strange, hard to explain pain in upper left quadrant

[gemart]

Mystory:  I am 36F.
On and off for about 4 years now I have had this pain just behind the bottom of my ribcage on the left.  It doesn't burn, stab, or shoot, it's just kinda there.  I noticed once when I would move in a sort of way to try to make my ribs poke in on it, it kinda hurt, but normally, if I push and prod on it I feel nothing.  Another time I noticed when I blew my nose it elevated the pain in that spot just a little, but of course with trying to repeat it, it didn't happen.  Sometimes I think it radiates to the back but i'm not sure if the two pains were related.

The pain has never been very bad which is why I put it off so long to see a doctor, and even still I can't seem to figure out how to tell them exactly what it is I feel, it's just nagging, and it's there quite often.  I hate not knowing what organ it's coming from.  

My doctor ordered an upper GI test, ultrasound of my gall bladder and a chest x-ray, these came back ok.

Questions:
Is it possible for me to have an ulcer and it not show on the upper GI?  The reason I think ulcer, is because I thought I noticed once after having alcohol that it hurt the next day.

Does anyone know of possible conditions that this sounds like?

I go for a Colonoscopy in 4 days, not looking forward to it.

[runnner]

I had the very same symptoms you are have in the very same place "except" they were in my  right side. I had a colonoscopy and I was diagnosed with colitis. I am now on medication.
After everything was said and done I wondered by I had all those other test like the CT scan first. If I had had the colonoscopy a year earlier I would have been on the road to recovery sooner. Some times it as though the DR's want to get all the money out of you they can. OR as a friend of mine put it they are like shade tree mechanics replacing parts till they find the right one. They run test till they get the right one. Ha!
Hope you they find your problem. I know how aggravating it is to wonder and can't find out.

Runnner

[shebee]

Yep...sounds just like me.  When I went to the Dr. I couldn't even be very specific with him, so he just said, "Hmmmmmm." and ignored it.  I also notice that I had a slight burning sometimes.

It seems to happen when I am under a tremendous amount of stress.  I think that my stomach starts kicking out tons of acid.  Whenever my side started aching, I would take a rolaid...even though I really didn't need one.  It seemed to help a bit.  I also wondered if I had an ulcer or the beginning of one???  

Anyway, I added yogurt to my diet, rolaids, and...I took anti-biotics (for a cold) ...and after months of this hurting under my rigth rib, it stopped.  I also noticed that my digestion is great.

Ulcers are can be cured with anit-biotics.  

You might consider asking for anti-biotics...it is possible that you have a low-grade infection of some sort?  ...I'm only guessing...but something was going on with me that nobody could pinpoint & anitbotics seemed to work.



Anyway, I went on the web and asked Dr.George this question...here is his reply.

On my upper left side, right under my rib cage, I seem to have a slight gnawing type
pain that goes off and on.  It's not bad, but just slightly uncomfortable.  The
area is not tender.  Eating does not seem to make any difference.

I have been under a lot of stress lately and  wonder if this is contributing
causing this?  Thanks.


Dear shebee,


A Good Healthy Day to you!!! Thank you for your email.

The possibilities we can consider include gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and/or pancreatitis or pancreatic disease. Stress is a major contributing factor in most of these diseases and may aggravate the situation.

It would be difficult to commit to a diagnosis at this point without further work-ups and tests.

Consult a gastroenterologist for an examination,  further tests and proper
treatment.

Meanwhile, avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee, soda/softdrinks, tea) and citrus
fruits/juices. These may aggravate the pain. Most importantly, avoid skipping
meals as this will definitely aggravate your ulcer. Also avoid fatty foods for
now as it may trigger pain if the case is pancreatitis. Please consult your
gastroenterologist for further tests and treatment.



HOPE THIS HELPS...LET US KNOW...
Shebee

[anti spaz]

http://www.iknowthecause.com/info/dietfungi.mv
look there

[gemart]

Thank you for your feedback, I don't think anti-biotics would help since I have been on anti-biotics several times since this began.. so even if they worked, it came back.  Adding yogurt to my diet, however might help.  The website above about fungi reminded me of an article I read once about Candida infection in the gut and I think yogurt is good for that, AND cutting out sugar and carbohydrates.  

Wish it was as easy as programming myself to not want those things anymore though.

I will let you know how my test goes after Friday.

Thanks again!

[gemart]

I had my colonoscopy today and I have good news and bad news, good news is they basically found nothing.  They said they saw a small pollup at the bottom of the left side of the colon, they showed me a picture but I still don't see it.  If anything it looks like a small raised area like a mosquito bite looks.  
Anyway, nothing showed up where the pain is, my doctor suspects it's a musculoskeletal problem.  I don't know who to see for that, I will ask her at my next visit.
Bad news is I still don't know what i have.

