Episodic right-lower quadrant pain. Do I need further testing?

Please keep us posted if you find any answers. I too have same pain. Thank you

@rachxx1
Have you had an abdominal ultrasound and MRI? Do you have painful gas and are you constipated?

Have you ever had your gallbladder checked with a HYDA scan to check function (ejection fraction of bile)? This is called biliary dyskinesia and can cause abdominal pain. My gallbladder ejects only 7% bile when it should be a minimum of 35%-40% after a high fat meal).

Do you take a probiotic or have good fiber, fruits and vegetables in your diet? Do you drink at least 50% of your weight in ounces of water each day (including electrolytes to help your body retain the water in your body)? Do you drink coffee or alcohol? This can cause dehydration.

High CRP shows inflammation. Have you seen an immunologist for allergy testing? Have you seen a rheumatologist to check for autoimmune testing?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-reactive-protein-test/about/pac-20385228

Out of curiosity, what kind of symptoms do you get?

I had lower right pain with no abnormalities seen in ultrasound or blood work.
It first occurred in Spring then an episode in the Fall. I knew something wasn’t right. Changes doctors and had a CT scan. Liver tumors imitating from silent pancreatic cancer.
That was almost 4 years ago. The new primary care doctor I switched to was and is my angel!

@Rachxxl,
I'm sorry for what you're going through.
You may want to read about "mobile cecum syndrome" or mobile colon syndrome.
Radiology reports may not tell you where your cecum is, but it's supposed to be attached in your right lower quadrant so that it doesn't move much.
During fetal development, it's not always attached and in some people it float arounds and causes pain. A lot of people aren't affected at all by having a mobile cecum or mobile colon. I don't know much about it but posted recently to try to learn more.
I am NOT trying to diagnose you and I don't know how often doctors see it or think of it as a cause for pain. It sounds like some people with this condition also have redundant colon.
Best of luck as you look for answers and relief.

I have right lower quadrant pain that gets very bad during the night. I have to toss and turn to get any rest at all. Lately I have been using a heat pad which seems to help me get through the night. Sometimes the pain moves to my right side especially in the afternoons. I am scheduled for a CT to look at my small bowel so we shall see what that shows. It was ordered after an MRI of the abdomen for liver cancer follow up showed some abnormalities in my small intestines.

I'm a 21 F Asian-American woman. My past medical history includes anemia and depression, which I've been seeing a therapist for.

I've been experiencing several digestive issues since last year November. I have a history of episodic right lower quadrant episodic pain (last episode was Nov 2024), which is similar to the symptoms of appendicitis. I always have to go to the ER because the pain is excruciating. They find nothing except for elevated CRP and free fluid in that region. Since November, I've also been experiencing chronic nausea. I take Zofran for it, but it gives me chronic constipation. Other symptoms that I've been experiencing include early satiety, decreased appetite, and right upper quadrant discomfort after eating/oily foods or when I walk? Honestly, I'm so frustrated by the number of digestive problems I have. My colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound, and MR enterography have all been negative.

I was prescribed Reglan, which helped with my nausea and appetite, but it made me feel so restless and twitchy. Maybe I have a motility problem? My doctor also prescribed me Pepcid for the right upper quadrant discomfort. All she said was I'll just have to find the right meds and she suspects my symptoms are from stress and anxiety, even though I'm not anxious or stressed out. She did mention that if my meds don't work, I could consider a gastric emptying test or HIDA scan. What should I do? I feel like my doctor is telling me everything is in my head 🙁

Sorry for the long vent.

I’m sorry that you’re having such a rough time with this, I understand how difficult it can be. I think you are definitely getting checked out thoroughly by your doctor and it sounds like she is looking into every possible solution to help you, we want to feel better right away but it never works that way, first they run tests to find the cause and if nothing is showing up then they will try medication. Digestive issues can be very complex and it can take some time to get back to normal, also from what you said it doesn’t sound like she’s treating you like it’s in your head, you’re frustrated and tired of going through so much and no solution yet but don’t give up because sometimes it just takes time to get all the facts to make you feel better, best wishes for your health.

@rachxx1, I merged your 2 related discussions into one so that members can see your story. I'm sorry to hear that you still do not have answers. I agree with @frouke. It sounds like your gastroenterogist is not giving up and is working with you to find answers.

The connection between brain and gut is real - not in your head. In fact, Mayo Clinic Press recently published a new book called "Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain" https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/heal-your-gut-save-your-brain/

Again, I agree with @frouke. It's frustrating and can be a long journey to figure things out. And a bit crazy-making, right?

Hi @rachxx1 , I am glad you landed here. You are in a super tough place with all you are dealing with. I am sorry for how overwhelmed you are feeling. I agree with @frouke that it sounds like your GI doc is trying to help. It may just be a good time to take a pause and figure out the next, best thing you can do to move forward. Keep moving one step forward and you are always making progress. You can do this!

I am in the middle of my 2nd attempt of addressing digestive problems, initially with a local GI and currently at Mayo Clinic. It made absolutely no sense to me based on how I was feeling, where my symptoms were but after an initial consult I had a anorectal manometry test that led to their pelvic floor therapy program. Now I understand that taking a systematic approach of starting at the end of the digestive process works. Until the end works nothing that comes before the end is going to move well. Meds won’t work like they could and other troubleshooting with be much tougher. In my case there has not been one clear culprit and each item we address is a step forward.

I am curious, what brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? What is your biggest obstacle right now?