Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Justified or unjustified fear of chronic mild stabbing pain in the side?

September 23, 2019 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello, I am currently concerned about the following: Lately, I have been struggling a lot with constantly worrying about my health. I am currently trying to change this with the help of a psychotherapist, but I simply want to clarify a few concerns I have with a doctor.
About 5 years ago, when I was much younger and more reckless, I sprayed a shower hose into my bottom. On the same day, I felt a slight, brief stabbing sensation on my left side just below my belly button. However, I cannot remember experiencing any pain directly after that. This incident immediately triggered fear in me, and since then, I have occasionally felt this stabbing sensation. It is particularly noticeable when I am already in a very anxious and depressed mental state. It could very well be psychosomatic.
A few months ago, I finally saw a proctologist for hemorrhoidal problems (leaking and slight bleeding). During the examination, an incomplete rectal prolapse II° was diagnosed, but another doctor quickly dismissed it as a genetic predisposition. Nevertheless, this has triggered worries in me again.
Since then, I have felt this stabbing sensation more intensely, even now directly opposite on my right side or sometimes in the bladder area. It often feels like pressure, but I have realized that it is mostly just trapped air. Sometimes I feel the stabbing sensation when I sneeze, especially when I am sitting. It may be important to note that I have very frequent bowel movements, I would say 2-4 times a day.
Additionally, I recently had a general health examination with my primary care physician (looking for potential organic illnesses that could trigger my anxiety and depressive mood), and no abnormalities were found in my blood tests. I believe they specifically checked for inflammation markers.
Could all of this somehow be related? I understand that a diagnosis over the internet is impossible, I just want to know if I could have done something "wrong", or if the symptoms, especially the apparent rectal prolapse, cannot be related to my actions from a few years ago. Just knowing that would relieve a lot of my anxiety, or potentially motivate me to see a doctor.
Thank you in advance.
I am male, 19 years old, and the only "medication" I take is a glass of psyllium husks every morning.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

You really don't need to worry at all! A shower stream doesn't do any harm, even if it's stronger. By the way, if your intestines were damaged, you would have immediately experienced severe acute problems, so you can cross that off, you haven't done any damage. You also can't cause a prolapse that way.

Having a bowel movement 2 to 4 times a day is a lot, and if it's also loose, I would want to rule out a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (which you don't get just from a shower). To do that, the colon would need to be examined. If the stool is formed, that's not necessary.

The stabbing sensation comes when the intestine is bloated and pulling on the nerve roots. You shouldn't be afraid of that. You can forget about the episode with the shower.

Warm regards,
Dr. Gehring