a lot.
medical history questionnaire

To prevent bloatibg I suggest you to have a 4 day low-FODMAP diet trial and see if it helps.

Jan,

First, thank you for the quick reply. I have not had any testing of my stool. Do you think I should get that done prior to my colonoscopy on 01/07? I do think the constipation and UTI started about the same time. I am sure the antibiotics play a role in some of this but I do know something needs to be done. I have had heartburn for years and take Nexium. I was taking it as needed but around the time this all started I was taking it once a day because it was hurting really bad. I always get relief in about an hour or so but I did happen to look up the side effects of it and am experiencing a lot of whats going on today. But, I honestly dont think that is the problem I am having. still trying to explore my issues here. thank you for the diet it cant hurt to try it. With the additional information provided do you have any more suggestions?

Kim,

- when exactly you started to have bowel problems?
- Have you traveled or eaten any suspicious food or drink at that time?
- When exactly did you have UTI and from which exact microbe?
- When exactly did you start to take antibiotics and do you still take them?
Besides Nexium and laxative (which exact type?) do you take any other drug or supplement?
- What is your diet in general and did you change it lately?
- Are your symptoms related to meals or to the time of the day?
- Have you ever had any abdominal surgery?
- Do you have any chronic disease?
- Do you experience:
– excessive burping
– sulphur or barnyard smell of gas?
– can you describe tingling you’ve mentioned – Is it maybe itching? Any rash? And where?
- Does anyone other in your family have symptoms, like you?

If you put answers on above qustions in an exact time line, it may help a lot.

Low-FODMAP diet may help in revealing symptoms no matter what is the cause. Soluble fibers in oat bran or oatmeal can absorb excessive water in your colon thus helping in both constipation and diarrhea. So, limiting lactose, fructose and sorbitol, and gradually adding oatmeal, may help you.

To have other investigations, you would need to have exact reasons, like:
- Excessive gastric acid can be caused by chronic infection by H. pylori; Dx is with breath test for H. pylori
- Your symptoms could be from intestinal parasites; Dx is by “stool test for ova and parasites”
- Important: antibiotic treatment can derange your normal intestinal flora, allowing harmful bacteria, like Clostridium difficile to overgrow and cause symptoms, like yours (+ barnyard smell of the gas); Dx is by stool test for Cl-Diff toxin
- Diverticulosis/diverticulitis would need X-ray with barium enema or colonoscopy

First, as said, try to write down your exact medical history. Then try with a diet. And then , step by step.

hello i have a question. i have this pain/tender spot about 2 inches to the left of my belly button. it comes and goes. it is extremely tender, especially when my waistband is on it or if i lean on something that presses on it. it feels like(the tender spot) has gotten bigger over the past few months, but not too sure.there is not a lump or anything that i can feel. the only other difference i have had is missing my period, but this feels too high to be reproductive related. i am 26, 2 kids 1 and 3 both c sections, nonsmoker,moderate drinker. thank you so much for any input. thank you

I have had a pain in my lower left abdomen for about 1 month. Back in July, I went golfing and pulled a muscle on my left side of my back and it has never healed. I went to the chiropractor and massage therapist to get it worked on. The relieve lasted a day. My doctor said go to PT, so I did and the PT felt my left side and was shocked how tight it was. she said it is my psoas muscle. Then about a month ago the pain moved started happening at around my waistline on the left side. My stools are narrow and that prompt me to a GI doctor. He thought my hernia is causing this. I had an ultrasound and No hernia. I had a barium enema and nothing showed. I am lost on what it could be. thanks.

Duncan,

pain arising from the psoas muscle worsens when you stand up from the sitting possition, during prolonged standing, or when you bend forward in the waist. It is relieved by sitting down. If this is the case, experienced PT should help you.

Another or additional posibility is a pinched nerve in your thoracic spine, caused by bulging or herniated disc. CT or MRI are needed for diagnosis.

Narrow stools are maybe from constipation, caused by pain. Maybe constipation itself is the cause of your abdominal pain. Adding more wholegrain cereals and green leafy vegetables with appropriate amount of water can relieve constipation.

Hello Jan,
You are relentless in answering us helpless folks…well my husband had been experiencing pain in his lower left abdominal for over a year now. It comes and goes, and it extends to his back. The pain disappear on days that he is not stressed (which is hardly). The pain is mostly dull pain, but gets more intense if he needs to pee. He had been going thru tough times at work, and now is fighting a wrongful lawsuit. He is under a lot of stress. We had about a 2 week break from the lawsuit and during which he didn’t experience the pain. Otherwise the pain is pretty much always there. I am hoping to help him find out whether it is caner, kidney stone, or just simply an infection. His urine is normal, he doesn’t have constipation. He does have a history of stomach problem, but his doctor couldn’t find any bacteria problem after the breath test. He has frequent heavy nose bleeds that takes long time to stop. He has done GI and nothing showing up abnormal. His doctor is certain there is nothing wrong and won’t let him undergo any special test. Could you point us to the right direction? Where shall we look? Thanks.

AmySung,

how old is he? You have mentioned some symptoms and tests, can you recall more, using this medical history questionnaire?

