Pain on the lower right side for two weeks

Two weeks ago my doctor sent me in for an upper GI because I was experiencing alot of nausea. My doctor felt I probably had a haital hernia due to gallbladder surgery last year. It was the test where you drink the barium stuff and they take pictures. Turns out I do not have a haital hernia and they do not know what is causing the nausea. I am currently pretty much just ignoring it. It seems better for the most part. However that afternoon once the test was over, I began experiencing pain in the lower right hand quadrant. It was low in the waist, under the ribs and pretty intense. It moved more to the front of the hip area. Throughout the night, it subsided or eased up alot. However the pain is still there. It would be rated only a 1 or 2 on the scale. I can live with it but it is annoying. It is there everyday. It can be felt by pressing in just in front of the right hip area now. It hurts most at night while I am laying down because I tend to pull my knees up. Could you tell me what this might be? Is it fine to go on ignoring it or could it be serious? I really don't what to go back to my doctor. I don't want anymore of those tests where I drink ANYTHING! A couple of months ago, they did a lower GI test becasue my side pain was so intense and they thought it was appendix. Nothing abnormal showed and the pain gradually lessened over a week and disappeared. this time the pain was been there for two weeks now but at a low level. I'm not really sure it will go away this time. Again what could it be and is it basically OK to just go on ignoring it?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Difficult to say for sure without evaluation.

I agree with the workup thus far.  Further imaging of the area can be done with an abdominal CT scan, ruling out things like diverticulitis.  I would also consider a colonoscopy, which is a more comprehensive test than the lower GI.

If the GI workup is negative, you can consider a musculoskeletal cause.  Imaging the hips with a plain film and/or an MRI can be considered if this avenue is suspected.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com