Hi, I have pains in my lower stomach near my left hip bone and the pains seems to move towards the back but I feel it mostly on the front portion. I get severe pains which at times wake me up at night. The pain in my side is constant and sometimes is worse than other times. If any pressure is put on my stomach near my hip the pain becomes worse. I am not sure what organs are found on that side or what can be causing this pain, also the pain does travel down my left leg as well. Do you have any idea as to what could be causing this pain, I was in an auto accident about 2 wks ago and this has been happening since. I do not know if anything was aggravated due to the accident. Thank You for any help that can be given. Nikki
The SteadyHealth member who started this discussion reported pain in the lower stomach near the left hip bone, which seemed to move towards the back, although it was felt mostly on the front portion of the abdomen. The reported pain was severe, constant and sometimes is worse than other times, causing wake ups at night. Putting any pressure on stomach near the hip would worsen the pain. The pain has been reported to travel down the left leg. The others joined the discussion complaining about the similar pain.
I have the same pain on my left side and it sometimes hurts so bad I can hardly walk any idea on what it is?
The member who started discussion mentioned that he/she was in an auto accident two weeks before the discussion has been started and that that the pain has been happening ever since. So, there was a strong link between the accident and pain. However, the others were mostly clueless about what may have caused their pain. So they tried to identify other possible reasons for their pain.
Around my hip and also feel it under my ribs and pain in my groin? Any idea?
While the injury/trauma has been mentioned a few more times in the discussion, most participants never had been injured, but still felt the pain in the lower abdomen near the hip.
For some, the constipation was the cause, but this evidence has been inconsistent because many who experienced pain had regular bowel movements. Few people reported pain when emptying bowels. One member noted his 20-year history of kidney stones claiming that many of the symptoms mentioned in the discussion sound very much like that. He, however, suggested a medical examination that would confirm this.
The pain described was usually a constant type of pain that is also present at night. The participants described it as pinching, cramp-like, burning pain (like a sunburn). The pain was occasionally accompanied by dizziness and vomiting. Leaning forward was reported to aggravate it.
In most participants, the pain was identified to be caused by kidney stones or kidney cyst. Few people were diagnosed with diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of small pouches in the descending colon called diverticula. For few, the pain was caused by a sports injury or car accident trauma. One woman reported that the pain was caused by IUD placed after she gave birth, while the other was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst that caused the pressure and pain.
What do experts say?
Pain in the lower left abdomen is often no reason to worry about, however, it should not be ignored. Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen may be benign, such as pain from trapped gas or constipation, or more serious, as in the case of an infection or inflammation. People experiencing both persistent or chronic pain, and a sudden onset of severe pain in the lower abdomen should seek immediate medical attention.
Possible causes for the pain in lower left abdomen
There are several possible causes of lower left abdomen pain, some of which are more common and benign, while others can be more serious, requiring medical attention.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is one of the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain. Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the intestinal wall called diverticula become infected and inflamed. Diverticula are created from pressure on weak spots in the colon. They are common in adults and after age 40 their number in colon increases. The pain from diverticulitis is usually present while a person is eating or shortly after a meal. Other symptoms may be present as well such as:
- tenderness in the abdomen
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- feeling bloated
Treatment of diverticulitis includes rest, a change in diet, and antibiotics. The more severe or reoccurring form may require surgery.
Gas
Gas is another common cause of pain in the lower left abdomen. Gas is the normal result of swallowing and digestion and typically, it is not anything to worry about since it will pass through either the rectum or esophagus. Gas that is temporarily trapped in the digestive tract when a person swallows air while eating can cause pain and discomfort until it moves out of the system.
Constipation
Constipation is another cause that occurs when a person cannot pass a stool. It may manifest as pain or discomfort in the lower left abdomen, accompanied by rectal pressure. Improving diet and increasing exercise are two of the most effective treatments for constipation.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones may cause this type of pain, although rarely. A stone may develop in kidney causing no problems. The pain occurs when the stone is blocking part of the kidney or as it moves in the kidney or passes through the urethra.
Endometriosis
Women may experience the lower left abdominal pain with endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue that typically lines the inside of your uterus also grows outside of the uterus. Besides the pain, other symptoms may be present as well such as:
- painful menstrual cramps
- painful intercourse
- painful bowel movements or urination
- heavy menstrual periods
- spotting between periods
Other conditions that may cause the lower left abdominal pain are trauma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), shingles, hernia, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cyst, testicular torsion, intestinal obstruction, etc.
Diagnosis of the pain in the lower left abdomen
A doctor can order a range of tests to diagnose the possible causes and decide on the best course of treatment.
