Pain on the left side (below rib cage)

[Jemasue]

Hi, for two days now I have a pain under my left rib cage (almost middle). Not sharp pain but pain that is there and would not go away.  I use to have that same pain only when I have my period now it seem to be more regular.  I also have pain in my left breast and under my arm (kind of bottom of where breast tissues are).  I have seem doctors about breat examination but was told that is a tissue problem. I am 40 years of age. Do you think there is a problem where I shoud visit a doctor?  I recently move from one city to the other in Canada and do not have a family doctor here yet (so difficult to get in to see one). Thank you so much for your kind help.

[grrrrr8]

wow! I've been having the same problems. Its been going on for about 9 months now. So far, the doctors can't come up with anything. If you have any luck, please pass it on.

[jacookie]

i have had this pain going on two years...it's all in my upper left back, then follows down under the breast area and under arm pit and runs down my left rib cage....it can get so bad that it craps so bad and i have to use heat and ice to ease the pain...the docs have only called it myofacial pain....i wish i could help, but i have had trigger point injections, massage therapy, physical therapy, but nothing has helped...i just bought me a hand=held massage machine that hurts like ?!!? when i use it, but it loosens me up....is this the same thing you guys have, or am i totally off on this one..

lol,
julie

[superspecial]

I too have been experimenting pain in the leftside, burning sensation that comes and goes in spasms. I have constent adominal (abdominal) cramping.Some day's are better than others. I have lost 70lbs. from this thing. I have been to a few doctors and so far nothing.  I was given nulev to help with the spasm but some day's it don't help. I get pain that runs up my back starting from mid-back to my neck area. One doctor suggested irritable bowel syndrome, some say possibly gallbladder but never shows anything on x-ray's for me.I suffer with alot of pain, bloating and gas. If anyone as any clue please do tell!

[PennKen]

Iv'e been having the same symptoms.Pain on left side to middle...sometimes under the ribs...Its more instense about 1 to 2 hours after I eat. I've had ultrasound, CT Scan, blood tests and all were normal. They are scheduling me for endoscopy of stomach in afew weeks..I've lost about 15 pounds since Jan

[eldybaby]

About a week ago, I began having a sharp pain in the same area. A day or so later, it just became a dull ache that I feel mostly after eating, but is still there most of thetime anyway. I am a 45 year old male. I am having a hard time trying to figure out if this is muscle related due to the fact that I have been a regular weight lifter for over 20 years. I walk a lot and have a good daily diet. I don't smoke or drink. I have had a few mild panic attacks from being worried about this which has given me a few moments of labored breathing. The more I think about it, the worse it gets. Is there a quick way of telling the differenc between experiencing heart problems as compared to muscle problems in the same area from over exertion from lifting?

[gregd64]

There is no quick way but a trip to the ER when this is occuring and an ekg will rule out the pain or presure you feel from the heart, if its your heart and its not getting enough oxygen then this will show up on the EKG. Does it happen when your working out or at rest?

[dver38]

yes i'm a 38 year old woman who has had her gallbladder removed in 93, since then i had a bowel obstruction and hospitalized for a week with pain. i had a baby 17months ago and ever since then i've been suffering with severe pain under my rib in the left side and i get nausas alot amd even vomit. i actually thought my gallbladder grew back(lol) anyway my dr finally sent me for an upper gi and i have something called parastolis meaning food digest way to quickly, suggestion from doc take  a pill two times a day. i don't know what pill it is yet but i'll know tomarrow. i can't even eat a peice of cheese or anything for that matter without pain and this pain occurs while i'm eating and doen't go away. i thought maybe i could help someone with this  or if anyone has this to please fill me in i'd greatly appreciate it thankyou

[its me]

i am a 26 yr old mother of 2 and married.  i have been dealing with these same pains that all of you have described.  I have never known such pain. My childbirth was easier than this.. (ha-ha)  Seriously, I have been having pain on the left side, up my back and around my rib cage.  I too have had the panic attacks because of worrying too much.  As a matter of fact, i woke my husband up last night to talk to me just to keep me distacted.  I went to the ER a couple of weeks ago and they told me i had an ulcer and they gave me prevacid.  Well the meds are gone and i still have pains. I work in a nursing home and my administrator told me that if your gall bladder is acting up it affects your left side but I have never heard of that.  Anyone else?  I dont really have any suggestions for anyone but its nice to know someone else is having the same wierd pains that nobody can explain.  I just hope that someone is out there with an answer.  Take care everyone........

