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Upper Right Quadrant Pain
I'm a 36 year old male who eats well, exercises regularly, and lives a reasonably healthy lifestyle. Four month ago I started having pangs of pain in my right upper quadrant, just under my ribcage. I couldn't indentify any obvious pattern (e.g. pain after eating a fatty meal), but I did notice I felt it often at night. Concerned, I saw my primary care physician who suggested it might be a gall bladder problem. I had a blood test done for liver function, it came back normal. Next he referred me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound found nothing unusual so my physician prescribed Nexium and said I was likely flirting with an ulcer or some persistant gastritis.
Three months passed and I continued to have periodic pain, slowly becoming more persistant. I checked in with my physician again and he set me up for an upper GI endoscopy. Fortunately, that came back negative as well. I'm certainly happy that nothing was found, but am left with worsening (almost ever-present now) symptoms and no answers. The pain is typically under the lower right side of my ribcage, but sometimes radiates higher in my chest. If I curl my fingers under my ribs it is usually quite tender, all the way down the length of my liver.
Two weeks ago my stools had an orange hue to them (I assume this is what is refered to as "clay colored"?). This lasted for about ten days, but my stool color seems to have returned to normal.
My question is what conditions could be causing this pain if it didn't show up on an ultrasound or an upper GI endoscopy? Since the ultrasound was performed very early on when I just started feeling the symptoms, is it possible that it could have missed something serious(i.e. small tumor that has since grown)? I don't think my primary physician intends to do any more tests, so am wondering if I should insist on any others or whether I should see a specialist? I'm trying not to be neurotic about it, but am growing increasingly concerned. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Three months passed and I continued to have periodic pain, slowly becoming more persistant. I checked in with my physician again and he set me up for an upper GI endoscopy. Fortunately, that came back negative as well. I'm certainly happy that nothing was found, but am left with worsening (almost ever-present now) symptoms and no answers. The pain is typically under the lower right side of my ribcage, but sometimes radiates higher in my chest. If I curl my fingers under my ribs it is usually quite tender, all the way down the length of my liver.
Two weeks ago my stools had an orange hue to them (I assume this is what is refered to as "clay colored"?). This lasted for about ten days, but my stool color seems to have returned to normal.
My question is what conditions could be causing this pain if it didn't show up on an ultrasound or an upper GI endoscopy? Since the ultrasound was performed very early on when I just started feeling the symptoms, is it possible that it could have missed something serious(i.e. small tumor that has since grown)? I don't think my primary physician intends to do any more tests, so am wondering if I should insist on any others or whether I should see a specialist? I'm trying not to be neurotic about it, but am growing increasingly concerned. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
A related discussion, Pain in Upper right quadrant was started.
I have several of the same symptoms as many mentioned in this forum. I feel that the cause of my pain is from my breast implants. The pain however is only on the right side. I feel like the area behind the implant on my chest wall is inflammed or infected. Pain radiates below my ribcage, to my back(several areas of), my neck, sometimes makes my fingers go numb, and I am so tired always. I wonder how many of these other women may have implants as well. Do you think I could be right?
I have been experiencing pain similar to other entries. I had a severe pain under my right rib area last February which was so bad that I ended up in the emergency room. Within two hours the pain went away, and my ultrasound showed no gallstones. I was perfectly healthy until August 31st. After eating mexican food, I woke up with pain in my sternum area, which lasted a few days. It has spread to my upper middle abdomen and right rib cage area. I am a healthy, 47 year old woman who exercises reguarly, eats a vegetarian diet and I am not overweight at all. I have had blood work, ultrasound, upper GI series and CT scan which all came back normal. I have been online trying to figure this thing out. I have wondered if I pulled somehthing while exercising, but was told the muscle strain would have showed up on the CT scan. The Dr. now wants to do an MRI of my lumbar spine. My brother in law, who is an oncologist, thinks it could still be my gallbladder. I'm not sure what to do now. I have had a history of myfacial pain and so I wonder after reading other entries if this could be related. I am going for a massage next week and then try to decide if the MRI is the next step or if I should make another appointment with my Dr. to see if it could still be the gallbladder. It's very frustrating and scary as I was a healthy person until now.