These may include:
- Physical examination, including pressing on the painful area to identify possible causes or locate any suspicious lumps
- Imaging tests such as CT scan, ultrasound imaging, or MRI scan
- Endoscopy, in which a doctor inserts a tube with an attached light and camera down the throat and into the stomach, producing an image of the lower abdomen
- Colonoscopy
Treatment of the pain in the lower left abdomen
The type of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the pain. The lower abdominal pain due to an infection, such as diverticulitis, will often only require antibiotics and resting. Constipation and trapped gas will require basic dietary changes and the use of laxatives. Other, more serious problems may require more invasive treatments, such as surgery.
Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12599037
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3812483/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3468117/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5265196/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK348937/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1773885/
- https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/29/8/1112.full.pdf
Discussion highlights
What diagnosis the doctors have made?
- I have a 20 year history of kidney stones and many of your symptoms on this thread sound very much like that, but again, only an examination will confirm this.
- I've only had renal failure once in 20 years and I couldn't pass any water, but I passed the stone while in hospital on pain killers (Pethidine) and lots of fluids.
- I also have cysts - quite a few and had a bleed on the kidney cyst which kept me resting for 15 days.
- i was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and endometriosis.
- I have Crohn's disease which is an inflammatory bowel disease.
- 14 last year and got a inguinal hernia out of it!
- I have polycystic ovaries and just recently, this pain started again.
- I went through those things too and it took ten years to figure out I have lupus.
- I had a kidney scan which identified the bleeding cyst and at the same time constipation - and I'm regular at the loo.
- im not sure about the pain moving from front to back, but when i visited the hospital with a similar pain which was moving from the back to the front, the doctor told me i had kidney stones.
- I actually thought it was a cyst as well most because I knew I had a cyst on that side.
- Turns out I have a type of cancer that infests in your bones.
- Turns out I have a type of cancer that infests in your bones.
- I've been to the doctors and surgeon and I get told i have a pulled muscle.
- they believe the fallopian tube and ovary tissue were fused together by scar tissue from a cyst that had ruptured.
- The hip problem was diagnosed as bursitis/arthritis and my back is moderately arthritic.
- my husband was diagnosed by two orthos and two er docs with a groin pull .mri on10/6 showed an8"x4"tumor in the bones and he died on10/23.getchecked out.
- But I have known I have prolly cystic ovarian syndrome but normaly they pop and go away but if its a cyst like I'm thinking it hasn't it keeps getting worse.
- I'm only 12 but a few months back i had a ruptured cyst on my ovarie and that can causebad pain, while i was at the hospital one of thier main concerns were that my ovaries had twisted and they didnt have any blood im no surgeon or anything but your best bet would be to get it checked out
- i am a 32 year old female with a history of chronic yeast,bacterial vaginosis & UTIs.( in good health otherwise), its 5:30 on saturday morning and im in bed googling my symptoms before going to the E.R.
- 3days ago i had a terrible dull & sharp (if that makes sense) pain on my left side under my rib cage that radiated to my back,saw my dr.and she took a urine sample and said i have protien and blood in my urine but doesnt think its an infection.she actually told me i have Bacterial Vaginosis and made BV the focus of the visit.needless to say im fustrated.2days on these vaginal bacteria antibiotics and my back pain is the same if not worse.Report from lab came back for my urine and the dr.
- I had the same severe pain on my left side, under the ribs, I was diagnosed with a kidney infection.
What therapies and treatments have been recommended?
- In the UK they don't like using Pethidine now and so I'm on morphine when I get attacks.
- I take co-codamol 30/500 for the pain (especially at night - helps sleep) or Severdol (Morphine sulphate) for extreme kidney colic.
- You can take Ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time if you need to - always ask your pharmacist.
- I have tried taking pain killers and put a heat pack on the area and sometimes it doesn't work.
- I tried different types of birth control pills to see if that would work (also oxycode for the pain and naproxen), but these did not work.
- Antibiotics, one MRI and colonsocopy later it turend out ot be an inccorect diagnosis.
- He gave me two cortisone shots in my right hip and one day later my abdominal pains are all but gone.
- I've only had renal failure once in 20 years and I couldn't pass any water, but I passed the stone while in hospital on pain killers (Pethidine) and lots of fluids.
- so have to suffer another week and gave me painkillers which dont really help.
- Have your back checked the nerve from your spine passes directly where you have the pain i have been going for pain blocks now for a year where they inject lanacane and steriods into l1 and l2 vertibrae going for pulse radio frequency next.