Colorectal cancer is rare before 50, a cancer of size causing pain as you’ve described would be probably seen on lower GI. Kidney stones cause sharp cramping pain comming in random episodes lasting for several minutes then completely going away.

Bladder lies in front of rectum and sigmoid colon. When these are full of gas or stool or when their wall is tense from stress, a full bladder would aggravate the pain.

If the pain is so obviously related to stress, the solution is in coping with stress or avoiding unnecessary stress.

One good approach when “fighting”: Fight for what’s right, do not fight for yourself. Also do not fight against what’s wrong. This gives freedom and power. If there is no realistic chance to win, even when you’re right, there’s no point to fight further. But fight until you feel it’s right.

If your husband has the feeling there is an organic problem, he can discuss with a gastroenterologist about colonoscopy or CT/MRI of the pelvis.

I play a lot of soccer. Recently, I started feeling pain on my lower abdomen and the pain gets worse the more a run. Pressing on my lower abdomen does not feel pain but if I lie on my back and try lifting my legs in the air, it feels very painful. Nothing on my urine. Bowel movement is normal. X-rays showed nothing. The longer I stay without playing soccer, the lass painful it gets. I have been out now for about one month and pain is slightly there on the left lower abdomen. Any advice/suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

To obonyo_2000@yahoo.com

Stretched muscle? A physiotherapist or sport doctor could tell more.

Hello Jan,

About two months ago I had food poising and immediately became violently ill 30 min after eating. The other people in our group experienced diarrhea, however, I only experienced severe pain, chills, and nausea (I held back on vomiting). About a week after, I began experiencing severe abdominal pain on my left side, which until now has not gone away (going on a 1 ½ months). Two weeks after the side abdominal pain began, I woke up with extreme upper back and neck stiffness (the pain you get when you exercise intensely), plus daily headaches (left side), extreme fatigue and dizziness. I went to the doctor to get it checked out and the initially wrote it off as muscular pain. The following day I went to a different doctor who listened to my concerns and decided to run some blood work and a CT scan of the abdomen and head. The CT scans showed nothing abnormal and the blood work was normal, except for a high white blood count (WBC). At that stage they concluded it was at UT infection and prescribed meds, however the pain did not go away. They re-checked the WBC and this time it came back within normal range. They ordered additional lab work to see if it might be a parasite of some type, however, that also came back normal. They then did an ultrasound of my lower abdomen and found a 2.2 cm cyst in my left ovary. The doctors indicated that the cyst might be causing the side pain, however, the intense cramps and dull pain I’d been experiencing is still present. I now feel the pain radiating to my back (mid back) and tingling sensation on my left arm (close to my heart). I also just started getting swelling and throbbing pain on my left foot (all the way up to my thigh). I asked the doctor about this and he seems to think that it’s not related and that I shouldn’t be concerned.
Overall the pain is not as bad as it initially was, however, I just can’t think of what else might be causing the pain. The headaches have gone away. I get constipation from time to time. The only other thing that comes to mind is maybe a possible blood clot (leg area) as I travel (avg 8-10 hr flights) a lot and I never get up to stretch or walk. Is there anything else that you can suggest I look for?
Thank you in advance.
Kal

Kal,

it’s possible that the germ that has caused food poisoning has entered your blood (elevated WBC speaks for that) and from there brain or brain membranes (meninges) – so what you’ve gone through could be meningitis or encephalitis.

Tingling in your left arm could be from the same (brain?) infection. If you have enlarged lymh nodes in the groin (?), this could be the reason for leg swelling. It is parasitic infection – filariasis – that can cause this. Blood clot (venous thrombosis) could be also the cause, this can be checked by ultrasound investigation of your leg veins.

So, one possible cause that could connect all your symptoms would be certain intestinal parasite that has later entered the blood, brain and lymph nodes.

Your doctor should check lymph nodes in your groin on the left and leg veins.

Hello Jan,

I’m hoping maybe you can let me know if I need to go to the doctor about this, you sound very knowledgeable.

A few days ago I had an extremely intense pain in my far lower left abdomen, it was a familiar pain that has previously been attributed by doctors to eggs traveling through the fallopian tube. This started about a year to a year and a half ago, at which time they conducted a vaginal ultrasound and found nothing else wrong.

What made this time different is that the following morning when I woke, the area above that, still on the left side was incredibly sore. Much like the side cramping that happens when you exercise shortly after eating. It feels like it is my spleen, as it is very similar to the pain I had 4 years ago when I had mono.

It was December 26th when I had the ovary pain, December 27th when I woke with the other pain. Last night (December 29th) I went for a walk to the grocery store, probably 30 blocks worth of walking altogether, and had no immediate reaction. However, this morning it was a little more sore when I woke.

I am 20 years old, and while about 50lbs overweight, I am well-distributed and my waistline is 34 inches. I have had a bit of nausea for the past two weeks, but it has mostly subsided since the ovarian pain. I also had some instances of diarrhea and constipation, but I cannot tell if this is attributed to accidental gluten-intake as I have been eating gluten-free for about 3-4 months, and have found it very helpful in treating digestive issues that the doctors had previously attributed to IBS.

I am in a bad position of insurance limbo. My father’s work is making everyone switch insurance on the 1st. So while I could go be seen by a doctor now, I would have to see a different doctor in a couple of days.

