Lower Right Abdominal Pain

[SStacyD]

This first began in August 2011. Started with cramping across my lower abdomen, front and back. After my period had ended, mind you. Two days later, this cramping feeling took over my whole mid section, front and back. Felt as though something gravitated to my right side and has been there ever since. I couldn't stand up straight. Couldn't walk, couldn't sit up without something getting aggravated. Lost my appetite, had nausea and vomiting. The ONLY comfort I found was by laying on my left side. I went to the ER where they treated me for Pelvic Inflammation. They gave me pain medication and antibiotics. The antibiotics seemed to help. My appetite returned but not before I had gotten down to about 100 pounds. In November, I had a Laparoscopic procedure where they found a cyst on my right ovary, which was removed. They found another cyst that had ruptured in my cul-de-sac. Pain on the lower right side remained. At this point, the pain seemed to get in to my right hip and bother my leg when I walked. In January, I had a Colonoscopy, where they found a polyp in the Transverse Colon and Diverticulosis in the Descending Colon, which is on the left side. Still no answers as to what this pain is sitting on my right side that is a constant dull pain all day long every day that becomes angry when I walk, sit and drive. The pain gets in to my lower back. They put me on Provera. 3 to 4 weeks in to it now and the constant dull pain is still there and now I have breast tenderness. Now there is this sort of pinching feeling, sharp pain that appears when I cough or sneeze or do some sort of sudden movement. I'm 40 years old. My tubes are tied. I still have all of my lady parts. No gallbladder. The doctors have yet to tell me what they think has happened except that the Provera is supposed to slow my right ovary down. They have also talked about a Mirena, which I am NOT happy about. This would shut down my right ovary, they tell me. Their thoughts are that if there is an improvement with the Provera and Mirena, then it is indeed my right ovary causing all of this trouble. It's been 7 long months. This has hurt me financially, emotionally and physically. I'm so annoyed and frustrated with this. This has REALLY changed my quality of life. My heating pad has become by best friend. Through it all, my digestion has improved 100% and I have gained 10 pounds. I made the necessary diet changes, more fiber, Activia and water. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on this. Thanks so much for reading. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[MichelleP_3811]

I am not a doctor so I can't say for certain and it sounds as though you have likely had a number of tests but did anyone say anything to you about endometriosis or adhesions?  I partly wonder if when your cyst ruptured if your body didn't create some adhesions that got attached to your intestines or something.  From what I understand depending where they are they can cause all sorts of mayhem.  I had issues with them after I had surgery that caused digestive problems.  Not as severe as you but it took my body a number of years to adjust to them.  Most of the issues I had of feelings like things were tearing inside and sporadic pains here and there and weird noises have subsided.  The unfortunate part is I don't know there is much that can be done about them but to wait it out until the body works around it.  Of course it still could be your ovary creating new cysts every month as well.  The doctor would know best how to deal with that issue.  What I will say is, it is possible because of the pain, you are favoring the muscle in your left side causing an imbalance in your hip and back.  You may want to think about seeing an orthopedic doctor to rule out any back problems being the cause of your issues and or see a physical therapist to make sure your muscles aren't out of balance causing additional pain on top of what is going on.  

I know how frustrating trying to figure out what is going on can be.  I had an issue with my back once that caused stomach problems and had a fibroid that was hiding behind my uterous that caused digestive problems.  Both which took 8 months each to get to the proper treatment.  So hang in there and keep searching till you get this resolved.  Take care and feel better soon.

[SStacyD]

Michelle, thanks so much for your response. Endometriosis was mentioned before the Laparoscopic procedure. Not mentioned after. Adhesions were mentioned recently but neither are being looked in to because my recent PAP came back normal. There was a mention of a new Follicle on my right ovary but again, that's normal. Unless, if I've done my homework correctly, it gets larger and becomes yet another cyst. However, the last cyst they said was not big enough to cause any pain. Except that I have a "small frame". As I type this I am experiencing a pinching feeling on my right side. From what I read, could just be ovulation. So who knows, I don't and they don't seem to either, just yet. However, thanks to some other posts, I'm starting to wonder if it's not my right ovary, perhaps it's something called "chronic appendicitis". All the symptoms were and are there. You also brought up a good point about favoring that side. I have been wanting to do some simple stretching, yoga maybe but simple chores and just a drive to the store puts me back on the heating pad and Tylenol. Which tells me something keeps getting aggravated or inflamed. I think a trip to the ER is in the near future. Maybe they will be able to tell me where I am at with this now. Hopefully. If ONLY I had a diagnosis, sure would make things much easier to deal with. Thanks for your encouragement and sorry to hear about the troubles you experienced. Take Care too!

