Persistent Pain in Lower Right Abdomen
A 25-year-old individual with a healthy weight is currently facing ongoing discomfort in the lower right side of their abdomen. The pain is located approximately 3 cm above where the appendix would typically be situated, despite having undergone an appendectomy three years prior. Accompanying this discomfort is a sensation of fatigue that has been present alongside the pain, which has lasted for a month now. After two weeks of experiencing these symptoms, a blood test was conducted, measuring liver, kidney, and thyroid function, all of which returned normal results. Additionally, an ultrasound examination revealed no abnormalities. It seems that pinpointing the exact cause of this pain might require further medical evaluations. There is a concern about the possibility of serious conditions like colon cancer, although stress could potentially be a contributing factor, especially since the individual has no prior history of irritable bowel syndrome or similar gastrointestinal issues. A follow-up appointment with the physician will be scheduled after a two-week holiday if the symptoms continue to be a problem.
Answers (1)
7/24/2025, 12:40:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about persistent abdominal pain, especially with accompanying fatigue. Given your recent tests returned normal and you’ve undergone an ultrasound without issues, it seems there are no immediate alarming signs. The focus now should be on monitoring your symptoms and considering lifestyle factors that may contribute to your discomfort.
Explaining Your Situation: Acute pain in the lower right abdomen, especially post-appendectomy, can come from various non-serious conditions, such as muscle strain, gastrointestinal issues (like tension from stress), or digestive disorders. Fatigue can often accompany various issues, including underlying stress or hormonal changes, but it’s reassuring that serious conditions, based on your recent tests, seem less likely.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your pain, including intensity, triggers, and any changes over time. Note when fatigue intensifies and if it's associated with your pain.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you’re drinking enough water and eating balanced meals with adequate fiber, which can promote digestive health.
- Stress Management: Since stress can exacerbate pain and fatigue, consider relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga.
- Rest and Activity Balance: Ensure you’re getting enough rest but also incorporate light activity, like walking, to help manage pain and energy levels.
-
Follow-up Appointment: Since you’re already planning to see your physician after your holiday, make sure to discuss any new symptoms or changes in your existing symptoms during that visit. Discuss your diary findings and any concerns.
It’s great that you’re taking steps to monitor your health, and I encourage you to remain attentive to your body while also enjoying your holiday. Should your symptoms worsen or new symptoms arise, prioritize seeking medical attention sooner.
Related Questions
Experiencing a Complete Memory Lapse – Seeking Guidance
Hello, everyone. I've recently joined Reddit specifically to share my concerns, as I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by a situation. Please excuse any language errors since I'm a native French speaker. To summarize my situation, my father, who is 56, has been experiencing memory lapses for a couple of years now. It's generally minor things, like skipping conversations when he's preoccupied or forgetting appointments if they aren't written down. His focus seems to wane, especially if he's engaged in something else. For example, when he's using his phone or watching television, he often doesn't respond to my questions. His attention can be easily diverted during discussions. It's hard for me to witness his frustration regarding these memory issues, which naturally causes me concern. Despite this, he manages to remember to take his cholesterol medication daily without reminders, although his cholesterol levels are just slightly elevated. Interestingly, I observed him reconnect with someone he hadn't seen in many years; he recognized them instantly and recalled their name as well as various soccer scores from that day without any assistance. However, on Sunday, he expressed a troubling concern—he had no recollection of two full hours from Saturday. This severely unsettled him. I was present during that period and can vouch for his normal behavior; he engaged with his grandson, discussed our lunch, and even solved a Rubik's Cube. Although he had a few drinks, it was nothing excessive, and he doesn't smoke or engage in heavy drinking on weekends. The fact that he can't remember any of these interactions is alarming to me, even if I try to mask my own anxiety to keep him calm. There’s also the pressure from his job; he’s been feeling overwhelmed and contemplated quitting after nearly 30 years with the same company. Although he decided against quitting since he’s nearing retirement, his work-related stress has affected his sleep and caused him to skip meals due to his workload. This leads me to wonder if his recent memory and concentration issues could be stress-related. Since the memory blackout incident, I’ve been researching potential explanations, which range widely—from epilepsy to transient global amnesia, or even strokes. The thought of any serious condition is terrifying, and I can’t shake my worries, especially since it's unusual to forget two hours completely. He does have an appointment scheduled with his general practitioner on Monday, but I’m not particularly confident in their responsiveness; I often have to push several times before they take action regarding my health concerns. Since Sunday, I’ve been anxious, hoping we won’t have to wait too long for answers regarding his condition. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experienced similar memory lapses. If so, what turned out to be the underlying cause? Thank you for your help.