The area is not tender to the touch, nor does it seem to get worse when I touch other areas of the abdomen. It hurts when I twist to my right side, such as when cleaning after bathroom use. The pain was very subtle the last two days, but it quite noticable today. It is a dull, lingering pain.

Okay, that’s everything I can think of. Please tell me what you think.

Thank you,
Amber

Amber,

pain related with “eggs traveling” would appear only between ovulation and menstruation.

To me, it sounds like both lower and upper side pain arise from your colon. Upper left side pain can be caused by gas trapped between the transverse and descendent part of the colon. It is quite common in people with IBS and is called “splenic flexure syndrome” (splenic flexure being a part of the colon where it bends down). Bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation and pain when you bend over or twist your body are typical.

It seems that the solution is in avoiding certain foods that may yield gas. You can try one or more of the following:
1. Limit foods rich in soluble fiber (legumes, oats, apples…) and add some food rich in insoluble fiber (spinach, parsnips, cornmeal…)
http://www.healthhype.com/list-of-high-fiber-foods-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-chart.html
2. Try low-FODMAP diet, where you limit foods rich in fructose, HFCS, sorbitol (certain fruits) and fructans (in wheat and onions)
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html

You might want to re-check your gluten copntaining foods list:
http://www.healthhype.com/what-is-celiac-disease-sprue-symptoms-test-foods-to-avoid.html

Crohn’s disease usually goes with general malaise and more constant symptoms.
Colorectal cancer rarely appears before 50 and it rarely causes symptoms you’ve described.
Pelvic or abdominal adhesions may appear after C-section or abdominal surgery.

I have read most of the messages above, and none seem to fit my pain. It feels like a big pinch on my lower left side and then it goes away, only to come back, it goes, comes back, since yesterday, 12/31/09. I am going to the bathroom regularly but I am releasing a lot of gas. I have taken Tums and Prevacid but the pain remains. Please help me to know what is causing this. Thanks.

I am 17 years old and for the past 3 years I have been experiencing severe stomach pain. At first, it would only occur after I ate large meals. Then slowly it began to occur after mostly everything i ate. Most of the time I become very bloated after meals, and often my left side of my abdomen hurts the worst with sharp stabbing pains. I also have heartburn, GERD (Gastro Esophagus Reflux Disease), and my stools sometimes have mucus in them. I have been to the emergency room and the doctors as well as a gastroeneterologist many times. I have had an ultrasound, an upper GI test, blood tests, cat scans, and x-rays, but my results were found to be normal. However, I did find that my amylase count in my blood test was a little higher than normal, but my mom told me it could be from the medicines that I am currently taking. This has been greatly affecting me in my everyday life and with my sports. I really just want to know what is wrong with me, any ideas? Thanks for all the help. =/

Mindi0,

have you eaten certain foods or drinks in excess (fruits, drinks with HFCS or sorbitol)?

To cutiewithabooboo.

To interpret amylase level, you should ask a gastroenterologist.

I recommend:
1. Test for Helycobacter pylori bacteria that often causes chronic inflammation of the stomach and GERD.
2. Seriously considering a “low-FODMAP” diet, where you limit foods containing fructose (fruits), lactose (dairy) and some others.
http://www.healthhype.com/fodmap-diet-foods-to-avoid-in-ibs-bowel-disorders-with-bloating-and-gas.html
3. Limiting foods high in “soluble fiber”, like legumes, oats and some others.
http://www.healthhype.com/list-of-high-fiber-foods-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-chart.html
http://www.healthhype.com/list-of-high-fiber-foods-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-chart.html

Dear Jan,

Thank you for all your help. I’m definitely going to try a low-FODMAP diet. My gastroenterologist did not tell me about that, however he did have me go on a high fiber diet, and take miralax everyday, but I did not find this to help much at all. It actually made it worse so I stopped. I also got the test for Helycobacter pylori bacteria but my gastroenterolgist did not say i was positive for that.

Cutiewithabooboo,

low-FODMAP diet is actually composed of at least two diets: low-fructose diet and lactose free diet, so if you want you can try one of these first. Stick with one for 4 days too see if it helps, then try another one for 4 days. Also read about fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance – you’ll find links in articles, I’ve mentioned. If neither of diets will help, then try complete low-FODMAP diet.

Mucus in the stool and all other you’ve mentioned may be symtoms of IBS. It means certain food(s) irritate your bowel. So try to find out which specific foods irritate you. Mucus also appears in intestinal parasites.

Hie.. Im suffering from lower left abdominal pains.. when i dont touch its fine.. when i press its also fine.. but when i let go.. it hurts. I dont know why this is happening.. for the pass one week i have been having stomach aches,neusia (Sorry donno how to spell)
and headaches..

Please help me T^T

-Shiroro

Shiroro,

are you male or female, how old are you? Any diarrhea, mucus or blood in the stool, bloating (abdominal distension), excesive gas? Any fever? Where do you live?

Hi,
I have been having pain in my Left side a few inches under my Breast area in my Stomach/Abdemon area. I have had this pain for a few months now but today it is really bothering me. I don’t have any medical insurance so I haven’t seen a Dr.
I just don’t know what could be causing this pain and I am worried it could be an Anurism or something. My dad had an Anurism of the Aorta so im really worried. Any ideas??? Please help

Tizz,

how old are you? is the painful spot tender to touch? Any bloating? Is pain relieved after passing gas or bowel movement?