[wendee]

Hi there!  I have had these symptoms well, feels like spasms and they start below the rib cage and spread to my lower back.  My doc originally thought it was an ulcer, I was on Prevacid for 5 months.  It helped with the pain a lot, but whenever I tried to get off the meds, the pain would come back.  I went to see a GI specialist, had an upper GI done to rule out stomach trouble, there is no ulcer, but a small hiatal hernia.  I am also waiting for ultrasound results to come back. I am a 29 yr old female and I need to lose about 30 pounds, my weight is around my stomach.  Since the test, I have started walking 30 minutes a day and I noticed that the pain is less.  I also had panic attacks about my tests which I know made the problem worse for me.  Just wanted to share my story and pain, I know how frustrating this is when all tests come back OK.

[Steph67]

Oh my gosh...I'm so glad I'm not the only one experiencing this problem.  I just wish I could find an answer or a way to control the pain.  In the last two months I've had two weeks of hellish antibiotic treatment for H. Pylori (bacterial infection in stomach.)  When stomach pain didn't go away, I had an abdominal ultrasound which showed gallstones.  So.....five days ago, I had my gallbladder removed.  I was told that the left sided pain (including rib and upper back) was more than likely a symptom of the gallbladder disease....WRONG!  It is still there and seems to be worse.  Guess I need an endoscopy, but right now I'm totally sick of doctors and guess work.  I'm very frustrated and like many of you have had the panic attacks, along with insomnia.  I'm only 34 and have been basically healthy all of my life.  I guess I'll try the Prevacid samples I received prior to my surgery and see if it helps.  Wish me luck!!!

[firstplacekat]

Hi.  I'm 26 and I have the pain, too.  It originated behind my left shoulder blade close to the spine, but obviously muscular.  It radiated to under my arm (armpit), and into the breast.  Some of the pain has recently been in the shoulder joint (where all 3 joints meet), and has been radiating partially down my arm.  This week, the pain has appeared on the left side of my ribcage.  It all feels like muscle pain, with slight breast irritation.  I went to a doctor, and they said that it was muscular and gave me muscle relaxers.  Of course, that only helps when your on them, and your usually asleep.  The pain is pretty dull, but irritating, and if anything comes up about this mysterious pain, I like to hear about it.

[cullen]

I had a bladder infection and then boom, 2 weeks after taking an antibiotic called Avelox I got this bizarre pain under my left ribs.  I have had a cat scan, ivp, chest x ray, reflux test, urine and blood work,etc. and everything shows up normal.  How can i have this much pain, when nothing shows up?

[cullen]

I had a bladder infection and then boom, 2 weeks after taking an antibiotic called Avelox I got this bizarre pain under my left ribs.  I have had a cat scan, ivp, chest x ray, reflux test, urine and blood work,etc. and everything shows up normal.  How can i have this much pain, when nothing shows up?

[cullen]

I had a bladder infection and then boom, 2 weeks after taking an antibiotic called Avelox I got this bizarre pain under my left ribs.  I have had a cat scan, ivp, chest x ray, reflux test, urine and blood work,etc. and everything shows up normal.  How can i have this much pain, when nothing shows up?

[angelbaby87]

hi, i'm 15 years old and having the same pains you guys are. which is weird cuz you all are obviously older than me.  i have a pain right under my ribs towards the middle.  it's just a little pain until i cough, sneeze, yawnm, stretch or even talk then it hurts really bad and the pain gets increasingly worse. does anyone know what this might be?

