Suggest Treatment For Right-sided Pain, Bloating, Nausea And Lack Of Appetite

Posted on Mon, 16 Feb 2015

Question: I had right pain and bloating, as well as pain under ribs, nausea and lack of appetite for several weeks. THought it was IBS or my kidney stones which I have small ones and have passed every ten years. Finally had doctor do a CT scan and was told appendix inflamed. Had thi out four weeks ago. I am much better, bloating gone etc but I continue to have trouble with stomach and pain in stomach periodically. I also feel pressure in lower abdomen as well as in my back. Still constipated at times and have always had problems with going often. Is it normal to still feel pressure in abdomen and pain this far after- I have been traveling again and back at work after two weeks.

I should mention that I have take lexapro and have four two years- I think I still have some IBS but want to ask the right quersitons to surgery doctor when I revisit. Trying to decide if I should so a Gastroentorogist- had colonscopy two years ago. I really just want to get or test some medicines that I use to have 20 years ago that helped relax stomach for IBS but hate to go through all the tests again.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not Normal / need examination, investigations and proper treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.

To recapitulate:
53 / F - had pain in right abdomen, bloating, pain under ribs, nausea, lack of appetite - weeks - CT shows appendicitis - has this out 4 weeks ago - continued pain periodically, pressure in lower abd, back - constipation - taking milk of Magnesia - problems with going often - travelling again and back at work -
want to know - is it normal ?

My thoughts :
If this was just appendicitis and nothing else, you should have been absolutely symptom-free.
This indicated an associated problem / sequel of Surgery .

There would have be an associated other problem like Colitis or
Disturbed intestinal flora
IBS, as you have rightly mentioned

I would advise the following:
-An opinion of the operating Surgeon for the continued symptoms...
-Ultrasonography / review CT scan of the abdomen.
-Clinical examination by the Surgeon / Gastroenterologist.
-Add-on probiotic, activated charcoal tablets.
-Colonoscopy

This will help to get a proper diagnosis.
If all the tests are normal, IBS can be said to have been preset.
It is not OK to ask for pain medicines alone.
A proper diagnosis on clinical examination by the operating Surgeon or a Gastroenterologist, investigations as mentioned may help to get the proper diagnosis.

I hope this answer helps you to take appropriate steps towards proper diagnosis and treatment.
Please feel free to ask if you have further clarifications.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

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