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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
pleural mesothelioma? or maybe hypochondria?
Answered by
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pleural mesothelioma? or maybe hypochondria?
by sinnequan, Jan 06, 2002 12:00AM
i am 29. i have had both a hida scan and a complete ultra sound of my abdomen-- yet my bottom -- VERY bottom--- right rib hurts to touch or rub-- it started out as abdominal pain. i read about a girl who died at 23 from pleural mesothelioma-- and her symptoms started out with pain from her bottom right rib pain. i have other problems too-- and a psychiatric history-- but i am still hurting. i do smoke some-- but am TRYING to quit- i have only smoked a year-- i don't know if any of my elementary schools had asbestos or not. i had a chest film in september and it was okay. the rib still hurts... it is tender-- and though the abdominal pain is gone-- it feels full in that area when i bend over. i haven't had a cold or anything like that. i don't even know if i should be posting here. can fibromyalgia cause this type of pain? where do i go now? my GI doc says it is nothing-- and my GP is frustrated. who do i see? could this be pleural mesothelioma? it took them forever to diagnose her.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jan 15, 2002 12:00AM
, Jan 15, 2002 12:00AM
Given your age, minimal smoking history and no documentation of exposure to asbestos, the likelihood of mesothelioma is extremely low. In addition, mesothelioma is most often evident on chest X-ray and rarely causes pain, as described. Rib pain, in this circumstance is most likely on the basis of inflammation of the cartilage, often secondary to forgotten trauma.
One should first determine if the pain and tenderness arise from the rib or from the adjacent abdomen. If from the rib, as suspected, a bone scan might be helpful. If this scan is normal, and your physician is certain that the pain is not originating from your gallbladder or other abdominal source, you and your physician might want to consider a trial of an anti-inflammatory drug.
One should first determine if the pain and tenderness arise from the rib or from the adjacent abdomen. If from the rib, as suspected, a bone scan might be helpful. If this scan is normal, and your physician is certain that the pain is not originating from your gallbladder or other abdominal source, you and your physician might want to consider a trial of an anti-inflammatory drug.
fairydust.