[MichelleP_3811]

I am not a doctor but I don't think you can detect endometriosis or adhesions from a pap.  I believe a pap is just a test to check the health of the cervix.  To be honest I am not sure how easy it is to know one has endometriosis or adhesions.  I think there might be some sort of soft tissue scan to detect adhesions but I can't be certain. Though from what I have read a laparoscopy should be able to detect the endometriosis at least. It sounds like they may have checked for it but I would question the doctor who did your laparoscopy to see if they saw any endometriosis when they were checking your ovaries.

As for appendicitis, I think you can tell by touch to some degree.  Does it hurt more when you push into your side where the pain is?  If it does that may indicate possible appendicitis but I would assume they did a scan on you when you went to the ER the first time?  Did they push on your side to check for pain?  If not then I would go and see a gastroenterologist and see if you cant get a scan of your abdomen done.  In the minimum question them about the possibility of chronic appendicitis. Ok, talk to you later.  Hang in there.

[SStacyD]

Hello Michelle, thanks again for your response. I will ask again about Endometriosis or Adhesions when I see the doctor again, which isn't until the 24th. I will also be mentioning the idea of "chronic appendicitis", as well. I have been poked, pushed, prodded, scoped and here I am. Still no clear answers. During the ER visit they did do a CT Scan. They checked my appendix. Said it was fine even though the right side did and still does hurt at times when pushed on, sensitive to touch sometimes, not all the time. It's more like a constant dull pain that gets aggravated now. Last year, the OB doctor even went as far as trying to check my appendix during a vaginal ultrasound. OUCH! I about jumped off of the table. During my PAP and yet another vaginal ultrasound last month, she pushed the wand to the right and pain could be felt where she was touching. I ended up in bed with a heating pad for 2 days after.

I'm afraid one of the MAJOR problem is the fact that I am being seen by a University teaching hospital because I have no income and no insurance. I will say I am thankful for the care that I have received because some care is better than none. However, I believe they put me in the same category of most of the others, i.e. pill poppers, white trash and crackheads, which I am not. I am well educated and well spoken. I don't do drugs of any kind. I don't even drink. I was actually working on a Bachelor's degree in Sociology when I became ill in August. Being passed around from one person to another at a limit of 15 minutes doesn't help either since they don't bother to read the chart before they enter the room. 15 minutes is just enough time for me to summarize what has been going on. A broken system, I tell ya. They are in the business of passing out medicine and shoving you out the door. This does NOT work for me. I want answers and I want a solution. I want to be fixed so I can get back to living. This is why I have come here, a last resort of sorts. For months I have done my homework and walked in there with my notes just hoping for a diagnoses. I'm afraid when it's all said and done, I am going to have another Lappy again once they figure this out. This would be bitter sweet because hopefully they will remove the source  and I will be pain free BUT the CO2 was murder. If you have ever had one, you know what I mean.

So I am hanging in there, debating on going to the ER or sticking it out 'till the 24th or both. Just wondering what the next step will be when I tell this doctor that nothing has changed since I've been put on Provera. Any who, thanks again. Hope you're doing well. It seems you are quite familiar with this long frustrating road of pain. Thank You! This is all new to me, I was healthy and productive before this. The not knowing and my limited activity is REALLY getting to me.

