Sharp pain

[Gilliansimba]

Does anyone have sharp stabbing pain in their belly button area it's really driving me crazy,I'll be really greatfull for any advice.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, at times over my life I have had unexplained stabbing pains, which come and go, however if this is a new symptom, I would go and see the GP asap, if it is painful and concerning you. MaryF

[Gilliansimba in reply to MaryF]

Thankyou Mary, It isn't a new pain, normally it comes & goes but it seems to be constant now, I'm really worried incase it's my appendix, I told my GP about a month ago all she said was to take 8 co co Damol daily.

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to Gilliansimba]

I suffer like Mary F with unexplained pains in all sorts of places.

You would know if it was your appendix!

How long have you been taking co-codimol? Were you taking this prior to this belly button pain?

It contains codeine, which is known to cause slowness of the bowel leading to constipation.

If the pain is bearable try to take just paracetamol, if unbearable then ho back and see your GP. No pain for extended periods should be ignored.

Hope you feel better soon.

[MaryF Administrator in reply to Gilliansimba]

Out of interest is it anything to do with digestion? Are you gluten free? a lot of us can't tolerate gluten, ie non coeliac gluten intolerance! In any case you must go back to the GP as soon as possible to rule things out, including things like a stomach ulcer etc. You can't just go on taking cocodamol indefinitely, you need to get to the bottom of whatever it is. MaryF

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Go to your own doctor! No one can diagnose anything unless there is a clinical examination. Don't rely on forums!

Pain is distressing and while pain relief is needed, a diagnosis is necessary.

With good wishes,

Ros

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Ros is correct. With that said, sometimes it is useful to ask the doctor well thought through questions while you are in his/ her clinic.

I have such a thought from personal experience. Please ask physician to pay a little extra time at navel area checking for a small hernia. A large one would be obvious.

A subset of APS patients, myself included, and my mother, although she passed away of an aeortic anyeurism, are prone to connective tissue problems that compromise the viscera. We herniate easily. I had my first abdominal hernia repair surguries at 18 months of age! I’ve since had several at the navel.

Some are small and tiny “ filling defects” occur and cause pain in just that area. It’s very easy to miss.

You might mention this in a very gentle manner to doctor. Something along the lines of, “ I know this may sound a little strange, but we APS patients are a little off the mark in our presentations.”

[jetjetjet]

I was having pains above navel 1 1/2 inches up so bad that i would go to my knee's- They weren't all the time or constant - they were more come on strong and last 5 or 10 minutes . I was checked by ER twice and and at one point nothing was showing on Ultra OR X ray then it popped out while i tried to sit up and down I went and Dr. came back in the exam room She the ER Dr. could feel it - Then off till next time and went up state to surgeon - he couldn't find anything BUT a small hole in between my Abdominal muscles and something was getting caught in between muscles when not relaxed and released later on - Because i am getting older [HA } and gravity is doing it's best to get everything pointing down -what i needed to do was build up my Abdominal muscles so the gap wasn't so large as to let it pop thru - It was most likely a hernia as i have a few that are getting larger. If what got caught wasn't a hernia it most likely is now.

Now i had another pain below navel after my surgeries last year for hernia's repair 3 navel and 1 umbilical .I had developed a fluid sac and that was hindering one hernia repairs .

These were my experiences with pain in that area

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to jetjetjet]

Yep. At 18 months I had bi lateral inguinal hernias ( my poor mother said it looked like ,”eggs popping through abdominal wall- and I was already in and out of hospital for ITP, then three more surguries for belly button area. Right now I’m having a small “ filling defect” issue so we are just watching closely. It’s not causing any emergencies. Hoping it stays that way- surgeon is on alert.

[Gilliansimba in reply to KellyInTexas]

Could you please explain how this affects you?

[jetjetjet in reply to KellyInTexas]

Best to you , keep me up with everything .

[Gilliansimba]

Thankyou for all your replys, I went to urgent care early hours today they have sent a letter over to my GP. For me to be reffered for a scan my pain is still ongoing, & really actually frightening me. I see my GP on Wednesday morning.

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

As Ros wisely suggests, seeing a GP is always best. I’m betting this is not your issue. I’m simply suggesting that while you are there, have it checked.

A hernia is a section of your intestine, or loop of bowel, that can ,” poke through” a tear, or weakened area of muscle wall of abdominal wall. It depends on just how tightly “kinked” it is to how severe, if any at all, your symptoms would be.

You could have anywhere from a complete obstruction ( severe vomiting) to an incomplete obstruction. ( symptoms all over the place)

Just look it up on line- a reliable source.

Again, as Ross said, GP! He/ she will have you lie back, raise a little tuck your chin to your chest, and cough, while feeling for a separation in your abdominal muscles.