I want to add, the worst thing about the whole procedure was the Fleet phospho soda i had to drink... It was the worst tasting stuff I have ever had in my life, plugging nose does NO good.  Made me want to vomit; they also said it does make a lot of people vomit.

[shebee]

Well, I'm glad that you survived!  Yuk!.....that stuff sounds terrible to drink.


Here is another thought:  

....LOL!  My grandmother told me that the pain was because my pants were too tight.  LOL!  (she may be right) :)


You know, it is really hard sometimes, to figure out what is going on with your body.  The doctors just make educated guesses.

How is your digestion?  Do you have any other symtoms...
Candida/ leaky gut ????  I'm just guessing, too.

...I also took out bad fats and replaced them with olive oil. Perhaps the anitbotics did not really help me after all; it may have been some other factors.????


When I am sick in any way, I usually start start drinking carrot/vegetable juice (freshly made).  This always seems to help my body.  I also start taking tons of vitamins.  (I wish that I could stick to it...I can only stand this for a few weeks, then I revert back to my old ways. LOL!)

Let me know how you are doing...
Shebee

[georgie439]

Hi:  I have been having very weird symptoms, and like all you guys the not knowing can and does make me think the worse!!
I started with the vague URQ pain about 3-4 yrs ago, didn't hurt when you pressed down or seem to be effected by eating.  Went for blood work chest x-ray and sonogram of URQ area, that showed "some gallstones" About 2-1/2 yrs ago I had this bloated feeling under my ribs on left side, really weird almost like there is something there but I cant feel it by pressing down, and it does feel like my ribs hit it if I move a certain way.
Like there is like a "pocket" there that doesn't belong.
P.S. go back for more test this time full abdomen ultrasound,
well when she pressed down in the middle of abdomen, right in the upper middle under ribs, WOW the pain was intense, but not when she pressed down on the left??
Get a call next day, come in right away for emergency surgery,
You have too many gallstones and they are worried about a possible obstruction happening on left side if my gallbnladder doesn't come out.  This call came from the nurse who was called by the radiologist.
So I go to the only surgeon, they can find on Fri. afternoon before holiday weekend.  He says I can wait a week or two??
Oh nurse says it can obstruct renal tubes??? isn't renal the kidneys??
What does that have to do with gallstones?
What test do you guys recomend?? so glad I have found you guys

[shebee]

Hi there...I have been on the run for days; this is the first time I had a chance to take a look at the forum.  I really don't know what tests you should have...

I do know that I would not be to much in a hurry to have my gallbladder removed unless you are having attacks.  Also if it were me, I would take meds to reduce gallstones and have them removed by ultrasound.  When my hubby needed surgery, we researched and found the best doctor.  We traveled to another state...Boy, was it ever worth it!  We had good insurance, so it only cost for travel & hotel...  Yep, it was the best money that we ever invested!  Recovery was 3 days, instead of 3+months.(laproscopy)  Get Another Opinion if possible and start asking questions.  

My mom has occasional attacks, but now since she knows what they are, and she can prevent them by diet.  When she has slight pain, she immediately starts taking lecithen (spell???)...and cuts out all fats. She does use some olive oil.  She also does not eat McDonald's hamburgers & etc.

This does make sense to me...

She says that if your body can make gallstones, it can also disolve them.

She also tells me that if it does not melt in your hand...it is NOT going to melt in your body.  (oil is better than Crisco)

Let me know how you are doing...
Your friend,
Shebee

[senora]

I, too, have that strange, hard to explain pain in upper left quadrant. It feels like a swelling but I don't see any swelling.
At night when I lie on my back, I am very aware of it and almost
could say there is a mild gurgling, pulsation. It is not a pain but more of an uncomfortable sensation. I have had 2 ultrasounds
with no results. I have been diagnosed with fatty liver and have elevated liver enzymes. I am neither obese, diabetic, nor alcholic. I worry that the lipitor/lescol I took may have caused some damage.  I suffer from muscle weakness and pain -lower back, shoulder, pain in hip joints. Any suggestions? My doctor is at a loss.

