Anyone get a stitch type pain on your lower right?

[Misty Avich]

I wasn't sure which section to post this in.
Lately I sometimes get this stitch-type pain in my lower right side, that usually accompanies constipation and goes after I have been to the toilet. I don't get this pain every day or every time I'm constipated, and I don't suffer with constipation much.
The pain isn't bad, and doesn't hurt to touch it or anything. It's annoying more than anything else, but it doesn't prevent me from doing things or cause any other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting (thank God).
It's not swollen or anything, although the pain feels like it's swollen but when I feel it it isn't swollen or tense or anything.

I don't really want to go to the doctor in case they send me for a colonoscopy. Yes I know colonoscopies are life-savers and are better than getting very ill, but even so, I absolutely FEAR colonoscopies, not so much the procedure itself but the preparation beforehand. I HATE diarrhea, and drinking that stuff then waiting to get diarrhea all day is just terrifying. I wish they'd come up with a better way of inspecting your stupid bowels. God I hate bowels. They're so problematic and humiliating. I'd rather go to the dentist than have someone looking up my butt. Oh, the humanity of humiliation. Jesus God. I'd rather die.

I think I'm feeling more concerned that I might be getting like Elvis - getting chalked up from taking pills until I die from constipation. I'm on prescribed antidepressants, and I'm talking the contraceptive pill continuously now because I decided I don't like getting periods any more, and I have to take an over-the-counter antihistamine each day to prevent the chronic rhinitis that I get. I also sometimes treat myself to an Avomine pill 2 or 3 nights a week, which are motion sickness pills, but I do suffer with vertigo and a phobia of vomiting. I usually take one if I've had a meal out, just in case it wasn't cooked properly and if I get food-poisoning I won't throw up.
I don't smoke or drink.

Will I have an Elvis death just for that lifestyle, and could the pain in my lower right side be due to taking pills?
I have looked on Google but each result it came up with I can't really identify with.

 

[Slime_Punk]

Mine's on the left side, but sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started right before my appendectomy and just never really went away. Watching my diet like a hawk helps, most of the time.

It might be a good idea to get whatever medical tests / procedures you might need, if you can afford it. With most of them, they'll either knock you out entirely or put you in a twilight sleep and you won't even know what's happening. Sometimes, it's better to be safe than sorry. I could never really afford to get tested for anything, but thankfully I was able to get emergency (ER) care for all of my life-threatening situations.

Stomach issues are no joke. Mine literally tried to kill me 3 times!

 

[MildredHubble]

A colonoscopy might not be necessary. Because of the position you described, I think they could do a simple ultrasound to have a look if anything is going on that needs attention. I'm not surprised you would prefer to do without a colonoscopy, it certainly doesn't seem very dignified.

I had an ultrasound done to investigate a blood disorder known as polycythemia. They discovered I have an enlarged spleen. I get pain like you described on my left side and I think it make be due to the issues with my spleen. It's either that or it's related to a back injury I had years ago and the pain is radiating from my spine area. It feels like a bad stitch and it makes it uncomfortable for me to sit for more than maybe half an hour.

It may be worth asking your doctor to send you for an ultrasound. Its got to be a lot less miserable than a colonoscopy. It would be also worth thinking about if you've had any back injuries or problems as I can attest, the pain can make its way to the front, it's all connected I suppose.

 

[Au Naturel]

Sounds like abdominal muscle cramps. I used to get those when I was a kid if I exercised too hard, esp. after a big meal.

 

[Progster]

It could be IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), in which case all you might need is a change of diet. But only a doctor can tell you that, you should arrange an appointment with your GP. You probably won't need a colonoscopy.

 

[Suzanne]

Recently, I had an very painful stabbing pain in my lower right side and recognised it was due to needing the toilet, which I had put off and yep, it sure was that. I was being stubborn in not going, so my body was letting me know that it had to override my stubborness. The pain did wean away after the toilet.

I take probiotics and super enzymes and that keeps my colon from hopefully not being cruel to me.

I had a colonscopy once and NEVER AGAIN will I go through that and as you say, it is the repulsive prep that is the awful part. Although, for me, my poor botton received a tear ( fissure) due to their negligence and it was even on the follow up information that they had not done a good job and thus, I was made to spend MY money on things that was supposed to heal the fissure. In fact, it was my own doing, which healed it.

I endeavour to take care of my own body, due to having health anxiety, I need to take care of myself.

 

[Misty Avich]

Sounds like abdominal muscle cramps. I used to get those when I was a kid if I exercised too hard, esp. after a big meal.

I'm hoping it is that.
But it seems to be the same sort of pain I had in my spleen when I had glandular fever earlier this year, except it's in my lower right side instead. I'm not sure which organ is there. I thought it might be kidneys but usually kidney pain is in the back.
It might be liver, but why should I get liver pain if I never drink alcohol and yet the vast majority of people around me drink alcohol and never seem to have any problem with their liver? I'm only 33 as well.

