PAIN ON LEFT SIDE

[ANN24]

HELLO, I was wondering if some one could help me I have had a pain on my left side inbetween the belly button and the left hip for some time now. When it first happened I went to see a doc after about a week who was not much help and said it could be my apendix see how I get on if it got sobad that I can't sleep go back and see some one. At the time of seeing her it was not a constant pain. But about two weeks ago I got a stabing pain wich lasted about 3-5 mins since then I have had the pain constantly but again not so bad thet it wakes me from my sleep, but I do still get the stabbing pains every now and then. But I am not to sure that it is my appendix because wouldn't this pain have goten worse by now, or my apendix burst.

[Jeffrey S Guy, M.D., M. Sc.]

Well . . . it could be a lot of things.  Appendix pain typically starts at the bellybutton and then migrates to the right lower quadrant.  Having said that, the appendix has been know top be tucked in all different parts of the belly, even the left lower quadrant.  I agree, this is not typical in presentation or location of an appendix.  Typically when we think of pain in the left lower part of the abdomen we think about a condition call diverticulitis.  A very common condition that typically affects older adults.  The area that your are describing is consistent with a Spigelian hernia.  This is a hernia of the abdominal wall that is actually difficult to diagnosis, but an office ultra sound is a good start.   I don’t know your gender, but if female, ovarian diseases need to be considered.