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What Causes Pain In Lower Left Abdomen?
Question: I have had pain in my lower left abdomen for about 5 years. Seems directly related to working out, as vacation time the pain subsides. Doctor can't find lump indicative of hernia, but the tissue in the area is softer than the right side, and a small dimple present indicate of swelling. When pain is worse it radiates slightly down left leg. Also, odd bubbling noises are present. Any ideas? I am female, 47, 5' 7", 168lbs.
Brief Answer:
From your description it really sounds like a hernia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
From your description it sounds like hernia indeed. I want you to make a simple test. Please put your hand exactly in the area where the pain is located. Push it gently and try to cough couple of times while standing. If the pain gets any worse during this test or any palpable lump appears hernia it is.
Was any of performed tests (ultrasound or CT) done when standing or all were done when lying down?
Does the pain radiate from the front of the abdomen to the leg or it starts from the back and goes through your buttock?
As the pain lasts for 5 years now and all tests did not give any consensus, it seems advisable to make a small incision in this area and check if there is no hernia in this location. Sometimes small hernia can act just like yours pain and can be hardly detectable with all available tests.
I suggest you to consult general surgeon with this.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
From your description it really sounds like a hernia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
From your description it sounds like hernia indeed. I want you to make a simple test. Please put your hand exactly in the area where the pain is located. Push it gently and try to cough couple of times while standing. If the pain gets any worse during this test or any palpable lump appears hernia it is.
Was any of performed tests (ultrasound or CT) done when standing or all were done when lying down?
Does the pain radiate from the front of the abdomen to the leg or it starts from the back and goes through your buttock?
As the pain lasts for 5 years now and all tests did not give any consensus, it seems advisable to make a small incision in this area and check if there is no hernia in this location. Sometimes small hernia can act just like yours pain and can be hardly detectable with all available tests.
I suggest you to consult general surgeon with this.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you. When standing up and coughing, pain not worse, and no lump appears, but tissue in area is noticeably softer.
All prior scans and ultrasounds etc have been performed lying down. Pain radiates down front of leg from front of abdomen....although some back pain also present, like dull period pain. Nothing in buttocks.
Still sound like a hernia? Its what i always thought.
All prior scans and ultrasounds etc have been performed lying down. Pain radiates down front of leg from front of abdomen....although some back pain also present, like dull period pain. Nothing in buttocks.
Still sound like a hernia? Its what i always thought.
Brief Answer:
This sounds like a hernia indeed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, this sounds like a hernia. But there are few more tests which can be done before surgical intervention. First of all you should have an ultrasound done while standing and during Valsalva maneuver (can be compared to hard pushing like during stool passing). Second you should consult orthopedist and consider spine MRI to rule out spine problems.
If this will be done, surgery seems to be the next step.
Regards.
This sounds like a hernia indeed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, this sounds like a hernia. But there are few more tests which can be done before surgical intervention. First of all you should have an ultrasound done while standing and during Valsalva maneuver (can be compared to hard pushing like during stool passing). Second you should consult orthopedist and consider spine MRI to rule out spine problems.
If this will be done, surgery seems to be the next step.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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