[harleynh]

I have had this pain for the last 4 or 5 yrs. and have gone through all the tests with my gastro.!!   I have had several back surgery's on my L5-S1 disc with the last being an anterior/posterior fusion (means they went in the front and back the same time) in 1998.  The pain is in my upper left side under my ribs which feels like a bloating feeling more than a pain.   Also I have pain in my chest as well and under my arms along my side.  Sometimes there is what looks mucousy with my bowel movements.  Not oily and not a lot of mucous but it's noticeable.  Also my stool is like little pebbles that are all stuck together?!?!  No one has been able to figure out what the bloating is and it's with me daily which is very uncomfortable as I'm sure you all know that live with this.  If anyone knows what the cause of this is would they please e-mail me?  Thanks, Jim

[Taraesa]

I have had the EXACT same pains.  For the past two years I have had constant cramping, sharp pain in my upper left abdomen, just under my rib cage.  It is always worse right before a bowel movement and sometimes also hurts while I am eating.  Sometimes it is so bad that I can't breathe and just curl up until it goes away.  I went to the doctor and they immediately said that I had IBS.  They did a Pelvic US and that was it.  I never got a call back, just a sheet of paper saying that my US was negative.  I was very dissapointed and am going to a diff. doctor in a month to see if they can prescribe me anything since it is interferring with my life.  I also have mucus in most of my stools and have 4-5 a day.

[urs]

I have had this upper left quadrant pain for about 3 years.  It started as a little pinch once and awhile.   I went to the doctor.  When I first told the doctor, she said it was probably a muscle.  When it became a more noticeable pain or feeling of discomfort, I went back to the doctor.  She pressed down and felt nothing.  When I told her that I was worried about it, she sent me for tests.  I had a chest and abdominal exray, blood work and a CT scan.  All they found were gallstones and the doctor listed them a asymtomatic.
Now, three months later, the pain is a little sharper and I feel achey (achy) and sometimes a little warm as if I had a fever.  I am worried about the worst of course.  Also, my doctor is on leave with her new baby.  I don't know what to do next.  It seemed to get worse as my husband started to have some serious medical problems.  He is better but I am not--I think I am worse.  I hate to say anything to him and worry him since he has his own worries.  If the gallbladder is on your right side, why is their pain on the left???

[urs]

I have had this upper left quadrant pain for about 3 years.  It started as a little pinch once and awhile.   I went to the doctor.  When I first told the doctor, she said it was probably a muscle.  When it became a more noticeable pain or feeling of discomfort, I went back to the doctor.  She pressed down and felt nothing.  When I told her that I was worried about it, she sent me for tests.  I had a chest and abdominal exray, blood work and a CT scan.  All they found were gallstones and the doctor listed them a asymtomatic.
Now, three months later, the pain is a little sharper and I feel achey (achy) and sometimes a little warm as if I had a fever.  I am worried about the worst of course.  Also, my doctor is on leave with her new baby.  I don't know what to do next.  It seemed to get worse as my husband started to have some serious medical problems.  He is better but I am not--I think I am worse.  I hate to say anything to him and worry him since he has his own worries.  If the gallbladder is on your right side, why is their pain on the left???

[urs]

I have had this upper left quadrant pain for about 3 years.  It started as a little pinch once and awhile.   I went to the doctor.  When I first told the doctor, she said it was probably a muscle.  When it became a more noticeable pain or feeling of discomfort, I went back to the doctor.  She pressed down and felt nothing.  When I told her that I was worried about it, she sent me for tests.  I had a chest and abdominal exray, blood work and a CT scan.  All they found were gallstones and the doctor listed them a asymtomatic.
Now, three months later, the pain is a little sharper and I feel achey (achy) and sometimes a little warm as if I had a fever.  I am worried about the worst of course.  Also, my doctor is on leave with her new baby.  I don't know what to do next.  It seemed to get worse as my husband started to have some serious medical problems.  He is better but I am not--I think I am worse.  I hate to say anything to him and worry him since he has his own worries.  If the gallbladder is on your right side, why is their pain on the left???

[mickeyrom]

Im 67 M

I have a very sharp and very painful , stabbing pain in my upper left quadrant.It may be hours apart or 10 minutes apart.
In April 19 2003 I my right kidney removed.The reason was cancer.
Before surgery I had every test that I had\ ever heard of,and some that even hadnt heard of done.After surgery I had a persistent stomach ache, gas ,bloating and a pain which moved around,but was more or less constant.Eventually,the pain decreased,especially when I went on a relatively bland diet.As the symptoms decreased and I was beginning to relax,I developed this new symptom.Not constant,but very painful.Pushing on the area, even hard, brought no pain.
I had contacted my Dr. surgeon,and he said its either a touch of gastritis or probably just a normal aftermath of what he termed was a very big surgery.
If anyone recognizes these symptoms,I would appreciate hearing from them.

