Pain on right side in multiple places

I have had lower right abdominal pain for over a year, the pain is everyday and is consistent. It’s a cramping stabbing type feeling that feels worse when I press on it and it is worse when my bladder is full and if I am moving around. I have had endo laparoscopic surgery and they found stage 3 and removed it and also took my appendix out, I have had an abdominal and pelvic MRI with and without contrast and it looked normal, I have also had a upper and lower scope and also came back now. I’m truly at a loss of what this could be but it is everyday and I can’t do normal everyday activities anymore due to the pain.
If anyone has any ideas of what this might be I am all ears ! Thank you!!

Hello @lyndidowney05,

First, I want to express my sympathy. Being in constant pain is horrible.

My thought is that it could be caused by adhesions/ scar tissue from prior surgery. You didn’t say whether the surgery for -was it endometriosis? -was done prior to or after the pain started.
I thought that identifying adhesions via scans was tricky, so took the lazy path via Grok AI. Link follows:
https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMw_1701b843-141f-4da1-9e8a-fbea339ee56b
In relation to MRI imaging, it also said, “very fine or early adhesions (e.g., abdominal) may not show clearly, & interpretation requires expertise”

I’m not a fan of AI in general. But I find that it can be a useful place to start. Because all of the links are made available, you can use those to go down your own path (or rabbit hole!)

My husband had a very badly botched appendectomy which, unbeknownst to us, resulted in massive adhesions. Years later, he had a series of internal bleeding episodes caused by the scar tissue pulling on an area of small intestine. But neither the location nor cause could be found - in spite of multiple scans & procedures. I had even suggested adhesions to his Gastroenterologist; but that was rejected. It took 6 months until a diagnosis - finally made by a Mayo specialist, who asked one question- “has he had any abdominal surgery?” Answer “Yes” Then he knew it was the adhesions.
I believe that a lot of the “art” of medicine is asking the right questions.

I hope you are being treated at a high caliber medical facility, like Mayo or a university medical center. I go to Stanford now, after some bad outcomes from a couple of other institutions. Navigating our medical network can be extremely frustrating and complex.

I hope some of this is helpful and that you are able to get a clear diagnosis. And effective treatment!
Take care ~
Gale

@gogogale
Thanks so much for replying and helping out to get some answers! The pain has been over a year but I had my endo surgery in November of 2025. I have had 3 heart ablations that they went through the groin so that could be a possibility. Thank you for helping I’ll definitely look into that!

@lyndidowney05 Have you had a colonoscopy ? I complained to my family doctor about constipation and right sided pain for 2 1/2 years. I was told to increase my fluids and eat more roughage which made bloating and gas unbearable. I was finally sent to a gastroenterologist who ordered an upper endoscope which was normal. Then she ordered a colonoscopy which took another 6 months, which was the time I go for my 3year colonoscopy checkup. My mother and grandmother had bowel cancer.
There were 2 large and one small polyp. The small polyp was adenocarcinoma. She was only able to remove a portion.
I was then referred to a surgeon within 2 weeks. I had a right bowel resection. Fortunately I did not have to have a colostomy bag. I have been referred to an oncologist as my CEA markers have not decreased below 7.8. After 5 weeks it should be below 4.
I am scheduled for a PET scan next week and hoping everything will be normal. CT scans of my chest and abdomen were normal, so I am thinking positively.
Please ask for a colonoscopy.
Let us know how you make out.

@leanne004
Hi! Thank you for commenting!
Wishing you all the good luck for good normal results!
I did just have an upper and lower colonoscopy and there was a little bit of redness and inflammation and I did have a polyp but they did a biopsy on everything and it came back normal. I’m thankful it’s normal but also very discouraged by nothing being wrong. Thank you for your suggestion!