[MistyEve]

I have the same thing, and they tell me the pain is caused by my hiatal hernia, which I've had since my daughter was born 21 years ago (pregnancy caused it). Dunno why it would suddenly start bothering me after all this time, but that's what they tell me. My symptoms when its bothering me, is exactly what you all describe.

[janeygirl]

I have been having pain in my upper left abdominal area for several months. I had my gallbladder taken out in June 2002. I had a hida scan done that was showing that the gallbladder is not functioning properly. I have since been in the ER with severe pain in my upper left side and a pain that pulsates and radiates into my upper back and left shoulder area. I have had an abdominal CT, Abdominal Ultrasound, Chest X-ray, Liver function test and a MRCP. I have been treated for everything from depression to Ulcers. One doctor has now stated that he believes that I have sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I am being referred to a spectialist to have a ERCP and a Sphincter of Oddi manometry test done. I know what each and everyone of you are going through. I am tired of just being treated for symptoms and now one seem to help me find out what is causing the problem. The GI doctor that I have been going to thinks that this sphincter of oddi dysfuntion is what caused my gallbladder to go bad because no gallstones have ever been found. I would like to talk to others with this problem. I can tell you that this pain is unlike any I have every had before and doctors are crazy when they don't believe you when you tell them you are in pain. Four weeks ago, I was in so much pain that I went to the ER and was admitted and put on a Morphine PCA pump for two days for pain control. Just hang in there and keep on your doctors, to diagnois sphincter of oddi dysfuntion is very difficult. I am not going to quit until someone finds out what is wrong with me. Janey

[sk_uae]

First accept my sincere thanks for putting up a wonderful informative site like this.

My problem started around 3 months backs, I had severe pain in left chest and was admitted to the hospital. The following tests were peformed. ECG, ECHO, Blood Tests, CK-MB, Trponin - I, Thyroid tests, Chest X-Ray etc. My pulse rate was 163. The cholestrol level was - overall 240 mg/dl, Tryglycerides - 150 mg/dl, HDL - 46 and LDL 164 mg/dl., The CK-MB was 2.5ng/ml and Tronin - I was negative. The Creatine Phosphokinase Serum (CPK) was at 235 U/L. The doctor informed that this is not a cardiac related one. Its only SINUS TACHYCARDIA. He precribed Tenormin 50 mg/day. However the pain continued and twice I had pain on my left arm, Left shoulder blades and back. Besides I had pain in the jaws for almost 2 months.I also had the feeling of numbness on left fingers and left leg for around 1 week. Besides I had severe headaches and at times felt dizziness and fatigue. The doctor told that there is nothing abnormal. The pain normally occurs twice a day and lasts for more than 2 hours. The pain in the chest continued at different places in the chest region. The pain mostly occurs near the left armpit and below the left nipple and exactly below the middle region of the breast bone. The pain normally increases with the increase in heart beat. At times while working in the computer or while standing, I get the pain. This was informed to the doctor. He said nothing to worry and prescribed the CPK test once again last week. The CPK levels was 235 U/L.The pain is now in both the sides of the chest. The pain can felt while pressing with fingers in the region. Pressing with fingers will bring some comfort from the pain. Besides at times I feel that the breast region is chocked and feels taking antacids. Yesterday also, the middle portion of my chest was choked as if gas formation. I tried antacids,water, milk, soda to get rid of the chocking. But nothing worked and after around 3-4 hours the gas came out giving a bit of relief.The Doctor kept on telling that this is only SINUS TACHYCARDIA and nothing to worry and asked me to continue with TENORMIN 25 Mg/day (reduced to 25 mg/day). However of late I am having severe heartburns ocassionally which is not releived by taking antacids. The pain will continue for around 3-4 hours and feels life some lump is present below the middle region of the breast bone. At times I have dierheas and my stool is loose and colouish , mostly like muroon colour. Of late the stool looks tarish and black. Doctor please let me know what exactly is my desease?? Is it Sinus tachcardia or something else??????? Is the digonse by my doctor is correct?? Does this chocking feeling has something to do with taking tenormin. I will be thankful if anyone gives me an opinion.