[jennyg0720]

I too have had pain in my upper left quadrant for going on 10 weeks now. It comes and goes sometimes severe and sometimes just irritating. I have had CT, Ultrasound, Blood Tests all came up clear. I am going in for a barium enema in a week. My doctor does not know what else to do! I am scared and tired. Can anyone help me???

[AlexEL]

I have had pain under my left rib cage for about 8 years!  It has never got any worse but when I'm stressed it seems to get a little worse.  I want to prod and massage under my ribs if I could get my hand under I would!  I have been to doctors but they say there is nothing wrong. I'm glad to read other people get it.  The only time it went away was 6 years ago when I was pregnant.  My "bump" seemed to stretch everything inside so there wasn't any pain.  I can't really describe the pain to the doctor as it is difficult.  It is like a "stitch" pain right underneath my left rib cage and massaging my lower back seems to ease it sometimes.  The doctor says if it was something serious it would have been "knocking on the door" by now.  I'd love to hear any comments of what it could be.

[clk]

I also had a pain in my upper left quadrant for several months.  Exactly like you described.  My doctor did a endoscopy and said I had gastritis, but would know more from the biopsy.  I was diagnosed with h. pylori.  That is the bacteria that can cause ulcers.  I was prescribed two differnt antibiotics,(amoxicillin, clarithromycin) and Aciphex for a seven day treatment.  In two weeks I can be tested through a breath test to see if the bacteria is gone.

I was feeling much better, but just recently I started having the pains again, but not as bad.  I will wait and see what the breath test results are, and advise my doctor.

Hope this helps.

[Benjamin1965]

I have the same ULQ pain as everyone else here. it is getting progressively worse. Has anyone here received a definitive answer from their Doctor?

[ValVal]

25 F

I've got the same pain. ULQ--right under my rib cage. I have gone to the emergency room twice, seen my doctor three times and i am going for my second ultrasound tomorrow. i have been off work for 2 weeks because the pain is unbearable. My pain is worse when I go to sleep---which i can't sleep!!! all i do is lay on the floor crying my eyes out until i practically drop asleep from crying so much. When i wake up, the pain is excrutiating.....the ibuprofin isn't working....and i can't get anything prescribed because no one knows what it is!!!

i was on the atkins diet for two weeks and for 4 days straight i took 100mg of L-Carnitine to speed up my metabolism and burn more fat (According to dr atkins) and after searching l-carnitine overdose on the web, i found that it's possible that L-carnitine may cause gastro intestinal symptoms......i talked to my doc about it but then i wonder if it might be the furnace in my house- when i am out of the house, the pain isn't as bad....but when i come home and try to relax, that's when i feel the most pain. i will wake up in the middle of the night and feel a tightness in my UPQ. when i press on it, i think i feel something and i have trouble breathing. I just want to know what it is.....i turned 25, moved into my new house and am dealing with all this pain--all in the same week. :(

[ValVal]

25 F

I've got the same pain. ULQ--right under my rib cage. I have gone to the emergency room twice, seen my doctor three times and i am going for my second ultrasound tomorrow. i have been off work for 2 weeks because the pain is unbearable. My pain is worse when I go to sleep---which i can't sleep!!! all i do is lay on the floor crying my eyes out until i practically drop asleep from crying so much. When i wake up, the pain is excrutiating.....the ibuprofin isn't working....and i can't get anything prescribed because no one knows what it is!!!

i was on the atkins diet for two weeks and for 4 days straight i took 100mg of L-Carnitine to speed up my metabolism and burn more fat (According to dr atkins) and after searching l-carnitine overdose on the web, i found that it's possible that L-carnitine may cause gastro intestinal symptoms......i talked to my doc about it but then i wonder if it might be the furnace in my house- when i am out of the house, the pain isn't as bad....but when i come home and try to relax, that's when i feel the most pain. i will wake up in the middle of the night and feel a tightness in my UPQ. when i press on it, i think i feel something and i have trouble breathing. I just want to know what it is.....i turned 25, moved into my new house and am dealing with all this pain--all in the same week. :(

[CMEMVC]

43 M

Glad to join the club!  

I've had the same ULQ bloating/pain under the lowest rib for 3 years now.  Doctor thought it was a muscle, then possibly colitis.

Occasionally sharp.  Sometimes seems to tighten my whole left side.

DOES get worse after I eat.

Had blood tests, a barium enema, upper GI, sigmoid colonoscopy, ultrasound -- all were fine, showing nothing but wonderful health.  No ulcers, no polyps, no cancer.

At times it feels like a deep tight or swollen muscle...feels like if I could just stretch diagonally far enough it would stretch it out and it would relax.  I thought it WAS a muscle, as it started around the same time that I had a weightlifting accident and tore my pectoralis major.  But it's really hard to tell....

