Help please!

I had very similar pain lots of tests MRI scans x rays etc on 0kpain killers amitryptiline naproxen codeine had no effect only thing that helped was a hot water bottle 6 months down the line in desperation I went for acupuncture apparently I have scoliosis and my ribs had become inflamed the acupuncture really helped .I also tried a Tens machine that helped ad well

Oh Grammaretto what an ordeal! I’m so glad it got sorted out but that was a long wait.
So, some good news from me at last. I booked myself in with a physio, and he listened carefully to the saga, looked at the long list of drugs, then examined me. He’s pretty sure I’ve cracked the floating rib on my left side. He gave me a gentle massage (absolute bliss) and showed me some exercises to do. I am up and walking around and although it aches, I am not in the screaming pain of the last month.
Thank you so so much all of you, your messages were a real help and I’m so grateful. Hope anyone out there who’s in pain finds answers and help soon ?

I had an agonising pain on one side, thought it might be appendicitis and GP put me on antiBs. I don't know why he did but it didn't get better so I begged to see a specialist. Our practice are loathe to refer you because they are keen to deal with things locally and not burden the hospitals.
I was referred, waited for hours for an Xray but because they were running late they admitted me!

The following 4 days I was given every scan under the sun but nothing untoward was detected except an odd blood result showing an abnormally high calcium level.

I was dispatched from hospital , where I was feeling a fraud anyway amidst seriously ill people. So I went to endocrine out patients and a scan of my neck showed a hugely enlarged parathyroid gland. It is usually the size of a lentil but this was the size of a plum!
The 4 tiny glands are the neighbours of the thyroid gland but perform a different job. They control the vital magnesium and calcium levels whereas the thyroid gland controls the metabolism.

I was told I was lucky as it would be a simple operation to remove it. 10 minutes in day surgery. However I waited 8 months for the op and was in pain but as soon as the offending gland was removed my blood calcium levels returned to normal.

So don't discount something as surprising as that. I think the reason the pain was in my side was a build up of calcium in the bones there. Hyperparathyroidism is the brain getting the wrong messages so thinks the body needs more calcium when it is infact overdosing.
The condition commonly known as stones, bones and groans isn't so rare in people, particularly women, between ages 50 and 80yrs.

If neglected it can lead to osteoporosis, lethargy, fatigue, depression so thank you pain in side for leading to an early diagnosis.

Daisymae is right. If it gets too bad, just go to A and E. If not, be assertive at the doctors!

Think that it's time to ask for a referral to a consultant as it does seem that your attempts to manage have not helped. If it gets worse before your appointment with the GP phone 111 or get to a and e. Hope you are feeling better soon. X

Thank you Orangutan - had acupuncture to help with arthritis and it was astonishing! Haven’t had a headache since, either. Good call.
I’m trying physio Monday and GP Tuesday and will ask. My own GP has acupuncture herself .

This sounds like sciatica pain/slipped disc. I had this last year and the pain was escrutiating. The only thing that helped me was accupunture. I know accupunture can be very expensive, but some NHS trusts now offer this. Might be worth a word with your GP. I wish you better. X

Oh that’s interesting, thanks Hetty58. I hadn’t realised that. Something else to ask doctor.
I’ve got a lovely physio (private) who I go to sometimes for help with arthritis pain. I think I’ll try her today too.
I’m so grateful for your advice, I was feeling so sorry for myself earlier!

GrandmaRoo, allergies can be sparked off by anything, even a garden plant. I know nerve pain can be agonising too and I hope the GP can arrange further investigations rather than more and stronger painkillers.

Private physiotherapy can work wonders too. I had ten sessions (£50 a go) when I was desperate with severe back pain. It was worth it. Then, having waited, I got NHS physio and it was terrible. I stopped going and went back on the painkillers for a while!

Thanks Hetty58 but I wasn’t on any medication at all when this started. Although I’m on such a cocktail of drugs right now something may not be agreeing with my system..
Thanks Nannytopsy, that sounds like me. How bad was the pain? I’ve been in bed for a couple of days which I feel is wrong but honestly the pain is dreadful when I stand or sit. After all these weeks I feel I have no reserves to fight it with. I’m going to try my GP again today.
Thanks again everyone, you’re very kind.

I had pain at my waistline for several months and put it down to general backaches. It eventually started moving and was kidney stones. Good luck x

Another possibility is allergy. I have sometimes had a reaction, almost like anaphylaxis, but instead of swelling and pain in the throat, it causes swelling, pain and blockage of the intestines. Antihistamines stop it.

I was once prescribed Lisinopril for high blood pressure and, after a few months, suddenly had a reaction and ended up in hospital

Oh that makes sense, thank you EllanVannin. I’ll keep drinking lots of water. If it’s been sitting there for 23 days is it likely to move on by itself? And is it just too small to have showed up on a scan, so you think?
Thank you all so much for your advice x

A kidney stone ? These blighters can shift with sudden movement. The pain is also unbearable even though a stone can be no bigger than a grain of sand it feels more like a boulder. With a bit of luck it will be passed through and expelled but if the pain continues an ultra-sound should detect it. It used to be an IVP.

Oh harrigran, much sympathy!
I’m back in bed but unlike yesterday the pain isn’t easing. It all feels very scary. Hate bothering GP again but lovely DiL insisting I get some stronger painkillers x

Sounds very like the way my pain started, under the left side of my rib cage, I put it down to intercostal muscles and over time it eased.
The pain returned just below my sternum and radiates to my back, mine is not constant but usually starts at 2am and lasts for 4 or 5 hours. It typically happens 2or 3 times a week and leaves me washed out for 24 hours.
I have had heart tests, blood tests which show Amylase level raised, chest x-ray, ECG and gastroscopy. Next week I am having CT scan.
The consultant said that the muscle down the front of my abdomen was showing signs of separation, sometimes happens after childbirth or with age.
My treatment was Lansoprazole morning and night even though I did not think it was reflux, gastroscopy was normal.
If scan shows nothing of note and pain continues the next step will be to try Nortryptoline as it breaks the cycle of nerve pain.

Sometimes there is no easy answer to pain, mine has been going for seven months, hope you find some relief soon.

Kidney stones? Gall stones? Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks everyone, you’re so lovely.
I was sure it was an oblique muscle strain but doctors have discounted that because I can move around without any further pain.
I have no other symptoms except for feeling very sick in the morning when the pain is at its worst.
I’m seeing GP on Tuesday which seems a long way off but will ask about trapped nerves. The pain eases considerably when I lie down - does that happen with a trapped nerve? The pain doesn’t radiate at all - and I’m not tender anywhere. Just been for a quick walk around village but couldn’t wait to get back and lie down ?
Thanks all.

As it happened when digging your garden, and the pain subsides when you lie down, it could be a hernia. However as you've had a scan I assume that would have been noticed.

Hope it's all sorted soon!

Nerve pain is excruciating- does sound like it might be that - poor you I know what that's like.

From what you say, it seems to be connected with your digging. Perhaps it's simply a damaged muscle? Muscles can take a while to heal. Simple pain-killers and hot water bottles should help ease the pain. Digging is good exercise but you do need to be careful not to over-do it.

Sorry no advice but some for you and hope they sort it out soon.
Yes I agree - forget making the cake!!

Poor you. Sorry no advice but someone else needs to make or buy the birthday cake!

I wonder if a nerve has become trapped I don’t think that would show up in x rays Have you thought of a physio or osteopath for some manipulation it sounds as if it’s in spasm and need releasing
Sorry I can’t be more helpful hope you get some help very soon