Not sure what this could be..

[pmykal88]

So I have been having some weird stomach pains lately.  They are on my right side adjacent to my hip bone.  It feels like it is full or there is some kind of pressure.  The pain is not excruciating and seems to come and go. I did not pull any muscles or have had an injury that I can remember. The pain does tend to radiate to my back in the same general area in which is would be if it was on the front.  It can get quite uncomfortable and does not seem to go away with a bowel movement or passing of gas.  

I recently passed a movement that was so dark that is was almost black. I haven't had too many of these but my movements change all the time and are rarely the same.  I suffer from chronic constipation so it is hard to remember what they look like since so much time passes between them. I have also had a few times in the past couple of months where there has been blood on the toilet paper.  I also have a lot of gas and it is all the time.  

The fatigue is the worst part.  I have a hard time doing anything. My eyes always feel dry because I am so tired that they want to close while I'm standing up. I get at least 8 hours a night.. I never have problems sleeping (thank goodness).

The weird part of all this is that I have this patch of skin that is discolored and itches all the time. Three years ago, when all of this started (constipation, constant changing of bowel movements, stomach cramps), I started getting this weird itch on the right side of my stomach. It itched all the time and felt like it wasn't my skin that itched but that it was deeper (if that makes sense). I chalked it up to the fact that I was stressed and probably had IBS (which was what my doctor said when I told him about the bowel problems). The area was not dry and there was no redness or rash. The itching started to come and go. About six months later, I noticed that there was a small discolored spot on my stomach where the itching was. The color is only one or two shades darker than my skin tone.  I thought that maybe I was growing a birthmark (if that can happen?). Two years later,  the mark is about 5 inches long and still itching. I tried to bring it up to my doctor the last time I was there but she dismissed it.  Oddly enough, the mark is directly above the area that has been irritating me.  I only scratch my stomach when I HAVE to and I scratch lightly. I don't want to make the stomach muscles underneath hurt more than they do.

Do you think any of this could be connected?  I am super freaked out by the patch that is discolored. I am not sure why but it kind of scares me that it is directly above the area that has been giving me so much pain and discomfort.

I would appreciate any input!!! Thank you.

[Steepdene]

Sorry did not mean to worry you! I felt mine as a dull pain most of the time with periods of acute pain which didn't last very long. I visited the doctor a few times, I did not have a very noticeable fever and I never vomited. I was admitted to hospital about 10 days before it was finally diagnosed but they said it was a urine infection and gave me antibiotics. My pain didn't improve so I was re admitted and they finally gave me an ultrasound.  In my case I had been taking pain killers for an unrelated condition which may have masked my symptoms. My GP was worried about me though as a blood test showed a serious infection which was obviously not picked up at the hospital the first time round. Hope you get an answer soon.

[pmykal88]

Thank you for your feedback! I did come across the appendix when I was researching what the pain could be from. Most of the websites mentioned a fever, vomiting and severe pain. Since my pain is dull and not all the time I didn't think that it could be the appendix.  Now, I am worried!  Did you have any other symptoms with the dull pain?  Did it get worse right before you went to the doctor?

Thanks again.

[pmykal88]

Thank you for your well thought out answer!  I am making an appointment soon.  I will let you know what the diagnosis is!  

[jemma116]

First off you need to make an appointment to see your doctor to get your anal passage checked out with regard to the bleeding that you have been getting.  This may be due to haemorrhoids or other problems from straining.   The doctor should prescribe you with a medication to help soften the stools.  If you are taking any medications, they can sometimes cause constipation.  Although a laxative would help you get "moving", you would be better off having something like Movicol that keeps in the moisture in the stools making them soft to expel.

With the bleeding you will require a suppository and an ointment too.
But you need to get things checked out by the doctor first.

To help yourself, ensure that you have a healthy and well balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit (with skin) and vegetables.  Cut out or cut down on processed foods and sugary foods and drinks.  It is also important to drink plenty of water as well as some form of exercise, this can be just walking.  Porridge is a good option, prunes, oranges, sweet corn, cabbage are all good just to give you an idea.

With the uncomfortable feeling in your right side, this may be something to do with the appendix, the fact that you are constipated a lot, problems with inflamed glands, renal colic from kidney a stone problems, or from your hip or lower spine.  

Because you have the discolouration of the skin that itches and it tends to feel itchy deep inside that too needs looking into.  

I suggest you make an appointment with a different doctor.  Write a list of your symptoms and concerns and show this to your doctor.  It may be that you may need to have an appointment to discuss only one problem as some doctors do not like to deal with more than one thing at a time.  Sometimes though all the symptoms may be connected to the one cause.

Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes.

[Steepdene]

If the pain is on your lower right abdomen it could be your appendix. I had dull pain for months and dismissed it, eventually sought medical advice and my appendix had burst. The surgeon said it looked like "a bomb had gone off" inside me. I think you should explore the possibility, even if it is to rule it out. Hope this helps a little!