The only difference from your any of your symptoms is that my pain is near the middle of my right side between the rib cage. It occurs more frequently during long periods of driving, but lately I've noticed it also when sitting for shorter periods of time. For instance, when watching television. I was told by a brother-in-law that it has to do with the muscle between the rib cage and over time it goes away. I've been dealing with this for about three years and no signs yet of it going away. I've had a doctor prescibe Bitabutal for the pain. It helps somewhat, but with any medication, you can become too dependent on it. Would love to hear if there's any other relief for this pain. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it good to know that I'm not alone.
You are not alone. I have had this same agonizing pain for over 3 years and I have no idea why. All of my tests are normal, neg for Hep C and no clogged bile duct, no gallbladder. Yet I have this horrible pain in my right side under my rib cage that goes into my back and side. Sometimes it burns but it also feels like my ribs are bruised. It comes amd goes with no correlation to anything. The only thing that I have found to help is sometimes a heat wrap. Since it comes and goes that may not even be helping. I have read about something called Symptoms of Oddi Dysfunction. I dont know if I have it or not but nothing else seems to fit. I guess I'll have to keep living with it.
I am 25 years old and since July of this year I have been suffering with all types of GI discomfort. I have done and endoscopy, LFT's, pancreatic enzyme test and blood test. Everything has came back negative. I stil hae URQ pain and discomfort right under my rib cage. I do not have an appetite and evertime I try to eat or drink I feel nauseated. Where I am located the medical care is off very poor quality. I have gone abroad and seen a doctor and made me spend 400 dollars on medication that still does not work. I did an US which came back negative. I have lost weight,about 12lbs and continuing. I do not know where to go or what to do. I have even started having anxiety attacks, which affects my day to day living. The only time I have some sort of normalcy is immediately before and after my menstrual cycle and then the feelings comes back. I hate it I cannot take it anymore. I have even decided to go to a psychotherapist. I need help.
Hey I been reading up on this and I found a site that almost to a "T" describes my issue. I am 35 and in good health and of average wieght. I had a Hernia sugery (right side groin area) 3 months ago and my pain in my right upper quadrant, just under my ribcage has been getting worse over the last months. I 1st noticed it while driving long distances. It now is present when sitting. I have not been to the doctor yet, but this to me sound what I may have.
I have post part of the article, but not the link (not sure how they feel about posting links here.
When abdominal pain is chronic and unremitting, with minimal or no relationship to eating or bowel function but often a relationship to posture (i.e., lying, sitting, standing), the abdominal wall should be suspected as the source of pain. Frequently, a localized, tender trigger point can be identified, although the pain may radiate over a diffuse area of the abdomen. If tenderness is unchanged or increased when abdominal muscles are tensed (positive Carnett's sign), the abdominal wall is the likely origin of pain. Most commonly, abdominal wall pain is related to cutaneous nerve root irritation or myofascial irritation. The pain can also result from structural conditions, such as localized endometriosis or rectus sheath hematoma, or from incisional or other abdominal wall hernias. If hernia or structural disease is excluded, injection of a local anesthetic with or without a corticosteroid into the pain trigger point can be diagnostic and therapeutic. (Am Fam Physician 2001;64:431-8.)
I have post part of the article, but not the link (not sure how they feel about posting links here.
When abdominal pain is chronic and unremitting, with minimal or no relationship to eating or bowel function but often a relationship to posture (i.e., lying, sitting, standing), the abdominal wall should be suspected as the source of pain. Frequently, a localized, tender trigger point can be identified, although the pain may radiate over a diffuse area of the abdomen. If tenderness is unchanged or increased when abdominal muscles are tensed (positive Carnett's sign), the abdominal wall is the likely origin of pain. Most commonly, abdominal wall pain is related to cutaneous nerve root irritation or myofascial irritation. The pain can also result from structural conditions, such as localized endometriosis or rectus sheath hematoma, or from incisional or other abdominal wall hernias. If hernia or structural disease is excluded, injection of a local anesthetic with or without a corticosteroid into the pain trigger point can be diagnostic and therapeutic. (Am Fam Physician 2001;64:431-8.)