Hi,
I am a 42 yr old Female and the pain at times is a stabbing sharp pain and at other times, it is just a reg type of pain. I can press on my stomach as hard as I can and I feel the pain, I have had some Gas today but this pain has been with me for months.
The pain radiates from above my belly button a few inch’s and then to the left towards my breast and then under my breast area. Im really worried about this pain.

Please doctor, read this.
My mome suffers form low left -to middlie low abdominal pain.Pain last 6-10 hours at the time!!! Tried pain killers, mussels relaxers, different positions, warm water NOTHIGS helps. Her colonoscapy is exelent (she goes to the bathroom with no problem!)Hernia was remove 2 times 4 years ago. Doctor found infection in her bloder (she took antibiotict for 3 month) it did not help pain come back.Anyway he said it normally would not cause such a pain. We do not know what to do. Ct scan did not show anything wrons as well as ultrasound. Please help. She is give in up and do not want to live anymore.

Tizz, if you’re worried about aneurysm or other disorder you can ask a gastroenterologist to have abdominal ultrasound. You can also read about pain under left rib cage to see, if you can find anything related.

Masha,

I encourage you to help your mother to fulfil this medical history questionnaire. It is important she writes down all issues exactly and in the order as suggested there. After that, discussion would be much easier. One often overlookd cause of pain after surgery are abdominal adhesions. Urinary infection should be treated thoroughly.

im a 19 year old male, and ive been having pain in my lower left abdomen, just under the rib cage for about a year. when i sleep on my left side i can feel something sticking out and its very uncomfortable. i can feel a bump (in a 6 pack under the middle left one) its right under the muscle and feels abnormal. ive chewed tobacco for 4 years so im not sure if it could be stomach cancer or what it is. its starting to freak me out though. i also sometimes feel pain under my left armpit as well, and it feels like a bump is there as well. any suggestions as to what it might be?

To That guy 101.

I strongly suggest you to visit a gastroenterologist, who can carefully examine you. The lump under the armpit sounds like enlyrged lymph node(s) – I can’t say from what reason, but in any case this is something you *have to* check soon. The sticking thing in the abdomen could be, among other, enlarged spleen. In this case, the lump in the armpit is likely related.

I am a 20 year old female. The past couple of days I’ve been having really sharp pains in the left side of my stomach that come and go as they please. It feels much better when I bend over and wait it out. They usually last up to a few minutes. Any idea what it could be?

Thanks in advance!

ErinJenn,

are the pains above or below the waist line? How many inches from the middle line? Between the pain episodes, is the painful spot tender to touch or do you feel any lump there? Any change in urine color? Diarrhea?

Ovulation, intestinal hernia, urinary stones, ovarian cyst or torsion are some of the possible causes of sharp lower abdominal pain.

Trapped gas in the colon is a common cause of sharp transient upper left abd. pain.

Thanks for the quick response! The pains are more near the middle, close to my ribs. It’d says its about 2 inches away from my belly button all the way to my side. It is verrry tender to touch it the pains are there and slightly tender when the pains are absent. There is no lump there. My urine is clear because I am very well hydrated from being an athelete. There is no diarrhea and my bowel movements are the same as they have always been because I have a high fiber diet. I have 2 more weeks until I get my period, so it’s not menstrual cramps. I told my mom I’d wait until Monday to schedule an appointment if it’s not better by then.

ErinJenn,

would you say the area beneath your ribs is more bloated when you have the pains?

Did you eat more fiber or something different as usual “a couple of days” ago?

It’s not bloated at all. I haven’t eaten anything I normally don’t eat. I just have no clue what it is!

ErinJenn,

I was thinking it could be a trapped gas in the left part of your transverse colon (so just below your left rib cage). This can cause spasm in the colon.

Another cause could be intestinal hernia or something other occuring in your bowel.

Except of cramps in abdominal wall muscles, I don’t know what else could cause pains that would be relieved by bending over. Maybe it could be urinary stone in your left ureter (ultrasound can show it).

Try to avoid carbonated drinks, legumes and other food that release a lot of gas.

Hey everyone. I am a 25 year old female and over the past month or so I have had pain in my lower left abdomen that comes and goes. It gets worse after I eat, especially salads or anything fresh, and may or may not be relieved after a bowel movement (which is usually fairly quickly after eating fresh vegetables). A few days ago I’ve noticed that my left side seems slightly bigger than the right…not much, but enough for me to notice. Stools seem normal..although maybe diarrhea more frequently?

Any advice/insight will be greatly appreciated!

Hi I am a 32 year old male who woke up this morning at my regular time, had a protein shake for breakfast and felt a little tired so went back to sleep. I woke again at 1:30pm to a pain in my stomach along with the feeling of nausea and slight chills. I felt like I was going to throw up and the sight of any food would make it worse. I eventually gagged then forced myself to vomit as I figured it was something bad in the protein shake and it would make sense to get rid of it.

