Pain in ribs on right side.

For the past few days I have had this pain in my ribs on the right side just below my breast.
It hurts when I take a deep breath, cough, or stretch and has woken me up from sleep more than once. I have no injuries that I know of, there is no bruise or mark of any kind, but it is a very sharp pain that is very uncomfortable and irritating.
Today I looked in the mirror and I noticed something very odd, on the right side where the pain is, it looks as though I am missing a rib, and I did a litte poking and prodding and it feels like it too. I know this is impossible, however.
I am just wondering what sort of ilness and/or injury can cause such a thing? I want to have some information before I go to the doctor, just so I know what to ask about.

[missy224]

Hi,
I had this last week. The pain went away by itself. I had a virus and a really bad cough, I think the coughing made me pull something.. if it is possible to pull a muscle there..  Anyways it just went away after a few days, so I hope yours does too and it is nothing serious. I would suggest that you should see a doctor just to be safe.

[Jazmiynelorene]

All i can say hunn is i am sorry and when you go to the doctor tell them wats goin on i knoe im noy much help but that sounds very serious

[Coralinee]

I forgot to mention that this has happened once before, on the other side but lower, and it was the result of a bad cough, but I was mostly worried about the gap that makes it look like I'm missing a rib, it wasn't like that the last time. And also it wasn't tender to the touch as it is now. I guess I'll wait it out for another day or two to see if it goes away this time before I go to the doctor. I had planned to go for it last time also but I woke up one day and the pain was gone completely.
Thank you both for the advice.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
A step wise approach is needed to diagnose pain under right rib cage. If you have pain under your right rib then there could be a liver infection, pancreatitis, or a gall bladder problem. Get a liver function test, ultrasound or CT of abdomen, and pancreatic enzymes. It can also be due to acidity and duodenal ulcer. Take a late night snack. Raise head end of bed. Take Omeprazole empty stomach in morning and an antacid gel at bedtime. Refrain from smoking, alcohol, fuzzy drinks and spicy food. Walking around also helps clear gas. It could also be muscle pull that can be treated by applying local analgesic creams. It could also be costochondritis, which causes pain and tenderness at points where your ribs attach to your breastbone.  The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose this for you. Generally there is no cause. However it can be due to infection, blow, injury, or fibromyalgia. It usually goes away on its own. Otherwise it can be treated with muscle relaxants, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. It can also be muscle pull. Shingles can also start this way. Pain under right ribs with gas can be due to any inflammatory bowel disease like Celiac or Crohn’s, IBS or due to food intolerance. If all these are ruled out, then laproscopy should be done. Such an undiagnosed pain is usually due to adhesions and cutting the adhesions takes care of the pain. Pain under right rib case can also be due to pleurisy, asthma, or any other lung problems. Usually this is accompanied by lung related symptoms like breathlessness, cough etc. Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please discuss with your doctor once. Hope this helps. Take care!

[poli88]

A related discussion, check this out. was started.

[taylane]

Hi I'm 19 years old I'm a female and for the past week and few days I've had an uncomfortable dull pain under my right rib cage I also have shortness of breath is.  first I thought maybe it was trapped gas but now I'm thinking its much more serious its very uncomfortable I don't know what it is I just wish it would go away I don't want to sit at the doctors office until I get some idea of what it could be.

[venkat007]

one year ago i had severe pain in my right side rib and below then i consulted doctor and i had took ultrasound scan.The scan confirmed it is hepatic liver abscess . my goodness it is less than 4cm size i taken anti bio tic for couple weeks.then it cured..if it is larger than 5 cm it will go to needle amputation . liver abscess comes for mainly alcohol (drinks)   .. But now i m got same rib pain in right side this time ultrasound report is no hepatic abscess at present .. renal cortical cyst in left kidney ,But according to this disease pain is come from back side also and feel some urinal problem . but i having only right side rib pain ,even doctor says if u have renal cortical cyst it not problem at all u dont worry about that. This is time i dont know why paining in my rib ,I am confusing somebody says it is some kind of ulcer .My question is how ulcer problem gives pain in rib? i getting pain when i have heavy breathing,stretch body,move when i am sleeping and laughing , now i am taking pantaparazole 20mg and levofloxin and ornidazole tablets.... now i am getting very hungry some unusual times... still i have pain .. please somebody help me and give good reason for pain.(sorry for my English )