Need some help. I am a 50 year old male, fairly good shape and not over weitht, and have had the pain under my right rib cage for at least 6 years. I have had every test under the sun run on me, and nothing has been found. I was diognosed with chostochrondritis, did therapy for 6 months. That didn't help. Had my gallbladder removed, nope didn't help either. Taken motrin, vioxx, and several other meds I can't even say, much less spell. The pain feels like a burn, and if I stretch and put presure on the area, it feels like a bruise, but the pain will go away. Full or empty stomach usually doesn't matter. More times than not it hurts when I am sitting down. One Doc said I should ask my boss for a desk where I can stand all day. Any way, if any one out there has any ideas, it would be appreciated. Feel free to email me.
Just an update from my last posting. My thoracic MRI was normal, and now my doctor has ordered a bone scan. In the mean time, I have turned to another option - Myofacial massage. The doctor that I am currently seeing believes that I am suffering from some sort of muscular problem - since everything else has been ruled out. The bone scan is simply precautionary, and my best guess will show nothing. Any way, I sought treatment with an gentlement who is a license massage therapist who specializes in myofacial message, and after one session (although a bit unpleasant)my pain had subsided a bit. He believes that the pain could be radiating from the Psoas muscle, which I could have hurt during exercise. I also found an interesing article called "The Abdominal Wall: An Overlooked Source of Pain" which addresses much of the complaints expressed in this forum (i.e. all of the standard tests come back normal, but the pain persists). This article can be found on the internet, and it discusses upper right quadrant pain and its possible relation to myofacial irritation. Just another lead to follow in looking for an answer - but perhaps this will help one of you. None of my treating doctors have been able to articulate anything of this sort. It has taken a LMT, and my own research. However, from the volume of literature out there, it certainly is not unheard of, maybe just a little hard to diagnose.
Hello,
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural approach, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.curezone.com that describes in detail and old holistic remedy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. The next morning you'll expel (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about every time I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an x-ray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool starts to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, that
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural approach, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.curezone.com that describes in detail and old holistic remedy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. The next morning you'll expel (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about every time I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an x-ray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool starts to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, that
Hello,
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural appraoch, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.curezone.com that describes in detail and old holistic rememdy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. the next morning you'll expell (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about everytime I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an xray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool startS to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, thats the tell tell that your Liver is once again getting clogged with the stones(now they are not stones in the conventional sense they are about the consistency of a bar of soap thats been in the bath a while). So friends take your health back and at least TRY the liver flush. At the point most of you are in (where I used to be) you have got absolutely nothing to lose. The one thing I must stress is that you must do this multiple times because your Liver and gallbladder are clogged with these things...get some out, more fall down from above. Give it a try and take a cup of the stones to your idiot of a doctor that says it's all in your head.
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural appraoch, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.curezone.com that describes in detail and old holistic rememdy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. the next morning you'll expell (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about everytime I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an xray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool startS to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, thats the tell tell that your Liver is once again getting clogged with the stones(now they are not stones in the conventional sense they are about the consistency of a bar of soap thats been in the bath a while). So friends take your health back and at least TRY the liver flush. At the point most of you are in (where I used to be) you have got absolutely nothing to lose. The one thing I must stress is that you must do this multiple times because your Liver and gallbladder are clogged with these things...get some out, more fall down from above. Give it a try and take a cup of the stones to your idiot of a doctor that says it's all in your head.
I am very sorry to hear that you all are suffering, but at the same time am relieved to some extent to know that I am not alone. I was beginning to think that I was crazy. At the end of January 2006, I had a bad flu, with coughing, and started to have this bizarre burning sensation in my upper right quadrant area - I thought it was my lung. I thought I had pneumonia. I did not. The sensation never went away, but turned into a dull to intense ache just below my ribcage on the right, and underneath (like beyond the ribs far interior). The pain wraps around into my back on the right side. It is not intensified by food or breathing, although it bothers me to lay on my right side. I have been through all of the tests - sonagrams, CT scans (thoracic, abdomin and pelvis, Hidescans, upper endoscopy, MRI of the chest (to rule out soft tissue injury to sternum), blood work, x-ray, EKG and EEG - and all normal. The pain is constant on some level, and escalates to almost unbearable at times - especially in my back. It is made worse by sitting at my desk. As others have stated - it feels like there is "something" under my rib cage, inflamed or rotting. I also have lost weight - about 15 pounds (and I do eat). Being sick for this long, every single day, is ruining my life, and it is so frustrating that the doctors cannot figure out what it is. The latest is a referral for an MRI of the thoracic spine to check for a pinched nerve - although this doctor, I know without meaning any ill intent, added "I do not think this is anything serious." I surely beg to differ when something is causing such constant unrelenting pain and suffering that it is sucking the will to live right from me.