I'm just hoping it's not appendicitis, but I've been having this pain on and off for the last 6 months really and it's caused no problems. It usually occurs more in the evening. It usually goes if I pass gas (embarrassing!!!!!!!)

 

[AndyFBlues]

I'm with you on hating the colonoscopy prep. I had one a few years ago and the prep was worse than the procedure itself. There is a virtual colonoscopy that can be had. It's less invasive, but still requires the same prep.

Try not to be too dismissive about going to a doctor. There are a lot of possible causes for your symptoms. Sometimes the hardest part is finding a good doctor. Always remember, that the doctor works for you, not the other way around. Just because a physician suggests a colonoscopy, don't mean that you are obligated to have one. I'd certainly want to look at other tests first. With that being said, sometimes a colonoscopy is the lesser of two evils. Ultimately, it's your body and your decision.

It sounds like you're taking a lot of medications. It might be good to have a doctor review what you're taking. It may or may not be contributing to your problem. That's just a guess.

 

[AndyFBlues]

It could be IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), in which case all you might need is a change of diet. But only a doctor can tell you that, you should arrange an appointment with your GP. You probably won't need a colonoscopy.

I'm a bit distrustful when a doctor uses IBS as a diagnosis. It's often times used a catchall when in fact they no idea what's wrong. I had been diagnosed with IBS by multiple doctors over several years. When I pressed doctors to explain what that meant, I'd only get vague responses. I'd once heard someone point out that, "if doctors can't explain what is causing your condition, what are the chances that they they'll be able to treat it?" Most of the doctors I saw over the years told me to have more fiber. When I went back to them and explained that the fiber made it worse, they told me to try a different kind of fiber. When everything else failed, I'd be sent to a gastroenterologist who would automatically recommend a colonoscopy. A gastroenterologist will almost always recommend a colonoscopy. That's what they do. As the old saying goes, "if the only tool you have is a hammer, then after a while, every problem will look like a nail."

Eventually, a doctor finally diagnosed me with Methane-dominate SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). All of the fiber and probiotics I'd been taking were only making the condition worse. About a year ago, I was proscribed an antibiotic which dramatically improved the problem. Currently, this is the best I've felt in 20 years.

 

[VAW]

I think it could be many things, Sometimes you can get a cyst on your ovary and that can cause a pain especially with the pressure of a full stomach, or it could even be a gas pocket, could be the appendix, or a muscle pain. I am with you about getting a colonoscopy, I don't go to the doctor much but any time I have gone they say have you have a colonoscopy lately??? OR a mammogram? NOPE! and never will.
My son has ulcerative colitis and they want to do a colonoscopy every year on him and he does go in every two or three years for one but it is something I just won't do.

 

[Misty Avich]

That's why I don't want any bowel problems, because I don't want a colonoscopy in my life.
Diverticulitis scares me. My aunt has that, and it literally causes her to fart uncontrollably. Where I come from farting in public is deemed socially unacceptable, especially if you're a woman. And I've always been embarrassed about that sort of thing and avoid farting in front of anyone, even my own husband, even my own mother. Luckily I don't fart any more than the average person. I'm more of a sneezer.

 

[VAW]

That's why I don't want any bowel problems, because I don't want a colonoscopy in my life.
Diverticulitis scares me. My aunt has that, and it literally causes her to fart uncontrollably. Where I come from farting in public is deemed socially unacceptable, especially if you're a woman. And I've always been embarrassed about that sort of thing and avoid farting in front of anyone, even my own husband, even my own mother. Luckily I don't fart any more than the average person. I'm more of a sneezer.

That is exactly how I was raised too, unacceptable for a woman to pass gas, I don't have the best stomach in the world and I do think that is part of the problem, I don't suppose it is natural to hold that back.

 

[Misty Avich]

That is exactly how I was raised too, unacceptable for a woman to pass gas, I don't have the best stomach in the world and I do think that is part of the problem, I don't suppose it is natural to hold that back.

It would help if flatulence wasn't considered funny by so many. If people didn't react, it would be less embarrassing for all. Also many people believe that people who fart in public are rude, inconsiderate, sloppy and shameless - unless you're elderly. But then people just giggle at you.
I remember I was in a crowded store and someone must have farted because the smell hit everyone's nostrils. It caused everyone to glare at each other accusingly like they had just committed a crime. A rather posh-looking woman glared at me, probably because my face was red from embarrassment she thought it was me. If people just went about their day instead of making such a big deal of it then it would be a lot easier to just fart.

