Advice needed, low right abdominal pain

@alnilam (969)
United States
July 28, 2008 6:36am CST
I am having an ongoing problem and I hope somebody here on mylot knows how to help, or has experienced something alike. I am having this annoying abdominal pain, on the lower right side, in the area of appendix for more than 3 months now, the pain is not constant, but can really be severe (it becomes stronger when i lie on my left side which makes no sense) from time to time the pain "moves" near my belly button and in the are of liver. This pain is not food related. For the first month I was feeling like there was a bubble that will pop in my body (in the area of pain). I am also very tired, and from time to time nauseous. I do not have fever and I go to the toilet more or less normally. I've been to the doctors and made ultrasound which was OK and complete blood test which was except for a slightly higher bilirubin values (but other liver tests were OK). The pain is now a bit lighter but still downgrades the quality of my life. Does anybody have any idea what this might be, I have had hundreds of diagnosis (appendix infection, stress, moving liver, virus infection, gut infection, bile stones) of which every was dismissed, and I am still in the dark. There is also a chance it could be Gilbert Syndrome.
6 people like this
17 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
28 Jul 08
If You've been to a Doc and had all that stuff ruled out,I doubt if there's much advice Non-Medical Mylotters could offer...unless..IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE!? (Seriously,though,I hope something turns up for You,and that it's not something serious..!)
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Thanks, no it is not serious, that much the doctors could tell me, because if it was serious and it hurt me for 3 months I would already be gone, since all the serious abdominal illness do not usually hurt until the last moments ... This one is just destroying the quality of my life :I
1 person likes this
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
28 Jul 08
I Actually wasn't aware of that rule of thumb before,about if you Survived 3 months with an abdominal pain,it probably wouldn't kill You..I don't suppose it's much consolation that you may well be a hot topic of conversation around the Doctor's Water cooler,or be having Medical papers written about it!
2 people like this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Lol, well here are my 5 minutes of fame :)
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jul 08
That sounds really painful alnilam I honesty don't know what to say seeing you have been to your doctor's and they ruled out every possible thing that I was going to mention. I would get a second opinion at anothers doctor's office have them run tests again and see if they come up with anything this couldn't hurt. I do wish you the best of luck and hope your condition get's better soon good luck.
3 people like this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Sadly I am far far away from that clinic. But vitamin B, huh never thought of that, might try that one out. I am trying "self-medication" anyway -- teas and stuff.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I have had second and third etc opinion, still no result.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Jul 08
alnilam I have a big suggestion for you, andI am amazed that none of these doctors suggested that , go to the Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota and they specialize in cases that other doctors and specialists cannot completely'diagnose. they will give you thourugh tests for anykind of liver problem. when I went there after having had hepatitis they ran all the tests my bilirubin was still slightly elevated and mydad a county doctor was worried, they told me to go home and go on bed rest for six weeks then have my bilirubin checked every six weeks until it was normal.Also I was told to take a lot of vitamin B complex which could help you too.
1 person likes this
@mcc371 (918)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Gilbert syndrome is an inherited condition and is present from birth on.Usually no symptoms, sometimes jaundice. You may experience episodes of Fatigue, Weakness, Abdominal pain, However, it's not known if Gilbert syndrome actually causes such symptoms, or if they're related to stress or other conditions. A number of factors may increase bilirubin if you have Gilbert syndrome. These may include Illness, including infections, such as a cold or the flu, Menstruation, Fasting or skipping meals, Dehydration, & Overexertion. Not sure if this will help you knowing more about Gilbert syndrome. Some things that come to mine other than appendix, hernia, is hepatitis or an obstructed bile duct. I am not a doctor but I have been to medical school and I am a nurse practitioner. I recommend going to a different doctor and if you have had these conditions for some time now I would go to a specialist. Hope that you will find the answer you are seeking and get some relief to this problem. God Bless.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
The thing is that I have been to several doctors and specialist and they are all confused. They are thinking it could be the syndrome. Thanks on your information.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Jul 08
It could be something to do with your kidneys, or inflammatory disease or a hernia. I do not know if these symptoms on this web page are similar, but if the doctor has not considered these, it might be a good idea to check them out. http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/messages/37661.html I cannot help you by personal example, not a doctor, and when I had pain it was farther up. I do not know anything about Gilbert Syndrome so cannot help you there.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Thanks for the link, every information is useful (my doctor encouraged me to find information online also ;)
1 person likes this
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
28 Jul 08
Hello,alnilam! If your problem is not diagonalized as appendicitis then it may be a kidney infection or stone formation.if not than it must be case of hyperacidity.please consult a better physician.All the best.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Hey thanks. But a stone formation would be seen on an ultrasound wouldn't it? I thought of Hyper acidity to although my doctors think it is not, since the "symptoms are not common for that" and am now trying some mild pills to sort that out. Do not know the results yet, because it takes up to 3 weeks.