Please, if anyone has gotten any positive diagnostic findings that would shed light on this mystery, let me know. I am so desparate that I am about to try acupuncture.
lawdog
Please, if anyone has gotten any positive diagnostic findings that would shed light on this mystery, let me know. I am so desparate that I am about to try acupuncture.
lawdog
Need Help!!! I have been having pain for over a month under my right rib cage and then in my back. I went to the doctor on a Tuesday and was told acid reflex (they gave me meds for it) and they gave me an inhaler. I took the meds and by Thursday I was so sick I couldn
I had my gallbladder out 3 months ago. Now I'm having sharp right upper quadrant pain, esp. when I'm sitting and bring my knee toward my chest. I went back to the surgeon and he said it wasn't due to the surgery but thought it might be something else. My regular dr. said to go back to the surgeon again. I hope this isn't a long battle, its very painful at times.
medically annoyed
I basically adopted a vegan diet. No animal fats or protiens. I have been on the diet for about a month, and I have been feeling gradually better. As far as elevated WBC with H. Pylori, that is not always the case. It can be very difficult to detect. here is a site with more info - http://www.helico.com/
I basically adopted a vegan diet. No animal fats or protiens. I have been on the diet for about a month, and I have been feeling gradually better. As far as elevated WBC with H. Pylori, that is not always the case. It can be very difficult to detect. here is a site with more info - http://www.helico.com/
I just looked up H.Pylori. It sounds like I would not have that. It seems that your WBC would have to increase above normal in this case. However mine was in the normal range.
Outch on the side: I need to look up H. Pylori. But I have been told about the gluten intolerance. I just found two websites today about products. What did you do to change your diet? I know to test gluten intolerance without a blood test, they say to drop it for 14 days and slowly reintroduce one by one and note your symptoms. This is something I am considering.
I have had some people tell me it sounds like H.Pylori, I am interested to know if anyone has been tested for this, or had a Dr. suggest it. Also, I have had a friend say it sounds like gluten intolerance. I have radically changed my diet, and I feel much better, but the sense that there is a softball resting just under my ribcage is still there. You would think that if we could send people into space, and do brain surgery and all that, that this would be an easy fix... :cp
OUCH IN THE SIDE: It does seem to be that there is a connection between you, me and tired of feeling sick and the mono. I will tell you that my right quandrant pain comes and goes but never completely gone. It is subsided now but I am starting to increase in head pain (not sinus like) and sinus pressure.
Looks like I am the latest in a long list of RUQ pain sufferers. I had my first attack when I was 23. A terrible, sudden pain that lasted for about 15-20 minutes and sent me to the ER. They said I had a stomach virus. I am now 38 and have had several attacks every year. One doc prescribed Dicyclomine HCL (Bentyl) at 10mgs a dose as needed for pain. It worked great for a few years. About 2 years ago, I was in a very stressful time of my life, and had alot of attacks, and then the sensation that there was a large, swollen mass in my R side just beneath my ribs became a constant. I Have been to several doctors and had blood tests, ultra sounds, HIDA scans, etc. all normal. I have been asked if I am depressed, and told it is in my head... I have been to the ER more times than I can count. I have tried treatment for H. Pylori, that seemed to make me feel better for about 6 mo. I take ranitidine and that takes care of the acute pain, but not the pressure and swollen feeling. I also had Mono when I was 10 and have had problems with fatigue, weight, and general feeling of unwellness since I was a kid. I live in fear for whenever I start feeling a tingling in my side.. the pain is unbearable. I have gotten to the point where I dont want to go to the doctor anymore because they make me feel like I am crazy.
Tired of feeling sick: I forgot to mention that several people are leaning me towards gluten intolerace. One of the names for that is celiac disease.
