Question
Dear Patricia,

I have had a weird sort of pain in my left side. It comes up when I am emotionally stressed and will go away but it comes back again. I also have a similar pain on my head towards the forehead. I am hoping it doesn't signify an aneurism and if it did can aneurisms go away or be reversed. another thing I have thought it could possibly be is a tumor. Could you tell me what you think?

Thanks,
Lauren

Answer
I know a lot of doctors  blame "stress" on every symptom, but to me from what you describe, it sounds as if you have a mild case of irritable bowel syndrome, particularly since it is on the left side. It comes and goes. Do you ever have loose stools or crampy diarrhea with it? That is common. Also, the pain in your head could possibly be tension headaches. They usually start in the back of the neck and the pain travels up toward the top of the head or the forehead. Or, it could be sinus infections. These are just my opinions based on what you told me. No, aneurysms don't usually reverse themselves. They are silent, sudden killers. Brain aneurysms begin with sharp, horrible head pain like you've never had before, sometimes with nausea. They mimic migraines sometimes because you may vomit. That's why a good doctor should diagnose you with migraines or rule out aneurysms, usually with a  CT scan. I am just basing my opinions on the little info you've given me.