[SStacyD]

Ok so I went to the doctor this morning. (Walk In, No Appointment) Out of all of the doctors that I have seen so far, this one atleast seemed thorough and BEST of all he put in for an MRI! Finally! Hoping and praying that this comes soon. He suspects Adhesion .... not sure if that will show on an MRI but crosses fingers, toes and eyes that it shows what's causing this pain so that I will finally have a diagnoses and finally be on the way to a cure once and for all! Will keep you updated.

[SStacyD]

Ok new update ..... so I had the MRI of my abdomen and pelvis. Received a call from the doctor on Friday afternoon at 4 pm. First, the doctor tells me that they were not able to see my right ovary on the MRI. I replied, "What do you mean they were not able to see my right ovary?" "Did it disappear? Did they steal it when I had the Lappy in November?" (little joke there because I didn't know what else to say to that.) He replied with maybe your breathing or some sort of movement." I will show you when you come in." My thoughts .....Isn't the MRI tech responsible for this? Don't they watch a screen as they are doing the MRI? How can someone let this happen when I am specifically there for lower right abdominal pain? I did not say any of this to him. Just thought it in my head. I thought he would have suggested redoing the MRI but instead suggests another Lappy because he suspects adhesions. I said, "You're asking me to do the Lappy again?" "Why did they not see "adhesions" when they did the Lappy in November?"  He didn't answer. Instead he replies .... I see you were in a car accident. I said, "Yes about 12 years ago." He then suggests an xray of my back because he also suspects pinch nerves of some sort. I think he may have suggested this because I mentioned to him that not only do I still have this thing sitting on my right side causing a constant dull pain that gets angry when I walk, sit or drive but now it is getting in to my right hip and lower back. I am so at a lose here. It's been an extremely long 8 going on 9 months now. I am mentally and physically exhausted. Not to mention, financially hurting and in danger of losing the roof over my head. Scared! Confused! Don't know what to do but keep pushing forward. Maybe ask for another MRI and go through with the xray and again, hope and pray that they find the source and I find relief soon. In the mean time, I am on Progesterone and Gabapentin. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks so much. I hope you all are doing well.

[SStacyD]

Update - Saw the doctor today. Xray was done, back looks fine. A little arthritis but nothing that unusual. He now suspects Piriformis Syndrome. Did some reading on this. The pain is not in my rear and does not go down my leg. I am so lost and confused about what has and is going on with me.

[SStacyD]

I'm so tired of being in pain. So tired of pain meds. So tired of doctors. So tired of not being myself, going on 10 months now. I want my life back!!!!

I say this because they have yet to figure out the source. I am having a hard time finding a balance with pain meds to where I find some relief. I'm not functioning properly with even the simplest of tasks, which really frustrates me. My daily routine is in and out of bed most days. I try to do as much activity as my body will allow some times, which usually lands me in bed for a day if not two with a heating pad.

I keep going through my mind the parts of the anatomy and what is located on the right side .... appendix, small intestine, some muscles and nerves. What can it be??? They say my appendix is fine. No mention of my small intestine. Kidneys are fine. They are questioning nerves and muscles, "Piriformis syndrome" .... however, the pain is not in my rear and does not go down my leg. According to what I have read, mind you. Yet no suggestions on how to fix it, if it is indeed the issue.

I can tolerate some pain but this is becoming too much. I gave birth to two children without pain medicine. The ONLY other time I have been sick like this is, is with my second child. I was diagnosed with gallstones. I refused to have the surgery until after the birth of my second child because I did not want to risk losing her.

I just wish, hope and pray every day that someone will figure this out soon!!!

Please, if you have any suggestions and/or advice, please reply. If you have had similar experiences, again, please reply.

I feel so lost, confused, helpless, frustrated and angry.

[MichelleP_3811]

Hi Stacy,  I am sorry to hear you are still having problems.  My goodness how frustrating.  Were they ever able to locate the ovary?  I assume that the 2nd MRI did not detect any adhesions or did you not do the 2nd MRI?  Did you do a second Laparotomy?  I really don't have much more to add except to say I am praying for you that you find a diagnosis so you can get this resolved.  (((Hugs)))  Michelle

[SStacyD]

Hello Michelle, thanks again for your kind response and hugs. Please allow me to apologize for my delay in responding.

