My Daughter Is Hurting on Her Left Side! Any Ideals What It Might Be?

Updated on March 21, 2007
L.N. asks from Sunset Beach, NC
20 answers

My 15 year old daughter is hurting on her left side. It starts around the middle of her ribs and goes down about half way of her stomach on her left side. I have already taken her to three different doctor's and they all don't know what's wrong with her. They have done lots and lots of blood work on her, a CT scan and an ultrasound. We went to an GI(stomach) doctor last Thursday and he said that he thinks that it could be an stomach ulcer, but he didn't run any test and gave her some medicine and it hasn't worked. She has also been running a fever of 103, really weak and feeling like she's going to passout at times. I don't know what to do or where to take her to find out what's going on. I'm going to call the doctor back in the morning and tell him that the medicine isn't working and see what he says but I'd like to hear some of the other mom's input on this. Please help me. She has already missied a week and a half of school. Thanks

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G.M.

answers from Roanoke on

Something is definitely the matter!! Call the GI doc back and ask what else can be done. He may want her to stay on the meds long term but there should be something to use in the meanwhile until the meds start to kick in. A fever of 103 consistently is an indicator of an active infection. Make you daughter tell you if there is any blood in her stool too and alert the doctor immediately if there is!! Be persistant with the doctor!!!

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A.D.

answers from Spartanburg on

L. has she seen a GYN? maybe it could be a girlie problem. When I was her age was when they found a cyst on my ovary. Nothing major just a big discomfort.

Good Luck and I hope you find an answer soon.

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D.S.

answers from Columbia on

Sounds crazy but have they checked her appendix? When I was 18 my stomach did the same thing. I had a high fever, pain only on the left side, vomiting, etc. They couldn't figure out what was wrong, so for about two months I just dealt with the pain until it got so bad one night that I had to go to the e.r. It was then that they realized my appendix was rupturing and I had to have it removed immediately. People always assume that you only hurt on the right side but that's not always the case. So maybe it's not that at all but it's worth looking into if you haven't already.

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J.B.

answers from Fayetteville on

She sounds exactly like I did when I had appendicitis. Does she get where she'll throw up when she stands or sits up? If you press on her left side and let go really fast does it hurt on her right side? If she starts getting to where she'll sleep nonstop like she's in a comma, take her to the hospital immediately. Definitely bring appendicitis up because that's nothing to play around with. Luckily they detected mine before it burst.

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S.H.

answers from Columbia on

I agree with the other postings that it could be ovarian cyst, possibly endrometrosis. My sister had pain on left side, but no fever and it was endrometrosis. She recently had surgery to remove the endrometriosis and feels much much better.

Okay, not to scare you but my other sister had severe pain in her left side and it was colon cancer. PLEASE if she is NOT having bowel movements, starts vomiting, bleeding rectally, etc then insist on a colonoscopy. I've had one and it's really not bad at all except for the prep isn't the most fun. My sister was only 38 when diagnosed and a friend of mine had a son at 9 years old with severe abdominal pain went to emergency room and doctor realized it it was colon cancer possibly and ran test. It was colon cancer! So it can happen at any age. Again I'm sorry if I'm scaring you but I'd rather you be safe than sorry since that type of cancer can be slow growing. I'm sure she doesn't have that, but if she shows any signs....please get her checked!

Now I also had a friend who's brother had to have appendix removed and it was on LEFT side instead of right like normal. They said sometimes it's like that in some people...strange, but you never know.

You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep on insisting she gets treated until both of you feel better. It's mother's intuition to know that something isn't right with her child. Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!

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J.H.

answers from Greenville on

its obviously an infection of some sort...i'd try another dr. with a fever this high its serious. also i agree with the other readers appendix or ovarian cyst. let us know how shes doing...ok?

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L.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi...Have you taken your daughter to CHKD hospital in Norfolk (I'm not sure how far that is from where you live, but maybe there is a children's hospital closer to you?)? when my daughter was real small, she became ill and had a lump under her chin with a very high fever (as the days went by, the lump went lower down). I took her to Navy doctors as well as civillian and all said there was "nothing" wrong with her but she kept getting sicker, the lump bigger, and the fever not breaking. So, I turned to CHKD Hospital. Within 48 hours, a conferrence call to physicians in Michigan and a "different" anti-biotic, my daughter was on her way to recovery. She had "cat scratch fever" and I was told she would have died if left untreated because the lump would have eventually cut her air off. I owe my daughter's life to the doctors at CHKD. My duaghter is now 19 1/2 years old and she takes her child to CHKD. My prayers are with you. Please let me know what you find out about your daughter. you can email me :-)
My prayers are with you.
one more thought...has your daughter been checked for her "gall bladder"? I just had mine out and the symptoms sound very familiar.

