What is this swelling or what?

[Graphic]

Ok. So I had a real bad 'flare' up I guess on Tuesday to where I couldn't even move. Let me be the first to say I haven't technically be diagnosed with chrons. But they pretty much think that is what it is.

Anyways today I'm just sitting here watching some basketball and my right side is hurting but not to where I can't move. However when I lay down my right side of my stomach is very noticeably higher than my left; I would say about two inches higher.

My left side is nice and soft whereas my right side is hard as a rock almost and of course that is where the pain is.

Just trying to figure out what causes this and if it's something serious or just part of Chron's.

Thanks

 

[NatalieMT]

Happens to me quite regularly, if what you're describing is indeed the same thing. The middle of my stomach is totally flat and I have these two like almost elongated egg shapes that point downwards on either side, that are significantly swollen and hard. It is exceedingly painful and uncomfortable, more so on my lower right side, the left is not too bothersome.

When I mentioned it to my general doctor she said she thinks it'll just be loops of bowel. But I'm not totally sure to be honest. I'm not really that clued up on crohn's since only being recently brought into the realms of dealing with it for real. Hopefully some more 'seasoned pros' can give some input too!

 

[Graphic]

Mine is always the right side. My left side never hurts. It is just a little below the bellybutton to the right and it is just a lot more swollen than the left side. Almost like it is bowel but every now and then if I push on it it will make my whole stomach growl away.

 

[Sojourn]

I had that for a long time while it generally got worse. I was not under the care of a doctor for about two years while I let it get worse. Ultimately, it turned out to be an abscess and fistula which had to be drained and then removed surgically along with 6 inches of my colon.

So I would say, yes, it could be serious. Or it could just be thickening of the bowel wall. But I could do that, where I would push on it and move air around or to force myself to go to the bathroom. I could push on it and force the waste out, usually diarrhea.

And it was on the right side, also known as the lower-right-quadrant (LRQ). You'll become familiar with that term.

You should get a CT scan and see what's going on.

 

[jamie2462]

It's inflammation of something to be sure...Mine was usually the bowel when it was inflammed somewhere...always on my right side...very rarely has it been my left...It's a part of a crohn's flare up...are you on anything to lower the inflammation yet? I would say you need to speak with a GI specialist if you aren't already seeing one.

 

[Sojourn]

You might also lay flat on your back. Put your hands right below your rib cage on the right side. Begin pressing there and let your hands slide down your right side keeping the pressure. The lump should be noticeable when you get there.

It could just be a flare as jamie suggests which could be minimized with the right medication, most likely steroids. But you need to have it checked out soon whether you have a formal diagnosis or not. When you go to the doctor, lay flat on your back and have them press down on it. It's most noticeable that way.

A colonoscopy will give you a diagnosis. But a ct scan can measure and show the area of inflammation. It can also spot a fistula if it is a mature fistula.

 

[Juls]

I get this from time to time. It's an inflammation. Could be that you have developed a narrower area of intestine and the food can't move through as easily. Or - could be you have an slight allergy or your body doesn't like something it's eating and when it moves through that area that gets inflamed. I would see your doctor - even though when I saw mine about htis they didn't seem to care or think it was anything. Acted like it was all in my head...tools. If there's no pain associated with it, then you should be ok - but if there's any pain or constipation I would be concerned about blockages. If your intestine becomes too narrow you may end up with a really bad blockage that leaves you in the hospital. Don't want that.