• United States
28 Jul 08
It sounds like you need to find another doctor. You could have an appendix that's on it's way out or something equally serious like diverticulitis. I have no idea what Gilbert Syndrome is, but it does sound like finding another doctor, hopefully one with a specialty in GI medicine. I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain and can't get any definite diagnosis. I hope it's nothing serious, but pain alone is enough to make your life miserable and stressed.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I do not doubt in my doctor, since she really is great and open minded since she cooperated with other doctors while doing my "case". I was examined by 2 doctors of overall medicine, a surgeon and two specialists, still no luck. Thanks anyway.
1 person likes this
@subha12 (18441)
• India
29 Jul 08
i am no doctor or so. but i think you should consult a good gastroentrologist. he can assist you with tests done on you. i am not sure about your gender. i have this pain and doctor told me that is due to the ovarion disease.
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I am a female. Thanks for your advice.
@katty0004 (386)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Could be gas, it can cause you feel like there is a bubble, I have had pains in the lower part,plus I have had it on my left side makes me sick to. Plus sometime would get so bad I could not walk I guess because of pressure. I did go to a Doctor about it and was given some meds, plus it helped . Now I know can take over the counter gas relief to help me .
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I do not think that would be it since I do not feel like that (I sadly know that feeling too). This bubble feeling is more like a really small buble which feels like it will burst, like something inthere will just pop and break.
• New Zealand
29 Jul 08
Hey there I am the same I have had my abdominal pain for the last few months it does not matter how many blood tests or times I have gone to the doctor believe me I have been lots or even emergency departments they are stumped in what it could be every time I go to an emergency department and see another doctor every time seem to get a whole different story of what it is but it is basically a different story with every different doctor at the emergency department that I see it seems to be a different scenario of what it is they have told me it is any think to gallstones right up to what at least 2 different one down here where I life in Dunedin Newzealand and one in the Christchurch newzealand emergency department reckon that it may just be celeacs desies but what ever it is I am sick of it after at least a few months of them trying to find out what it is and wish that they would just find out what it is good luck with you though. love loveyoohbaby xoxo.
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
A friend in pain. The only thing that I found to be helpfull by now is a tea for "belly". Go to the pharmacy and ask if they have any "natural" medicine tea for abdomen. It eases my pain a little bit, and since I strongly believe that this tea will help me maybee my brain will order my body to do so :) Worth a try.
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
1 Aug 08
Well let me know if it will help you to :). Cheers.
1 person likes this
• New Zealand
1 Aug 08
Hey there Thanks for that idea I have never heard of nor have I thought that any herbal tea would help I shall have to go to the pharmacy to get it and try it.Thanks very much for the idea. Love loveyoohbaby xoxo.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Jul 08
alnilam hi could you possibly have irritable bowel syndrome with gramping about an hour after you eat and first constipation then dirrhea? I have been through the cramping stages and now the doctors do have medications that can help stop that, back when I had it donnatol was all that was prescribed, its not life threatnening but it does downgrade thequality of your life. I would really go to another doctor for a second opinion as if you have slightly higher bilirubin values thats not so good they should not be anything but normal, could be you have had hepatitis and diddnt even know it and now you are on the down side, go see another doctor for a second opinion why just keep suffering.
