Suggest Remedy For Sharp Pain Below Lower Ribs

Posted on Sat, 10 Jan 2015

Question: I am a 28 year old female who is active, exercises three to four times a week though I am a moderate drinker and smoker. Over the course of the past six months I have encountered a sharp, pinching pain that is just beneath my lower left rib, mostly happening in my back/flank area. The pain only comes in short bursts. This pain has come and go, happening regularly, for a week or two, and then disappearing for a month or two. I have not experienced any other symptoms. I am worried because this is in the area of my kidneys and is also close to my pelvic area. My guesses have been a pinched nerve because the pinching sharpness that shoots into my back. And I have also thought it could in someway relate to my bowels because the pain has seemed less after I go to the bathroom. This pattern could false though, I don't know. I am uninsured and it is a huge deal for me to fork out the money to go. Is this something serious or can I see if it resolves itself?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
If possible please get ultrasound scan done to assess for kidney stones

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
A pain in the left flank or back area is most commonly due to conditions like stones in the left kidney.

Acute onset of severe flank pain that radiates to the groin, blood in urine, nausea, and vomiting not associated with an acute abdomen are symptoms that most likely indicate pain caused by an acute ureteral or renal pelvic obstruction from a stone of kidney origin.

Please maintain your daily water and fluid intake at 2 to 2.5 liters. This will help flush out any small stones and prevent formation of new ones , should it happen due to less fluid intake.

The other possibility of a pinched nerve cannot be excluded at the moment and this can cause occasional muscle spasms as you have mentioned. This should get relieved on application of muscle relaxants and painkillers as ointments or sprays.

The bowel related condition is a possibility if you experience constipation, diarrhea or change in bowel movements with change in color of stools or presence of blood.

As you do not have insurance and the pain is occurring in short bursts, it would be helpful to get the kidney area scanned through ultrasound. As a doctor I cannot tell you to ignore the problem completely without getting any further investigations done.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar