Flank pain, radiates to testes.

[Jclay95]

Hi, sorry im new and ill try keep this short l'm male 2911stone from the UK, for the last 3 years I have been getting:

Right sided flank pain, it is really sporadic, can last all day, or a hour and vanish for days, and suddenly comes back out of the blue. My mobility is good during these bouts of pain, and movement does not worsen the pain or relieve it, this isn't muscular, it feels deeper.

It starts in my upper right back where my right kidney is, and after 30 mins will radiate down my side and end with a dull heavy ache in my right teste. So then I have pain down my whole right side.

Recently I get sudden sharp onsets and it makes me feel extremely nauseous.

I have been back and forth to NHS drs who have done:

-Blood tests

-Urine tests and all was fine, they have done 2x kidney ultrasounds

also fine

The GP then said I need to manage the pain myself as there is no more they could do. Another year of pushing and being a pest they

gave me a testicle ultrasound they found 6-8 calcification in each testes, they said this is a incidental find, no further action,

They then reluctantly said I could have a abdomen and pelvis CT scan with contrast, they found 1 'miniscule' pleural nodule in my right lung, and my bertolotti joint fused to my sacrum. They have said this is incidental and no cause of the pain.

Lying down usually relieves it, or makes it more bearable.

I'm at the end of my tether writing this in pain, the GP has said there is literally nothing else they can do and this will need to be

managed by myself, and I've just been left,

I wasn't all to happy with that so now they have referred me to Pain management, my appointment is in June 2025.

Whilst I appreciate the GP doing tests, I do feel a bit ignored now and to even suggest that I just need to manage it myself I thought was disgusting, they are also suggesting mental health. So now I'm too scared to do anything in fear ill be classes as a hypochondriac, which I am not.

does anyone have any

suggestions?

[Madlegs1]

Have you tried a good dose of ibuprofen.? It's a muscle relaxant and could help ease the pain.

Otherwise I have no ideas.

Good luck.

[Sorohan in reply to Madlegs1]

I think it could be kidney stones pain try and get a second opinion

Good luck

[cyberbarn]

I am glad they have referred you to the pain clinic. They have long waiting lists so the sooner you are on the list the better.

There are different types of pain, and sometimes pain is felt in a different place to where the cause of the pain is. This is called radiant pain. So a nerve in the back can be irritated but we feel it in our legs. That is what sciatica is. But there are so many nerves and muscles down there, it could be anything. And yes, sometimes the doctors look at the scans and say 'normal wear and tear' and dismiss it. They forget that for some people that means no pain, but for others it does mean pain.

Heat can often help, or for some people cool pads help. Keep a diary of when the pain happens and what it is like, and where it is, because the more information you can give the better they will be able to figure out what is going on.

And yes, the answer to most things when a doctor hasn't got time is it must be a mental health issue. Remember the old days when stomach ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods? Turned out it wasn't the patients' faults after all, it was a bacterium! So hang in there, make sure you do take care of your mental health so that they can't say it is all down to that.

[Crystallmatters]

first very sorry to hear, Pain is real and in the way the brain works , the way you are being treated does not sound good and they need to be told they are impacting your mental health in not understanding Pain is real . Lying down can relive it could be a tiny step to a clue. It id difficult to do this but by mapping each day and seeing when pain peaks or comes on , plus any medication might help them take you more seriously but more importantly help towards any specialist you see .

I was not believed despite MRI scans not also showing the problem, in the end a nuclear spec scan showed the problem .

It is difficult to do when you are in the moment or in the circle of pain but looking at everything to try and link a trigger, stairs , sitting , standing , driving , passager, hundreds of things food , what time of day your fatigue kicks in can be useful information.

To see a fresh team with a new outlook on you.

Really sorry you suffer , hope something useful from my own experience, regards David

[Jclay95 in reply to Crystallmatters]

That is such a lovely response thank you, I just need to get out the GP office and referred to a professional. Not brushed off. The thought of living hopefully the next 45-50 years with this fills me with dread. Ive read that floating kidney is relieved by lying down because you take pressure off your 'floating kidney' by lying down. Im writing a letter as we speak

[Crystallmatters]

well done , Thank you , the body is so complex and the true understanding of the muscular skeleton, to the organs Digestive , nervous system as just a few and how the interaction can even come , from the unexpected, is why it is rare to find a person in the professional medical system that is prepared to sit or stand with you and spend a little time to seek deeper into your more than uncomfortable situation, making life dim, dark and wondering where it might lead, in this journey of trying to seek, find someone that understands that whilst you look ok from the outside you really are not.

If you can build your case, plead with them if this was you or your son or daughter and you know what starts as discomfort, pain is turning to mental stress, being passed around, waiting long periods of uncertainty is driving stress , anxiety, being anxious, concerned , is now impacting your mental health, please help me. It needs to be said in clear polite English, you want it logged on your medical records. With how long it has taken all ready.

If the practice does not have the means, ask for there budget to take you to a faster track of support, through the private sector funded. I think it is worth a shot ,

To write , stay polite and calm is the way to having more success, I know first hand that looking good on the out side with no blood or head falling off, it is so hard for people to understand what you are going through.

I am in no position to say this will work or help and I know the strain the whole medical profession is in, I do think it is improving. However clear logic of dates of all your actions appointments, clarity, dairy of times of day how you are , through to night , will help you.

I wish you all the luck , I believe in the NHS , I believe a fresh out look is also good.

I must say , remember this is only my opinion for what it counts , but I have had a 25 year plus long journey. I wish I had learned about Optimise, and the understanding of pain earlier.

I think you will get there , sorry you suffer, put out a post on as much as you can about your condition and suffering’s, because this site has amazing resources and knowledge, post wait as days pass, I am sure you will pick up different angles to mine and maybe a tiny snippet of information may help you. The knowledge and kindness of the people on this site is amazing , use it. Loads of love to you and all the wonderful people on this forum/ site

David

[Jclay95 in reply to Crystallmatters]

Thanks, I've spent the week emailing my local hospital and GP PALS team, and they are helping with putting a little pressure on my GP for further testing, and to try bring my Pain Management referral forward.

Suppose anything is better than nothing, I have a slightly glimmer of hope, but the Nhs is in a right mess at the moment.

Thanks for your help