What Should I Do I Have Abdominal Pains In My Upper Left Side?

Posted on Tue, 16 Jun 2020

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

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 Answered on

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I have abdominal pains in my upper left side. it hurts when I move any way. I'm currently lying down on my right side and thats the only time the pain isn't absolute he'll. it's a sharp sort of pain. started when I woke up about 3hrs ago

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
acute muscle spasm or referred pain of renal calculus.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor services.

* As per my clinical experience, sharp pain over abdomen involving left side
may be related to acute muscle spasm, referred pain of renal calculus or
others.

* As the intensity of pain is severe, I would recommend to get immediate
relief with any handy tablet for pain control in form of
- diclofenac
- dicyclomine or drotaverine
- ibuprofen with or without paracetamol
to be consumed with a cup of tea or coffee ( if no history of particular
drug sensitivity ).

* Intake of analgesic will make you comfortable within a period of next
hour or so.

* Once your pain is settled to someway, kindly give me furter details so that
I can answer your query more precisely.

1. Was there previous episode of such pain if any ?
2. Does the left kidney area hurts ( which is middle of left side back ) ?
3. Associated nausea, vomiting if any ?
4. Alteration in urination if any ?
5. History of weight lifting or other strenuous activity ?

Awaiting for your favorable response.
Take care.

Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS consultant surgeon )

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (47 minutes later)

Ive never had this type of pain but i have Gastritis and the 1st time ot presented itself i remember the pain being this dibilitating. I do feel much better i laid down for about 1hr so the pain isnt as dibilitating anymore

There is no pain in my back exactly but my entire left side of my upper torso is in pain. Arms included.No nausea or vomiting or ulteration in my urine.
I did some exercises this past weekend but nothing to weighty i just used my body weight.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the relevant details.

* As the pain is subsided by lying down to opposite side, muscle spasm of
acute onset is more likely than other possibilities.

My guidelines at present

- do deep breathing exercises
- adapt postural changes in such way to avoid pressure over the sore area
- local application of heating pad over painful areas 2-3 times a day for 5
minutes each
- analgesic acetaminophen ( 325 mg ) 4 times a day after meals, preferably
with antacid or proton pump inhibitor as omeprazole to avoid gastric upset
( Other pain killers as diclofenac or ibuprofen gives much faster and
prompt relief, but considering your gastritis issue, better to avoid )

Do feel free to discuss further as per your requirement.
Let me know the follow up after doing above for a day or so.

Wish you best recovery.
Take care.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D