Tired of being sick: To answer the liver question.... If you ask any Dr. does mono affect the liver, I would suspect that they would say generally no. However having a severe infection in the body if not completely handled properly can lead to difficulties with the liver and or other organs. I don't know if you have had a liver blood test yet, but I have and they say it is fine. As far as the lymph nodes, they say it is normal when you run any kind of infection in your body to have this occur. (Bronchitis, etc) I believe my lymph nodes were swollen repetively after the mono and I don't think I ever really had them to swell before. With that said, before they do a biopsy you should have an extensive line of blood test before they start cutting into you. Your basic CBC's should show off if you are thinking cancer (so I am encouraged to believe). I do have recurring allergies that were definitely worse in the last two years and wonder how much that they play a role.
In addition, back to mono... my friend was informed that once you have mono, that not only do you test positive for (if not from Cytomyalgia) the Epstien Barrs Virus forever but you also always have elevated levels. Even more, she was told there is such a thing as chronic mono and because you have elevated levels, I don't think that Drs. easily detect you as having it again.
But since I went to the leading infectious disease Dr in my area. I tend to believe him when he says that it is not mono related and that I do not have any type of infection in my body. Regardless of all my symptoms.
Now, some interesting facts that I don't know may be related to you are the following:
My blood pressure tends to be between 88 and 90 over 50, so even when it is elevated it only goes as high as 120/70 but on average at high 100/70. I consider that high for me and a sign of something wrong. The Drs consider that in perfect health. My temp works the same way. I am usually 97.6 and if I am at 98 my head is pounding and at 99 I feel absolutely horrible. Yet Drs. say healthy. I guess that is why they put me in the Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue syndrome category for aches and pains.
Do you have any additional details to offer?
In addition, back to mono... my friend was informed that once you have mono, that not only do you test positive for (if not from Cytomyalgia) the Epstien Barrs Virus forever but you also always have elevated levels. Even more, she was told there is such a thing as chronic mono and because you have elevated levels, I don't think that Drs. easily detect you as having it again.
But since I went to the leading infectious disease Dr in my area. I tend to believe him when he says that it is not mono related and that I do not have any type of infection in my body. Regardless of all my symptoms.
Now, some interesting facts that I don't know may be related to you are the following:
My blood pressure tends to be between 88 and 90 over 50, so even when it is elevated it only goes as high as 120/70 but on average at high 100/70. I consider that high for me and a sign of something wrong. The Drs consider that in perfect health. My temp works the same way. I am usually 97.6 and if I am at 98 my head is pounding and at 99 I feel absolutely horrible. Yet Drs. say healthy. I guess that is why they put me in the Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue syndrome category for aches and pains.
Do you have any additional details to offer?
I hav been having the same symptoms that you are medically annoyed. I too was diagnosed with mono, but it was when I was 12, (I'm now 28). I'm wondering if there is a connection between the two problems. Could mono damage your liver? I have been having a general unwell feeling for years, really lethargic, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, achiness, and intermittent upper right quadrant pain. I have seem many drs. and am losing faith in the medical community! Have you had a biopsy of your lymph nodes? My dr is worried about it and wants to do that test.I have been diagnosed with IBS, ulcer, gastritis, etc. The pain is sometimes really noticable in the shower when the water hits that spot and it is really tender. I have also had reoccuring bronchitis and strep throat for years since the mono at age 12. Also I have frequent stomach problems, I never know how my stomach is going to act. I am getting so frustrated with feeling like this!!!!!
I hav been having the same symptoms that you are medically annoyed. I too was diagnosed with mono, but it was when I was 12, (I'm now 28). I'm wondering if there is a connection between the two problems. Could mono damage your liver? I have been having a general unwell feeling for years, really lethargic, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, achiness, and intermittent upper right quadrant pain. I have seem many drs. and am losing faith in the medical community! Have you had a biopsy of your lymph nodes? My dr is worried about it and wants to do that test.I have been diagnosed with IBS, ulcer, gastritis, etc. The pain is sometimes really noticable in the shower when the water hits that spot and it is really tender. I have also had reoccuring bronchitis and strep throat for years since the mono at age 12. Also I have frequent stomach problems, I never know how my stomach is going to act. I am getting so frustrated with feeling like this!!!!!
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