Have Chronic Flank Pain. CT Scan Negative. Take Hydrocodone. Help?

Posted on Sun, 30 Jun 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 Answered on

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have chronic right flank pain. Level 9 and 10. I have been to hospital for ct scan they can not see anything.
I have had the pain 7 years and it is worse now than ever. I take hydrocodone 500mg 3 times daily.
Also 2700 mg. gabapintin. I am 62 yr. old female with chrons with now symtoms of that. My pain is low and high
and around to back under ribs. I have had galbladder checked 4 times. Not it. They do not help at the Doctor
tell me to go to pain clinic. I have had 5 shots that never helped in my back. I have had every mri you Doctors do.
They tell me they do not know what is wrong. Can you help?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The severe pain in the right flank with no detectable pathology on CT scan is suggestive of a nerve related pain. It can be due to a mild nerve root compression at the level of spinal cord or a neuropathic pain. Such pains are difficult to control with the help of pain killers. Medicines like Pregabalin or Gabapentin can help you.
It is best to consult a neurologist for a proper diagnosis. Sometimes Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ( TENS) helps in relieving such kind of pains.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. XXXXXXX Tayal.

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