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I do not have any digestive problems, and the pain does not get worse after the meal. I haven't discussed the irritable bowel syndrome with the doctor jet but I see i should. I have been to more than one doctor and it seems that a billirubin level that does not exceed 6 times the normal value is not considered as a "serious" desiese, so it could not be hepatitis. All of the doctors are confused since I am not the "textbook material". Gues I haven't found the right doc jet :I
@krismort (25)
• United States
29 Jul 08
I am no doctor, but I can tell you that your story sounds familiar to mine. Seven years ago I started having similar problems. Tests were done nothing was determined. Until last year, during my fifth pregnancy, it was discovered that something was going on with my gall bladder. All could not be determined until after the pregnancy. It turns out I had a diseased gall bladder. They only recently performed a HIDA Scan. This test requires radioactive material to be injected thru an IV then pictures are taken of your digestive organs to see if they are functioning correctly. I never had any gall stones but the back wall of my gall bladder was inflammed causing my gallbladder to release slowly which can cause much discomfort and can cause many other problems. I just had my gallbladder removed with laproscopic surgery on July 18th. I feel no discomfort now. I have talked with many people about it this past month and have found out that this is extremely common and it is common to have a problem for a long time as I did before Dr.'s realize it is the gall bladder causing the problems. So, I suggest you ask for a HIDA Scan. I had many ultrasounds done thru the years before they realized the problem. If I would have had the HIDA scan done earlier it could have been solved that much sooner. Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Worth taking in consideration, since the doctors can't find nothing to be wrong with me. A sneaky thing this gall is (although my doctor said once that she thinks that It could be this but then decided that it probably is not). But you really are a strong person if you put up with the pain and uncomfort for 7 years. I would have gone mad by then. Cheers.
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
29 Jul 08
There is something else you might consider. Do you use a lot of milk products? If you do this could be your problem. I lived with a bad stomach all my life and finally figured out it was caused by drinking a lot of milk. Over the years I had ever test that came along and nothing was ever found. When I got off milk products I had no more problem with my stomach. (Other than my two hernias) Art
2 people like this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
29 Jul 08
No I am sure it is not milk, because whenever I drink milk I feel really sick, so I do not consume a lot of milk products. I think it is not food, since with every new diagnosis I got I also got another diet and nothing changed. But yes milk really can be tricky.
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
29 Jul 08
I have had the same thing for the past 8 years but I know what my problem is. I took a hard fall in 2000 and it caused a small hernia just above my pelvis on the lower right side. If I have a little gas on my stomacj or eat a little too much and bend forward my appendix will go into this tear. The hernia is about like a watch pocket on some pants. I have to use my fingers and work the appendix up out of the hernia. If I don't it gets to hurting real bad even above my belly button. Just a very small hernia can cause this. if just the tip of your appendix goes into the tear it will hurt bad after a few minutes. Feel along the top of your pelvis and see if you can find anything about the size of a pencil and an inch or so long. If you do see if you can work it up out of the tear with your fingers but do it gentkly. This hernia does not stick out so you can't tell if you have one just by looking. You might have your DR check this also the next time you see them. I hope you find out what it is and get it taken care of. Art
2 people like this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
29 Jul 08
8 years that is a long time, you really must have good nerves to up stand the pain for so long. Is there nothing else you can do than move the thingy yourself? I hope it will be well soon.
• Philippines
29 Jul 08
dude the best thing i think you could do is not stress the part where it hurts most and try not to do something alike. your body has its natural defense mechanism so try to have faith on your antibodies...in a way
@alnilam (969)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I am :), they are my last and at the time most strong hope. And you are right after 3 monts my body reacts in a way to lessen the pain as good as it can, I can feel that by the way my muscles in the area react.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Bless your heart. I can relate. I've had stomach and abdominal pains and on again off again nausea for about 2 years. I've had every test you can imagine, including endoscopy and colonoscopy. Finally my doctors decided that I have constant inflammation/irritaion because of my fibromyalgia and IBS. In other words, they don't know. The docs also think that much of my pain is a result of all the other medications I have to take for my fibro. So they added another one, just for my tummy pains and nausea. It does work...but makes me drowsy. I wish I could help, alnilam.
1 person likes this
@alnilam (969)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Well you did, I know i am not the only one out there, so it is not "just in my head" as one doctor suggested :). Thanks, wish you the best.
• China
29 Jul 08
good
1 person likes this
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
1 Oct 11
It might be due to chronic appendicitis. If you are a female, it may also be due to salpingitis. Besides, chronic amoebiasis may also be another cause. Go for an USG of the whole abdomen or at least for that specific region. But I would suggest you to immediately visit a doctor and to follow his advice. Don't try to neglect it and never make any delay.
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