back pain or muscle spasm

Periodically, no matter what I am doing, asleep, walking, driving, cutting the lawn, exercising, I frequently get a sharp pain/cramp that begins on the right side of my back just above the Kidney and just below the last rib and about 3.5 to 4 inches to the right of my spinal cord. The pain is localized there for about 3 - 4 seconds then seems to travel up under the rib toward the liver and feels like it is cramping, if I take a couple of drinks of cold water, or just plain water, the cramp or pain disappears, sometimes I feel like my esophagus is spasming as well and the water just seems to cure it.  I happened to notice a similar posting by jewelsinme on 6-6-06 post number C39.

I have had two angioplasties in the past 5 years and no one has been able to clear up this event. I also have a confirmed fatty liver even though I am not overweight for my height and build and have been on a low fat, low cholestrol diet for over 20 years. My Cardiologist just shrugs. I was wondering if it could possibly be Angina, or something else is someone knows the answer. It sure take a lot of worry off my mind.

[Demiguise]

I noticed that no one has esponded so thought I'd try to offer
some thoughts. By reading, I'm guessing you're a guy & may or
may not matter to MD re: tests. I'd consider getting some blood-
work done. Basic CBC+Chempanel for a start or whatever else
doc wants (also a CRP) since you have a cardio history. These
tests will rule out certain organ function that may be culprit.
The kidneys come to mind. They are located just under rib cage in back & rt. is below liver & is sltly lwr than left would be.
The filter 1qt of blood every 1min/regulate body salts-etc/but
many don't know they regulate blood pressure. When you said
better after drinking water, symptoms may go to them. Kidneys
help maintain water balance & monitor this closely. It's their
job to give tissues enough water to function. A simple blood
test would give a better picture. The liver sorta' wks w/ it
by removing toxins. Since you have a fatty liver, you may be
getting a back-up causing kidney pain & nerby nerves are doing
a spasm. The more water, the faster you'd feel better. Some
need to balance electrolytes when wk'g/sweating. Make an appt
for a lab wk-sheet to check functions. You may be just having
a borderline problem or could be a signal. This doesn't sound
like angina. Go to reg. Dr. for tests. It wouldn't hurt to have
an ultrsound done if Dr thought so. You didn't mention age but
seem to be in shape. Glad you came to our forum. Ck. back!
(CRP cks C-reactive protein) & tells you if there is
some arterial inflammation.