Signs That May Indicate Thyroid Dysfunction
I am a 21-year-old female, and during a recent blood analysis, my TSH level was unexpectedly high at 10.24. The measurements for FT3 and FT4 remain normal. This is my first experience with thyroid-related problems, and it surfaced quite randomly. - FT3: 2.82 (reference range: 2.77 - 5.27) - FT4: 1.29 (reference range: 0.78 - 2.19) - TSH: 10.24 (reference range: 0.46 - 4.68) Additional lab findings revealed a vitamin B12 deficiency, low sodium, and unremarkable cholesterol levels, while vitamin D and iron were at normal levels. After discovering this news, I started investigating online whether it was serious and what common symptoms accompany thyroid dysfunction. I was genuinely taken aback by how many of these symptoms I’ve experienced over the past year. I’ve brought these up with my family and doctors, yet no one made the connections. For instance, I began facing skin problems last January and consulted a dermatologist. Upon seeing me, the doctor remarked that I appeared flushed. My arms and legs had scratches all over, and she prescribed antihistamines and a lotion for itch relief. When I returned and indicated that the treatment was ineffective, she suggested I might be using a harsh soap or cream. However, I had always used gentle, fragrance-free products, keeping my routine simple due to my struggles. My mother assumed it was a product issue without realizing that such skin concerns are common with hypothyroidism. Recently, I experienced three days of vertigo, combined with blurry vision, and some ringing in my ears along with mild ear pain—this prompted a visit to an ENT. I found it hard to articulate what I felt; it was neither traditional weakness nor faintness, but rather an acute awareness of movement around me. The doctor dismissed my symptoms as merely weakness and suggested I have my vitamin D levels checked. Although my vitamin D test was normal, the TSH level prompted further thyroid testing. Following an ear examination, the ENT stated everything looked fine, which is in line with hypothyroidism symptoms, where ear problems can arise without infection. When he inquired about my social life, I explained how I hardly had the energy to leave my bed, yet he persisted in suggesting I might suffer from tinnitus due to excessive loud music exposure. He checked my neck; remarked on my posture, and considered potential cervical issues, offering muscle relaxants and exercises. During the examination, he overlooked my scalloped tongue—swollen and another indicator of hypothyroidism. I hadn’t realized how puffy my face and neck had become until now. On several occasions, professors have mentioned my appearance, which I attributed to poor sleep, a conclusion the doctor seemed to miss. About two months back, I noticed a growth in my neck, which led me to visit two doctors. Both prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, advising me to monitor the swelling. While those treatments reduced its size, I reported feeling fullness in my neck and the accompanying swelling; nonetheless, no additional tests were ordered, and I was told it was likely just my own manipulation when showing the doctors. Following this, one of the doctors shared a personal anecdote about his anxious daughter. They concluded that our generation struggles to cope with stress and that their era was the only one that truly faced hardships. My mother noted my late wake-ups at 1 PM, blaming my generation's supposed laziness. I believed I was simply experiencing depression, which explained my fatigue, but I now realize this could also relate to my thyroid condition. Additionally, I’ve encountered exercise intolerance when trying to engage in any physical activities over the last year. Even gentle workouts leave me dizzy and weak, culminating in a need to rest. The doctor inferred that my generation is markedly more sedentary, attributing my symptoms to anxiety, and while that might hold some truth, the thyroid concerns are distinct. I used to be active and engaged in dance and outdoor activities but had come to believe I was simply unmotivated. Cognitive fog has also been a troubling symptom I’ve shared with doctors, as focusing has become increasingly taxing, often leading to speech delays and difficulty recalling thoughts—an experience I’d never faced before. At times, my voice becomes hoarse. Moreover, I have noticed significant hair loss and thinning; my hair is scattered everywhere, and it's become alarmingly