Can’t sleep on left side

[Thechocolateshop]

Is this a thing? Or is it just me? I am a person who switches sides when sleeping. If I lay on my left side, even just relaxing on the sofa, it will start to hurt. It feels like it’s coming from underneath my ribs, like an aching feeling. I’ve actually had this for around 5 years, I’m over 30 now. It’s so strange because it doesn’t hurt any other time, only if I’ve been laying on that side. I find laying down in general will give me a tummy ache if I need a wee. I try not to drink anything in the evening but still need a wee in the night, usually end up holding it in until my alarm goes at 5.30 but it’s that same type of pain. I’ve had kidney function tests and scans over the years for other issues. All normal except one year the scan showed a slightly enlarged spleen. A few years ago they said I had gallstones but when they scanned again they were gone. Also I get a pain on my right side under ribs, thought was stones but only hurts if I bend down, like a spasm. Anyone had anything similar?

I have an enlarged spleen but it’s my right side I can’t sleep on with it - It might just be related to its position. Have had to adapt to back sleeping.

I saw the GP yesterday as it’s been getting worse. I explained that it feels like my organs are being crushed, then when I move it’s like a bruised feeling afterwards. He felt my tummy and said he can’t feel anything strange. He’s put it down to muscular issues and sent me for physio, the appointment isn’t until the end of November. I told him that I really don’t think it’s muscular, I would like a scan in that area, he refused. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I explained about the enlarged spleen a few years ago, with a lump on liver and gallstones. I said that I haven’t had a scan since so wanting to be safe. I explained that I thought the left and right sided pain were separate, as the type of pain is totally different. But either way a scan would show any issues within that whole area, like I said he refused.

Did they ever get a cause for your enlarged spleen? Have your previous blood tests come back normal?
Keep a diary - especially on any impacts on you - impacting sleep etc. Any other changes (loss of appetite etc?).
November isn’t too back for physio appointment - if it’s been going on for 5 years then he’s probably thinking it could last a bit longer.
Any chance of going private for scan?

Sorry I don’t know why I typed 5 years 🤦🏻‍♀️ the left side pain only started around 1 year ago. The right sided pain started around 4 years ago. The scan was all across my upper abdomen and the last one I had was a few years ago, which showed a slightly enlarged spleen and a small mass on the liver, the ones prior showed a gallstone but the follow up scan showed no stone at all. I’ve had blood tests since, due to other issues. I don’t know what I’m looking for though, in relation to this so can’t comment. I said to the GP it’s like there’s not enough room or something is being squashed, it used to be when I lay to the left, but recently in the past week it hurts no matter what position I’m in, but gets worse laying to the left. He just didn’t even look interested. If it is muscular then fair enough but just wanted to see if anyone had this issue before.

Are all your other bloods in range (RBC, WBC, platelets, Hgb) ?

The spleen is a filter for blood so an enlarged spleen can impact on blood levels.

if your spleen was enlarged previously with no explained reason and it’s not been checked since and you’re now getting discomfort under your left ribs then I would have hoped this to be investigated and at least be confident that the spleen hasn’t got bigger.

Seems to be okay I had bloods taken in July all within a normal range on the NHS app. It’s a mystery 🤷🏻‍♀️