Constant Sharp Pain on Skin of Abdomen

Updated on January 02, 2009
J.C. asks from Newport, KY
11 answers

Hello ladies,
I know I can rely on you for some help/advice. I first want to start by saying that my second pregnancy definitely has not been as smooth as my first. Morning sickness lasted for 2 months. Then I had a rash all over me for about 2 months after, which thankfully went away. 2 weeks ago I had an emergency appendectomy because of severe abdomen pain. The ultrasound showed what looked like to be an enlarged appendix, and since that showed up and 4 different doctors agreed, it had to be removed for the safety of the baby. When the surgeon got in there, however, my appendix was fine, but removed anyway. Doctors are guessing that I had some kind of gastro-intestinal virus. Now for what is continuing to go on. Even before the surgery, I had this sharp pain running across my belly, straight across the belly button.(Not the same pain that landed me in the hospital.) Now after surgery I still have this sharp pain. I have spoken with and have been seen by both my OB and my surgeon. Both think that the baby is just laying in a weird position and that I am strecthing, even though I should be good and stretched from my first child. My surgeon even made the incision large enough so that she could check other things to make sure everything else was working fine. She found no problems and said the baby looked great. I feel like they think I am crazy. It is extremely uncomfortable and now hurts me worse than my incision area because it is where I bend. I am askig any of you if you have experienced this kind of uncomforatble pain and have been told that it is stretching. I see my OB again next Monday but I feel like I am wasting my breath. Any thoughts or suggestions to ease this pain and discomfort? Thank you all so much. You have given great advice to me in the past- Jennifer

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H.H.

answers from Elkhart on

Get a second opinion! Lots of good advice but if you feel like their blowing you off cause they didn't find anything wrong I would get a second opinion.
The other ideas you have so far are good ones. Loved the girdle. Good luck.

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K.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had this pain with both of my last 2. At a maternity clothes shop, they sell a kind of "girdle" (if that's what you call it.) It helps to support your abdomen. I had the sharp pain across my belly as well as feeling as though someone had kicked me in the crotch. It did seem to help. My OB had told me to wear support hose. NOT COMFORTABLE when you are pregnant. The girdle thing is less confining.

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K.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I don't know what other people would do but sometimes if you
complain about something long enough, the Dr will get tried
of hearing you complain and start checking things out. That's
what I would do. Just keep complaining he'll have to do something, besides the Dr's forget alot of the time that we
as women know when something is not right with our body, the
trick is getting them to really listen to us. I hope this
helps you out some.
K.

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T.K.

answers from Cincinnati on

I can't for sure say what it is but I will tell you that I had the same pain underneath my breast when I was pregnant. I have chronic shingles so the pain was attributed to the shingles and it sounds like that is what you have. I have learned over the years of having shingles that outbreaks do not always have to be on the outside. The nerves internally get inflammed and cause pain. Shingles are also not uncommon during pregnancy because your immune system is down. Once again I can't be sure this is what you have but I do have sympathy for you because I know how bad you are hurting. Maybe mention shingles to the OB Valtrex is a very safe drug while you are pregnant. Hope this helps hang in there. My pain went away as soon as I delivered!

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J.K.

answers from Cincinnati on

I'm not sure how many months along you are but I would suggest a full body massage/visit to a good chiropractor. I experienced the morning sickness, and even (like you) had a terrible rash all over w/my third child. I started suffering from terrible back, neck, & head pain. I had never been to a chiropractor but was willing to try anything. ONE visit and I felt so much better. I know your pain's in your abdomen, but sometimes you can have a pinched nerve or just be suffering from carrying the excess weight of pregnancy. It's worth a shot. It won't make you feel any worse than you do. Good luck!!

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H.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi Jen! Did they check you gallbladder? I had the same pain that starts in your intestines and it is right under my right side of my rib cage. It sometimes moves to the back. It also goes up my chest. I can't eat greasy foods, anything with fat in it or spicy things. The pain comes on in sharp pains and then I usualluy break out into sweats. I'm having my gallbladder out on thursday. They say pregrant women can get it. I had my third child and because I gained 69 pounds with her, it took a toll on my body! I have lost alot of weight. I'm down to 125. But, its only because my gallbladder is making me so sick! I know it hurts! I told the docter it felt like I was having contrations in my stomach. sorry, my spelling is bad tonight! I have been married for 11 years and have three kids. 8,6,and a soon to be 17 month old. Good Luck! H. H.

