Help! My tum's a-hurtin'

June 7, 2007 9:19 AM

Weird, recurring pain in abdominal area for the past couple of days...

After driving myself crazy checking various (many) posts here, I've decided to describe my symptoms and see if it rings a bell to anyone here.
Basically, I have pain to the touch in my mid-lower right (as looking at me) abdomen. If I poke it, it hurts. About a week ago, all my glands were sore and swollen, so when this spot starting hurting I at first assumed it was a swollen gland.
Anyway, now not only is this spot sore to the touch, but I've also been having a weird feeling I can only describe as follows: like pressure builds up below my ribs/upper abdomen, then feels like a bubble rising up (thankfully nothing actually comes up).
Any ideas?? I figure I'll be directed to go to the doctor which I will but I'd just like to maybe get some kind of clue before heading in there.......
FYI 28 year old female, any other questions please ask.

posted by meggie78 to health & fitness (20 comments total)

I would guess gall bladder.
And yes, go to the doctor.
posted by ferociouskitty at 9:28 AM on June 7, 2007

The pressure/bubble feeling is exactly what I get with anxiety, but it also feels (and sometimes is) bad heartburn. Perhaps you have some building up acid reflux? Do you have a sour stomach (burps taste AWFUL!)?
The other question would be are you having difficulty urinating.. because it could be stones (whether kidney or gall bladder). They move around a bit, are very painful to the touch ect.
posted by ForeverDcember at 9:46 AM on June 7, 2007

First time I had abdominal pain it turned out to be appendicitis. Since it wasn't localized in the right lower quadrant until the very end, I just figured I had some kind of stomach ache (although it was the worst pain I'd ever had). I ended up having to call 911 and have an emergency appendectomy.

But the thing to note is that as it got worse I called a friend who is a former surgical nurse. She said that any abdominal pain should be checked out with a doctor because it has the potential to be a number of things, many of which are very serious.
posted by la petite marie at 10:01 AM on June 7, 2007

My girlfriend had something like this, but it became much more painful - so much so that I thought her appendix had burst. She couldn't even walk. Anyway, a trip to the ER later and we found out that during ovulation, when the folicle which deposits the egg broke off (as it always does) it can sometimes cause a slight tear in the ovary which can cause some internal bleeding which, when combined with the abdominal fluid can be very painful. Perhaps it is this?
posted by mateuslee at 10:07 AM on June 7, 2007

What ferociouskitty said.
But it could be anything.
I think it is beyond reasonable to think that a fishing expedition here will in any way assist your situation. Your vague description suggests questions. The answers will give rise to more questions. And those answers need to be understood in conjunction with a physical examination.
maybe get some kind of clue here.
posted by peacay at 10:19 AM on June 7, 2007

Lower right isn't stomach. Go to the doctor asap.
posted by ewkpates at 10:25 AM on June 7, 2007

It is her lower left (lower right when looking at her) - no gallbladder or appendix on that side. Do you have a fever? It may be an infection of some sort. Personally, I would run to the ER - skip the regular doctor. The ER can do an ultrasound, MRI, etc. much faster than a normal doctor's office.
posted by blackkar at 10:31 AM on June 7, 2007

Meggie is actually having pain in the lower/mid LEFT quad - "my mid-lower right (as looking at me) abdomen"
posted by phearlez at 10:32 AM on June 7, 2007

Mid lower right abdomen ON you, or mid lower right abdomen when LOOKING at you (ie: your right or your left?)

Without knowing anything else the differential diagnosis is large, but includes several common and serious diseases/emergencies, including appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, ovarian cyst, Mittleschmerz, endometriosis, etc.

You really need to see a doctor immediately.
posted by gramcracker at 10:35 AM on June 7, 2007

Weirdly, when I had gallstones, I felt the pain more on MY left side and back than where my gall bladder actually is. The pain radiates. IIRC, the same can be true of appendicitis.

Either way, go to the doctor already. I went to my PCP when I was having my gall bladder attack, and he sent me to the ER.
posted by ferociouskitty at 10:44 AM on June 7, 2007

I've had this twice and had gone to the emergency room twice for fun-filled times of them finding nothing and wasting time and money for being treated uncomfortably. On follow up visits with the doctor it could be stress and/or intestinal gas. I haven't had problems again in a few years but have watched my diet more since then. Stay away from greasy foods and onions. Onions kill me.

A few things that may ease the pressure are forcing yourself to burp or buying one of those Fleet Enema in a bottle kits. You could also try some anti-gas tablets like Beano or equivalents.
posted by JJ86 at 11:14 AM on June 7, 2007

It may very well be gall bladder...does this get worse after eating something fatty?
posted by konolia at 11:18 AM on June 7, 2007

In the pre-hospital environment, we treat any fertile age female with abdominal pains as possibly having an ectopic pregnancy.

I'm hoping that you have seen a doctor by now.
posted by drstein at 11:21 AM on June 7, 2007

IANAMD, but my understanding is that abdominal pain can be "referred"... so just because you're not feeling it on the side where your appendix is, doesn't mean it isn't actually your appendix.

Get it checked out.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:06 PM on June 7, 2007

Go to the doctor. You might have Crohn's Disease.
posted by 4ster at 12:09 PM on June 7, 2007

I'm sorry. I find it difficult to conceive that you're asking here and not in an urgent care facility.

Be that as it may...

It could be lots of things. One thing to remember about appendicitis is that the pain is usually quite general until the very end when it has or is nearing burst. You can wind up with pains all over the place, even opposite of the appendix.

Is it possible you swallowed a saw blade recently? Just kidding.

Please stop asking myfi and go to either an E.R. or Urgent Care facility. Every moment you waste is a moment possibly closer to death. Seriously. Please go.
posted by tcv at 12:27 PM on June 7, 2007

Do not fuck around with unexplained abdominal pain. If you get fecal peritonitis, you will die.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:04 AM on June 8, 2007

Go to the Dr and get it checked out. It could be serious or it could just be a nuisance disorder like IBS. So you better find out!!!!
posted by GoodJob! at 5:07 AM on June 8, 2007

My unexplained unbearable pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant ended up being a (visible to ultrasound) kidney stone.

Go to the ER now.
posted by Carnage Asada at 12:00 PM on June 8, 2007

Late to the party but I have a note from my Doctor Filter; the day that you wrote this post I was in the ER with similar symptoms. By Tuesday my "grossly abnormal and inflamed" gall bladder and 2.7 cm stone were out. If I had waited much longer I would have been in real trouble. I hope it worked out as well for you. Always go to the ER; Demerol is your friend.
posted by okbye at 9:56 AM on June 30, 2007