Pain in right side

[Badrabbit]

I've had this pain in my right side for a very long time(Kidney area) about 4 months ago it got so bad I went to Emergency, I had CT Scan, Ultra Sound, X Ray, blood test and Urine test, nothing found, just back from the Hospital as it became very painfull again, they gave me pain killer Injection plus tablets, my question is will an MRI scan find the problem?

The pain is always there but mostly very mild, twice now it became unbearable, I need to find out what the problem is hence asking about MRI.

Edited December 3, 2021 by Badrabbit

[JackGats]

In may layman's experience MRI was more for imaging harder parts, like bones and cartilage. 

[simple1]

OP: Are you able to go to another medical facility for second opinion? 

[Rhys]

The MRI seems the imaging technique prefered by the Uros and Nephros. It seems you had the appropriate blood work that would give you a clue if your kidney function has decreased and a clue toward KS.. Is your Urine output low?  KS are painful. 

Have you check for back issues, spinal issues creating pressure in the spinal cannal and in affected areas?  Any all the best, I trust you find your solution. cheers mate

[Badrabbit]

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

OP: Are you able to go to another medical facility for second opinion? 

I could do yes but I'm reluctant as cost could spiral out of control, international Hospital said "can not find anything" I'll get the MRI when I can afford it.

[bamboozled]

5 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

I could do yes but I'm reluctant as cost could spiral out of control, international Hospital said "can not find anything" I'll get the MRI when I can afford it.

I don't know your financial situation and I certainly understand being worried about money. I was struck by how bad you described your pain and I assume it's very worrisome. And then you mention you will wait to save money before getting a 2nd opinion. Unless you really don't have the money at all perhaps reconsider your reluctance and go and get that second opinion. Here in CM at Rajavej you can get a whole physical for 7k I think. If you limit the testing to be about your pain, I would assume it would be less. Except if there are some expensive specific tests but you are in control and can determine if you want them or not. If your pain is so bad and reoccurring, do you really want to wait and down the road find out some bad news that could have been avoided? Again, I'm like you and would be apt to kick the can down the road. No one likes a doctor. But reading your story from afar, go get the second opinion. Good luck.

[bamboozled]

By the way, you can contact an English speaking/writing contact at Rajavej via email and ask any questions. Check their website.

Edited December 4, 2021 by bamboozled

[Badrabbit]

34 minutes ago, bamboozled said:

I don't know your financial situation and I certainly understand being worried about money. I was struck by how bad you described your pain and I assume it's very worrisome. And then you mention you will wait to save money before getting a 2nd opinion. Unless you really don't have the money at all perhaps reconsider your reluctance and go and get that second opinion. Here in CM at Rajavej you can get a whole physical for 7k I think. If you limit the testing to be about your pain, I would assume it would be less. Except if there are some expensive specific tests but you are in control and can determine if you want them or not. If your pain is so bad and reoccurring, do you really want to wait and down the road find out some bad news that could have been avoided? Again, I'm like you and would be apt to kick the can down the road. No one likes a doctor. But reading your story from afar, go get the second opinion. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply, Doctor advised the MRI so I'll get that as soon as I can, I've lived with this pain for a long time(it's mostly mild but on 2 occasions it got alot worse) Injection helped and tablets are helping also, it's now back to a mild annoyance.

[Zaphod]

Sounds like kidney stones to me.  An MRI screen can see/detect those if that's the cause. 

No fun those. 

[IvorBiggun2]

14 minutes ago, Zaphod said:

Sounds like kidney stones to me. 

I agree. No cheap solution.

 

Quote

Common symptoms of kidney stones include a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side. This feeling often moves to the lower abdomen or groin. The pain often starts suddenly and comes in waves. It can come and go as the body tries to get rid of the stone

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[KhunLA]

MRI would help pinpoint the problem, if possible, and know where to look.  BUT ... you actually need to know where to look with an MRI.  Using MRI to scan your body looking for something would be very expensive, unless very lucky.  MRI used for in depth scanning, once knowing where to look, problem already identified, not to find something unknown.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

The pain is always there but mostly very mild, twice now it became unbearable, I need to find out what the problem is hence asking about MRI.

Gallstones are easily missed, pain right side under lower rib.

Diagnosed by Ultrasound scan, around 300bht at any government hospital.

But they have to be looking for it.

 

I've always thought MRI as a pointless exercise, but extremely profitable for the hospital. 

Edited December 4, 2021 by BritManToo

[ozimoron]

Flank pain can be indicative of bladder cancer from what I read. Possibly worth having a cystoscopy.

[Boomer6969]

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I've always thought MRI as a pointless exercise, but extremely profitable for the hospital. 

Sorry Mate, but you shouldn't write such nonsense.

[Pravda]

Do you exercise by any chance?

[KhunLA]

MRIs are amazing tool, for the doc to see what & where to slice & dice before opening you up.  Had quite a few to diagnose and track the progression of a few herniated and degenerative discs, with 2 needing a patch up.

 

BUT, you do need to know where & what you are looking for.  If indiscriminately scanning, then yes, a scam for profits.

[Badrabbit]

45 minutes ago, Pravda said:

Do you exercise by any chance?

Yes walking 2 hours per day.

[Badrabbit]

2 hours ago, Zaphod said:

Sounds like kidney stones to me.  An MRI screen can see/detect those if that's the cause. 

No fun those. 

I have had 3 Ultra sound scans in the last 4 months no Kidney stones detected.

[KhunLA]

I did a search, as I was going to post, ultrasound should spot, BUT, surprisingly, apparently easily missed by ultrasound.

