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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Lower right quadrant discomfort
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Lower right quadrant discomfort
by Wayne, Nov 22, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 55-year-old male, 5' 11" and 200 lb. Symptoms started about 5 years ago. The main symptoms are burning and a dull ache in the lower right quadrant of my abdomen. The tests done include a CT scan, upper GI, Brarium enema - all negative. Blood tests are normal. The symptoms are becoming worse and now include some nausea. Sitting and lying down increase the discomfort, while standing decreases them. Food seems to worsen the symptoms, but no particular food makes them worse than anoter. At night, lying on the left side relieves the symptoms as does massage. There is no blood in stools. What could the be? Could appendicitis cause these symptoms for such a long time? Cound it be a hernia? What about cancer?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf, Dec 06, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Wayne,
It is impossible to answer your question regardung the cause for your abdominal painbut Ican describe the other conditions that you mention.
Appendicitis usually causes pain in the left lower quadrant. Although there are surgeons who believe in the condition of chronic appendicits, I am unaware of anyoe who thinks that 5 years of pain could be related to an appendiceal problem.
Colon cancer can cause right lower quadrant discomfort. The barium enema should exclude colon conditions, assuming a good preparation and a careful examination. Because the catheter used to infuse the barium can obscure the rectum, it is our custom to also perform flexible sigmoidoscopy to complete the workup to exclude colonic pathology. Again, it would be unlikely to have colon cancer for 5 years without other symptoms.
Although an inguinal hernia could cause right lower quadrant pain that lasts for years, the pain is usually worse when standing and better when lying.
Finally, one must also consider irritable bowel disease when there is chronic pain without a definitive etiology.
It is impossible to answer your question regardung the cause for your abdominal painbut Ican describe the other conditions that you mention.
Appendicitis usually causes pain in the left lower quadrant. Although there are surgeons who believe in the condition of chronic appendicits, I am unaware of anyoe who thinks that 5 years of pain could be related to an appendiceal problem.
Colon cancer can cause right lower quadrant discomfort. The barium enema should exclude colon conditions, assuming a good preparation and a careful examination. Because the catheter used to infuse the barium can obscure the rectum, it is our custom to also perform flexible sigmoidoscopy to complete the workup to exclude colonic pathology. Again, it would be unlikely to have colon cancer for 5 years without other symptoms.
Although an inguinal hernia could cause right lower quadrant pain that lasts for years, the pain is usually worse when standing and better when lying.
Finally, one must also consider irritable bowel disease when there is chronic pain without a definitive etiology.
Jeri
I have no idea if this is in any way connected but I have also been experiencing pain in my legs, mostly the left one (leading me to believe these are isolated symptoms) in the thigh area.
If anyone recofnizes what this may potentially be, please post!
Thanks