What causes stabbing pain in the lower left abdomen?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Why am I having stabbing pain in my lower left abdomen? It only hurts when I move or when gas or stool moves through the colon in that area. It is not cramping. It is very much localized pain and only when aggravated. Bowel movements are regular. I had a colonoscopy one week ago, but with no biopsies in the area where it hurts.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I am reviewing your case history and will get back to you in a while. Wait for my detailed response.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
One polyp was removed, and two biopsies were taken, just none in the region of the pain. I genuinely believe the pain to be related to the colon, specifically the sigmoid colon, which you have mentioned, based on the location of the pain. I have no prior or current urinary or reproductive disturbances. Given the recent colonoscopy, is there a chance it is a delayed complication? Or, potentially, the prep diet triggered some type of inflammation?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
1) Your biopsies and removed polyp will be reported soon. It would give some clues regarding your histological diagnosis. Do you have an idea about the site of the polyp? You can share your colonoscopy images and report on this platform as well.
2) If there are no urinary or reproductive system disturbances, I agree with your assessment that it is coming from the colon ( distal part of the descending colon or sigmoid).
3) As I mentioned, not every colonic pain needs to be colicky; sometimes, patients may have specific abdominal site pain like yours. It should respond well to simple anti-spasmodic (as mentioned above).
4) After a week, if you are eating well, tolerating the diet, and passing stools, this is very unlikely to have post-colonoscopy complications, most of the complications manifest within one to two days, and patients cannot tolerate oral diet or pass stools.
5) Prep-related inflammation is uncommon, but yes, the sensitive gut gets irritated with laxatives and would come back to normal in a couple of days.
6) Add probiotics to your diet, too, either daily yogurt if you can take it or commercially available probiotics once daily, this significantly improve gut microbiota and reduce episodes of gut spasm or pains.
Wishing you the best health.
Thank you.
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