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T.D.

answers from Florence on

Hi,
My sister recently went through a similiar situation and was told over and over that it was a tubal pregnancy. However, she knew that was not possible as she had never been sexual active. They ended up treating her for a kidney stone. She never past the stone but they said they saw a very small one, almost undetectable. This caused her imense pain, and fever!
Also, just a month ago they found an ovarian cyst. Which they said could also have caused those same symptoms.
Hope this helps,
T.

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M.Y.

answers from Atlanta on

What about her appendix??

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N.H.

answers from Norfolk on

First, I'm sorry to hear that your daughter is so ill. My husband has had stomach ulcers in the past and has never run a fever with it. Have they checked her for appendicitis. I have a friend whose daughter had appendicitis, but they had misdiagnosed her for nearly a month and a half before having to do emergency surgery. For some reason, she had symptoms on the wrong side and in a broader area. It might be something to look into. Otherwise, I'd be going to the closest ER and telling them that you weren't leaving without a diagnosis and treatment. I wish the best of luck to you and your daughter and hope she starts to feel better soon.

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M.B.

answers from Charlottesville on

Hi,
sorry to hear about her.I have been down that road myself.Have they checked her gallbladder?That almost sounds like the symptoms I had.Mine was always near my ribs.She could have gallstones that are lodged in the bileduct.That happened to my dad.I would recommend they check that if that hasn't been done already.Good luck and let me know how it goes.M.

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W.S.

answers from Spartanburg on

First of all, calm down. She is going to be OK. Secondly, it could be a separated rib. My husband slipped a little on a patch of ice one winter and separated his rib. He was in terrible pain! One visit to the chiropractor and BAM, he was good as new. (after being in the bed for a week in terrible pain)

You all are in my prayers.

W.

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L.T.

answers from Charlottesville on

Take her to the ER!!!! They'll run a battery of tests until they figure it out. Have them show you confirmation before any surgical procedures. You don't run a fever with an ulcer; at least I've never heard of it. It could be appendicitis, her gall bladder, anything.Is she sexually active? It could be a PID...I know the ER is expensive but they will do everything right then instead of sending her home unil the next appointment.

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C.T.

answers from Norfolk on

with a fever I would think an antibiotic...they treat ulcers with antibiotics too..it is usually bacterial..the fever is what is disturbing also
C.

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M.B.

answers from Richmond on

I have heard about a lot of girls around her age having cysts on their ovaries. Have you had her checked there? I know this can be extremely painful and it seems to be common. I wish I had more advice.

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L.C.

answers from Jacksonville on

when i was 16 same thing happened to me and even though i had three ultrasounds and no one seen it i had a rather large cyst on my ovary i took meds it went away...then at 24 when i was pregnant for my son same thing i could barely walk the first time they didnt see it i told my doctor what i thought the next time they found it it was the size of on orange how they missed it ill never know i had day surgery for it and it has not returned. tell them if you think it could be this and does it cause some lower back pain and does she have unusual periods or any menstral problems?

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A.B.

answers from Charlotte on

Have her checked for a kidney infection. A lot of times when they show up they can hurt in the front. She also wouldn't necessarily still have the symptoms of a UTI. They can really be dangerous especially with a high fever. It can scar her kidneys. I was hospitalized many times for this.

Good luck!

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T.K.

answers from Norfolk on

Apendix?
Fibroid Cysts...that causes scaring in her female organs? (causes pain about 2 weeks out of 4)just prior to menstration during and for a few days after ward. I know it can be very painful. Has she seen a female doctor?

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S.W.

answers from Norfolk on

almost sounds like appendix...
I would MAKE them check her again
S.

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D.H.

answers from Hickory on

L.,

I feel just like all the other Mom's, consistent fever, 103 is high in a girl that age. Definitely get her to the hospital, and don't leave till she is on the way to recovery.

You can work something out with the school, don't worry about that.

Good Luck and God Bless you and your daughter!

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