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Pain Behind Right rib-(Not underneath Rib)
Hi,
I am hoping you can help me. For approximately 6 months I have been having pain behind my right rib. (not below or underneath the rib) The pain is also in my right side and back. The pain is aggervating/uncomfortable during the day but is worse at night. It keeps me awake. Pain relievers do not help nor does a heating pad. There are times my rib gets tender and feels like it is bruised. I have had no injury in the area.
I do have IBS and Gerd. I did have an abdominal X-ray, Ultrasound, Upper GI w/ small bowel follow through, and recently a colonoscopy and EDG. I have not had my follow-up appointment yet since having the Colonoscopy and EDG but was told after the test that everyhting looking fine. There was nothing significate. The other testing came back normal. I do take 40mg of nexium 2x a day.
The pain is really getting to me and the above testing is not giving me any answers. I desperatly want a solution to this pain. Can you tell me what other disorders can cause this?
I am hoping you can help me. For approximately 6 months I have been having pain behind my right rib. (not below or underneath the rib) The pain is also in my right side and back. The pain is aggervating/uncomfortable during the day but is worse at night. It keeps me awake. Pain relievers do not help nor does a heating pad. There are times my rib gets tender and feels like it is bruised. I have had no injury in the area.
I do have IBS and Gerd. I did have an abdominal X-ray, Ultrasound, Upper GI w/ small bowel follow through, and recently a colonoscopy and EDG. I have not had my follow-up appointment yet since having the Colonoscopy and EDG but was told after the test that everyhting looking fine. There was nothing significate. The other testing came back normal. I do take 40mg of nexium 2x a day.
The pain is really getting to me and the above testing is not giving me any answers. I desperatly want a solution to this pain. Can you tell me what other disorders can cause this?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There has been a pretty comprehensive GI evaluation. You can consider a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation to evaluate the gallbladder function. In those with a normal ultrasound (i.e. no gallstones), a low gallbladder ejection fraction can cause RUQ pain.
If the testing remains non-revealing, you can consider looking outside of the GI system. This can include chest imaging looking for pulmonary causes, or going to see a physiatrist (rehabilitation MD) looking for musculoskeletal causes.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
If the testing remains non-revealing, you can consider looking outside of the GI system. This can include chest imaging looking for pulmonary causes, or going to see a physiatrist (rehabilitation MD) looking for musculoskeletal causes.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Have you had your gallbadder checked? That might be your next step if everything else came back normal. I'm having some discomfort on my right side and well. No major pain, but my back lower rib cage is tender as if bruised and I haven't had any trauma to that area either. I also have pain on my lower right side like in the pelvic area, but only when I'm laying down and start touching around does it hurt and the pain radiates towards my side and back to lower rib cage. If you get any insite on your problem please post it so I can see if it will help me any with my problems. Good luck.
As we use to say in the Army, "Suck it up and drive on, soldier!" What did you blood work come back and tell you (Your Doctor) and did you do a U.A.? (Results may very from person to person.)
We need facts!!! Only facts!! And nothing but the facts!
Doc Mahdo
We need facts!!! Only facts!! And nothing but the facts!
Doc Mahdo
What is a U.A?
Whiz qiz. (Pee pee test) One need not study for the exam. It's all "pass" or "fail".
Sounds as if quite a few people have the same problem with the under the rib pain. I also have that problem and have had a test revealing slow emptying of the gall bladder, but I seem to have more problems when I drink. I am a 54 year old woman who can not get any help from my doc's they all seem to think that it is complications relating to menopause. When I have an attack of the pain under the rib cage my whole body seems to get a feeling of having a yeast infection. My throat get sore, I have frequent trip to the bathroom and lately I have developed pain in my back above the waist line. I have always been a healthy person, no surgerys no sickness. I am having one of the attacks now and I guess it is another trip to the doc.
