Right Side Abdominal Pain

[andruwjonez]

For the past 4-5 months I have had digestive problems.  

The main thing is a cramping that occur frequently, right around the bottom of my ribs on the right side, on the front side not back - this happens 3-4 times a week during the day lasting an hour or two, and almost every night right before I go to sleep, its very consistent and it isn't necessarily about lieing down, unless my body is anticipating lieing down or something?  It is more noticeable when I sleep on my side with my right side up, possibly because my ribs are getting pushed into my lower abdomen on that side more.  Certain movements and postures (although I haven't narrowed it down to any specific movements) cause it to flare up for a second or so.  The first few months it was more of a general pressure, but in the last month or so, the pressure has become specific to a single spot as described above.

I also have been urinating, passing stool, and passing gas much more frequently, especially at night, it seems to take away from the pressure for a bit.  In the last 4-5 months it has been a different feeling than usual when I pass gas or stool.  My stools have been smaller.  When I pass gas, sometimes a small discharge comes out, its clear, mucus like, thats never happened to me before 4-5 months ago.

I had an abdominal CT scan done to make sure it was not cancer related, that came back negative.  Any ideas?  Thanks for any help.

[andruwjonez]

thanks for the feedback, dbab.  I have a suspicion fatty foods may be a cause for me as well, although if anything, alcohol seems to help.  I'll try adding yogurt to my diet.  I haven't done a lot of research on IBS but I was under the impression it wasn't somethign that would just start all of the sudden, granted my symptoms didn't exactly develop overnight but I never used to have any problems a year ago.  I am 23 years old so I didn't think age was a factor.

[dbab]

I, too, am having discomfort in the right upper abdominal area just below the ribs.  I have diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.  Your symptoms of mucus are consistent with irritable bowel syndrome.  Also, the cramping and pain going away following a bowel movement seems like it could be irritable bowel.  With irritable bowel, all tests are normal including colonoscopy and abdominal ct scans.  I also notice more discomfort when laying on my left side.  My discomfort feels like pressure, not pain.  I am going for an ultrasound tomorrow.  I'll let you know what come of that. You might want to keep a food diary and see if you notice more problems/pain associated with certain foods.  With irritable bowel syndrome, certain foods can trigger symptoms and it's different for everybody.  For me, I can't handle fatty foods or alcohol.  If I over indulge on either, I will have pain/cramps the next couple of days.  I also noticed that if I eat a yogurt everyday,  I have so much relief from symptoms.  There are certain cultures in the yogurt that are great for the digestive tract.  You might want to try it.