Persistent Flank Pain on Right Side - Neuropathy Message Board

Cody95 · 01-24-2009, 04:52 PM

For two months now I have had a persistent pain and discomfort in my right flank area. It hurts in my lower right back and wraps aroung the bottom of my rib cage to the front right side. It feels like a vice grip around my lower rib cage in front, or like a belt tightening. Also, when I sit, particularly while driving a car, it feels like something at the bottom of my ribs is pushing back. I had CT scans, urinalysis, blood tests, and finally an MRI with contrast. all showed nothing! My doctor sent me to an Orthopedic doctor who thinks it is nerve pain. Possibly from shingles, but I had no rash at all. Doctor put me on Lyrica, but it didn't help at all. My doctor is stumped. The pain is driving me crazy. It interferes with everyday activities. What could this be. Anybody else experiencing such a wierd pain? Any help would be appreciated.

daisymaegrl · 01-27-2009, 11:06 AM

hi I have the same pain but not constantly , but rather it comes and goes but always lasts for at least a week. I have Small Fiber neuropathy that causes me trouble with my feet which is also a nerve problem. I just thought I had pulled a muscle because heat seems to help the severe pain of the right flank. First thought it could be a kidney problem but it stops after a week only to re-appear again in a few days. Really weird!! I really hope you find help or it goes away as mysteriously as it came. Please post to let us know!!

Cody95 · 01-29-2009, 07:49 PM

Thanks for your reply daisymaegrif. At first I thought I had kidney problems too, but all my tests ruled that out. My pain seems different than yours in that my pain NEVER goes away. For 2 months now it is there every minute, 24 hours a day. It's driving me crazy. I'm just hoping it doesn't go on for ever. I hope your pains resolve themselves over time also.

sgardner · 10-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Any resolution to this problem, Cody?

moparman70440 · 10-15-2009, 05:34 PM

Hello Cody. I have had pain in my sides and front torso for 4 years now. All of my testing has come back negative. The "super specialist" says it could be small fiber neuropathy but not enough studies have been done on it. My pain moves around and sometimes its a cramping pain and sometimes its like an electrical shock or sometimes an intense pain in my side. It started on my right side and they said it was a pulled muscle but within weeks it went to my left side also. I also had bowel movement problems. I take 4800mg of Neurontin a day and it helps alot but not completely. Within days of starting the neurontin my bowel movements came back. My gait became better and the pain became les intenses and a little less frequent. Also any activity makes the pain worse. I have tried Cymbalta and Lyrica and did not noyice any difference. If I quit taking the Neurontin, which I do sometimes thinking the doctor might pick up on something easier if the symptons are not being masked by the medication the bowel movements stop and the pain worsens again. I would try Neurontin as it has helped me alot. It doesn't work immediadely and you have to gradually increase dosage but it is the only thing that has been good for me . Good Luck