Question:
What could be causing left side pain?

I have been having pain in my left side for about a week or so. It is not constant, but when it does occur it is painful. It feels like I have a knife stabbing me on the left side of my rib cage. I hurt about 2 inches left of the sternum. Tried tylenol without result, tried eating, not eating, stretching, heating pads, not sure what else to do or what it may be. Anyone have any idea what it could be? I am thinking of calling the doctor tomorrow as it does hurt.I am also experencing severe leg cramps every night- enough to wake me up and keep me awake for about 15 minutes. Any advice would be great. thanks.    — Jan S. (posted on November 16, 2003)

November 16, 2003
It could be one of a hundred things. I have this mystery pain as well. Last time I had it, it was an ulcer. This time, I have no idea. It seems to be quite common. My surgeon once told me that alot of his patients have it and it goes away in time. I though he was full of it and had my pcp order some tests. It was an ulcer.
   — RebeccaP

November 16, 2003
I was recently told i have an ulcer just outside my pouch on my small bowel. The pain was sharp, stabbing and burning in my left rib cage and all the way thru to my back. I am on meds now and it is much better.
   — Delores S.

November 16, 2003
i had a stabing pain that would bring tears to my eyes. i went to my doc. and he said it was from operating so close to the ribs he had some big long name for it. and then it just went away. i guess it lasted about 2weeks. but call your doc.
   — charity N.

November 16, 2003
Hi Jan, of course your best bet is asking your dr, but for me the left side pain was an undissovled stitch on the pouch. It did go away in about 2-3 weeks. As for the cramps, drink more water. My mom and husband both suffered w/night leg cramps, once they started drinking about 64oz of water a day, no more. Good luck to you!!
   — Denise W.

November 17, 2003
Are you getting in your calcium? Lack of calcium can cause leg cramps. Just make sure it's calcium citrate and not calcium carbonate. Citrate absorbs better than carbonate.
   — Dragonfly2B2

November 19, 2003
Be sure to have your md run some lab tests, in addition to Calcium, you could have a low Potassium or other electrolyte abnormality. It is amazing when you study how things work in your body that so many things have to stay within a narrow range for optimum health, and any one of those things out of whack affect so many areas.
   — Karen M.

November 21, 2003
I had the same problem, but I had discomfort around both sides and the doctor told me that it was from our muskeletol system getting used to our rapid weight loss. I still get discomfort every once awhile on each side.
   — miss_sweet_lori

November 21, 2003
I have had a pain on my left side in my ribs since surgery off and on for 8 weeks now, I just saw the surgeon again today and he is thinking it is either the cartlidge or my ribs that may have "accidentally" got cracked in surgery......and he says it takes quite a long time to fully heal.
   — Saxbyd