Pain Under Rib

Dr Brown I last spoke with you in Jan 09, It is now one year since my diagnosis of Endometroid Cancer of the Ovary Stage 1 Well differentiated no adjuvant therapy regular monitoring to include pelvis and CA125 last one was 11.
I have been experiencing a toothache type discomfort under the rib sometimes in line with both ribs but mostly left just under to the rear  this can last all day it seems to start following diet which is no different I always eat healthy and sometimes after a  bowelmotion.  Can you shed any light on what this could be my GP has tried Mebeverine Buscopan and Colopermin with no effect.  Thankyou once more April

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I don't even want to say this, but would recommend to a patient of mine that she have a PET scan to rule out any recurrence of disease.  Your ca125 level is very good, and certainly suggests that this is NOT the case, but I think it has to be considered.  More and more in the states, we are using PET scans for this purpose.
It is also possible that you have adhesions (scar tissue) following your surgery.  Scar tissue can form between bowel and peritoneal structures and cause kinking of the intestines which can cause pain if feces or gas is trying to pass.  If it is adhesions, a laparoscopic surgery might remove them, but you run the risk of new ones forming elsewhere.  You could certainly try the remedies for Irritable bowel syndrome--high fibre, lots of fluids, and plenty of exercise.

Good luck--4 more years and you're CURED!
Dr B