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pain in left side under rib cage

I have had so many problems in the last couple months that I really don't know where to start.  My latest is a pain in my front upper left side right below my rib cage.  It's not constant and it's not a bad pain but just enough to bother me and worry me.  I am also having bad lower back pain that comes and goes.  I have had changes in bowel movements going back and forth from constipation to loose stools.  I recently starting having dizziness on and off throughout the day but the doctor thinks it's an inner ear infection.  I woke up this morning with nausea but it's hard to tell if it's related or just nerves.  I also lose weight in spurts, just recently another 7 pounds.  In July the doctor noticed my thyroid was swollen but tests show nothing and that is not even an issue at the time.  I also had an abnormal pap in July (ASCUS) but have recently had a repeat that was normal.  I just turned 30 in July and it has been one thing after another ever since.  Does anyone have any ideas on the pain in my left side?  I will start a journal to see if there is a pattern but it doesn't seem to be.
Thanks!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi,
You may want to look at some earlier posts on the board re: pancreatitis (or other pancreas-related problems).
I've sporadically experienced the dull, left sided pain for over five years now. About five months ago, a week before my 28th birthday, the left-sided pain returned, this time accompanied by severe fatigue, lower back/hip/flank pain that persisted almost two weeks, floating stools, and gas pains. My doctor checked my amylase and lipase and gave me a Spiral CT, thinking it was pancreas related. The blood work came back normal as did the CT. The symptoms continue(d). I was referred to a gastro doctor, who explained that if I'd been experiencing recurrences of mild pancreatic problems/insufficiency, my amylase/lipase wouldn't necessarily appear abnormal. I also learned that, despite being one of the best diagnostic imaging test, a spiral CT often misses pancreatic cysts, lesions, etc because of how 'hidden' the pancreas is in the body. So, now I'm being put on various medications, hoping someone consents to an MRCP or ERCP to find out what's really going on in there, and the left-sided ache, gas, floating stool, and occasional short, sharp pains below the sternum have become everyday. I've found that keeping my diet beneath 25 grams of fat daily and drinking a lot of water really help.
Take a few minutes and look around on www.google.com, might help you narrow down your symptoms, and again, this board is a great resource.
Important though, if you even suspect it may be pancreas-related after reading all of the info and stories, don't drink any alcohol, at all.
As you'll see from other postings, it's not easy convincing a doctor to even consider the pancreas as the source of a problem, unless you're actually turning yellow, vomiting bile and losing weight in front of his/her face. This goes double when you're 30 or younger. I've found it's helped me immeasurably to educate myself on the possible problems, what my symptoms may mean, and to go in prepared with questions and requests for various tests. If they say no, time to go to the next doctor.
Good luck!
Helpful - 4
Avatar universal
Patients with chronic abdominal
pain represent a diagnostic enigma.
Because of the many potential
causes for the pain The list of
possible diagnostic tests is
extensive. IN your case many
structural causes have been
excluded. It may be necessary to
repeat some of the tests in an
attempt to make the diagnosis.
Before reaching such a decision,
your physician should repeat a
detailed history and physicial
examination.
Many causes of left side abdominal
pain made worse by lying down:
could be hiatal hernia, ulcerative
colitis, IBS or Irritable Bowel
Syndrome; adhesions from previous
abdominal surgery; Chronic
pancreatitis -hx of prolonged
duration; constipation,
diverticulosis, PID or Pelvic
Inflammatory disease.;STD or UTI
( urinary tract infections) ; bladder
and kidney infections; bowel
obstruction.
Gastric ulcer pain typically gets
worse after eating, for instance,
while pain associated with a
duodenal ulcer tends to subside.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) is often linked to alcohol,
caffeine, or chocolate and may be
exacerbated by lying flat shortly
after eating
If your patient is a woman, pain in
either the right or left lower
quadrant could also be caused by an
ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured
ovarian cyst. Similarly, pain in the
suprapubic or lower abdomen could
be the result of a urinary tract
infection, mittelschmerz (ovulation
pain), or pelvic inflammatory
disease.
Regardless of the patient's gender,
diverticulitis is a possible cause of
lower left quadrant pain. If the pain
comes from the left upper quadrant,
possibilities include acute
pancreatitis, gastritis, and injury or
inflammation of the spleen
Hypoactive or no bowel sounds may
be the result of peritonitis, paralytic
ileus, mesenteric thrombosis,
narcotic overdose, bowel ischemia,
or hypokalemia.
The typical pain of acute pancreatitis
is exacerbated by lying down and
relieved by sitting up. Pain that is
relieved by eating or taking antacids
suggests duodenal ulcer disease,
whereas diffuse abdominal pain
that appears 30 minutes to 1 hour
after meals suggests intestinal
angina.
Other causes of left lower abdominal
pains could be gastroenteritis,
polyps and colorectal cancers.and
bowel obstructions.
Helpful - 1
1549941 tn?1297851745
A related discussion, pain under left ribs area was started.
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Avatar universal
Male. 38 years old. Good health. Non smoker. 6"3, 185lbs (i.e. not overweight). Desk job. Experiencing low grade, dull, ache just below left ribcage, off and on throughout the day. Ache is aggravated whenever I maintain a forward leaning position for an extended period of time (for example vacuuming, giving kids a bath). When aggravated, the ache/pain manifests itself as being more towards the surface and being a very localized pins and needles type feeling. Also feels like everything in that area of my body is being overly compressed. Straightening up almost immediately relieves the pins and needles feeling however the dull ache continues. That being said, trying to find a pulled muscle by bending different ways and doing situps etc reveals nothing.