Mrs Peke ~
I suggest getting a second opinion. If your physician doesn't look past menopause, then you need to seek a different physicians advice. I'm not saying that your symptoms are not possibly related to menopause, but your physician shouldn't just assume it is. I saw a physician for almost ten years and more recently was having terrible stomach issues. He just assumed it was related to menopause (I am only 27; hysterectomy when 22) and he would not look for any other answer. Well after 10 hospitalizations this year, I fired that physician and got a new doctor. In one test, my new physician found out what was wrong; I have gastroparesis. You don't have to fire your doctor. I am just suggesting getting a second opinion. Even if they have the same opinions, at least you will have eliminated any other possibility. In my opinion, from what you state, it does sound like it is your gall bladder. I had mine out due to the same symptoms; plus my HIDA scan proved it was bad.
Please talk with your physician. I hope you get help/relief soon.
God Bless,
CJ
I suggest getting a second opinion. If your physician doesn't look past menopause, then you need to seek a different physicians advice. I'm not saying that your symptoms are not possibly related to menopause, but your physician shouldn't just assume it is. I saw a physician for almost ten years and more recently was having terrible stomach issues. He just assumed it was related to menopause (I am only 27; hysterectomy when 22) and he would not look for any other answer. Well after 10 hospitalizations this year, I fired that physician and got a new doctor. In one test, my new physician found out what was wrong; I have gastroparesis. You don't have to fire your doctor. I am just suggesting getting a second opinion. Even if they have the same opinions, at least you will have eliminated any other possibility. In my opinion, from what you state, it does sound like it is your gall bladder. I had mine out due to the same symptoms; plus my HIDA scan proved it was bad.
Please talk with your physician. I hope you get help/relief soon.
God Bless,
CJ
I have been having pain under my rib cage and in my upper back.
I had a HIDA scan done after receiving my Ultrasound results showing that my gallbladder is contracted. The scan diagnosis is Low gallbladder ejection consisted with biliary dyskinesia. The gallbladder ejection was calculated to be 11%.
The pain that I have been getting seemed to have gotten worse ever since I had the HIDA scan. I also have pain on the lower right side of my stomache.
My biggest concern is that I had Crohns disease since 1980 and had surgery for it with the removal of the right portion of my small intestines, and was wondering is the lower pain I am receiving is because of a reoccurrance of Crohns or because of my gallbladder. My gastrointerologist scheduled me for a colonoscopy on 2/6 however my primary Dr. sceduled me to see the surgeon for the gallbladder ejection. Should I notify my GI Doctor regarding my scan results or wait to see what the surgeon is going to tell me.My appointment with the surgeon is Friday 1/27.
I had a HIDA scan done after receiving my Ultrasound results showing that my gallbladder is contracted. The scan diagnosis is Low gallbladder ejection consisted with biliary dyskinesia. The gallbladder ejection was calculated to be 11%.
The pain that I have been getting seemed to have gotten worse ever since I had the HIDA scan. I also have pain on the lower right side of my stomache.
My biggest concern is that I had Crohns disease since 1980 and had surgery for it with the removal of the right portion of my small intestines, and was wondering is the lower pain I am receiving is because of a reoccurrance of Crohns or because of my gallbladder. My gastrointerologist scheduled me for a colonoscopy on 2/6 however my primary Dr. sceduled me to see the surgeon for the gallbladder ejection. Should I notify my GI Doctor regarding my scan results or wait to see what the surgeon is going to tell me.My appointment with the surgeon is Friday 1/27.