Perhaps whenever someone says "whoever smelt it dealt it"/"whoever done the rhyme done the crime", respond as "but farting isn't a crime, so whoever wronged it ponged it".
Or something like that.

 

[Au Naturel]

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/86757/fart-proudly-by-benjamin-franklin/

 

[VAW]

It would help if flatulence wasn't considered funny by so many. If people didn't react, it would be less embarrassing for all. Also many people believe that people who fart in public are rude, inconsiderate, sloppy and shameless - unless you're elderly. But then people just giggle at you.
I remember I was in a crowded store and someone must have farted because the smell hit everyone's nostrils. It caused everyone to glare at each other accusingly like they had just committed a crime. A rather posh-looking woman glared at me, probably because my face was red from embarrassment she thought it was me. If people just went about their day instead of making such a big deal of it then it would be a lot easier to just fart.

Perhaps whenever someone says "whoever smelt it dealt it"/"whoever done the rhyme done the crime", respond as "but farting isn't a crime, so whoever wronged it ponged it".
Or something like that.

I agree it is a natural body function but even I have to admit that I don't like it when people really stink up the room and you have to sit there in the stink. I think from being told it isn't lady like to pass gas made me so aware that I can't even use a public bathroom if I have to go and there are people around. I almost admire those who can just go in and use the bathroom while people are in there.

I remember I used to get a lot of stomach aches, and we were driving home from work and I asked my husband if he could pull over I have to go, so he pulled at a gas station and there were women in there so I said I can't go here, can we try another gas station and two ladies were in there talking and I was so frustrated that they wouldn't leave, so the last bathroom was empty and I went in that one. Makes it hard and I am sure it isn't good to hold that stuff in but from years of conditioning I just can't go in public places unless it is to the point where I have no choice!

 

[tazz]

I'm just hoping it's not appendicitis, but I've been having this pain on and off for the last 6 months

I had appendicitis - I don't think it's usually something that is on and off. More consistent and progressive.

 

[Misty Avich]

I agree it is a natural body function but even I have to admit that I don't like it when people really stink up the room and you have to sit there in the stink. I think from being told it isn't lady like to pass gas made me so aware that I can't even use a public bathroom if I have to go and there are people around. I almost admire those who can just go in and use the bathroom while people are in there.

It's how I feel too and I hate when people tell me to just pass gas anywhere because it's "a normal body function" and that no-one will mind and that if they do mind then they were bad people. All those clichés get on my nerves. I will not pass gas in front of people and that's final. And yes, knowing it might smell can be off-putting. If all farts were silent and odourless then life would be a lot easier.

I remember I used to get a lot of stomach aches, and we were driving home from work and I asked my husband if he could pull over I have to go, so he pulled at a gas station and there were women in there so I said I can't go here, can we try another gas station and two ladies were in there talking and I was so frustrated that they wouldn't leave, so the last bathroom was empty and I went in that one. Makes it hard and I am sure it isn't good to hold that stuff in but from years of conditioning I just can't go in public places unless it is to the point where I have no choice!

I find it hard to go number 2 in public as well. I need complete privacy, otherwise I get uncomfortable. I am very sensitive and can become embarrassed very easily, and although pooping is a natural bodily function I still don't want a bunch of strangers knowing I'm doing a poop. I just need privacy.

 

[Misty Avich]

I think my pains might be more due to...being a female than anything else, which is a relief in a way. While I'm still worried of course, at least I won't have the added stress of having to have a colonoscopy.
I understand that every disease is worrying, but I think colonoscopies add to the stress of a disease and makes it doubly worrying. Many people actually let bowel cancer progress to avoid a colonoscopy, which is sad and very scary.

 

[Au Naturel]

Little boys are often absolutely fixated on farting and pooping. Freud saw it as a natural part of the developmental cycle. Or it could be they pick it up from elders (who find it mildly annoying) and run with it because it is fun to annoy people.

 

[VAW]

I think my pains might be more due to...being a female than anything else, which is a relief in a way. While I'm still worried of course, at least I won't have the added stress of having to have a colonoscopy.
I understand that every disease is worrying, but I think colonoscopies add to the stress of a disease and makes it doubly worrying. Many people actually let bowel cancer progress to avoid a colonoscopy, which is sad and very scary.

Sometimes it is best to just go to the doctor and see what they say, because if they say it is nothing, it can ease your mind where it isn't focused on what the heck this is.....However on the other hand I don't usually go to the doctor too fast because it is so expensive and they have to run all these tests and in the end you still get, not sure what it is.
My grand daughter is 16 now and last month she was running a fever and having a hard time breathing so after a week of that she was admitted into the hospital (her mother is an RN so they have great insurance) they tested for Covid, and took tons of tests, she was in the hospital for a week and in the end they had no idea why she was so sick, maybe a weird virus they said.