Right side abdominal discomfort

Hey everyone. I have a question for you all, and since it seems like this group has seen just about everything, I figured I’d reach out.
So, about two or three weeks ago, I started feeling this weird discomfort on the right side of my abdomen. It isn't exactly sharp pain, but there's this sensation there—I feel the need to constantly hold my hand over it or even press on it. I actually ended up bruising myself because I couldn't stop poking at it. It got so irritating that I finally went to see an internist. Once I explained that the discomfort was sitting right under my right ribcage, he told me to go get an abdominal ultrasound and a full blood panel, including liver enzymes, before coming in. I got everything done and brought the results back. Everything came back normal. He examined me and concluded the sensation was likely coming from the duodenum area. He prescribed some medication and told me if things don't settle down in two weeks, I should follow up with a gastroenterologist. Honestly, I've been spiraling online for days, reading every worst-case scenario imaginable. The discomfort won't quit; it vanished for five days once, but now it's back. I'm overwhelmed. Every morning I wake up and immediately start pressing on my stomach. I'm moody, unmotivated... I'm mentally exhausted. I also noticed undigested food in my stool lately—fresh bell peppers and cucumber! I'm not panicking, but I am worried. What should I do?

I was feeling this weird discomfort on my right side, right under the ribs, but I just brushed it off.
Since I hit the gym hard and compete in bodybuilding, I figured it was just a pulled muscle.

Then about seven weeks ago, I got hit with this massive pain all over my stomach—honestly, the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. My whole midsection was killing me and I started throwing up.

I ended up at the ER where they ran an abdominal CT and found out my appendix had suddenly ruptured. It was an emergency surgery, and I spent three days in the hospital. They had me hooked up to a Drain with a tube in my abdomen to clear out the pus.

If you’re still feeling that sensation, make sure it isn't appendicitis.

Sam Ortiz, you’ve actually got me a bit worried now. Though, once those symptoms started acting up, I went ahead and got a full blood panel done. Everything came back perfectly fine—even my ESR levels are totally normal. If my appendix were truly causing trouble, wouldn't there be some kind of irregularity in the results? Besides, I'm not even feeling any pain in that area.

Hi there! I was just wondering, have you had a chance to get your heart checked out lately? Or maybe you’ve been feeling unusually wiped out, like you’re pushing yourself way past your limit? I know, I know—it sounds a bit out of left field, and honestly, it sounded just as nonsensical to me when it first happened. I actually went through something remarkably similar where I kept feeling this strange discomfort on the right side of my abdomen; it wasn't even sharp pain, just this persistent, nagging pressure in that area. After running what felt like an endless marathon of tests and doctor visits, it turned out to be a heart issue. They explained that the pressure I was feeling was actually my liver pulsing because it wasn't getting quite enough oxygen from my heart. It’s a bit of a wild connection, but please, do check in with a doctor just to be safe. Best wishes!

Olivia Gomez67, thanks for getting back to me.
It’s been relatively recent—more than six months actually—since I saw my cardiologist for an echocardiogram, and everything checked out fine. I am being treated for hypertension, though, and I stay pretty disciplined with my medication.
As for fatigue? Yeah, there's definitely some. I'm overweight, which I figure plays a part, but nothing extreme. It's this humidity that really gets to me; it makes breathing feel heavy.
I'm currently working up the nerve to see a gastroenterologist. Maybe I'm just being a bit neurotic, spending all my time on these forums whenever something feels off. I read about the worst-case scenarios and end up overwhelmed... and that's exactly how I feel right now. I'm worried sick, yet terrified of actually getting tested. A total vicious cycle, isn't it?

Gary Williams18 said:Olivia Gomez67, thanks for getting back to me.
I was actually at the cardiologist relatively recently—well, more than six months ago—and had an echocardiogram done; everything came back normal. I am also being treated for hypertension, and I make sure to stick strictly to my medication regimen.
As for fatigue, yeah, I definitely feel it. I’m overweight, and I attribute much of it to that, though it isn't anything extreme. What really gets to me, though, is this humid weather—it makes breathing feel heavy and difficult in general.
I’m currently trying to work up the courage to see a gastroenterologist. Honestly, I think I might be overthinking things a bit because I spend so much time lurking on forums whenever something feels off—reading nothing but worst-case scenarios, which just leaves me feeling overwhelmed. That's exactly where I am right now. I'm worried sick, yet I'm terrified of actually getting tested. It's a total catch-22.