Shortly after that I started to feel worse. Fever, constant chills but NO vomiting or diarreha. The pain would get worse every few minutes then it would subside but I would still be left with general discomfort. At times the pain would be sharp and quite uncomfortable.

The pain was originally in my lower abdomen (felt very tight below my navel) and has now moved primarily to my upper abdomen. It does feel somewhat tender to touch. I took a Tylenol for the fever which has subsided but the pain is still there.

The pain comes and goes as I move around and switch positions. I am sitting at the computer with my back bent, knees up and I ALMOST feel fine. If I stretch out my legs the pain will come back. Still a mild fever at this point and it has been about 5 hours.

If have not eaten anything and only drank a small glass of water since the feelings came. I have had one bowel movement which was large and seemed fine (no blood, not dark etc). Haven’t been able to have one since.

My wife had the same protein shake and she is NOT sick.

Any ideas or advice?

just a quick update. I just ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup and 2 glasses of water and my stomach feels like its going to explode. My wife says I look pregnant! It is VERY bloated and hurts to stand up straight.

Fever is very minor but like I said before I did take some Tylenol about 1.5 hours ago.

MeganB,

it’s likely your left side is bloated from gas accumulation in your left colon. I recommend you a low-fructose diaet trial for 4 days; if you have fructose malabsorption, your symptoms should go away in this time. Here’s a detailed list of foods to try and to avoid. If this doesn’t help, try a bit more strict low-FODMAP diet for 4 days again.

Urge to have a bowel movement shortly after a meal may be a symptom of IBS, meaning certain foods or types of groups irritate your colon. One commonly non-recognized disorder mimicking IBS is fructose malabsorption.

To jayblack.

Sounds, like a food poisoning (possibly from some food you’ve eaten the day before). If it doesn’t resolve in 3-4 days, I recommend you to visit your primary doctor and ask for appropriate (stool) tests.

Hi I’m 17 years old and im having pains on the left side of my stomach, both top and bottom. Its been like this for at least a week if not more. It gets worse when I eat and when I do wanna eat I feel like I wanna blow chunks. does anyone know what this is?

Ludlow,

which part of the world are you from? Would you say you are bloated (have distended abdomen), have excessive gas or loose stools? Have you travelled somewhere in last months or eaten something unusual?

i too have the pain on the left side,but its fine when im sitting or sleeping.it hurts when i move or bend.i was fine until i did a little stretching.if its a strained muscle how long does it take to get better? i can eat fine breathe fine and everything else is fine.

Stelli1971,

is your pain just below the rib cage? A stretched muscle would be tender to touch, and you would be able to localize the painful spot exactly. Such a pain could go away in several days / few weeks. The other common cause of pain below the left rib cage triggered by moving is gas trapped in the colon (splenic flexure syndrome).

I arrived here while searching for information regarding stomach swelling and soreness. I have noticed for a few months now, tenderness to the touch on the right side of my upper abdomen {just right of centre}, immediately below my rib cage, it feels bruised.
Just the past few weeks I have been experiencing swelling of this area {all the way across}, and it is quite a noticeable amount larger than the area below my belly button. I wondered if it could be related to gall bladder or symptoms due to long term medications such as anti inflammatories and other meds?

I havent gone anywhere since the beginning of november. I live in CA and it only starts really hurting after I eat. I sorta have gas. sometimes it feels like bubbles are exploding on my side.

Hayley,

any change in bowel habit, excesive gas, burping, change in appetite? if your upper abdomen is obviously distended, and if tapping the area gives a drum-like sound, than it’s probably gas in your transverse colon. There are several causes of bloating, like lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption, parasites…If tapping the area gives a dull sound, it could be enlarged liver. Long term antiinflammatory drugs could do some harm to the liver, but this would need some examination. If you think, it’s not gas, visit a doctor. If it seems to be gas, follow links from the bloating article and try some elimination diet (lactose-free, low-fructose…)

Ludlow,

if this doesn’t resolve in few days, I recommend you to visit your doctor, tell him exact symptoms and when did they start. Ask for a stool test for bacteria and parasites. I believe pain and bubbling arise from gas in your left part of the colon.

Jan,

ok thanks. Also starting this morning my back has been hurting… I feel extremely stiff and it hurts to move. Is that something else?

it goes from under my rib cage to my pelvic bone i believe its what u call it.its not a constant pain.but its ongoing.

Ludlow,

lower or upper, right or left side of the back? Is it like a mirror image from abdominal symptoms?

Stelli,

would you say your left side is bloated (distended)? If you tap that area with fingers, do you get a drum like sound? Is the pain aggravated after a meal and relieved by bowel movement and do you have excessive gas? It is a descendent part of the colon that runs down the left side of the abdomen, and trapped gas can cause pains while bending or moving.

Hi I am a 32 yr old female and have had stomach and intestinal problems all my life. In the last 4 years I have started to have a pain in my middle left side and almost always always before a bowel movement (not with every one though, happens occasionally) I added more fiber to my diet and that seemed to help a bit but also I get very nauseous and sweaty and have passed out many times before I can even finish the BM or before I have made it to the bathroom. This has happened almost all of my life (as long as I can remember) and I have had test after test but no one has any real answers for me. It scares me now because I have no idea what to look at anymore or where to go from here as so many things have been ruled out. I also changed my diet again in the last 6 months because I was told I have hypoglycemia and need to eat “foods closer to nature.” The episodes did get better but I still have them and get very sick, to the point where I would swear I was dying…any ideas? Thank you

To teknikalsgirl.