@lyndidowney05
Were the ablations done prior to start of the pain -? Just curious. I had to look up Cardiac Ablation and couldn’t find anything that might result in abdominal pain.
But you might want to investigate further. Results can be weird - I had cryoablation of a left kidney carcinoma. The following day I suddenly started having digestive issues -bloating, difficulty with elimination & occasional lower back pain. My suspicion was nerve damage to the enteric nerve system, from the ablation procedure. It took almost a year for confirmation- from a Neurologist. And that’s what it was. It has slowly improved. The IR (Interventional Radiologist) who did the procedure categorically denied that such damage was even possible-! It was & it did happen.
I don’t know if it’s possible that cardiac ablation could cause Referred Pain. But I wouldn’t count anything out.
You might need to do your own research to try n get a heads up. I have found that doctors are so over booked & stretched these days that many do not have the time to spend on any one individual. Maybe you could enlist friends to help you do this?
Websites like Pub Med, Mayo, other university websites like Columbia, Cornell
Universities. UCLA, etc.

@gogogale, you inspired me to search a bit so I asked, “ could Cardiac Ablation done through the groin cause scarring or intestinal pain” and found a good overview of the procedure by Mayo Clinic. Reading all involved led me to the same assumption as you…the pain @lyndidowney05 has been experience could be a result of Cardiac Ablation, and treatable.

@lyndidowney05, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. My heart is warmed by seeing the connections you are already making in this discussion with other thoughtful members.

I am not a medically trained person, but a patient at Mayo Clinic MN working through systemic symptoms. I found another link with information, @lyndidowney05 you may find useful. Disclaimer: I am not sure of the validity of this source but I can confirm it sounds reasonable based on my own experience. I landed at Mayo Clinic experiencing systemic circulation problems. I was checked out by Cardiology then pelvic floor therapy was recommended. I tried at home a bit then pursued Mayo’s 2-week intense therapy program. Once assessed, I was told they knew what was happening but weren’t sure what to do about it. Their approach would be to protect my heart then take one symptom at a time. We have made slow and steady incremental progress since and my quality of life is greatly improved. It made no sense to me at the time. Here I am, not “fixed” but doing tons better. I give you this long story simply to say, don’t rule anything out as the cause OR the solution.

I link I found online, “ Pelvic Pain After Cardiac Ablation” says discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineum after cardiac ablation can be caused by a variety of factors. Possibilities are:
1. Femoral Artery Access can cause permanent damage to the artery, leading to pelvic area pain.
2. Nerve Damage particularly if the procedure lasts for a long time or used multiple catheters.
3. Infection can cause pain in the pelvic area as well as fever and other symptoms.
4. Blood Clots more likely with a history or at high risk for developing them.
5. Scar Tissue: Scar tissue can form in the pelvic area after cardiac ablation, leading to pain and discomfort. This is more likely to occur in patients who have undergone multiple cardiac ablation procedures or who have other pelvic surgeries.

One example they give is a patient with sharp pain in the pelvic area worsened by movement and pressure. I want to specifically point out an area you will need to scroll quite a bit to get to, “ The Role of Physical Therapy in Alleviating Pelvic Pain After Cardiac Ablation”. This may be your ticket! Here is the article: https://pelvicfloorpro.com/pelvic-pain-after-cardiac-ablation/

Mayo Clinic MN Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Program Overview (specifically states, “scar tissue, muscle dysfunction or pain following surgery”: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pelvic-floor-dysfunction-program/overview/ovc-20467221

How do you feel when you exercise or stretch? How about eating? Is there anything you have done that particularly help or hurt?

@jlharsh
Hi Janell... This is wonderful.! I'm so happy my post led you to help @lyndidowney05. This type of networking is so important and can be so helpful... doctors just do not have the time anymore, esp with what seems to be an increasingly unhealthy population - I blame food choices for much of it.
I learned the hard way just how complicated finding a diagnosis can be. Having serious gastro & elimination problems boiled down to a combination of: a rough vaginal hysterectomy (massive fibroids), Cryoablation of a left kidney carcinoma, a Rectocele (found months after the ablation)
It can be mind boggling-!!
Gale