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Original poster

Pain in lower right abdomen. What is this?

26 replies

Malbecky · 16/01/2021 17:21

Hi,

I know there's a General Health board, but posting here for traffic.

Trying to stay away from Google, but I'm getting increasingly worried.

I will make an appointment, but just wondered if anyone else has/had this and/or, could put my mind at rest.

So it actually started over 18 months ago. Possibly a couple of years ago now, thinking about it. The pain is above where you would think my ovary is, so I don't think it's related to that. I'm thinking more gut area. It's not constant and comes and goes. Sometimes it hangs around for a few days, sometimes weeks, but it did disappear altogether for several months, which is why I didn't get it checked out before now.

It's a dull, niggly pain - like a blinker of pain for a few seconds, then nothing for a few minutes or a few hours. Between a 4 and 6 on the pain scale I'd say. Is more 6 today.

As I said, I will be calling the doctors, but I've got myself into a bit of state and have convinced myself it's something awful.

Thanks for reading

OP posts:
CostaDelCovid · 16/01/2021 17:24

After this long, it's doubtful that it's anything really serious but other than perhaps Gall Bladder? I'm unsure personally. Hopefully a HCP sees this and can help Thanks

Moltenpink · 16/01/2021 17:25

Does it go after you’ve been to the loo? It could be pressure from a full bladder or colon causing the pain maybe?

Original poster
Malbecky · 16/01/2021 17:30

@CostaDelCovid, I apparently do have a polyp on my gallbladder, but think that's quite a bit higher than where this pain is.

@Moltenpink, I don't think so, but I've noticed I never seem to get it when I'm on my period, which are ridiculously heavy.

Should have mentioned in my OP, but I also have lower back pain right now, but I did pull it a few months ago. The pain went quite quickly, but then a a couple of weeks ago, woke up with really pain back pain and it's still there.

I also seem to get periody type cramps, but after my period. This pain doesn't really feel connected though.

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General health
passthetequila · 16/01/2021 17:39

Have you ever had surgery in the painful area? The pain you describe sounds very much like mine, which is due to adhesions from appendix surgery 40 years ago.

prawncocktailpringles · 16/01/2021 17:47

Might be endometriosis

bendybeep · 16/01/2021 17:52

I get this as well!

I think it's ovary pain, but also occurs when I'm not ovulating (but never during periods). Maybe endometriosis but I don't have heavy painful periods so not sure?

Otherwise I've wondered if it's the follicles growing?

Original poster
Malbecky · 16/01/2021 18:15

@passthetequila, I had a c section 14 years ago and that was the side which is more scarred. Actually, the scarred tissue that side is quite bad, as that's the side they used the clamp ConfusedIt was an emergency, so it was all done very quickly. The pain is higher up though, but guess the scarring could be higher than I thought.

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Original poster
Malbecky · 16/01/2021 18:17

@prawncocktailpringles, I have wondered this.

@bendybeep, I get bad ovulation pain and it doesn't really feel like that.

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Original poster
Malbecky · 16/01/2021 18:17

Thanks for the replies btw.

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2021betterbebetter · 16/01/2021 18:20

Could be adhesions from your c section?

prawncocktailpringles · 16/01/2021 18:21

My endometriosis pain is so variable in intensity, location, time of month and type (sharp versus dull). Apparently it takes an average of 10 GP visits to get endo diagnosed. It is really common but really underdiagnosed. If I were you I would get the ball rolling now. Hopefully your GP will be good like mine but if not don't give up and keep on at them. I got referred for an ultrasound and then eventually for a laproscopy but it took many months of intense pain. You shouldn't have to live with pain so I recommend getting the process started as it could take a while and get worse. Good luck xx

prawncocktailpringles · 16/01/2021 18:24

PS. The laproscopy really helped xx

WitchesNest · 16/01/2021 18:28

Prolapsed bladder? I get this, can vary in pain intensity and length of time it lasts too. Was convinced it was my ovaries, nurse was adamant it was my prolapse (and she’s usually right!). It doesn’t bother me much now with regular pelvic floor exercises

Original poster
Malbecky · 16/01/2021 18:42

@2021betterbebetter, I suppose it could. I would have thought I would have pain sooner than this though.