Your liver is located on the right side. The liver can swell, which causes pain or a sensation of pressure, and so on. The cause could be what the user above mentioned regarding heart issues—since the liver is essentially the last major organ blood passes through before returning to the heart, any backup toward the heart can increase pressure on the liver, causing fluid to collect around it—or it could be an infection, or perhaps something else entirely. Regardless, these are the kinds of things that can turn south very quickly if you ignore them. On the other hand, the large intestine and various muscle groups are also in that area... the whole situation could be completely benign. Either way, you should go get checked out. You have nothing to lose. If there is a serious issue, you need to start treatment as soon as possible. And if it turns out to be nothing, you'll finally be able to have some peace of mind again.

Gregory Turner71, thanks for the reply.
I saw a gastroenterologist privately yesterday. Ran into a professor there, so I ended up paying a bit more for the consultation 🙂
Well, he listened to everything. I gave him my results from exactly a month ago (bloodwork, enzymes, abdominal ultrasound). He palpated my abdomen; he was very precise with the right side and placed his fingers exactly where I feel the discomfort. He explained that the large intestine makes a sharp bend right under the liver. Gas often gets trapped there, stretching the bowel and causing that sensation. He prescribed Colospa retard, so we'll see how things look in two months. If there's no improvement, he suggested a colonoscopy, though he doesn't think it'll be necessary.

However, other things I've noticed are weighing on me... The stress I felt before the appointment yesterday was intense. I was literally shaking because it finally hit me—no more Google, no more forums. Now I’m facing a professional who will tell me the truth. Facing that reality nearly drove me crazy. I took a sedative. My appointment was delayed, so by the time it started, the medication had kicked in and I calmed down, even though I was sweating and my palms were cold and clammy. Once the exam was over and I walked out, I thought I could finally breathe, but then this massive headache hit. Who knows what my blood pressure was like? I'm a bit calmer now. I start the medication today. Still, I find myself constantly checking, feeling around to see if anything hurts. I have this muscle twitching sensation, like I'm lacking strength... You know that feeling when you squeeze your fist tight and your hand starts to tremble? It's like that, but in my thigh muscles. It's all overwhelming. I think my next stop might be a psychologist or someone else... Today, nothing really hurts anymore—not the stuff that was bothering me yesterday. But now I'm finding something else: this slight weakness. I'm diabetic, so I know what hypoglycemia feels like. This isn't that, but it's similar to being on the verge of a sugar crash; that's the feeling in my muscles.
Sorry for being so long-winded. It just feels better to get it all out there..

Gary Williams18 said:Gregory Turner71, thanks for getting back to me.
I actually saw a private gastroenterologist yesterday. I ended up bumping into a professor, so I paid a bit more for the consultation 🙂
Elem, he listened to everything, and I handed him my labs from exactly a month ago (blood work, enzyme levels, abdominal ultrasound). He palpated my abdomen, and he was able to pinpoint the exact spot on my right side where I feel that discomfort. He explained that the large intestine makes a sharp turn right under the liver. Gas frequently gets trapped there, stretching the bowel against other organs, which creates that specific sensation. He prescribed Colospa retard, so we’ll see how things look in two months. If there’s no improvement, he suggested a colonoscopy, though he doesn't think it'll be necessary.

However, there are other things I've noticed that are really weighing on me... I was under such intense stress before the appointment yesterday that it was honestly terrifying. I was literally shaking because the reality hit me—no more Googling, no more medical forums; now I was finally sitting in front of a professional who was actually going to tell me what's happening. Facing that moment drove me absolutely insane. I had to take a sedative just to cope. Since my appointment was delayed, the meds actually kicked in by the time I saw him, so I calmed down, even though I was sweating through my clothes and my palms were ice-cold and clammy. Once the exam was over and I walked out, I thought I could finally breathe, but then this massive headache slammed into me... God knows what my blood pressure was like at that moment. I'm a little calmer now, and I'm starting the medication today... But I still can't stop myself from constantly checking my body, scanning for any sign of pain or discomfort. I have this muscle twitching sensation, like I'm lacking physical strength... You know that feeling when you squeeze your fist as hard as you can and your hand starts to tremble? That's exactly what I'm feeling in my leg muscles. It's all too much. Honestly, my next appointment might need to be with a psychologist or someone else. As of today, the actual pain that was bothering me yesterday is gone. Instead, I've found this new thing—this constant slight weakness. I'm diabetic, so I know what hypoglycemia feels like... This isn't quite that, but it feels like I'm right on the edge of a sugar crash, that specific sensation in my muscles...
Sorry for the long rant; it just helps to get it all out there...