Thanks & Regards

sk_uae

[nadia]

I am experiencing symptoms similar to yours.  I am learning that when the heart becomes involved with abdominal pain and remains fairly constant, it could be several things.  

If you also have heartburn frequently (more than 2X per wk), it could be GERD. Although palpitations with GERD are more attributed to anxiety.

I have recently (over past year) began experiencing tachycardia and high BP.  I thought I had all the tests, but on my last admission to the hospital the attending physician told me I was too young (I am 40) to be experiencing such sudden heart problems.  

He is now testing me for a tumor on the adrenal gland.  This can also cause severe abdominal pain, chest pain, tachycardia, and high BP.  The test for this is a 24 hr. urine analysis.

I understand it is not that common, and most doctors don't really think to look for this.  I am also still searching for answers.  Hope you get some answers soon!

[Sarah23]

I am in so much pain!!!!  Under my ribs on my left side.  I have had so many tests all negative.  My stool has orange oily droplets that float on top of the water when I go, this is always associated with the pain.  Please help, I have seen 4 doctors and no one has any solutions.  I am so devestated...does anyone have any results yet?  Does anyone know how to stop this pain?  Overwhemed....

[nadia]

It sounds like a malabsorption problem.  Maybe pancreatitis?  Have you had your amylase and lipase levels checked?  If it is of any consolation to you, my pain becomes quite unbearable also.  I cannot work because of it and no one seems to know what it wrong.  My insurance company won't pay me without a proper diagnosis and I am facing extreme financial difficulty. So no matter how bad you think you might have it, there is always someone out there who has it worse...

[Sarah23]

Thanks for the advice.  I wish you all the luck with your pain.  I have started to go to a massage, oil and spirtual healer, who so far is amazing.  She has me off all of the doctors meds and feeling better.  No orange oil today and the pain has decreased.  She gave me a hot pach for my pain, and showed me how to ease it by putting my figers into the groves of my ribs and massaging them.  It hurts at first but today I have very little pain.  I just don't think I'm absorbing my food well enough becasue I am so tired all the time...so I guess we will see.  They want to out tubes in my throat...I can't stand the thought or the funds.

[nadia]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things.  I read in another post that you are a single mom.  I am too, we tend to try to be the best at everything and sometimes neglect to take care of ourselves.  You are a typical over-achiever, I have learned the hard way(I am 40 now) that stress is a major factor and to try and learn to take it easy.  I am having a scope done in February.  That sounds like the same one you are going to have.  I've had it before and it is not as bad as it seems. Well, keep us posted!

[toBethany]

Dear folks,
I have not posted hear before today, so forgive me if I don't tune in quickly to your "jargon".

Most of you probably have not heard of the term PANCREATITIS.  It is a very painful debilitating disease.  It is marked by pain, that begin in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, just off-center. It is typically just under the rib cage or near the left breast, RADIATING to the back.  The pain is worse that childbirth.  Typically, the pain is worse when eating, markedly worse after large, or fatty meals.

I know of this pain, first-hand.  I passed a gallstone 3 years ago.  It got stuck, leaving me with one of the worse cases of acute pancreatitis with a HUGE psuedocyst.  Today, I have less than 25% of my pancreas, diabetes, limited enzyme secretion, and up until the last few weeks, pain that put me in the hospital for 7 - 14 days at a time every other month.

So, to all of you with any history of pain like this: SEE A GASTROENTEROLOGIST - preferably one who is experienced with pancreatic problems.  My one day of mild, but persistant pain has caused me a life-time of "getting to know doctors on a first name basis".  Furthermore, I have spent so much time in the hospitals that I practically OWN my own wing!!!

Bethany

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