- nomraly i'd take pain meds and it dosnt do anything.
- I saw a doctor yesturday, he told me to stop taking pain medications.
- Then later that night I ended up in the emergancy room with this pain, I had told them what had happened and what the doctor said to me and they gave me panadine forte, I am thinking about seeing a different doctor, all this pain in getting beyond a joke, I have been suffering pain for nearly 3 years, I have pain nearly everyday.
- It does, and you just take strong pain killers for it, but it is not dangerous (once they have taken scans / X-rays of it.
- 3days ago i had a terrible dull & sharp (if that makes sense) pain on my left side under my rib cage that radiated to my back,saw my dr.and she took a urine sample and said i have protien and blood in my urine but doesnt think its an infection.she actually told me i have Bacterial Vaginosis and made BV the focus of the visit.needless to say im fustrated.2days on these vaginal bacteria antibiotics and my back pain is the same if not worse.Report from lab came back for my urine and the dr.
- fells better to lay on back but even that is not working so well.only urinating 2 times a day now.ibprofin doesnt help.going to ER today because i cant take this anymore.
- I have tried taking laxatives and still the pain is there.
- 2nd NDF plus.
- Gets rid of toxic metals, like mercury and aluminum, which can accumulate in the body.
- I have been to the ER , and another rush to the hospital on Tuesday, they have done CTScan ultrasound blood test and at first they thought it was diverticulitis gave me meds for that and my symptoms just keep getting worse.
What the participants in the discussion suggested?
- However, the secret is to go to a doctor and keep going until they have got to the bottom of the problem.
- Always better to get the doctors opinion and value your health and your right to health.
- If you think your doc isn't taking you seriously, see another doc or specialist.
- Might be a good idea to get blood test for uric crystals - these form into stones and also deposits in your joints, which cause 'Gout'.
- My advice to you would be to see a physiotherapist or osteopath or whichever physical therapist you prefer, to help relieve the pain.
- my suggestion is to talk to ur gyno about it.
- If the pain and discomfort continues, I would recommend seeing a gastro doc.
- So can a bladder infection, which is why it is important to get it identified and treated.
- Don't be frightened to ask "could this pain be.
- My message to you all is that the internet can be valuable, but it is not a diagnosis and it may cause you to worry more.
- I guess it's possible for you to be making kidney stones (drink plenty - not cola or soda drinks - they don't re-hydrate).
- dont get too scared.
- It might be your bowels.
- If it seems like your bowels, my first recommendation would be to incorporrate more fiber into your diet.
- If this pain continues for a few weeks/a month consult a doctor.
- With similar pain to this I would recommend a bone scan, and going to a hospital immediately.
- it could be sacrilliac problems.
- dont let it go on as long as i did though, as it just takes longer to sort.
- With similar pain to this I would recommend a bone scan, and going to a hospital immediately.
- Have your back checked the nerve from your spine passes directly where you have the pain i have been going for pain blocks now for a year where they inject lanacane and steriods into l1 and l2 vertibrae going for pulse radio frequency next.
- Urin samples are good to take to the doctor, or visit the doctor with a full bladder and ask for a specimen jar (which is clean) to give a present sample.
- Drink plenty of water - but not too much (8 glasses a day) When the doctor tells you "There is nothing unusual or un normal", this can even apply to them finding cysts which apparently many of us are born with.
- The important thing to do is get medical staff to check you out rather than rely on forums.
- Also, don't worry too much.
- If not, try to increase how much clean water you drink.
- And of course, when you find the diagnosis, look up on the internet what things can cause that problem and then you'll have a clue as to what to change in your life.
- If you think you have a kidney stone, you should head to the ER immediately in case it is too large to pass yourself.
- Don't be scared to tell your parents.
- Please just talk to your parents and tell them.
- Tell them where it hurts, how long its been hurting you, and when it started.
- u need to tell yourparents so they can take you to the doctor to find out what causing the pain
- GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND GET IT CHECKED OUT YOU COULD HAVE POSSIBLY RUPTURED SOMETHING DONT WAIT GO NOW
- I had the same thing eat a crsp load if fiber
- Go get your blood work all checked out.
- Please seek help for your poor self image.
- Ask for a CT scan
- I’d recommend a urine test.
In conclusion
Pain in the lower left abdomen is often no cause for concern, however, it is still not something a person should ignore. Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen may range from benign, such as gas or constipation pain, to more serious that may require medical attention. Diverticulitis is one of the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain that develops as a result of infection or inflammation of small pouches in the colon. The treatment usually requires resting, a change in diet, and antibiotics.