What Causes Sudden Pain In Right-sided Lower Abdomen, Vomiting And Painful BM?

Posted on Thu, 18 Feb 2016

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

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife was just fine before she ate and all of sudden she complained of a sharp pain on the right side of her lower abdomen. She threw up and did have a bowel movement. The bowel movement was hard and she had pain during the movement. She currently feels sharp pain in the right side but still feels as if she needs to go to the bath room.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
appendicitis vs gastroenteritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Sudden pain in the lower right abdomen can be from a few different things - these include, in females, an ovarian cyst or ovarian twisting (torsion), gastrointestinal problems (even gas can cause severe pain), and also appendicitis. Vomiting can go with appendicitis.

I would recommend erring on the safe side - if the pain is considerable, she should go to the ER where they can sort it out. So unless she suddenly feels much better now, she should go in to the ER now.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (12 minutes later)

Her pain has eased some but she still feels as if she has to go to the bathroom. The spot is tender but there is not any sharp pain when she isn't moving. She is sitting up and in this position feels comfortable. As her husband I want to go to the ER as you stated but she feels that it is not necessary. If this is a gastroenteritis would it continue to ease. I am still concerned will the pain pass if it is gastroenteritis? If so how long will it take for it to subside?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
appendicitis vs gastroenteritis

Detailed Answer:
If this is gastroenteritis, I would not expect it to ease with sitting quietly. Gastroenteritis is stomach flu or other gut infection. Lasts hours to a few days.

Appendicitis classically is worse with jostling, sudden movements and walking.
Jarring motion makes it worse.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

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