In regards to my right ovary, the doctor at Shands felt that NOT seeing it was NOT an issue. He said that if it was enlarged, that would have been a another story. He felt that it was NOT necessary to have another MRI since the CT in August and all of the tests and exams since looked fine. Have since visited the OB doctor too, who also felt that this is NOT a "female problem" and allowed me to come off of the Provera.

In regards to another Laparotomy, this has NOT been done.

I have since gone outside of Shands for a second opinion, this doctor stated that GI and OB has been ruled out. She felt that all that is left to look in to is nerves and urology.

I have hit another road block with this, the doctor that I was seeing at Shands is now gone indefinitely. Looks like I will be starting over with another doctor on the 24th of this month. I don't know if this is good or bad, just yet.

I am happy to report that I have been off of all meds for several weeks now. However, I can NOT sit up for too long at all without "it" getting REALLY angry. I can walk for a little bit but then I have to lay back down. Frustrating! I have been having spasms on the right and new bubbling noises and sensations.

This has REALLY become debilitating. My quality of life has gone down the drain. I keep wondering if this is something that can be fixed or is this something I am going to have to deal with for the rest of my life. Scared!

Last week I had a REALLY bad episode, thought I was about to relive August again. Late one night, I had similar pain on my left side too, front and back. Since that night, the pain on the left comes and goes and is more of a sharp pain rather than constant like the right.

This is so puzzling to me. I'm fine as long as I am lying down. Can't live like this! I keep thinking chronic appendicitis even though they say my appendix is fine. Mainly because August felt much like some sort of attack and it felt as though something gravitated from the left to right and has remained since. I've read that it's REALLY difficult to get a doctor to admit the possibility. I just don't know what else it could be ...

That's it for now. Thanks Again! Hope all is well with you.

[SStacyD]

Ok so today I went to Ortho, per the request of my new P.A. that I saw yesterday. The Ortho doc said my back and bones looked fine, according the xrays that I had done a few months ago. He wants me to do Physical Therapy and go to Pain Management. Still in pain and still no answers ....

On a side note, for those of you with Diverticulosis, does it typically ONLY effect the left side, pain-wise? And when someone says "flare-up", is this when you feel pain on the left side (bm coming) in regards to eating? Experienced any strong muscle spam like sensations on the left side too, unrelated to eating, just lying down?

Well I'm still here and kickin. Still trying to resolve THE angry rock on my right side. Think I'm going to have to give IT a name. Any suggestions??

Hope all is well with you all.

[SStacyD]

Still having constant dull pain that gets REALLY aggravated when driving and sitting for extended periods of time. Going back to G.I. on October 1st .....

Also wondering, how long does it take for Provera to leave your system?
Read on-line any where from 2 wks to 1 mnth to 14 wks to 6-8 mnths.
I understand it can depend on your weight and drinking lots of water and sweating is good to help speed the process along. I am holding at 114 lbs give or take, depending on the day. Small frame.

Here's the issue. My periods have gotten worse but they don't believe that my abdominal pain is due to a female issue. So I'm just wondering if it's still working it's way out of my system. Have been extremely emotional, as well.

It's been 3 months since I finished the Provera.

Please let me know your thoughts. This whole situation is driving nuts!

Thanks so much. Hope you all are doing well.

[SStacyD]

Saw my doctor yesterday, he says that I'm on "hold" 'till I see G.I. If this pain is not G.I. related, he may send me back to OB. We have come full circle in little over a year. Meanwhile, I am supposed to go to P.T. However, I found out from a friend who is dealing with the same medical system that Pain Management is booked 'till January .... I'm leery of P.T. since walking and sitting aggravates "IT" ....

I have mixed emotions about all if this. At first I was upset then I got thinking about it .... I guess I would be going through the same thing any where I went.

I am now debating on going to an ER outside of this system and eating the bill to see what they say .... My doctor did suggest getting another opinion. Does he not have faith in himself? .....

I expressed to him greatly how this situation is taking a toll on me. I have become way more emotional. I have days that I can't even stand up straight. Can't sit, can't drive without "IT" get angry. I don't know if it's the Provera still working it's way out of my system or the situation OR both that is causing me to be more emotional than "normal".

