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pain under right rib?????????
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MedHelp Member's Question

pain under right rib?????????

by dixiedarlin, Oct 25, 2002 12:00AM
I have pain under my right rib for about 10 years off and on.... It is mild and more of a discomfort than an actually pain.  It has become more chronic in the past few months...although I haven't sought medical intervention due to usually not bothering me when I visit the Dr.s office for other issues.  It occurs almost daily and sometimes is just a dull ache lasting off and on all day then will go away and not bother me for a few days and then return.  I have read the forum and wondered if this sounds like gallstones, hiatal hernia/GERD related or IBS symptoms.  I do burp a lot and have been treated for GERD recently (aciphex and reglan for 2 months).  I also possibly have a hiatal hernia.  I have mild hypertension (on medication) and no other diagnosed medical problems.  This gnawing little ache is worrying me somewhat and I hoped that in the forum someone may be able to shed some light on my symptoms.  I also know the liver is located in this area - I do drink wine almost daily but do not abuse it or any other alcohol. I appreciate any advice or similiar experience........the pain also seems to get better (at times) after I have had a bowel movement/passed gas.....could this be constipation related or bowel related??  Thank you all for your input.....
Member Comments (8)

by georgie439, Oct 25, 2002 12:00AM
My pain started with a dull ache on right side about 4 years ago, at that time I did show stones but not alot. Recently something changed cause I had alot of pain in upper middle (bra line) and when I had sonogram it really hurt when they pressed down.  The gallbladder was inflamed and possibly the stones have caused other problems. I did however also go for blood work up of liver, should have made sure that they checked my pancreas levels too.  Also I think the gallbladder can be functioning improperly w/o stones, were it doesn't empty on time? I'm not sure but there are other problems with gallbladder besides stones

by gardenmaniac, Oct 25, 2002 12:00AM
My daughter just got the results of her HIDA scan today...she had it Tuesday...it didn't fill well with the radioactive stuff and it didn't empty well...32%...the nurse said the radiologist diagnosed choleysistitis??..inflamation of gallbladder..whatever...35% is considered the lowest "normal"..so she is below that....we go to see the GI doc next week...



she has been in pain, off & on, all through high school...(she is now a college sophomore)..we started to pursue with the doctor 18 months ago...Family doc treated for Gastritis and ulcers..that didn't fix it, so we went to GI ...he did an EGD and an ultrasound..negative for both..and diagnosed her with IBS. 2 months ago she had more of a typical gallbladder "attack"...so we found a new GI...she has been REALLY watching her diet, but is nauseaus all the time..pain after EVERY meal..no matter what she eats..some things worse than others..



as she is only 19...we have fought the stereotype that she is not "fat, forty, female, fertile & fair"...some doctors wouldn't even consider gallbladder problems...



Anyway...if it is gallbladder..everyone says, it will not get better..almost everyone says to get it taken care of so you don't end up with damage to your Pancreas or some kind of infection..



Hope that helps answer some questions..

by barn goddess, Oct 25, 2002 12:00AM
Just wanted to say Thanks Everyone & glad to know there is hope in finding a diagnosis. I have had 3 severe attacks in 7 weeks. Pain upper right quadrant, vomiting, bloat,belching & gas to boot!Had U/S(no stones), HIDA 55% the half & half cream sent me into severe attack,EGD only to be diagnosised as gastritis but the Dr provided 18 photos(color)no inflammation,have been on Prevacide for 6 weeks twice daily,Tums,and any other OTC meds I can find with no help. Diet consists of NO FAT not even 1 gram only to double over in pain. Ive gone from a size 5 to a size 1 & ready to buy 0 or a casket! I have started drinking Aloe Juice several days ago but havent dared to eat anything other than bagels & yogurt! Any advise would be great!

by roxnsox, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
what does blood work show?  any elevated enzymes (ALT)?



by barn goddess, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
All bloodwork looks good, that has been my biggest challange every test turns out normal,but its hard for me to beleive they can classify test normal after you have starved to death for 24 hrs prior to any test. My 1st diagnosis in ED was food posioning,there were 25 kids & 15 adults who ate the same thing w/o any trouble.Plus it didnt hit me again when it reached my colon as food posioning would do. I have quit smoking & coffee & any type of food w/ perservatives.

by georgie439, Oct 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: dixie,barn,garden
Is it just me or why dont these drs. recomend mri or cat scan alot sooner in the picture?? OK I understand the U.S. is cheaper but if all it will show is gallstones, then what good is it, especially when alot of people have stones??  I'm sorry I guess I'm just angry right now. I would just think that for someone like Dixie, who has been having pain for 10 yrs.?  Why not test with something thatn will show all the organs, I guess if I had the chance3 to do it all over again I would have the MRI or cat scan, whichever shows more.

by barn goddess, Oct 28, 2002 12:00AM
Well Ive given up on the expensive Rx's,pepcid,tums & further testing. Im going to try a more natural approach for now! After a visit to local health food store Ive been enlightened! And Ive only been on these natural solutions for several days Im noticing some positve signs occuring already & so far no new attacks (yet) keeping some thought reserve though!

by Karen03, Nov 03, 2002 12:00AM
I have this same feeling in my upper right abdomen,it sometimes is

sore to the touch. It's not extremely painful it's just very

uncomfortable and food does not affect it at all. With this I also get

stabbing pains down my right side which can get intense and then

lighten up in a matter of minutes or sometimes they last hours,

whether it's radiating from my abdominal pain I don't know. I went to

the ER one night where they ran test for stones but saw nothing. I had

this during the summer for about 1 1/2 months, then it went away and

just recently it's back again. The swollen upper abdomen feeling never

seems to leave. Everyone ( except Dr's) says it's my gall bladder but

food does not affect me and I hear it should make me ill if my gall

bladder was bad. My father had his out.





I have seen Gastro Dr, Urologists, Internal Medicine Dr, ER doctor and

Family Physician. I have had Cat scans (with and without dye), 3 sets

of Xrays, 3 sets of bloodwork, IVP for kidneys and upper abdominal and

pelvic ultrasounds....all show nothing. I have no clue if this is

related but I have acne (big) like I never had it before in my life

(I'm 39) ..it makes me feel like whatever is going on internally is

showing itself that way as well...if it's not that then it's stress

because I'm worried about this and would like an answer.