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What Causes Constant Pain In Lower Abdomen?
Question: Having constant pain in lower act, right side only, to right of spine. Get injections for disc problems, this is unrelated and new. I am type 2 diabetic, 80. No fever, but suspect kidney or pancreas involvement. No trauma - just woke up with it yesterday. Tried aspirin and tramadol, neither really helped much. What do you suggest?
Sorry. Obviously new to site and didn't realize earlier question had gone through!
To confirm, pain is located below waist, to right of spine.
Sorry. Obviously new to site and didn't realize earlier question had gone through!
To confirm, pain is located below waist, to right of spine.
Brief Answer:
Pain
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
I suggest checking your sugars and if they are persistently above the target set by your doctor, then you should contact him or her.
Certain complications of high blood glucose can result in abdominal pain.
Furthermore, it is necessary to undergo a physical check-up and possibly ultrasound of the abdomen to look for other causes such as kidney stones or appendix related problems.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Pain
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
I suggest checking your sugars and if they are persistently above the target set by your doctor, then you should contact him or her.
Certain complications of high blood glucose can result in abdominal pain.
Furthermore, it is necessary to undergo a physical check-up and possibly ultrasound of the abdomen to look for other causes such as kidney stones or appendix related problems.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Specifically, what complications from high blood glucose do you mean? It usually takes a week for him to get blood work back. Any suggestions for or against pain relievers in the meantime?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
DKA(Diabetic Keto Acidosis) and HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State) can cause pain in the belly.
It is not advisable at all to treat the symptom of pain without first knowing the cause of it
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
DKA(Diabetic Keto Acidosis) and HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State) can cause pain in the belly.
It is not advisable at all to treat the symptom of pain without first knowing the cause of it
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Pain is in back, not abdomen. During the night it radiated down my right leg.
Saw an internist this morning; he asked about pain below the knee. Told him no, and he determined it was a pinched nerve, one in the lower back that ends at the knee. Prescribed Lyrica, with Cymbalta as a backup, along with over the counter pain meds. Said people have had good results with it so we will see. Recommended pool exercise.
Really glad it's not diabetes related, in his opinion. Hope he's right.
Thanks for your response. My A1C runs 7.5-8.0, not great but not as bad at my age, or so I have been told. Still, the complications are always lurking in the background.
FYI, I do not take opioids of any kind. Don't tolerate well and just don't like them.
Saw an internist this morning; he asked about pain below the knee. Told him no, and he determined it was a pinched nerve, one in the lower back that ends at the knee. Prescribed Lyrica, with Cymbalta as a backup, along with over the counter pain meds. Said people have had good results with it so we will see. Recommended pool exercise.
Really glad it's not diabetes related, in his opinion. Hope he's right.
Thanks for your response. My A1C runs 7.5-8.0, not great but not as bad at my age, or so I have been told. Still, the complications are always lurking in the background.
FYI, I do not take opioids of any kind. Don't tolerate well and just don't like them.
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
Your A1c value is generally considered acceptable for your age.
Request your doctor to refer you to a pain specialist.
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
Your A1c value is generally considered acceptable for your age.
Request your doctor to refer you to a pain specialist.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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