YES!! I am amazed at how many people have this same problem! It is like we have all been abducted by aliens and implanted with something unknown! I have had an ultrasound and CT scan but nothing at all was found. Gall Bladder, Liver and Pancreas are all in good order and I had my appendix out when I was young - I am now 36. I have had this pain for over a year now. It started as a gradual thing when I was running on the treadmill at the gym. I used to be able to run for at least half an hour up hill and fast, now I am lucky if I get 10 mins in before the pain is so sharp that I have to stop. It is like a really bad stitch but higher up and it lasts longer, like you have torn or damaged something and so it kind of aches after. I can ride a bike, use the cross trainer, row etc all without the pain, but running hurts! It is also like I can feel something inside me but you can't feel it to touch. If I am a bit stressed I also feel it. The only time it actually hurts is when I run, the rest of the time it is just uncomfortable and if I am sitting on the couch or lying in a certain position it sometimes feels like it is digging into me. But the Doctors tell me they can't find anything!!! This to me is not a good sign as I want them to find something and then do something to get rid of it so I can get back to nice long runs! It is SOOO frustrating as I am sure you all know! I have also developed Hives in the last 6 months which only come out at night and then are gone by morning so I can't even show Doctors this. I was rather highly stressed when I contracted them so I guess this is how I got them but I am not sure if they are related to my other problem. They mostly come up over my legs but I have been known to get them on my arms, stomach and bottom. But only at night. I thought it may be when I get hot but I get hot and sweat at the gym and don't get them but when the moon comes out, out they come! My skin on my legs just burns!Another alien unexplained thing.......
PEOPLE!
I had this also. It's gone now. With all due respect to western medicine, my cure came with a liver cleanse. I have never followed homopatheic medicine, never took herbs, and never took vitamins. I thought they were a huge waste of time, and possibly dangerous. I was very skeptical of anyone who discussed this stuff. Then came my gallbladder attack.
Two ultrasounds later, there are no stones, but a fatty liver. My doctor had me scheduled for an MRI, which also showed nothing except a cyst on my liver. I was in such pain, my stomach was bloated, and I felt toxic all the time. I'm 50, and I thought that I was pretty much done with my life. I even, stupidly, took a pregnancy test because those flutters felt like when I was pregnant! My husband thought I was crazy, but was damn nervous during that test...of course it was negative.
Then my friend, who is an OB/GYN, and into holistic medicine turned me onto Dr. Hulda Clarks site. I took the liver cleanse there, and amazingly enough, I improved immediately! I lost over 500 stones on my first try, 1000 stones on my second....it's absolutely amazing! I feel 25 years old. And to top that off I decided to do a parsite cleanse, and when I did that, the fluttering totally stopped. I got that from DrNatura for a product called Colonix. There is no bad feedback anywhere for this product, and it has done wonders for me. I have lost 45 pounds, my blood pressure is way down, and I no longer feel like my stomach is an alien being attached to me.
Now, I know all of you are on a traditional medical website, and I completely understand if you feel relunctant to look into this, but just do a little research. I'm so glad I did. My life is so much better, and I didn't have to lose my gallbladder to do it.
Good luck to all of you.
Ann
I had this also. It's gone now. With all due respect to western medicine, my cure came with a liver cleanse. I have never followed homopatheic medicine, never took herbs, and never took vitamins. I thought they were a huge waste of time, and possibly dangerous. I was very skeptical of anyone who discussed this stuff. Then came my gallbladder attack.
Two ultrasounds later, there are no stones, but a fatty liver. My doctor had me scheduled for an MRI, which also showed nothing except a cyst on my liver. I was in such pain, my stomach was bloated, and I felt toxic all the time. I'm 50, and I thought that I was pretty much done with my life. I even, stupidly, took a pregnancy test because those flutters felt like when I was pregnant! My husband thought I was crazy, but was damn nervous during that test...of course it was negative.
Then my friend, who is an OB/GYN, and into holistic medicine turned me onto Dr. Hulda Clarks site. I took the liver cleanse there, and amazingly enough, I improved immediately! I lost over 500 stones on my first try, 1000 stones on my second....it's absolutely amazing! I feel 25 years old. And to top that off I decided to do a parsite cleanse, and when I did that, the fluttering totally stopped. I got that from DrNatura for a product called Colonix. There is no bad feedback anywhere for this product, and it has done wonders for me. I have lost 45 pounds, my blood pressure is way down, and I no longer feel like my stomach is an alien being attached to me.
Now, I know all of you are on a traditional medical website, and I completely understand if you feel relunctant to look into this, but just do a little research. I'm so glad I did. My life is so much better, and I didn't have to lose my gallbladder to do it.
Good luck to all of you.