That's it for now .... Hope someone out there may be able to shed some light. I am beyond ready to get my life back.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Any suggestions and/or advice welcome.

[SStacyD]

Could this be G.I. related?

Chronic Appendicitis?

R Ovary? Hysterectomy?

Your thoughts? ....

[Colechevy22]

Just putting this out there.  I had dealt with left side pain since march.  Constant pressure/ low grade pain and bouts of intense pain at random times when walking, sitting, or laying.  I had always thought it was stomach/ gastro related,but tests were always negative.  Turns out it was inguinal hernia.  I had no bulge.  It did not hurt after working out, lifting things, or how you commonly think of hernia.  Just putting it out there.  Two doctors missed it and it was misdiagnosed for something else which I had surgery for.  Nicole

[SStacyD]

Nicole,

Thanks so much for your response. Thanks for putting it out there, as you say.

Inguinal Hernia, noted.

Supposedly, I was checked for Hernias when I was on the OB train but will ask again.

Sorry to hear about your medical issues. Hope you've found relief. Just so I understand correctly, you have been dealing with pain on your left side since March of this year? When were you finally diagnosed? Not one but two doctors missed it??!! What test finally brought you to a conclusion?

My pain is on the right side. It feels as though I am carrying around an ANGRY rock. Monday October 1st can NOT come fast enough. I am actually looking forward to seeing the G.I. Hoping and praying they will figure this out. If not, it's back to OB I go .....

I can ONLY hope and pray that the answer and some relief will come soon so I may return to THE living and be THE productive person I once was before all of this happened. That day can NOT come soon enough!!

Hope you're doing well. Best Wishes!

[bossladydiva]

Im a 29 year old woman and i have been having very bad cramps for three days now.the pain is killing me on my right lower side of my abdomen.It's not time for my period i just had my period last week what could this be.

[Yody111]

Hello,
I really hope you find some answers! Very soon. I have been having problems with my left lower abdomen for over a month now. I have had 2 ultra sounds on my lady parts, of course all good there. Xrays, Blood work. My doc said I am sick but not sick......Really?????? So now i am waiting to go see a general surgeon so she can order me a "scan" CT or MRI i am not sure. Been waiting for 2 weeks and have not heard anything from her at all. Just sick of the pain  

[arter0305]

Sorry to hear about your situation.  I know how you feel I have been going through samething.  I have been having lower right abdomenal pain for 2 months now I have been going to doctors every week.  They have ruled out my appendix and I have been put on antibiotics and pain meds and I still have pain.  This past friday pain had got worse and moved to my hip to were i can barely walk and when pain hit I started throwing up  im getting exhausted with this and tired of hurting.  I have kids and I can't do anything with them because I'm always down and I have to force myself to work just to pay my bills.

[SStacyD]

So sorry to hear that, bossladydiva.

Feeling any better?

[SStacyD]

Thank you, Yody111.

So sorry to hear you're not feeling well either.

Any updates?

[SStacyD]

Thank you, arter0305.

So sorry you're not feeling well either.

Seems like alot of people (women) are having lower abdominal pain and having much trouble coming to a quick conclusion.

Any updates for you?

[SStacyD]

Well here's my update .....

Went to the G.I. doc on Monday. She seems to think that it is my right ovary and NOT a G.I. issue. Sooooo back GYN I go ....

I am seeing my primary doc today to discuss this.

Again, I hope and pray that a conclusion comes soon. I am nearing the end of my rope. This is REALLY wearing me down, physically and emotionally.

To all of you out there with similar issues, I hope you find your answers soon too. No one and I mean no one should have to suffer like this.

[Yody111]

O wow, God I hope the Gyno can help in some way. It is so frustrating having constant pain and no one can tell you why or help. I did get a call from the Surgeons office finally and go see her next Thursday. So I really don't know what will happen there. I hope she can get me in for a scan very soon. The pain is still there every day all day. And now it has moved across my lower abdomen/groin area. :'(