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Can Arthritis Lead To Sharp Pain On The Lower Right Side Of The Abdomen ?

Posted on Wed, 12 Mar 2014

Question: Yes, my mother in law who is 79 years old is experiencing a very sharp pain on the lower right side of her abdomen. She expressed that the pain was so bad she felt like her ribs were breaking. She went to the doctor, however the doctor said it was just her arthritis acting up. How in the world can it be that, when she knows the pain of her arthritis. This is a different pain she had not experienced before. Any suggestions? Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Need details Detailed Answer: Hi After going through the query I am a bit confused regarding the location of pain - Is it below the rib cage or closer to her thigh Also let us know the nature of the pain - ? colicly / pricking / burning / sharp Any associated symptoms and precipitating and releiving factors This will help me to interpret better Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (46 minutes later)

Her pain is underneath the rib cage area and goes all around to the back and shoulders. The pain is a stabbing sharp pain. She is on pain medication and it only calms the pain does not take it away. She is extremely weak and this pain totally drains her. She gets up everyday in pain but always manages to keep going the whole day through but the pain she is experiencing is so sharp it drains and makes her cry. She has also thrown up yellow vomit and she said it was very bitter.A doctor here gave her a C.T. scan and said there was nothing wrong, just her arthritis. I am not a doctor but as a concerned daughter in law certainly know that this is not her arthritis. The pain is very real and when I touched her right side with my hand asked her where and how hard did I need to feel her side before she felt the pain. The pain was immediate and bad upon slight touch of the hand upon her side not in the middle of the stomach but to the right side of stomach. Is there any other information which I can give you to help find what it might be that we can get help with. Dr. XXXXXXX is there any other information I can give you to help.

Answered by Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Answered Detailed Answer: Hi Right upper quadrant pain going to the back is usually due to - 1) Gall bladder related issues more likely secondary to a stone. This causes pain going to the shoulders and is episodic. However it is usually felt after eating. This is usually picked up on a CT 2) Ulcer related pain - This is usually missed on a CT and requires an endoscopy. Painkiller intake is a common cause of ulcers and this may be relavent here 3) Pain secondary to pancreatitis - This is easily seen on a CT. Hence see a gastroenterologist and get an endoscopy done and show him the CT also. Regards Dr XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (39 hours later)

Thank you so much for your advice. We truly appreciate your taking the time to give us an answer. It sounds more reasonable than the nothing answer they give us here. Which is extremely scary because so many doctors are not listening to the patient. So once again thank you for kindly giving us a direction in which to look. Have a most wonderful week. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Replied Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for the complement Regards

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