pain on left rib,side and back

[banderas]

I am a 42 yr. old woman.  6 weeks ago I got a sharp pain on my left rib. It felt like painful gas. THE NEXT FEW DAYS i HAD A VRY ACIDIC stomach. It has changed a little but now the pain is like a cramp on my side on my lower left rib withsharper pain on my back.I can't get to doctors(agoraphobia) so you are my only help. Bowels and urine seem to be normal. Vertigo the last 3 days but might not be related. I've had that off and on for 20 yrs.  I had a baby 1 year ago. I am 15 pounds overweight.  Please help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Things like an ulcer, GERD, as well as inflammation of the upper digestive tract can cause the discomfort you are feeling.  If there is an association with gas, this can also suggest a GI cause.  

Things to consider would be an upper GI series or upper endoscopy.  I would also test for a bacteria known as H Pylori - which is associated with ulcers or inflammation.

You may want to discuss this 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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[REAREA]

I HAVE HAD SAME SYMPTOMS ON LEFT SIDE, HAD TWO CYCLES IN OCT
AND A PAP NORMAL. I WAS TOLD I AM HAVING VERY BAD OVULATION PAINS, I AM 37 YR OLD DO YOU THINK I COULD HAVE A CYST?

SHERRIE

[Mike28SC]

Same thing mostly here, although I've had it for about 8 months. Dull pain in the left side right under rib cage, but can also flare up around the back more. i get alot of gas that isn't normal. I burp from drinking water...heh...sometimes even when not consuming anything for hours. Stomach gets sour from everything but soup. i live on pepcid AC. No insurance here, so a doc is pretty much out of the question for now. sometimes when lying down i can feel it throb or "pulsing" too.

i feel for you with the agoraphobia. My grandmother has had it for 20 yrs or so. she started on 10 mg of xanax a day when it first came out, and now she's down to 3 mg a day and can drive and do most things, although her nerves are still hell. i'm not a doc, but just thought I'd throw it out there in case you haven't seen anyone for it lately.

good luck, and if anyone has any clue as to what may be going on with us, any help will be appreciated:)

Mike

[circle]

I have also had a mixture of digestive symptoms along with what could be rib pain. It feels like a constant dull pinch or cramp - the difference is that mine is in my right side (could be a big difference, I know). I don't know if there's any relation to your problems but I thought I'd throw it out there. I've had about every test you can get and the doctor is now saying it might be an ulcer.

One other thing worth mentioning: I've seen other message threads with multiple people reporting pain on their sides/ribs and some of them have found it to be rib inflammation. This wouldn't explain the digestive problems but who knows - maybe the worry about the pain could cause the symptoms.

Get it checked out if you can. I sympathize with the phobia issue as I've had similar problems; but if you can somehow get it checked maybe it will actually relieve some of your anxiety.
Good luck.

[lizzy bell]

i am very young and displaying the same symptoms as the rest of you. i have been having sharp pains in my left side and then it moves to my back. sometimes the pain is so bad i can't move hardly at all. i am always sick to my somache and nausiated. i stay home from activities i love because of it. i have had oddles of test run on me. bloodwork, urine test, and...the stool samples. i am getting tired of it and just want some answers and some medicine to take for it.  please someone help us!!  NOTE: appendix is on the right side in that area  and the gall bledder in on the left in the same area.   thanks for listening.8-)

[fsplink]

Your spleen is also on the left side. I have the same symptoms and ask my doctor what's over there. He said could be colon, stomach or spleen.

[mssoccerbunny]

I have the same problem!  I was beginning to wonder if it was all in my head.  My pain is on my right side, just under my ribs.  Radiates to my back.  Sometimes, I get a dull ache or a sudden painful "pinch".  I've bruised a rib there 2 years ago, and have had an ulcer.  My doctor seems to think it's a combo of the scar tissue from the rib bruising and my stomach acting up.  All I know is I don't like it.  Sometimes I get an "attack", where the pain is real bad, I get extremely nauseous and a fever.  He just issues me Protonix and tells me to relax.  Makes me feel like a hypochrondriac.  Somethings's just not right...

[mssoccerbunny]

I have the same problem!  I was beginning to wonder if it was all in my head.  My pain is on my right side, just under my ribs.  Radiates to my back.  Sometimes, I get a dull ache or a sudden painful "pinch".  I've bruised a rib there 2 years ago, and have had an ulcer.  My doctor seems to think it's a combo of the scar tissue from the rib bruising and my stomach acting up.  All I know is I don't like it.  Sometimes I get an "attack", where the pain is real bad, I get extremely nauseous and a fever.  He just issues me Protonix and tells me to relax.  Makes me feel like a hypochrondriac.  Somethings's just not right...

[mssoccerbunny]

I have the same problem!  I was beginning to wonder if it was all in my head.  My pain is on my right side, just under my ribs.  Radiates to my back.  Sometimes, I get a dull ache or a sudden painful "pinch".  I've bruised a rib there 2 years ago, and have had an ulcer.  My doctor seems to think it's a combo of the scar tissue from the rib bruising and my stomach acting up.  All I know is I don't like it.  Sometimes I get an "attack", where the pain is real bad, I get extremely nauseous and a fever.  He just issues me Protonix and tells me to relax.  Makes me feel like a hypochrondriac.  Somethings's just not right...

[Marg-Arnie]

Hi there,

I live in the Uk and was so pleased to see the various comments from different people who all seem to have similar pain to me.   I have been prone to cramp in my rib cage for many years and it was normally in the middle of my chest or under my ribs on either side and I had to wriggle to make is ease off and go away.

Recently, however, it has become much worse I experienced very bad cramp on the left behind my breast and it was like a hand squeezing my heart inside.  No it was not attack I went straight to the hospital and they kept me in overnight to be sure and said it was a  muscular spasm buut they just did not know what caused it.

I have now has cardiac tests and there is no sign of angina or heart attacks but I do have a haetus hernia.  I had an endoscopy last week and they found a loose valve low in the gut so I am on mediacation to releave the acidity.

I still do not know what is causing the cramp like pains and I am also experiencing very bad back ache low down.

If anyone out there has an answer to what causing this cronic cramp I would like to know.  My sister had cramp in her legs and her doctor prescribed her quinnine but she had been a heavy smoker and has circulation problems.  I have never smoked.

Looking forward to hearing from anyone.

Margaret in England.

[bugs71]

it does sound like it might be your gallbladder (which is on the right side) I experienced sharp pains after eating just under my right rib cage and sometimes radiating to my back...I had some tests done and everything came back normal until they did a hida scan...that showed my gallbladder was not working like it should..I had my gallbladder removed a year ago and have not had any problems since. I would defenitly talk to your dr about these symptoms.

[miss cakes]

I have been experiencing a dull pain under my left rib for about two months, plus bloating. I got word from a distant brother that he has a genetic disorder called hemachromotosis. It's a genetic disorder where your body holds onto to much iron, causing many problems. Upon much research I discovered it's very common to people with Nordic and Irish decent. It's a simple test to find out if you have it and the treatment is very simple. It's crazy but too much iron might be your problem, it was mine.

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