What is causing my right side pain?

[SianJP]

Over 2 years ago I started with a pain between the top of my ribs, just a small sharp pain in a specific place. Then it gradually got more intense over the next few days, until one morning I got out of bed and this incredible sharp pain shot down my right side. Whenever I moved it felt like i was going to split in two and was in tears with the pain. I was taken to hospital where they checked my kidneys and all were fine! Since then, the pain has been constant. It faded to a dull pain eventually, but has once again worsened recently. It is pain between my right hip and below my ribs on my right side. Movement of my legs, bending, sudden movements and coughing etc. Makes the pain worse. I am on strong painkillers which take the edge off but doesn’t completely rid of it. My doctor is at a loss- scans of my kidneys are clear and I don’t have endometriosis. The pain is accompanied by constipation, loss of appetite, my stomach is very swollen and tender to touch and feeling shaking cold but no fever. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this pain is draining me

[Paxiled]

Did you see an orthopedic surgeon?  It sounds like, since you've had a doc investigate internal organs and found nothing there, which doesn't mean there's nothing there but suggests it, you injured yourself.  Did you do anything that might have damaged your ribs?  I've done it and it hurts a lot and takes a while to go away.  If it's really bad, such as broken ribs, they can also poke other things.  This would probably show on a X-ray, and I would think an MRI would be useful as well because if it's not some disease state it might be a bad injury.  People with rib injuries hurt just to breathe.  

[SianJP]

I unfortunately didn’t have a fall or anything of the kind to injure myself. My GP has assured me it is not a skeletal issue. After the investigative surgery for endometriosis, I woke up with my pain flared up completely and was screaming in pain. They then did an X-ray of my chest and ribs and said all is fine! Thank you for everyones suggestions I appreciate your help and advice greatly  

[shadowmed]

Not sure about the rib pain but if you are getting pain below the ribs and down your right-hand side below the ribs, please double check that you don't have an upper UTI.  I have had such pain on quite a few occasions and the most recent times I have had this pain, it turns out I have had a UTI.  I did not have cystitis-like symptoms but the sort of pain you describe.

I think they would have checked for UTI but I don't know what symptoms they look for in order to do these tests.  On the occasions when I was checked for UTI, the doctors (and nurse) was surprised to find out there was an infection.  They clearly weren't expecting it from the symptoms described.

[shadowmed]

Not sure about the rib pain but if you are getting pain below the ribs and down your right-hand side below the ribs, please double check that you don't have an upper UTI.  I have had such pain on quite a few occasions and the most recent times I have had this pain, it turns out I have had a UTI.  I did not have cystitis-like symptoms but the sort of pain you describe.

I think they would have checked for UTI but I don't know what symptoms they look for in order to do these tests.  On the occasions when I was checked for UTI, the doctors (and nurse) was surprised to find out there was an infection.  They clearly weren't expecting it from the symptoms described.

[specialmom]

That sounds intense and terrible!  I'm sorry to hear you are going through all of this.  So, they've checked your kidneys and those are not thought to be the source of your pain. But what about other organs in the upper right quadrant? Gallbladder comes to mind.  Gallbladder issues can lead to a good deal of pain. https://www.healthline.com/health/gallbladder-problems-symptoms.  Have you had a complete GI work up? Your liver is in this area as well. And pancreas. Have all of these been investigated for issues?  Some of the symptoms of constipation, loss of appetite, swollen stomach are concerning.  Why is your stomach swollen?  Have they said anything to you about ascites? This is an accumulation of fluid which happens for a few different reasons.  IBS can be terrible and painful. But I'd think they could diagnose that without an issue and haven't.  Tell me what kind of doctors you've seen, what tests you've had? I think you need more investigation in terms of testing.

[SianJP]

I have undergone investigative surgery for endometriosis but that was clear. They did an ultrasound to look at my gallbladder and was told there are no gallstones. I’ve been checked for kidney stones and kidney function, and have also had a camera up my bladder as well as a colonoscopy (which was unsuccessful as even under sedative it was far too painful.) An on call doctor once suggested chronic appendicitis to me and referred me for a CT scan to assess my appendix but the hospital downgraded it to an ultrasound where they were unable to see my appendix. I did have a CT scan to look at my kidney function over a year ago, hence the hospital saying I cannot have another. I have also been checked for polycystic ovaries but told there are no cysts. During a stool sample test it was found my inflammation markers were very very high but they were unable to find A cause.
I am seeing my GP who is referring me to different departments. My GP now feels I have exhausted all investigative routes and is trying to make me ‘comfortable’ with strong opioid painkillers every 4 hours as well as sleeping tablets to try to help me sleep through the pain for a few hours. I am only 21 and this has been a battle for over 2 years and do not look forward to taking painkillers for the rest of my life if I can’t find an answer :(