Ann
This indeed is a popular complaint. I have had the same thing for years. Pain under my right rib that sometimes extends into my back. It got especially bad about 5 years ago and, since I was sick at the same time, the doctor took my gallbladder out. I wasn't sick after that but the pain gradually came back and it comes and goes with exercise. Running is the worst for exacerbating it. Just this past week I went to the doctor to mention it again and he sent me for a rib x-ray. Turns out I have "subtle changes" of the 9th and 10th ribs as if I may have fractured them at some point? Wouldn't you think I would know if I had fractured my ribs??? Because there is no obvious injury recently or in the past my doc is sending me for a bone scan. I don't think he necessarily expects to find anything "bad" but it's just to try to put a little more light on the subject. Sometimes my entire right side rib cage area just feels achy/tight and sometimes it's just in the front, sometimes it's just in the back and sometimes it's the entire area. It's annoying.
I also have this right side pain problem that most of you are talking about in your posts. Mine is situated behind the rib cage and often the bottom ribs feel sore. The pain radiates to the back and sometimes feels like it generates heat in the back. Sometimes the center of the pain feels a little bit lower -- at about the mid-abdomen on the right side. It can be both dull or sharp. Sometimes I even feel pain much lower, just above the hip. Sometimes (I swear) I even feel it in my right shoulder or bicep of my right arm. I first noticed this situation two years ago and aggressively pursued a diagnosis with doctors. I had ultrasound and an endoscopy, as well as a series of blood tests. All came back negative for anything serious. The diagnosis at the time was Irritible Bowel Syndrome, something I didn't agree with, but could prove otherwise. It went away for many months, but has now come back and most days my side hurts. My question is what should I do now? The pattern of pain doesn't seem to correspond to eating, slipping or sitting habits. There doesn't seem to be a correlation between the pain and bowel habits -- though I do hear a gurgling in my intestine that tells me something might be going on in there. I am beginning to think it's referred pain coming from my head ...
my email address is ***@****. Please write if you have experienced something similar. Thanks
my email address is ***@****. Please write if you have experienced something similar. Thanks
I forgot to add that I am a 45-year-old male and in generally good physical shape. I have never had a serious health problem and aside from the side pain, I feel good. Mark
I too have very similar symptoms, and right now I am in a lot of pain. I have a high tolerance for pain too, but this is a bit over the top. I called my Gastro doctor, as I am scheduled for an upper endoscopy on the 21st (due to Acid Reflux) issues, but I am concerned about this SHARP pain. The doctor is recommending an unltrsound of the gall bladder at this point, but I know I had one of those already for the same issue, and nothing was found. I'd hate to go through another ultrasound, as I am guessing the same results will be found as the pain is the same.
Anyone have another recommendation that I can request from the doctor? I am wondering about the other enteries I have been reading about the gall bladder not putting out enougg of something (can't remember the term though), which could be the culprit for similar symptoms. Any specific test to request for that?
I am not looking forward to my Upper Enoscopy either, as I have never been under anesthesia (not even sure of the correct spelling).
Right now, my stomach feels bloated too, and not too long after I unzipped my pants (stretchy ones as well), the pain seemed to subside a bit, but the lower abdomen blew up a bit, like I have a lot of gas that can't seem to escape.
Any suggestions?
Concerned, and in pain.
Anyone have another recommendation that I can request from the doctor? I am wondering about the other enteries I have been reading about the gall bladder not putting out enougg of something (can't remember the term though), which could be the culprit for similar symptoms. Any specific test to request for that?
I am not looking forward to my Upper Enoscopy either, as I have never been under anesthesia (not even sure of the correct spelling).
Right now, my stomach feels bloated too, and not too long after I unzipped my pants (stretchy ones as well), the pain seemed to subside a bit, but the lower abdomen blew up a bit, like I have a lot of gas that can't seem to escape.
Any suggestions?
Concerned, and in pain.