You're anxious because you're terrified about your health. You need to make some lifestyle changes and find things to occupy your mind and cut out the stress. Fix your diet and remind yourself that you've done everything right. Given that the doctor pinpointed the exact location immediately, he clearly knows his stuff and the treatment is already underway. You're in the best possible hands, and this will get resolved.
Just relax!

Angela Wright, thanks for the encouragement. It’s probably much easier said than done. I’m trying to stay busy with work—in a good way, I mean. Keeping my head down with tasks, staying around people... it helps. But once I get home? My motivation just vanishes. I end up just lying around, scrolling through forums, looking for... I don't even know what. My wife already snapped at me, saying I'm acting crazy and being a drag. We're heading to the coast in six days, but honestly, I couldn't care less. I can't even get excited about it because, man, life is just heavy right now. Just... messed up.

Is that kind of dull, nagging ache in your lower right abdomen? For me, it started out as just some weird nerve pain. Then, before I knew it, it turned into this unbearable throbbing that shot straight through to my back along the nerve line. If that’s what you’re dealing with, most standard tests won't even pick it up. You basically have to rule out everything else first—liver issues, hepatitis, gallbladder stuff, kidney stones, diabetes, thoracic spine problems, and so on...

Anthony Carter5,
We'll see how it goes. For now, I’m going to stick to this medication for intestinal gas, then follow up with a checkup in two months. If things don't improve, a colonoscopy is likely on the horizon.
My liver shows some fatty buildup, though it isn't enlarged. No gallstones or kidney stones either—just a few tiny ones in the kidneys, nothing major according to the radiologist's ultrasound. My back feels fine. Otherwise, I am managing diabetes.

Gary Williams18 said:Anthony Carter5,
We'll see how this goes... For starters, I'm going to try this medication for intestinal gas, then follow up with a checkup in two months. If things don't improve, a colonoscopy is definitely on the table.
My liver is a bit fatty, but it isn't enlarged. No gallstones or kidney stones either (just some tiny ones in my kidneys, nothing major according to the radiologist's ultrasound)... My back is fine too. Oh, and I am diabetic.

Alright, look—my liver was slightly fatty once too, but I saw one of the top hepatologists in the States, and he told me it wasn't caused by what I thought. So, it’s highly likely you're in the same boat. A fatty liver can regenerate if you just stick to a healthy lifestyle. It doesn't seem like those organs are quite as fragile as people think.

I've had both a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy, and they didn't find a thing. Honestly, it’s no big deal; you can just do them under general anesthesia. But in a situation like yours, getting those tests done is pretty crucial.
Between my brother and me, we've basically cycled through about twenty different doctors.

I really respect that. As much as I want to hear what a doctor has to say, I get so much anxiety about actually going in and facing it... plus, it feels like the pain itself is starting to mess with my head, too.

Anthony Carter5 said:Are we talking about that dull, nagging ache in the lower right side of the abdomen? I went through something similar when my neuralgia first started acting up. It eventually spiraled into this unbearable pain that shot straight through to my back along the nerve line. The tricky thing is, if that’s what you’re dealing with, standard tests might not even pick it up. You really have to rule out everything else first—liver issues, hepatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney stones, diabetes, or even something in the thoracic spine...

How did they actually diagnose the neuralgia for you? What kind of testing was used, and which specific nerve is causing the trouble? Also, what does the treatment plan look like?

restlessbadger2 said:How did they actually diagnose the neuralgia? What kind of testing did they do, and which nerve is the culprit? Also, what’s the treatment plan?

