pain on my left side

For about a week now I have been having pretty bad pain on the left side of my rib cage on the side of my body...it basically feels like my ribs are about to rip right through my flesh.   I can numb the pain by putting my hands on my ribs and pushing in.  I went to the doctor to see if I had any broken ribs and was told i didnt.  
Can anyone offer some ideas or advise to what this might be and how to get rid of it?

[carissa7]

I'm now told this could simply be from anxiety.  Is that possible?

[utahmomma]

It's possible.  Have you had any changes in bowel habits lately?  Have you tried putting heat or ice on it and seeing if it helps?

[carissa7]

I haven't tried ice or heating pads...I will do that tonight.  
And yes I have had a change in bowels.  I went three days with out going to the bathroom and then I did on the fourth day and since then my bathroom schedule has been off, I go in the morning instead of late at night.  The pain comes at night more than in the day and it makes it really hard to sleep.  ...I just don't understand this...

[utahmomma]

The reason I asked about your bowel habits was because you described my IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and the pain it causes.  IBS can be aggravated by stress, caffeine, hormones, alcohol, medications, certain foods or, in my case, just life.  

Talk to your doctor and discuss the change in bowel habits and the pain you are having.  Yeah, it's not fun to talk about but there are some great medications, etc. you can try or plenty of herbal/homeopathic remedies if you feel better about going that direction.  Your doctor will probably tell you to drink LOTS of water and take a fiber supplement for a week to see if that helps (stay away from laxatives, that can make the problem worse).

I'm not sure how old you are but your MD might suggest a colonoscopy which isn't that big of a deal.  Okay, the prep sucks but you won't remember the procedure.

Ain't life grand?  :-)

[mermaid26]

Something else to consider is a poorly functioning gallbladder.  My case began with left side under rib pain, then to classic right.  A HIDA scan with CCK 5 months later revealed a poorly functioning gallbladder.

[therealbill]

YES INDEED.  Get the galbladder scan and with that the scan will include other organs. Its the first line of defence against a serious problem. I had something somewhat like this that appears to be related to a bad disc in my back with the pain radiating..  I had the scan due to same type of pain.

[Shebah]

I have colitis and have had URQ. I also have pain in my ULQ even tho not as often as I do on the other side. My GI seems to think it it gas.