kidney problems ???

[silverdaler]

my friend has suffered with abdominal pains for years now ,which eventually was diagnosed as gall bladder problems. He had his gall bladder removed about 8 months ago, but it does not seem to have made much difference to his health. He says that he gets pain and discomfort constantly in between the bottom of his ribs and his hip, on his right side at the front, but sometimes it is on that side or back. Just lately, his elbow and knee joints have started to really ache too and his lips are sometimes very tender - dont know if any of this is related. He has been back to the GP lots of times, but they have not offered any explanation. He runs a business so has not got time to keep going back.
I wondered if it was anything to do with his kidneys. Anyone had any similar experiences ??
Thanks.