After meals the pain can be (but not always) aggravated by sitting. I often find myself rubbing the lower rib area in an attempt to message the pain away. Seems to have some positive effect. Pain doesn't seem to be affected by what I eat or drink. Have had this problem for almost a year. Am often constipated. Constantly burping, even when I haven't eaten anything. Lots of bloating and gas, worse after eating of course. Belly seems very distended at times even though I haven't eaten much in those cases. Light nasea at times. Light relfux at times. No weight change. No pain when eating. Healthy appetite.

A recent CT scan of my abdomen revealed nothing. Excellent physical in the last year. Comprehensive blood tests reveal nothing our of the ordinary. Doctor prescribed antacids but they didn't change anything. Doctor prescribed anti-gas pills and they help relieve the bloating but do nothing to eliminate the pain. Doctor doesn't believe it's anything life threatening but is referring me to a GI specialist.

Some additonal comments that may or may not have any relationship to this situation: in the last year I've drunk more coffee than I ever have before. I used to not drink much coffee (1 to 2 cups a week maybe) and now drink 3 cups a day. I often have tense neck muscles and related tension headaches for which I take Alleve or Anacin. These probably occur once a week. I've heard Alleve's active ingredient (sodium naproxen) is very hard on the stomach. Is this related? I have no idea. I also have chronic sinusitus for which I take daily nasal corticosteroid spray (much of which is swallowed). Is this related? I have no idea.

