HomeAnswersMedical Gastroenterologyinflammatory bowel disease

Is left-sided abdominal pain with ileostomy an emergency?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 29-year-old male with a weight of 138.9 lbs and a height of 5 feet 6 inches. I went for a pain in my side. It turned out to be an abscess and internal infection. They ended up doing an ileostomy. Recently I started to have some weird feeling in my left side on and off on the opposite side of ileostomy. It is not a serious pain but it does not feel right. I have a general feeling of uneasiness and I am unable to describe it exactly. But I have a weird ache throughout my body on and off. I had a blood test two months back and it showed high WBC. Nine years back, I had an ulcer that got ruptured. Then I was diagnosed with IBD or Crohn's disease. I contacted the office of the GI doctor. But he is not available to see me until next week.

  1. Should I need to go to ER now?
  2. Do I need a CT scan?
  3. Is it safe to go to ER now with a mask?
  4. Is there a way to speak to a doctor who can get me to do a CT scan or colonoscopy to see what is going on by avoiding ER?

Thank you very much for your time and care

Answered by Dr. Mian Shah Yousaf

Education:

FCPS Gastroenterology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mian Shah Yousaf is a Medical Gastroenterologist with 12 years of clinical experience who completed his MBBS in 2011 from Khyber Medical University. He did his internship at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. He then joined Khyber Teaching Hospital for two years of FCPS training in Medicine, followed by three years of Gastroenterology training at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. After Completing FCPS training, he started working as a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Endoscopist.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

A patient with suspected Crohn's disease can have some discomfort due to a stricture or narrowing or inflammation in the bowel. If you do not have a fever, then a disturbance in the ileostomy can cause bleeding or distension in it. Otherwise, it is not an emergency condition to go to the emergency room.

You can wait to meet a gastroenterologist. But if your pain or discomfort increases, then you need to visit an emergency room immediately.

It is safe to go with proper precautions with a mask and gloves. In the meanwhile, kindly do these tests, which will help out in the urgency of this issue. Kindly do CBC (complete blood count) and CRP (C-reactive protein).

Kindly feel free to ask if you have any queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At August 11, 2020
Reviewed At February 19, 2026

Education:

FCPS Gastroenterology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mian Shah Yousaf is a Medical Gastroenterologist with 12 years of clinical experience who completed his MBBS in 2011 from Khyber Medical University. He did his internship at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. He then joined Khyber Teaching Hospital for two years of FCPS training in Medicine, followed by three years of Gastroenterology training at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. After Completing FCPS training, he started working as a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Endoscopist.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

FCPS Gastroenterology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mian Shah Yousaf is a Medical Gastroenterologist with 12 years of clinical experience who completed his MBBS in 2011 from Khyber Medical University. He did his internship at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. He then joined Khyber Teaching Hospital for two years of FCPS training in Medicine, followed by three years of Gastroenterology training at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. After Completing FCPS training, he started working as a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Endoscopist.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Listen to related tracks in our music library
Comprehensive Second Opinion

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.