HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Pain On Right Flank Side With Elevated ESR And CRP Levels?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: About 6 weeks ago I started having pain I thought originally by coughing. But the pain didn't go. The pain is on the right flank side in between the ribs and hip. I have had bloods taken. ESR and CRP are both raised. Liver and kidney function are fine and blood count is fine. What could this be? Could it be a strained muscle causing the inflammation to raise?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I read carefully your query and understand your concern.

The pain in the right flank with elevated values of inflammatory indicators (ESR,CPR) suggest an inflammatory process in an abdominal organ.
A muscle strain can not cause elevation of ESR,CRP and most important the pain would have gone or at least improved for 6 weeks.

Since your blood tests are normal,you may need further investigations to determine the cause.
-You may need to run an urinalysis
-Abdominal ultrasound and if needed CT scan.
These studies will evaluate the condition of abdominal organs like apendix (because inflammation of apendix can cause such symptoms).kidneys and urinary tract to exclude any pathology (like stones ), pancreas ,liver and biliary tract.
If you don't have any other symptom that can indicate a specific pathology and the pain continues ,you should run these imaging studies.
You may need to consult a specialist doctor (gastroenterologist or general surgeon) .

Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help.

Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (11 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply. The only thing so far my doctor can suggest is it is gallstones. Although I have had gallstones for 10 years for the last 9 years they have been asymptomatic. Only this pain is not on the scale of gallstone pain (no where near as bad) the doctor suggested some build up somewhere. I will contact him again Monday and ask him to run more tests. It is very concerning for me. Thank you once again for answering my questions.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Gallstones are a possible cause and should be taken in consideration,although the symptoms and the duration of the pain is not typical for gallstones.
I would suggest an abdominal ultrasound that can also evaluate the condition of the gallbladder and main biliary ducts.
If the findings are not specific and the pain continues you may need to run an CT scan.At this point ,it would be recommendable to consult a specialist.

I wish you good luck and hopefully it is nothing serious.

Take care,
Dr.Rovena

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 minute later)

Thank you :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
you are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You are totally welcome dear.

Take care,

Dr.Rovena

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

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