I am 23 years old and I have been looking around for information on what I may have becuase I dont have health insurance and the so called "free" places are not that good from what I hear. I have had this for about 6 months. I have a lump on the left side of my stomach that is approximatly 2 inches below the bottom of my rib cage and 1 inch to the left of my belly button. I have been fine for a while when I was unemployed but I got a new job and I am on my feet alot (nothing strenuos, just fast food). Well after day 5 of working I am starting to have mild stomach pains on the left side and mild discomfort that seems to go to the tubes that lead to my left testicle. When I sleep I am fine though I can still feel the lump when I lay on my side, feels like it is poking me in the rib cage. Everytime I hurt it is accompanied by gas. My stool is normal colored but it is soft and looks to be oval shaped like it as been squished from one side. (hope that is not to gross, this is a medical board and I am just giving all my symptoms). I have been having normal bowel movements, nothing like I am not going or anything (wich is a sign of a hernia). When I wake up I am fine. But I work again tonight and will probably start hurting again. The last job I had when I noticed it I walked around securing a building, walked about 5-7 miles a night at work 4 days a week, 2 ,8 hour days, and 2 ,12 hour days. I first noticed the symptoms about 3 weeks after I started. I have been under severe stress when I was there around the time of the symptoms, but I am not stressed as much anymore. I aslo have been geting what feels like muscle cramps occasionally that feel like they are on teh upper part of my rear end cheeks. I also felt quivers in my stomach before the lump appeared in the location the lump is at now. The lump seems to change size also, some times it is noticable and sometimes everything looks fine. I have looked up a hernia and ulcers. I cant tell which is more likelyor if either of the 2. I can say that when I lift it doesnt hurt (at least not that I know of, but if it does I know it is a hernia). Thank you for any advise/answers in advance.



William smith