Anyway, sorry for the long posting. Maybe someone else has experienced the same and can offer some words or experience and advice.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I am so glad to have found this site. I am a 29 year old female having the same problems, as most listed here. My pain in my left side, just under my rib cage started about a week ago. I feel like I am falling apart. I had mono last spring, problems with my stomach for ever now and it just keeps getting worse.
I am going to make an appointment with the gastro Dr. - i have to find one that is good around here. Another interesting problem is that I can't drink alcohol anymore. I thought it was becasue of the mono lingering, but i have no taste for it and when i try to drink i feel very ill. I wasn't a heavy drinker but went out on the weekends. Now my social life is as miserable as my physical health!!
If anyone has any input or has found anything out please feel free to e-mail me directly.
***@****
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
D A
I'm 33 - fulltime working mother of 2.  The left-sided pain under rib cage radiating through to my back just started 2 nights ago.  I've acid reflux for the past 4 years but haven't religiously taken my meds.  You just get sick of taking drugs for birth control, hip joints, depression/anxiety, bla bla bla.  Anyway, this new pain woke me up in the middle of the night. It was like a clentching pain, then a release.  My normal family practioner is sending me for the whole gastro area ultrasound November 18th.  She thinks it's gall bladder, but I was confused as the pain is on the left side.  I suppose it's all connected some how.  Has anyone out there had a resolution to his/her pain?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have had pain under and below my left ribs for over a year. The pain is sometimes sharp, and sometimes juts feels like a cramp. Its sore when I press against the pain, but I also feel pain in my lower back, which when pressed is also painful. This pain under my ribs/lower back comes and goes and can last from a few mins to about 1/2 hour. I also seem to be either constipated or have diahorrea/very soft stools. Is this IBS or could it be a kidney infection? Any advice appreciated...
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A possible explanation for the back pains...If you find yourself arching your back to relieve pain in your abdomen (as I do), the constant and unconcious clenching of the back and rib muscles may be sharp fatigue pains.
Helpful - 1
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I found out I was bipolor when I was a teen, I learned to cope without treatment and am working. For a while now I been having trouble working due to depression from finding out I have I.B.S. and fibroidmylasia. So when I am at work im always sick and in alot of pain always. Ive missed alot of work and am close to losing my job. Some days I cant get out of bed, but I do to pay the bills. Im losing control and I can no longer take the pain and the stress. Do you think I am able to recieve disability.  I get really bad pain on my left side under my ribs.  The pain hurts so bad sometimes I get sick and sweat real bad. I have to lay down because I will pass out.  I get really dizzy and I have to move my bowels and I fill like vomitting and passing out at the same time.   I feel the pain on my side all the time  on and off.  Can someone help? Has anyone been through this
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I'm experiencing the same type of pain as all of you. I had several test done and they came out normal. I decided to try the gall bladder/liver cleanse & I was amazed at how many stones I passed. I plan on another gall bladder cleanse this month. This cleanse is simple & painless. The cleanse is called The Amazing Gall bladder/liver cleanse. I recommend you research before you try. I will make it a habit to cleanse twice a year. This cleanse was recommend to me by a physicians wife. She tried it and recommends this cleanse for everyone & anyone. This is after I was told that my gull bladder was fine. My pain did subside. I have also noticed that my body goes through different types of pain, especially before I menstrate or when I ovulate. I find that my pain starts at the mid section of my stomach near my ribs and it travels to my left side. Gasy & bloated. The pain start in the morning and usually subsides or stabbing needle spasm occur. I am wondering if any of you has had a colonoscopy? Or are having digestive problems. I also find that the pain becomes more intense when I eat surgerless items containing Aspartame. Processed foods jack me up! So I stay away from those items like the plague. I find that I have to pay attention to things that I consume. Soy, whey & diary also cause problems. So I'm lactose intolerant & diagnosed with IBS. But this pain is different. Please let me know if any of you have had a colonoscopy because that is one test I haven't had done. Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm experiencing the same type of pain as all of you. I had several test done and they came out normal. I decided to try the gall bladder/liver cleanse & I was amazed at how many stones I passed. I plan on another gall bladder cleanse this month. This cleanse is simple & painless. The cleanse is called The Amazing Gall bladder/liver cleanse. I recommend you research before you try. I will make it a habit to cleanse twice a year. This cleanse was recommend to me by a physicians wife. She tried it and recommends this cleanse for everyone & anyone. This is after I was told that my gull bladder was fine. My pain did subside. I have also noticed that my body goes through different types of pain, especially before I menstrate or when I ovulate. I find that my pain starts at the mid section of my stomach near my ribs and it travels to my left side. Gasy & bloated. The pain start in the morning and usually subsides or stabbing needle spasm occur. I am wondering if any of you has had a colonoscopy? Or are having digestive problems. I also find that the pain becomes more intense when I eat surgerless items containing Aspartame. Processed foods jack me up! So I stay away from those items like the plague. I find that I have to pay attention to things that I consume. Soy, whey & diary also cause problems. So I'm lactose intolerant & diagnosed with IBS. But this pain is different. Please let me know if any of you have had a colonoscopy because that is one test I haven't had done. Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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Avatar universal
Hi i am having pain on my left side at the Rib cage & sometimes i feel it on my right side as well. At first i started having these really sharp severe pains in my sides,stomach,&pelvic area then it got severe to the point where tests were done non stop. I had a colonoscopy & endoscopy done. All tests have came back fine. Then i was told i had fibryminigia???? & ibs. But other concerns i am having are back pain with fullness of bladder,cannot stop going to the bathroom and burning with urination but nobody can find anything out. I think it  might all be connected some how has anybody had the same problems.....
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A related discussion, pain left side under rib cage was started.
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Avatar universal
Hi.......I recently had my gallbladder removed about a month ago and now I h. ave a pain on my left side, under rib. It kind of feels like air. I explained it to my surgeon who removed my gallbladder and he said I just have to give it time for my stomach to feel back to normal. I don't have any other symptoms....so


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Avatar universal
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