Stomach 'fullness' and dull ache

[stevieboy2]

Can anyone help?  I keep getting a dull ache, just under the ribs, both sides, though moreoften on the right - it's often uncomfortable to lie on my right side. It's not usually violent pain, just uncomfortable and persistent and my stomach feels very 'heavy' and almost a smothering around the middle of the chest - sometimes the pain affects my back between the shoulder blades and right shoulder/side of the neck. It feels almost as though everything is crammed into my chest/abdomen and that it's too crowded, heavy and uncomfortable.

I have quite a good diet, but probably don't exercise enough, I like a drink but not to excess. I do have diveritculitis and some reflux - don't know if it's connected with how I feel now.  

I'm fine in myself but worried what it might be - any suggestions please?  Thanks,

Stevieboy2

[scumokin]

I've been suffering from right rib pain, bloating, and indigestion/reflex. I was seen by my primary physician and prescribed naproxol (basically advil), which didn't help. After about 2 months, I went to the ER and I was told they're too separate problems. The rib pain was from pleurisy (inflammation of the chest wall) and the bloating and indigestion was from IBS. I think I had a total of 4 chest x-rays. Not once did they suspect anything else. Please update if the pain under your rib cage gets worse. I have had the pain since November. Although it's not as bad, it's still reoccurring.

[myproblem]

Have you had an abdominal ultrasound? a HIDA-scan? an upper GI series (barium swallow with x-rays)? Could be your gallbladder, liver or a hiatal hernia.

[stevieboy2]

Thanks for the comments.  The discomfort is definitely at the front of the chest/just below rib area.  I've had blood/liver function tests in the recent past, and an ultrasound over the liver area.  As part of tests for diverticulitis I had a barium enema and sigmoidoscopy, both OK. I'll see my GP.
Regards,
Stevieboy2

[star queen]

You didn't say if the discomfort is in the front or back of the chest.  The organs located under the rib cage on the right side is the kidney, liver, and gallbladder.  On the left is the kidney and the spleen.  Across the chest on the same lines is the transverse large intestine.  It is difficult to say which one is giving you problems.  Get your doctor to order an abdominal xray.  This will check the size and location of the organs and intestines.  Simple blood and urine tests will check the kidneys and liver function.  My guess is that you have too much air in the large intestine that is giving you the feeling of fullness in the stomach. This can be caused by problems with any one of the organs listed above.  None of your problems will go away on their own.  See your doctor at your earliest convience.