Can you reveal your complete medical history?

What exactly are your (all) current symptoms? Which diagnoses were ruled out and which confirmed? Are you taking any medication and what is its effect? Do you have any underlying chronic disease?

last friday,i suddenly felt a bad pain on my lower left stomach,near my hip bone..the pain come every ten seconds..and every time,i felt like it going to explode..i dont know whats wrong..i have experience this kind of pain about 7 years ago but i never ask a doctor about it..i never thought that it would come back again..im worried that i have some kidney problem..after about 1 hour,the pains gone..but today,i still feel a little bit of pain when i bent down or become active..and lately,i have been eating a lot of food that come with salty flavour..i wonder if it have something to do with my pain…

btw,im a female and 18..and i never really have any serious health problems..

Jan,

I am a 42y/o male. For the past 3 or 4 months I have experienced a pain that begins in my left testical then radiates up into my lower/upper left abdominal area. My colonoscopy was unremarkable. I then had a CT of my belly & pelvis with contrast. It was also unremarkle. An inguinal hernia was ruled out. The pain starts with lifting whether at work (Firefighter) or at home doing yard work. The pain can last all day and I get little to no relief with OTC pain relievers. A good nights rest and the pain is gone the next morning. Could I have a pinched nerve? Thx.

My doctor never told me exactly what she was testing for. The tests started at 13 I had and endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, countless stool tests, barium tests, x-rays, bllod tests and ultrasounds. I have no blockages, polyps, or “odd loking tissue” as I was told. My doctors and I strongly feel I suffer from endometriosis but I have not had tissue tested for an acurate diagnosis. I suffer from ovarian cysts, depression, OCD, ADHD, and tourettes syndrome. All of these I have had since birth or since puberty. I take prozac daily for OCD and tylenol often for migraines. The prozac has only been for about 2 and a half years but have tried a few other depression medications in the past (over 12 years ago. As a child when these symptoms occured my mother and I were told it was stress due to post tramatic stress disorder and was told to take Maalox or Mylanta before eating. That did not help in any way, and I no longer do it. Most recently I had another barium x-ray and was told that it was probably gas or fecal matter getting trapped but that does not explain the fainting,and I never have a problem “going” Sometimes I have already had a bowel movement. I should add the sweating and fainting episodes almost never happen during the day it is 98% of the time during the nighht and I am awoken from sleep already feeling ill.
Thank you again

To snow.

Have you noticed any blood in the urine, or burning at urination? Kidney stone in your left ureter are possible – ultrasound can reveal them. Crampy pain appears in hollow tubular organs, so, theoretically, pain could also arise from the Fallopian tubes or colon.

To cdurden.

It does not sound as a pinched nerve to me…but I would recommend you visiting a neurologist.

Teknikalsgirl,

are sweeting episodes at night related to abdominal pain?

I have some funny heat sensation on the left side of my rib. Sometimes, it moves to my lower left side and then my left bum. I feel some heat in the left side of my head and some pain in my back(left side). Chest tightens a bit and pain like moving heat all over my left body. It sometimes affect my left eye too.

Fin,

I suggest you to visit a neurologist *promptly*. Your symptoms may arise from a brain disorder.

Hi, I have been having pain below the left rib for almost 10 mths.The pain can be so bad it hurts to breath,have needed to crawl very slowly if I need to move anywhere and lying down can sometimes ease the pain depending how severe. Had a barium 3mths ago which showed a slight problem with the reflux.Yet doctors report says everything is normal.Was given Lanzoprasol and the pain has improved but it still comes and goes. All the symptoms that I should get with acid, I dont get any of these? It was requested by the consultant who performed my barium, that I still needed an endoscopy, but my GP’s say I dont fit the criteria? I really dont know what is wrong with me?
Please help!

Let me first say, I have no health insurance and I’m currently in Europe with a paralyzing fear (that leads to severe panic attacks and triggers my asthma) of the medical community.

For the past 4 days I’ve been experiencing dull to sharp pains in my lower left abdominal area. The pain isn’t unbearable, but still uncomfortable. It comes sporadically at no particular time and last a few seconds and then is gone. I’m a 34 year old female, with extremely regular periods you could set a watch to. My last GYN exam was about 3 years ago (yes, I’m aware I should be getting regular exams, but no health insurance and the paralyzing fear aforementioned prevents me from doing so). Everything was completely fine in the last exam. My bowel movements are often times few and sometimes far between, but other times, quite regular depending on my stress levels. My diet is normal and healthy. I avoid fatty foods, save for the occasional pizza, but other than that, I stick to strictly fresh veggies and grilled meats. I also avoid carbs whenever possible, although I do not shy away from rice in the hopes it will help my digestive track reach some sort of normalcy. There is no history of cancer in my family, however my mother’s side of the family have several stomach problems (IBS, colitis, ulcers, etc.) and my father has Chrone’s disease. In general, I’m in very good health (I kind of have to be with no insurance). I’ve also noticed a very minimal pain that feels to be shooting up and down the back of my leg. This also started the same time as the abdominal pains. I don’t have a fever as far as I can tell and have no other symptoms other than the pains in my lower left abdomen. I am constantly under high levels of stress.

