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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.
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
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