@prawncocktailpringles, yes, I hear this takes a ridiculous amount of time to diagnose. Each time I've mentioned it to a GP over the years, I always just get a sharpe intake of breath, followed by words like, the problem is, it's just so difficult to diagnose. So it always felt like a locked door iyswim.

@WitchesNest, I would never think it was bladder related. Doesn't that cause incontinence?

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prawncocktailpringles · 16/01/2021 18:48

Grrr. I am lucky as most of the doctors at my surgery are women and all are brilliant. My gyneacologist kept trying to convince me it was a functional cyst. Even when I was prepped ready for surgery she asked if I was sure I wanted to go ahead. After the surgery her colleague said, "it was really quite endiometriotic. I'm surprised you weren't in more pain". I had literally been crying in pain for months. I am not sure how I should have conveyed my pain other than words. Interpretative dance? Can you see another GP and request an ultrasound?

pingster · 16/01/2021 18:55

I get this and mine is trapped wind which doesn't sound like much but can be incredibly painful. I've had an ultrasound to check it's nothing more serious but that came back clear

BadgeronaMoped · 16/01/2021 19:12

I had something similar with bouts of pain in the lower right quadrant. Mine was a dermoid cyst which was subsequently removed as it had twisted. I saw a few doctors, finally seeing a very dismissive one who sent me for an ultrasound "to set your mind at ease"... It did set my mind at ease learning that there was something there which they could do something about! Honestly, the whole experience and the disbelief I encountered was awful. I hope you get to the bottom of your pain soon.

caringcarer · 16/01/2021 19:34

Lower right abdomen, could it possibly be appendix?

Original poster
Malbecky · 17/01/2021 16:24

@prawncocktailpringles, wow, you must have really needed to bite your tongue? Or did you? 😬 Glad you finally got your issue sorted. I'm going to call tomorrow and hopefully get a GP who really listens. This is a new surgery to me, as we moved fairly recently.

@pingster, I don't think that's what it is, but obviously I can't be sure.

@BadgeronaMoped, again, sounds very frustrating. Clearly an all too familiar story.

@caringcarer, I did wonder if perhaps it was a grumbling appendix actually.

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Original poster
Malbecky · 09/02/2021 14:16

Hi,

I just wanted to revive this thread, as I've managed to get myself in an anxiety fueled state Confused

I did call the doctor who didn't seem massively concerned, but suggested I did a stool sample to (hopefully) rule out anything sinister. She said that the location meant it could be either my gut or ovaries. I mentioned my really heavy periods and that I wondered if it was endometriosis. Of course as soon as I spoke to the doctor though, the pain got worse, from about a 4/10 to a 6 or 7/10. Plus I've started getting other symptoms like bloating, sickness. Usually after my evening meal. I had quite a veg heavy dinner last night and my tummy felt really bloated and sick, more like I'd drunk loads of water though. I didn't feel like I could even drink my tea.

I haven't had any pain today, but I'm just so worried. I was crying and shaking last night, as I'd managed to convince myself that I was very ill. I've been on iron tablets for 7 1/2 years and I have heard there may be a sinister link. Doctor always just says that I need to take them and that there is no evidence.

If I call the doctor now, given I'm not in pain (first day in about a week though) I suspect they'll just tell me to wait until the other results come back, but honestly, I'm so scared.

OP posts:
KasparKat · 09/02/2021 14:26

Are you able to get a private ultrasound scan of your ovaries? I get them regularly at a local place for £50.

Original poster
Malbecky · 09/02/2021 14:41

@KasparKat, I'm trying to sort that actually. Originally I thought it wasn't my ovaries, as I usually get really intense ovulation pain and it feels slightly higher and it's a different kind of pain.

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Original poster
Malbecky · 09/02/2021 15:50

Just giving this a bump

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Quit4me · 09/02/2021 15:59

I get and have had various pains in that region and in the same place on the left side for a few years on and off.
I’ve got a new one at the moment- near ovary on left side.
I suspect i have endometriosis as periods v heavy and a few years ago I had ver very bad period pains esp when going for a number 2.
It could be a cyst, endo, IBS, fibroids, grumbling appendix or something else minor. Loads of things it could be.
Get the internal scan on your ovaries and start from there.

Original poster
Malbecky · 09/02/2021 18:20

Thanks @Quit4me. I'm sorry you're suffering too. Are you having investigations?

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