I want to avoid going to a Doctor for reasons previously stated, and adding to the fact the language barrier. I just need to know if this sounds like something serious enough to warrant a $10,000 visit or if it sounds like something harmless. I realize as a doctor yourself, you will most likely advise me to seek help from a doctor, however I wouldn’t even know if this case would warrant a GYN or an emergency room (my two options). If it sounds like something serious, I’d just like to know what tests to ask for so I’m not spending money on unnecessary testing.

To TM.

Is the painful spot tender to touch? Have your bowel habits changed since the pain appearance? Important: do abdominal and back-thigh pain appear at the same time, or at least – did they both appear before 4 days? Checking this medical history form could remind you to more symptoms or relevant circumstances.

I currently do not work as a doctor.

Urinary stones in your left ureter and sciatic pain are my first two thoughts, but would need to hear more.

Jsaunders,

is the painful area tender to touch? Bloated? Is pain related to meals or bowel movements?

One possible cause is trapped gas in the transverse part of your colon (splenic flexure syndrome).

Thanks for your reply.
No, it is not tender to touch. Bowel movements have decreased since it started. And yes, the pains seem to coincide, although the leg seems to be a bit more constant. Checking the form you linked me to, nothing else seems present. It’s not paralyzing pain, in fact I did my aerobic work out yesterday and there hasn’t been any increased pain. The leg pain is barely noticeable compared to the occasional cramping pains I feel in my abdomen, however, it is present.

I have had a small lump on my neck (also left side) for a few years that increases and decreases in size based on my levels of stress or depression. I’ve been told it’s most likely a nerve or muscle. In my line of work, I’m forced to carry very heavy objects (over the last 13 years) and I generally put most of the weight on my left side. I’ve spoken to massage therapists about this as well as the back and shoulder pain I suffer from (I’ve never actually had a professional massage as I’m terrified of the pain). They attribute the lump to this or a simple build up. I also have a small hard lump on my left wrist, which also increases and decreases in size due to the amount of lifting I do or stress levels.

I’m not sure if this is related, but though I’d mention it.

TM,

from additional symptoms you’ve mentioned I can think about:
- lump in the neck and in the wrist may be a subcutaneus nodule, commonly occuring in rheumatoid arthritis or related disease. Maybe these lumps are related to physical strain.
- carrying heavy objects for a long time can result in bulging disc(s) in your lumbar spine, causing sciatic pain – in your thigh. Another bulging disc, or a bone spur from spinal arthritis in your lower thoracic spine could cause pain in your lower left abdomen. Both of these pains would be likely (at least sometimes) related to body movements; even by slight change in sitting position or so.
- constipation could worsen from these random pains. Constipation itself can cause abdominal (not thigh) pain. Whole-grain bread and other foods contaimning some dietary fiber can help a LOT in prevention of constipation.

Pain from urinary stones in the left ureter can last for (at least several) seconds, and it is a crampy pain; you feel how it grabs you and then goes away completely. Sciatic pain is not a crampy pain and could last for few seconds only.

Regular walking or swimming and avoiding prolonged sitting, standing or sleeping on a soft matress can help in relieving sciatic pain. You can visit a reliable physiotherapist, maybe massage or some exercises can help you.

Thank you. What should I do to check if it’s urinary stones, or is there something I can do on my own, assuming that it is, to help with that?

TM,

urinary stones can often be suspected from certain substances in the urine, so you might want to have an urine test first. The next step is ultrasound of the abdomen and kidneys.

In Europe, depending in which country you are, there are several possibilities to being tested. Many “diagnostic centers” and private doctors are available. You can search online, typing in certain cities…Not sure if you can do much on your own, if they are stones. Drinking the water regularly, without exaggeration, though. You can do something about constipation.

Jan,
Not always. Sometimes I am sweating and dizzy (also upset stomach and general body weakness) with no pain but do still end up 99% of the time having a BM though not uncomfortable or painful.

I guess I should have added that occasionally I get pains so bad I am doubled over on the floor and can barely sit to go to the bathroom. Although this is not usually what happens.

Teknikalsgirl,

fainting/sweating non-related to abdominal pains, meals, or bowel movements raises suspiction for hypoglycemia or other metabolic/hormonal disorder, so you should check your blood glucose levels again and maybe have other blood tests as suggested by an *endocrionologist*.

Pains and passing out before bowel movements could be from partial bowel obstruction caused by abdominal adhesions, possibly related to ovarian cysts or eventual endometriosis. CT, MRI or laparoscopy are needed for diagnosis. Adhesions cannot be seen from the inner side of the bowel (colonoscopy, barium inv. etc.) Speak about this with your gynecologist or/and gastroenterologist.

I will do that.
Thank You

Forgot to mention I had a scan 3mths ago and nothing showed up.I dont have regular bowel movements but eat plenty of fibre and a healthy diet.Never suffered with constipation.The pain feels similar to trapped wind and a severe stitch combined.I can get dizzy and start to sweat when it gets very bad.

