Question: I am a male, age 34, height 5'6", and weight 152 lbs. I have not had any major medical issues in the past, and I excersize regularly and try to take good care of myself.

A few days ago, I woke up with a mild pain in my back. I thought I must have just slept on it wrong and it would go away. The next day, I awoke with a mild pain in my back and a mild pain in my stomach (kind of just below the ribs maybe on the right side a little bit more than the left).

That night, I went to bed, and had sharp pains in my back that came in waves. It seemed to help things if I rolled over and slept on my stomach.

The next night, I continued to have sharp pain in waves in my back if I slept on my back, but if I rolled onto my stomach, I would immediately start having sharp pains in my stomach which would come and go.

The next night, I had sharp pains in my back and stomach (somewhat alternatingly though it seemed like most of the pain was in my stomach), and it didn't matter what position I slept in.

I have no pain during the day even while standing or lifting things, though I do feel sore and a little weak probably due to the fact that I am not getting good sleep because of the pain. I think I also might be starting to get a fever.

I tried taking ibuprofen, using a hot pad, and getting a massage, but nothing has worked. What's going on? Thanks.

Thanks for the response. I have limited Internet, so I will get straight to answering your questions.

1. It started with pain during the day the first two days, but now I only have pain at night when I am lying down and sleeping. Even then it comes and goes. It lasts a few seconds then goes awa. During the day, there is no pain, and if I stay up all night, like now, there is no pain. I also took a nap once during the day for 30 min and I was laying down, but there was no pain.

2. No pain eating, urinating, or having bowel movements. However, my appetite has been less than usual and sometimes I feel like I have something in my stomach (i.e. I feel full) even if I have not eaten.

3. If by colicky you mean it starts and stops, then yes. It does not feel like a spasm or pressure. It's a sharp pain in both the stomach and back.

4. I have not vomited at all, from the pain or otherwise. But it is strong enough to wake me from sleep every time it happens.

5. I am generally groggy from sleep, so it's hard to pinpoint the exact location. In my abdomen, I think it starts on my right side right underneath the bottom rib then radiates across the stomach. On the back, it is also on the right side, about mid to two thirds of the way up, just to the right on the spine.

6. I have had constipation before in my life, but it is not a regular occurrence. I am not constipated now and I have a bowel movement twice a day.

Thanks.

Do I need to see a doctor immediately? That is, will this be life threatening? I am traveling and won't be back to US until Aug 2. I am also in and out of countries in Easter Europe and not to certain of the quality of health care not to mention the language barrier. I would like to wait until I return home if this is not life threatening.

Also, I have found that when I sleep sitting up as I have done on a red eye flight and a might train, there is no pain. It is only while laying down. Also today I laid down for about a 5 hours, and I tried to pin point pain. There surprisingly was none, but as soon as I laid down it I felt discomfort in my stomach. The best I can describe it is that it felt like acid in my stomach. It actually felt like a warm/burning feeling. Is this consistent with what you diagnosed?
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