Young 16 yr. old friend of mine cannot get to see a doctor (her family
is awful and irresponsible) she has complained of recurring pain in
the abdomen approximately two inches to the right of her navel. Pain
lasts for hours to days at a time, during which she cannot stand or
sit up without leaning forward. Recurs approximately bi-monthly - once
or twice every 3 weeks. So severe she cannot stand up, or sit up
straight - the whole time. She claims to not have other symptoms with
the pain. We've asked about fever, constipation, diarrea, dizziness
all of which she denies. This has apparently been happening for years
and has not changed in its intensity or frequency, but its duration
varies. She has never seen a doctor for this condition. She says that
putting her knees to her chest actually helps the pain rather than
increasing it. She does not have any apparent protrusions in that
area. We've advised her to go talk to a doctor or a nurse first thing
in the morning, but do not know if she will or will be allowed to. We
would take her to see a doctor ourselves, but she is thousands of
miles away from us.

Any ideas on what this could be? We've thought it could be gas, or
gastro-intenstinal infection, appendicitis, or hernia, but are not
getting any clear indications of any of them.