Thank god, I was sure I was the only one. Some how these mysterious things seems less scary when you know there are other people. I basically have all the same symptoms as everyone here. Dull pain under my right rib cage, but in a way it feels like it is on top of my rib cage sometimes. I also have a dull pain in my lower right abdomen sometimes too. But i was diagnosed with ovarian cysts a long time ago. Anyways, yesterday I went to the Dr. and she ordered blood tests for my liver and anemia, (because I also have some tingling on my left cheek.) and an ultrasound for next week. I was told if there was a problem with my blood test they would call today, and if there wasn't they would call next Monday. So now I praying the phone doesn't ring. I had a friend die not to long ago from liver disease, and she was only 28 at the time. I am 30 and I drink almost daily, but not excessive. Just a glass of wine or a couple beer's. Anyways lately it has been a lot less, and actually i do feel a little better. Again I'm so glad to have found this site I feel a little better not being alone. and after all my tests are done I think I do the cleanses mentioned in an earlier post.
Hi I have read your comments and I am sorry that you all are having pain. I also am having discomfort / pain behind the right rib area. Yesterday I went through a series of test including CT, Ultrasound and X-ray. They also grew a culture to test my kidney and drew blood. I have had to hold my breath to turn over in bed.
Before I tell you my results I want to say that 2 weeks ago I had a colonoscopy and they did find a large polyp which was removed. I have had a history of IBS so this procedure had been ordered. I am a 40 yr old woman. Ever since the colonoscopy I have had this pain.
They found a gall stone and 2 ovarian sists but nothing that would cause this current pain and I felt a bit like I was overreacting because I am not one who frequents the doctors office.
However, I have had 2 large bowel movements and it has made such a difference.. Do you think things are different in there now that that large polyp is gone?
I am thinking that as long as nothing is wrong internally I am just going to get on which my excercise routine and if the pain comes back I am just going to see if taking off some weight and treating my body better will help. Let me know what you think.
Before I tell you my results I want to say that 2 weeks ago I had a colonoscopy and they did find a large polyp which was removed. I have had a history of IBS so this procedure had been ordered. I am a 40 yr old woman. Ever since the colonoscopy I have had this pain.
They found a gall stone and 2 ovarian sists but nothing that would cause this current pain and I felt a bit like I was overreacting because I am not one who frequents the doctors office.
However, I have had 2 large bowel movements and it has made such a difference.. Do you think things are different in there now that that large polyp is gone?
I am thinking that as long as nothing is wrong internally I am just going to get on which my excercise routine and if the pain comes back I am just going to see if taking off some weight and treating my body better will help. Let me know what you think.
I am so glad to have found this posting. I have been suffering on and off for 4 years with pain behind and just to the bottom of my ribs...so sore that I feel as though I've been hit with a bat at times. I just went through the tests for a kidney infection...negative. I'm now getting ready to go have an ultrasound to check my liver and gallbladder. I'm over 100 lbs. overweight and according to my doctor - fat people have fat livers. My bone structure is small so my concern is that my ribs are actually poking my liver...but that doesn't explain the tenderness on the outside of my ribs. I had the same pain in my chest area 12 years ago and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (I was raised by a hypochondriact sp???) so I don't quite belive in fibromyalgia since it is a diagnosis of exclusion (please don't write hate mail!!!!) Maybe if all the tests come back negative, it is fibromyalgia. My pain is back after being gone for 2 years. I'm am under an ungodly amount of stress, anger and fear. They say fibromyalgia is trigerred by those things....I'll post after my tests. I look forward to any ideas anyone has to manage the discomfort in the meantime.
I'm following up to my post after my ultrasound on my gallbladder, kidney & liver. Test was normal. At this point doctor is saying due to the extreme stress I'm under - my fibromyalgia has reappeared. I'm happy it is nothing serious but I don't understand firbomyalgia....I have more researh to do. Best of luck to you all.
I have been searching for a reason for my rib pain. Mine is located in the bottom left ribs in the back. The pain came and went. for about 3 years. Now it is constant and it is a deep pain. I had an x-ray and it was normal. My arthritis doctor referred me back to my family doctor, he wanted to do an ultrasound. That was this time last year and I did not do it because I felt it a waste of time. I am thinking i am going to have to go back and see what else he can order. The pain is constant and worrisome. I just want some relief.