By basically cutting out all the noise and pinpointing exactly which nerves were hit. Both Dr. Quess and Dr. Stimac independently came to the conclusion that it had to be neuralgia. Quess gave me a local lidocaine block just to confirm which specific nerves we were dealing with. He mentioned using a phenol block, but he warned me the risks were way too high, so I passed on that. Down in Cleveland, Stimac suggested a neurotomy—basically cutting the nerve. The downside there is you lose all sensation in that dermatome, so I wasn't having it. Fast forward two years and eight months later, and I can say the worst is behind me.
As for therapy, it’s mostly anticonvulsants, lidocaine patches, TENS units, and maybe some magnetic therapy. Honestly, there isn't really a "cure." These things just help manage the pain if you're dealing with neuralgia. If anyone thinks they can white-knuckle through this without meds, they're delusional. The first time I felt any actual relief was when they finally used a TENS unit on me during physical therapy after seven months of running around aimlessly. I still take Lyrica just in case the pain tries to make a comeback. Just a heads up: Lyrica takes a while to kick in, so you need patience.
If you suspect you have neuralgia, try putting a TENS unit on the area to see if it helps. As far as meds go, I'd recommend Lyrica, though it's a slow burn. Opioids aren't exactly a great long-term option, but when the pain hits its peak, they're the only thing that works. Also, watch your diet; you probably won't be moving much. I went from being a top-tier athlete to a complete blob, gaining about 60 pounds. If you need a doctor, I'd suggest Quess; Stimac doesn't work at the hospital anymore.

Anthony Carter5 said:The approach was essentially isolating everything else by pinpointing the exact nerves involved. Dr. Quess and Dr. Stimac both independently concluded it had to be neuralgia. To figure out which specific nerves were the culprits, Dr. Quess performed a local lidocaine block on me. He actually suggested a phenol block, but he warned me about the significant risks involved, so I decided against it. Meanwhile, over in Cleveland, Dr. Stimac proposed a neurotomy—essentially cutting the nerve—but that would mean losing all sensation in that dermatome entirely. I wasn't willing to take that risk. Now, after two years and eight months, I can finally say the worst of it has passed.
My current regimen consists of taking anagletics, using lidocaine patches, and finding some relief through TENS therapy, though maybe a little magnetic therapy helps too. In truth, there isn't one definitive "cure." However, if we are talking specifically about neuralgia, these methods are effective at managing the pain. Honestly, if anyone thinks they can just power through neuralgia without some kind of intervention, they aren't being realistic. I first noticed a real reduction in pain when they applied TENS during physical therapy, after seven long months of wandering from specialist to specialist. I still keep Lyrica on hand just in case the pain flares up again. You have to be patient with Lyrica, though; it takes a while to really kick in.
If you suspect you might be dealing with neuralgia, try applying a TENS unit to the area to see if it provides relief. As far as medications go, I’d recommend Lyrica, but again, patience is key. Opioids aren't exactly my first choice, but when the pain reaches its absolute peak, they are sometimes the only thing that works. Also, watch your diet; you likely won't be moving around as much as you'd like. I went from being a top-tier athlete to more of an amorphous mass, gaining about 30 pounds. As for doctors, I'd suggest seeing Quess; Stimac doesn't practice at the hospital anymore.

Where are those doctors located, and in which cities do they practice? Also, you didn't mention which specific nerves are actually affected, which is a pretty crucial detail to know. Thanks in advance.

restlessbadger2 said:Where exactly are those doctors you mentioned located? And which city? Also, you didn't specify which nerves we're actually talking about here—that's pretty crucial info. Thanks in advance.

Dr. Quess works privately at the Arithera clinic over in Washington, D.C. As for Dr. Stimac, he used to be in neurosurgery over in Cleveland, but they phased him out, so now he’s just doing general practice. Regarding the nerves, we were looking at the T9 through T11 range. Sure, the referred pain might have flared up a bit higher or lower, but that was the main epicenter. Quess gave me a lidocaine block right on those nerves; it lasted a few hours and felt fine. Just a heads-up though: stay far away from Softich or Rotim. They couldn't care less about helping. Honestly, neurologists aren't much help in these cases since you really need a surgeon to perform the block.