I was prescribed folic acid after a blood test to do with finding out the cause of my stomach pain,but don’t understand what folic acid has to do with my stomach pain? I dont have regular bowel movements but never suffer from constipation.Eat a healthy diet.

Jsaunders,

I guess you eat a lot of high-fiber foods. Foods containing soluble fiber may produce quite some gas. Even if you think you do not have excessive gas, you may want to experiment with soluble/insoluble fiber. The other possible cause is fructose malabsorption. Unabsorbed fructose is broken down by normal colonic bacteria that yield gas. If you have this, 2-3 days of low-fructose diet should help you.

I guess you’ve got folic acid because you had lowered level of folate in the blood. Folate is necessary for normal funcion of nerves, also those that innervate the bowel.

a note to teknikalsgirl… i went through 2.5 years of what your describing. severe abdominal pain, sweating and fainting spells while having BM’s. i went through tons of testing, however once i was taken off Prozac, all my symptoms stopped.

9 days ago i started having severe pain in my left lower abdomen with pain going through to the left lower back. the pain is sharp and feels like childbirth and i have to breathe through it. i went to ER twice last week and had 2 GYN visits. at the first ER visit i had a ct scan and bloodwork. everything came back normal, no kidney stones, no ovarian cysts (which i’m prone to), no diverticulitis, no infection indicated in bloodwork, but had some blood in urine sample. was put on cipro and told to follow up with dr. went to ER again 2 days later since pain meds weren’t working. had a normal pelvic exam, was mini-cathed which showed no blood in urine. ER dr said possibly PID and taken off cipro and put on doxycicline (spelling?) saw my GYN dr the following day. he said my uterus and left ovary were extremely tender during examination and to continue with doxy med and f/u 2 days later. last friday saw GYN again and he sent me for ultrasound, which was also normal. pain went away for 24 hours over the weekend and came back late sunday night and all day yesterday was in severe pain. GYN dr is scheduling me for a laproscopy tomorrow to see if he can find anything. is this the right option? BM patterns did change last week. ever since my gallbladder surgery 16 years ago i’ve always had loose stools after eating. last week i was constipated and the dr and i felt it was due to the narcotics for pain and the zofran for nausea that i was taking. went 5 days with no BM, then it was very hard, painful and had some bleeding (which when its happened before was due to hemorroids). i’ve been back to being regular all weekend, but am still having pain, so don’t know the pain was related to constipation since pain started before and still having pain. i’m 35, have had numerous abdominal surgeries including 3 c-sections, tubal ligation, gallbladder surgery, ablation, 4 d&c’s.

Marlee,

several abdominal/pelvic surgeries and procedures are the main cause of abdominal/pelvic adhesions, so laparoscopy sounds as a reasonable invesigation. Adhesions could cause partial intestinal blockage, pain constipation and lose stools.

Loose stools after galbladder removal can be sometimes controlled by a drug cholestyramine, or introducing more foods with soluble fiber (legumes, psyllium husk…) in your diet.
http://www.healthhype.com/adhesions-abdominal-bowel-pelvic-symptoms-treatment-pictures.html
http://www.healthhype.com/list-of-high-fiber-foods-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-chart.html

I am a 22 year old female and been having chest pains for about 3 months now. The pain is on my left side and shoots down my left arm and back. When i went to my doctor, he took many tests but all seem to come out just fine. He then suggested that i go for physical therapy 4 times a week but being a full time college student it was very hard for me. The pains hurt most when i lay down or sit still so because of this i lack sleep. I cant sit through class without putting pressure on my arm to relieve some of the pain. This actually bruised me very bad and i lost some weight too. Can you please help me. Anything will help at this point. Thank you

Joanna s,

have you had a CT or MRI of your chest? Does your chest pain lessen sit and lean forward a bit? Is the pain aggravated by a deep breathing or coughing? This occurs in pericarditis. An MRI or ECG could reveal it.

Another possibility is a disorder in your neck/chest spine, resulting in pinched nerves that innervate your left side of the trunk and left arm. A CT or MRI of the spine would reveal this.

I am a 28 year old woman and starting having discomfort in my upper left abdomen, sometimes is worse after I eat. But it will come and go. I was recently taking an anti-inflammatory for hip pain, I have no other health issues. Any insight? Thanks

To SLA.

Is the pain close to the midline? Is it a burning pain? In this case it could be a gastritis possibly caused by an antiinflammatory drug. If your upper abdomen is swollen (bloated), it is could be from trapped gas in your transverse colon – from certain foods.

It’s not really burning, it is closer to the mid than side. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m hungry or nauseous. Not bloated.

About 7 months ago i was diagnosed with ruptured cysts in my ovaries. I was rushed to surgery and had them removed. the last couple of days i have been getting extremly sharp stabbing pains in the lower left part of my abdomen as well as it feeling very bloated, having sickness and dirahoea, being off my food and feeling tired all the time. I’m 17 could they have come back?

To B2446.

Is it possible you ate something wrong about 3 days agoo? If it is bacterial food poisoning, symptoms should go away within about a week. If symptoms won’t start to lessen in a couple of days, you should see a doctor and mention the possibility of abdominal adhesions (threads of scar tissue) that sometimes develop after a surgery.