Discomfort in upper right abdomen

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Discomfort in upper right abdomen
5
Tue, 04-10-2007 - 2:06pm

For the last week or two, I’ve been experiencing a strange discomfort in my upper right abdomen, sort of under the ribs but not quite. I wouldn’t call it pain, just… discomfort. The best way I can describe it is to say that it almost feels like someone is pushing on the area – I have this compulsive urge to pull away but obviously there is nothing to pull away from! It also seems to radiate ever so slightly into my back.


 


It does not hurt more when I breathe in, nor is it tender to the touch. It’s just there.


 


It’s worse when I am sitting, and almost vanishes completely when I stand up - which sucks because I work a desk job! I noticed that I feel it a bit when I lean forward slightly when standing, like when I am leaning over the bathroom counter to brush my teeth. I’ve also noticed that the feeling almost goes away completely when I lift up my bra (I’m rather heavy-chested, and perhaps the weight resting on my upper abdomen while sitting makes it worse).


 


I thought maybe that it could be gallstones, but according to everything I’ve read, that pain is supposed to be severe and only last for 30 minutes to a few hours at a time.


 


I also thought it might be a strained muscle, but it doesn’t hurt to stretch or compress the area. Plus, strained muscles don’t usually hurt for more than a couple of days.


 


I have IBS and am used to feeling odd sensations in my abdomen here and there, but never in one spot for this long, and never this… odd. Any thoughts or ideas?


 




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sun, 04-15-2007 - 10:28am

Welcome Kelly, sorry I didn't reply sooner.


Make an appointment to see your doctor. Just because your symptoms don't 'fit' the averages doesn't mean it may not be your gallbladder. Even if it isn't, something is causing the discomfort and better to look into it before it gets worse, right?


Please let us know what you learn and feel free to visit anytime!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 04-16-2007 - 12:33pm

I went to my doctor last Friday, turns out I have a kidney infection, and possibly gallstones as well. The infection surprised the heck out of me, since I haven’t had any of the other classic UTI signs (painful urination, etc.), but it does explain the strange sensation I’ve been getting in my side and back. My DH gets occasional kidney stones and when I pointed out the affected areas, he said, “yup, that’s the kidney alright”.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Tue, 04-17-2007 - 12:00am

Ugh, more tests, but it does sound like your doctor is staying on top of this and not taking a "let's wait and see" attitude. Hopefully you'll have a much clearer idea of what is causing your discomfort and then be able to have some type of options offered to you. Please keep us updated and ask any questions that might pop up too!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2007
Wed, 04-18-2007 - 7:17am
I have had those same symptoms. I did a liver flush and could not believe all the gallstones that I passed. I finally felt good after I did that, no more constant pain and bloating. It has been a few months but I am starting to feel those symptoms again and I am preparing to do another liver flush this weekend. I really think diet is an important factor.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Wed, 04-18-2007 - 11:42am

Thanks for the replies everyone. I finally started to feel better last night – but it seemed to get worse before it got better. Sunday and Monday evenings where terrible (the “pain” would come at any time of day, but the afternoons and evenings always seemed worse). Monday night the feeling under my ribs radiated much more strongly to my back (sort of under my right shoulder blade – another classic area for gallstone pain) and by Tuesday morning it had intensified to the point where it felt like I had severely strained a back muscle or something. For the first time, it actually hurt to make certain movements. It wasn’t excruciating or anything, just quite bothersome. I was going to call my doctor again, but by mid-afternoon the pain started to steadily decrease. By the time I went to bed, I felt better than I had in days – I even had some of my energy back! This morning, I still have some residual discomfort under my ribs, where this whole thing actually started, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was and I’m hoping it’ll go away soon.




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