# When was the last time you got a side stitch **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 23, 2026, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109 "2026-10-23T22:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/1 "2026-10-23T22:09:58Z")
When I was a kid I got them every now and again. And I knew other kids did too. I was sometimes a topic of conversation. I can’t remember the last time I heard about one. Do kids still get them? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/2 "2026-10-23T22:21:20Z")
I, too, got them with some frequency as a kid. The only time I can remember having them as an adult is when I took up running for a few years, and had it happen a few times. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/3 "2026-10-23T22:33:37Z")
I used to get them in high school gym class, when I tried to run around the track the requisite number of times. I had to slow to a walk, which got me in trouble with the coach, but I couldn’t help it. I haven’t had one since those days in the early 1970s. I wonder why I got them when I was young, and theoretically in better shape, and not now when I’m old and decrepit. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/4 "2026-10-23T22:45:22Z")
My recollection is as yours: Got them as a kid, don’t remember the last time I got one. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/5 "2026-10-23T23:18:38Z")
I’ve had one within the last year. Weeks, if you’re not limited to the side location; I get them on my upper ribcage. Many years ago I had pleurisy, and it felt just like a stitch, but in an area roughly seven inches around, and it lasted for several weeks. Man, that was miserable. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/6 "2026-10-24T03:51:55Z")
I don’t think I got one after I reached puberty. I’ve been a runner for almost 50 years and haven’t had a single one. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/7 "2026-10-24T04:08:01Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > I used to get them in high school gym class, when I tried to run around the track the requisite number of times. This is also my answer. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/8 "2026-10-24T06:44:04Z")
I get one once or twice a year, for no apparent reason. Hurts like hell but resolves itself in about 30 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-got-a-side-stitch/1034109/9 "2026-10-24T07:16:17Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > I used to get them in high school gym class, when I tried to run around the track the requisite number of times. I had to slow to a walk, which got me in trouble with the coach, but I couldn’t help it. Same for me. They occurred when we had to run in gym class in middle school. I just put it down to having gym right after lunch, but in any case, running around the track meant side stitches. I slowed down too, and got yelled at for it, but I didn’t care. Getting yelled at by the coach was pain_less_. Those side stitches were pain_ful_. Haven’t had them since I don’t know when, but then, I don’t do much if any running nowadays.