fine. My mother has advised me against using numerous hair products, which I actually limit. Initially, I thought the hair shedding was due to hard water, prompting me to opt for a specific clarifying shampoo, but I’ve lacked the energy to pursue a solution. My hair remains long, causing me to mistakenly believe the shedding isn’t as severe as it is. I’ve seen a modest increase in weight, between 2-3 kg, which is another common symptom of hypothyroidism. My abdominal area has developed more fat, and I’ve faced comments about my appearance. I was told to monitor my diet, something that is simple since I often lack appetite. Lastly, my sleep habits have been erratic, with poor quality rest. I often awaken to a rapid heart rate and overwhelming adrenaline just before bedtime, leading to challenges with sleep. Yet, I assume the root of these issues lies within my own anxiety. The advice I consistently receive is to exercise more, improve my sleeping patterns, and reduce my screen time, which all sound like reasonable suggestions! However, implementing these habits feels daunting, with elevated TSH levels shedding light on potential underlying causes. I’m left wondering if a healthcare professional would have ever identified my thyroid condition despite my presenting symptoms or if such issues are often overlooked.
Understanding the Phenomenon of 'Terminal Lucidity' in Cancer Patients
Last year, my mother received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In recent weeks, her condition appeared to worsen with the cancer progressing, leaving her exceptionally fatigued. However, today marked a noticeable improvement; she seemed more alert than she has in weeks. This sudden change has left me feeling anxious about the possibility that her end may be near. Background Information: - Age: 66 years - Gender: Female
Unexpected Food Debris Emerging from My Nose
44 years old In the past two days, I've encountered at least three instances where identifiable pieces of food emerged from my nose long after I had eaten: * Just last night, I prepared an egg salad. Roughly 30 to 45 minutes later, I sneezed and surprisingly dislodged a distinct, cube-shaped piece of hard-boiled egg white, measuring around a quarter of an inch, from my nostril. * Earlier this evening, I consumed a grape tomato. Moments later, when I blew my nose, a tiny segment of tomato skin, approximately three-eighths of an inch, was expelled. * I continued to blow my nose and sneeze afterward, and unexpectedly, a yellow-orange, fibrous piece reminiscent of the sumo orange I had eaten a few hours prior also surfaced. I can't quite recall if it came out during a sneeze or while blowing my nose. __Context:__ For quite a number of years, experiencing the expulsion of solid masses from my nostrils has been typical for me. These materials are predominantly solid (not liquid), usually exhibit a tan-green hue, and I have generally attributed them to dried nasal mucus. As far back as I can remember, I've dealt with excessive phlegm and seem to suffer from nonstop allergies throughout the year. I hardly experience a moment without needing to clear my nose, throat, or eject thick phlegm into tissues. The act of throat clearing is a frequent routine for me, and every now and then, I manage to cough up some of the sticky, thick mucus. I have allergies to cats and dogs (even though I've grown up around them), dust mites, and practically every seasonal plant-related allergen. __My inquiries:__ * What might be the underlying cause of this? * How is the food remaining in my nasal passages between consumption and its later expulsion? * Should I be worried about this situation?
Blister Formation on My Heel
Age 36, weight 240 lbs. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS, chronic depression, and high blood pressure. My daily medications include 100 mg of Zoloft, 500 mg of Naproxen twice a day, 10 mg of Cyclobenzaprine twice a day, 5 mg of Amlodipine, 100 mg of Metoprolol twice a day, and 50 mg of Pregabalin twice a day. Currently, I am trekking along the Via Di Francesco in Italy. Yesterday proved to be particularly challenging, as I hiked approximately five miles beyond my usual limit. This morning, I discovered a significant blister on my heel. Unlike previous blisters which were typically clear or white, this one is red. Should I consult a healthcare professional about this issue, or is it manageable on my own? If self-care is appropriate, what steps should I take to address it?