What Causes Pain In Upper Right Side?

Posted on Sat, 25 Oct 2014

Question: I had my gall bladder out two years ago. I am now having pains in my upper right side. II can't sleep on my right side at night because of some pain. It does get better throughout the day. My right side of my back hurts in the morning too. I don't feel sick, haven't lost weight and bowel movements are pretty normal. The pain really bothers me though. It might be in my upper colon or in the area my gall bladder used to be.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
May be Acid peptic disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,XXXXXX
Welcome to HCM.
I am Dr Rakesh Sharma answering your question.
Your description of pain seems to be because of a simple musculoskeletal pain, as it is more when you sleep on right side and decreases when you take analgesics. But at the same time acid peptic disorder or Gastroesophageal Reflux disease, should be ruled out.
Is your pain increases when you press that particular area? Or when you take a deep breath, or artificial coughing?
Is your pain related to emptiness of your stomach, and relieved by eating something? or increases with some particular food?
Or any other thing which you may feel is not concerned with this may be useful for me.
Please let me know then I will advice you on further course of action.
Waiting for your reply.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Sharma (24 hours later)

As the day progresses, I seem to feel tired and very achy on my right side and back. If I sit awhile, this area feels tender. I am having trouble figuring out if it muscular skeletal pain or something else. Could it possibly be scar tissue from the gall bladder removal? Could it be sludge, or even a gallstone. I didn't have any gallstones, just an inactive gall bladder. Could it be something associated with my colon or an infection of some kind? Again, I haven't been sick or lost weight. I do burp often and tend to have more gas than usual. I do not have acid reflux. I tend to have to go to the bathroom soon after I eat, especially in the morning. If I roll over on my right side, it hurts but not sure if is associated with a rib or if something is hurting from the inside. Which route should I go when I visit my doctor this week. Should I have X-rays completed, be recommended to see a gastoentronologist to or possibly ask to have other tests completed like a ct scan etc.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chances of muscular and acidity both.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for responding and giving all the possible details.
This problem of yours now, seems to be either or acidity or\ and muculoskeletal. As it is increased by movement and you do burp often.
It is long time to be any thing troubling you inside, from your old surgery.
As there is no gall bladder,there are no chances of any sludge or stone.
Chances of colitis is there but nothing significant to correlate with this.
When you see your doctor and explain him every thing, he will decide on what investigations like ultrasound scan or CT scan is best for you. You can also mention our conversation with him.
Meanwhile I suggest Omeprazole 20 mg 30 minutes before breakfast with empty stomach for 3-4 weeks.
Hope you have answer of you doubts, if any more please post them or you can close the question by rating it.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju