What kind of Doctor should I see?

[Char_Bow]

I am female, 32 years old. I wake up in excruciating pain every morning. The pain is in my mid-section between my ribcage and hips. When I'm sleeping, the pain moves according to the position I'm sleeping in. When I'm on my back, my back will start hurting. Then I flip to my side and the pain moves to that side after a few minutes. Then flip to my stomach and it moves to the front part of my mid-section. And then on and on tossing and turning about every 10 minutes. I do not typically notice the pain until early morning (~6am) right before I have to get up. But it is so severe that I want to cry sometimes. I can't tell if its something with my bones, muscles, organs or maybe I have a tumor or something?? I really can't pinpoint where it is coming from. I have had lower back pain for several years now (attributed it to my job - stressful and lots of sitting). But this kind of pain has been going on for several months. I usually feel much better within a couple of minutes of getting up out of bed. The remaining day/night I am still suffering from chronic lower back pain, but not with the extreme achy, burning feeling that I get when I'm sleeping. I do not have insurance so I need to get an idea of where to start. I just don't have enough money to go to a dozen doctors and do all the testing they will want to put me through(And my income is too high to qualify for any assistance). I need some direction on where to start/what kind of Doctor to see. Are there some things I can try to rule out fairly inexpensively? Or a red flag based on this post that indicates something specific? Please help!

[SassyLassie]

Hello~I agree with the other poster, seeing a doctor for some labs is the best place to start. Abd pain can be caused by so many things, it is always best to get it looked in to.

If after you see your GP and all is well, then try seeing a chiropractor, you could very well have some misplaced vertebrae in your spine causing the pain, I know I have had similar pain and mine sure helps me. He/she will take some x-rays, read them, and then discuss the findings with you, after a few treatments, you should start to feel better.

[TSR796]

Hey listen, It's gonna take A LOT more money going to a specialist when some issues could have been clarified with a primary care physician... see what your local options are... but I really advise not to go to a specialist right off the back. The issue with your symptom is that abdominal pain can mean so many things... I mean start with trying to get regular blood work done. There are different ways you can get around to receive a regular cbc. Also, start documenting your symptoms... location, time of pain, foods you eat, lifestyle habits... anything that can correlate to your issues. If money is an issue, you can possibly shorten the length of the search by being clear with what exactly is going on.

[Char_Bow]

Thank you very much for the tip. After doing quite a bit of research, I think I will do just that. Starting with a primary care physician to see what they suggest. My fear is that I will have to go through a million tests before getting an answer. But, hopefully the 1st person I see will know what they are talking about and be able to point me in the right direction if I need to see a specialist. Again, thank you for your help!