-- CMEMVC

[Fistula friend]

Thought I would join the club too!  About 10 years ago I noticed that when I was laying in bed propped against pillows that there would be a lumpy area that I could manipulate like it was popping in and out of somewhere.  I mentioned it to my doctor and he asked if I was feeling my rib.  I didn't mention it to him again!  I know what my rib feels like!  

The thing that stikes me about some of these posts is the need, when the pain starts, to stretch oneself out for it to "pop" back in.  Just the other day I was getting shopping out the car and the sudden severe pain was there but if I stretch myself out all seems well again. I must have looked a site - I need to strethc from my waist to the left side.

A few years after it occured (and was still evident though no real problem) one doctor suggested it was my bowel and that does make sense to me as I have irritable bowel syndrome.  I mentioned it to my new doctor recently and he sent me for an abdominal scan and all was fine.  Glad to know I am not going crazy and that others get this too.  The idea of muscular problems makes sense too.  Good luck to you all with the same!  Some doctor in training needs to do his research on all of us!

[ridgeback]

Just wondering people is the pain everybody is getting like a bag of scratchy gravel under the skin, cos thats what mine is like. had it for about 14 weeks now and its really depressing me.

[bjbg]

Hi, I have the same type of irratating pressure/pain under my left rib cage. Two weeks ago I went in to the emergency room for an unexpected appendectomy. There was no question that was the problem. All pain on the right side is gone and my incisions are healing great. I had a re-check with the surgeon, but at that time I wasn't having this "left side thing". My almost feels sometimes like something is "catching" up on something. It does generate around my back a bit. I'm just wondering if this is to be expeected after surgery since they put your body through strange positions etc. The Surgeon told my husband he had my abdomen distended to 18-20mths pregnant !! That's abnormal!
Let me know if anyone else has experienced this AFTER a surgery.

[mrbump67]

Thank god, im a male from the uk aged 35 , had this pain now for 3 years worried sick (thinkin its cancer ).
bowel movements differ from day to day, buyt of late the pain has been getting worse.
can i ask do u all sit at a desk for long periods, im on the phone a lot and lean to my left " maby thats it "?.
Ihave in the past drunk quite heavily and ate what i wanted IBS????????? perhaps.
Any way goin for bloods on monday and well take it from there.
shitting myself ;)

[sjs1971]

So now I don't feel so mad!

In the last fortnight I've been to Accident and Emergency 3 times with excruciating pain, beneath my breastbone in a very central position (radiating left). I was diagnosed with GORD (or GERD) about 18 months ago and have managed it very well with lansoprazole. So I was worrying if this new pain was related (apart from thinking I had an aortic anuerysm - I watch far too much Discovery channel). The pain sort of pulses and radiates all the way through to my back. It's not burning or stabbing - I can't really describe it properly!

The doctors said I probably have an ulcer, so upped my dose of lansoprazole and told me to take Gaviscon too (yuk!) I know I haven't got the h.pylori bacteria as I was tested for that when I had the endoscopy to determine GERD.

None of this is helped after being diagnosed with MS in July.

I go to bed at night and think I'm not going to wake up in the morning, I'm paralised with fear.

Is the back pain normal for GERD/ulcer? Does anyone have any ideas??!!

[blm]

Well, I have been having the same problem.  The only thing I see differant from your comments is I stop the pain momentarly by pushing on it,,, hard! (that is the only relief). Otherwise I can plainly see we are all having the same complaint!
I complained to my doc about three years ago. I told him whenever I  drive long a long distance I start hurting up under the left rib cage. I also mentioned if I loosen my pants the pain subsides for a while. (I read in the forum that someone's grand mother said their pants were too tight). At any rate my Dr. said  "sounds like tight pants syndrome". From that day on I have stopped wearing tight pants and the pain subsided to a tolorable level. Well, I quit smoking about six monthes ago and since have put on a conciderable amount of weight ( I weigh 220 lbs). The pain has come back and worse than ever. I have become very concerned about it and as I was surfing the web on the subject tonight I have found you all. After reading all of your postes I have come to the conclusion that the doctors have no idea how to help us so I am going to tell you all how to battle this pain. Loose weight! The fat is pushing up on our abdomen and is causing the pain. None of us mentioned we are probably a little over weight!
  Tomarrow I am getting an exercise bike and going to lose 30 lbs. I will let you know what the results are. Thanks for all of your comments it has surely saved me money,,,at least for now.

[blm]

I am also wondering why I do not see an answer or comment from Md-kyp on this subject. No offence intended,,,,We (the public) do appreciate your time and effort!