Longterm Localized Acute Intestinal pain

Posted By  HFHSMD.-rf on January 21, 1998 at 22:55:48:

In Reply to: Longterm Localized Acute Intestinal pain posted by Heather on January 17, 1998 at 18:43:36:

: Approximately 2 years ago I began to experience a sharp pain in my
  left side at a level equal to my naval.  This pain has remained with
  me ever since it first started.  It feels like a knife in my side.
  There is no other sign or symptom such as constipation or diarrhea.
  The pain doesn't seem to intensify or go away at all.  I can be
  woken up in my sleep and I am generally aware of it all day.  The
  tests I have done include urine and blood work (I don't know exactly
  what they tested for).  I have also had an abdominal xray and ultrasound
  that showed I have gallstones and a benign cyst on my ovary that
  the doctors say are nothing to worry about.  Could gallstones create
  referred pain in this area which seems to be quite far removed from the
  gall bladder?  I have also had a vaginal exam and pap test which all
  were negative.  I worry that cancer could be causing this.  Can you
  suggest any possible causes for this pain?  It has been suggested that
  I have a test that would examine the lower intestinal tract by the
  use of some camera that would be inserted anally.  If this proves
  negative I understand the other options are barium swallow or exploratory
  surgery.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou for any
  help. Heather.

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

Dear Heather,
Abdominal pain is a common complaint for individuals who consult with a gastroenterologist.  There are a large number of possible causes for pain.  The probability of any specific condition causing the pain is influenced by the location of the pain, factors that make the pain better or worse, patient