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S.L.

answers from Columbus on

Dear Jen,

What a terrible ordeal!

Did anyone check your kidneys? I had a recurring sharp pain my right side for almost 5 years. After a urinalysis and exam, my family doctor told me it was nothing, and sent me home. Because we didn't have insurance, I wasn't able to get another opinion. The pain was so sharp and so bad, I thought it must be something terrible, and I was honestly afraid for my life.

Last February I had an attack that was so intense that I began vomiting, and the pain wouldn't let up even for an instant. My husband took me to the E.R. where they did an ultrasound, expecting to find either appendicitis or gallbladder disease. They were surprised to find that I had a 9.5 mm kidney stone (5.5 mm is about the largest that can pass naturally). Based on the location of the pain, and the symptoms I had experienced for nearly 5 years, no one expected a kidney stone to be the source of the sharp pain I felt in my abdomen. I had originally thought something was wrong with my right ovary, but that had already been ruled out. Apparently, since the stone was too large to pass it was causing pain along the ureter, all the way to my bladder.

I hope you get your problem figured out soon. If it is a kidney stone, you'll feel wonderful once it's gone.

Good luck!

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

It could also be the change in skeletal structure or a combination of things. Try googling EGOSCUE and/or buy a copy of Pain Free Women. The book takes women thru all stages of pregnancy and their pains. The website will give you some basic info and you can e-mail a therapist. The book will be a great help, as well.

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S.B.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi Jen,
I had the same thing on top of my abdomen, right below my bustline. It hurt like crazy! At first I thought it was muscular, but the doctor told me it was just the skin stretching too. Even just the feeling of clothing on it hurt so I tried to wear something really soft underneath the rest of my clothes and started sleeping in a sports bra.

I'm sorry I don't really have any advice to give you but I feel your pain! I felt like I was going nuts too - I kept asking the doctor because it seemed like something was really wrong, but as soon as I had the baby, it was better. You're probably already using tons of lotion, but keep some in a cool place - on your bedroom windowsill or even in the refrigerator so you can at least have some temporary relief.

Good luck and remember - this too shall pass. I bet you'll have an easy delivery since you've already had to deal with so much!!

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M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I had alot of pain in my pregnancy because i gained so much weight carrying twins. My skin stretching, ligaments, bones shifting... it hurt! I ended up in the ER and sent home on percocet just for the ligament pain!

I also have chronic kidney stone problems. The pain was very different from that being that kidney stones seem to hurt in your side/back.

Do you have worse symptoms after eating? Have you asked about your gallbladder (they probably looked at it while in there)?

It could just be the pregnancy. Ask alot of questions until you feel satisfied and if you don't feel like you understand still, see another doc for a second opinion.

Good luck!

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T.M.

answers from Cleveland on

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was still working and one day at work I got this really bad belly ache (I had them before too off an on) this one had me bending over and I couldn't straighten up it hurt sooooo bad.
So, the nurse at our school made me lay down and they called my husband to come get me to take me to the hospital. I was scared with it being my first pregnancy. When I got to the hospital, it hurt, but not as bad...they did tests and listened to the baby and said everything was ok. They thought I was having contractions???? I was to take it easy. It was the day before Thanksgiving and my doctor gave me permission to travel to Indiana if I was feeling ok.
Later, in my pregnancy at one of my doctor visits I guess I didn't really grow much between one visit. So, the doctor ordered an ultra sound, the doctor sent me across the hall where they had a technician.
After having it done the technician told me I was low on amniotic fluid and not to be surprised if my doctor tells me she wants to go ahead and deliver. So, I went back across the hall and sure enough, she said I was low on amniotic fluid and I needed to go home and get my things ready and try to be at the hospital that evening. I started to cry because I was scared. I went home and called my parents and friends, took a bath and already had my things packed for the hospital.
Everything turned out ok with my first child she was only 5 lbs 7 oz. I just wonder if I lost some fluid from the bad belly ache that I had?
When I got pregnant with my second I just had to have a few more ultra sounds towards the end to make sure I wasn't going to be low on amniotic fluid again but I was fine my second pregnancy. However, they did induce me on my due date just to be safe :)
So, if you feel pain, keep asking your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Sorry this was so long.
Good luck to you!

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