[clivebaxter]

1 hour ago, Boomer6969 said:

Sorry Mate, but you shouldn't write such nonsense.

Certainly profitable, they are cheaper at a private hospital in the UK than in Bangkok

[IvorBiggun2]

42 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

I have had 3 Ultra sound scans in the last 4 months no Kidney stones detected.

Ultrasound scans are not 100% proof you haven't got kidney stones.

 

 

Quote

 

Can a kidney stone be missed on an ultrasound?

 

 

One drawback of using ultrasound in the ER is that it may only be moderately accurate for diagnosing kidney stones, according to a review study published in February 2018 in The Journal of Emergency Medicine. (7) Ultrasound can miss small stones in the kidney or stones in the ureter.

 

 

Quote

 

How accurate are ultrasounds at detecting kidney stones?

 

 

Results: The sensitivity of sonography for any stone in a patient was 52-57% for the right kidney (radiologist 1 and 2) and 32-39% for the left kidney (radiologist 1 and 2).

 

 

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I've always thought MRI as a pointless exercise, but extremely profitable for the hospital. 

 

MRI is a very valuable diagnostic tool for many (but not all) conditions. Indeed, it can be indispensible. But it should only be done in the context of a differential diagnosis made by a skilled clinician - in other words, ordered by a doctor who knows what s/he is doing and has a definite diagnosis in mind that is of a type that an MRI would help confirm.

[Sheryl]

OP: when yo usay right sided pain, right side where: right side of  the abdomen or of the back/flank? Makes a world of difference. Can you clarify, thanks

 

And does it seem to get worse in relation to eating and of so, what type of foods sets it off?

 

What exactly does the pain feel like?

 

Also what type of doctor (specialty) are you seeing?

[Badrabbit]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

OP: when yo usay right sided pain, right side where: right side of  the abdomen or of the back/flank? Makes a world of difference. Can you clarify, thanks

 

And does it seem to get worse in relation to eating and of so, what type of foods sets it off?

 

What exactly does the pain feel like?

 

Also what type of doctor (specialty) are you seeing?

The right hand of this Man is the area of pain, very difficult to pinpoint exactly.

I can't say if food sets it off but that could be a possibility.

Pain is more like a big ache rather than a stabbing pain.

Type of Doctor is not a general Doctor but a Specialist who deals with Kidney etc.

Hope this helps.

The pain has gone by taking the prescribed pain killer tablets.

Edited December 4, 2021 by Badrabbit

[Sheryl]

Pain in that area could be gallbladder or liver issue. 

 

Have you seen a GI  specialist?  Had your liver enzymes checked?

 

Altetnatively this might just be a pulled muscle perhaps related to exercise. Does resting a frw days make a difference?

[Badrabbit]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Pain in that area could be gallbladder or liver issue.

 

Have you seen a GI specialist/ had an ultrasound? Had your liver enzymes checked?

Had Ultra sound, Doctor said "Kidneys and Gall bladder clear, can't remember the Liver being mentioned, maybe a Liver check is a good idea.

Edited December 4, 2021 by Badrabbit

[Sheryl]

1 minute ago, Badrabbit said:

Had Ultra sound, Doctor said "Kidneys and Gall bladder clear, can't remember the Liver being mentioned, maybe a Liver check us a good idea.

If they said Gallbladder clear they will have visualized the liver.

 

I am wondering if it could be a muscle ache. 2 hrs a day walking is a lot. Have you tried resting a few days to see if it makes a diffetence?

[Badrabbit]

Just now, Sheryl said:

If they said Gallbladder clear they will have visualized the liver.

 

I am wondering if it could be a muscle ache. 2 hrs a day walking is a lot. Have you tried resting a few days to see if it makes a diffetence?

It's not 2 hrs at once but 1 hr then another hour later in the day, I've always thought it could be muscle related, I will take your advice and not walk for a few days.

Thanks Sheryl.

[DavisH]

If as in the photos, it's not likely to be a kidney stone (that will show up on a ct scan). I've had a few stones - the pain is like colic and is at the side or the lower back and comes and goes. A large stone stuck in the ureter will send you to hospital quickly. Smaller stonces can take a month or more to pass. Is there any problem with urination? I was thinking of a ureteral sricture (narrowing of a ureter for some reason). 

I've also had pain like you describe - it went away after 6 months and I suspect I strained a muscle there playing sport when not having warmed up. It sounds like you have had most tests and they are clear. You can try the MRI. What did the doctor suggest it may be after finding the test results were clear? Note that worrying about it can actually make the feeling of pain increase (a psychoscomatic effect). I've had this before, as well. So you have to try to relax and not to worry about it so much. 

Edited December 4, 2021 by DavisH

[Sheryl]

13 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

It's not 2 hrs at once but 1 hr then another hour later in the day, I've always thought it could be muscle related, I will take your advice and not walk for a few days.

Thanks Sheryl.

Maybe also look at the position you usually sleep in, could it be straining the right side?

 

I say this because (1) You have already had pretty thorough work up including CT and ultrasound which showed nothing and (2) you describe it as an ache rather than sharp pain.

 

With right sided abdominal pain the important things to exclude are gall stones/inflammation of gall bladder, liver mass or inflammation, appendicitis, chronic pancreatits; and very rarely, pancreatic tumor. The tests you have already had, should have revealed these if present assuming the CT and ultrasound were of the whole abdomen.  If you want further assurance without much expense, could get these blood tests if not yet done or not done recently: ALT, AST, bilirubin, CBC, amylase, lipase, CA 19-9.