I came across this site to try and find out what is going on with the pain I have had for a week straight. Many of you have the same symtoms: Feels like a stitch only higher, bruised feeling and trouble turning over while sleeping. Along with those I can't seem to take a good deep breath and also my pain is on the left side under the breast. I haven't called the dr yet. What is on our left sides?
Hi,
I have pain beginning at about a thumb's length from my right hipbone and radiating out laterally about a hand's length both ways. The pain is not constant, but when I do have it it alternates between stabbing pain and a dull ache. My GP says it's not my gall bladder, that I've sprained my 11th right rib.
This just doesn't feel right. I haven't had any tests done yet -I thought I'd see if the 'rib pain' went away - it hasn't. 2o years ago I had the same pain and was told it was my gall bladder - I have no idea what made it stop then.
I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago. My question is: Could the hysterectomy have let other organs move from where where they are supposed to reside which is why my GP isn't picking it up as gall bladder?
I have pain beginning at about a thumb's length from my right hipbone and radiating out laterally about a hand's length both ways. The pain is not constant, but when I do have it it alternates between stabbing pain and a dull ache. My GP says it's not my gall bladder, that I've sprained my 11th right rib.
This just doesn't feel right. I haven't had any tests done yet -I thought I'd see if the 'rib pain' went away - it hasn't. 2o years ago I had the same pain and was told it was my gall bladder - I have no idea what made it stop then.
I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago. My question is: Could the hysterectomy have let other organs move from where where they are supposed to reside which is why my GP isn't picking it up as gall bladder?
I have been plagued by the same pain that everyone is suffering with here for 2 years now! it started as a pain in my right top abdomen waking me up in my sleep, that would go. soon it was in my right back rib (with tender spots of localised pain) and in my side right rib and in my front rib. since then it also pains me in my sternum and sometimes throught to my back! it has no link with eating or not. I have had an endoscopy which was normal no ulcers and no red lining of the stomach. I had an ultrasound of my kidneys, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and spleen and all of these were normal! also many bloodtests all normal. Also I had an ultrasound of my womb and ovaries last year with a CA125 blood test - normal! Plus I have had an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine, which showed minor wear and tear but nothing significant to cause this pain. And I had a chest Xray last year - normal!!! what is causing my pain - my quest goes on - I feel it is getting worse and I am exhausted by it! 2 weeks ago I had a CT scan of my abdomen and all was normal except they found a 4cm cyst on my right kidney, which was there 20 months ago at my ultrasound - shame no one thought to tell me then!!! this apparently is normal!! Anyone getting the new 'buzz' word here? NORMAL how can it be normal but I am in so much pain!!!!!!????????? I also now am getting dizzy spells, bouncing vision, facial stiffness, weak feeling in my left arm which I also have frozen shoulder pain and my left leg feels weak to walk on sometimes AND I had a patch of prickling sensation on my left arm by my elbow (gone now)! I am to have an MRI of my brain if they can find it plus 10 more blood tests and evoke potentials test to check my muscle and nerve pathways etc.
If I say 'top that!' has anyone got any sugestions or comments, I am frightened as to what they are going to find - I only hope it is 'normal' but if it is then I am NOT normal as no one should have all this pain and be normal!!!! if you see what i mean - I am worrying that it is MS - but the neurologist I saw last night didn't think it was!?
I empathise with all of you and this 'Mystery' normal? pain!!!
regards - Ann with pain!
If I say 'top that!' has anyone got any sugestions or comments, I am frightened as to what they are going to find - I only hope it is 'normal' but if it is then I am NOT normal as no one should have all this pain and be normal!!!! if you see what i mean - I am worrying that it is MS - but the neurologist I saw last night didn't think it was!?
I empathise with all of you and this 'Mystery' normal? pain!!!
regards - Ann with pain!
I forgot to add that I am also getting muscle twitches in my right eye, and throughout my body - including my midriff!!
Do you have any comments to make? I would be grateful for your input - Ann
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