pain under left rib

[Gigi051907]

I have been experiencing pains under my left rib for a couple of years now. It's not always there it will show up for a week and then disappear for a couple of weeks and then start again. The pain is probably a 3 or 4. Sometimes it feels like maybe it's gas, sometimes it feels like a sore muscle, but always the same area. I can hear gurgling there sometimes. I'm really scared it's my pancreas. I used to drink pretty heavily. I don't anymore. I also used to smoke. I'm somewhat overweight as well. Any insight? I'm scared.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Welcome to the forum!
With your history of drinking, smoking and being overweight and the ability to hear a gurgling sound, there is a chance that this is esophageal reflux (GERD), where the food in your stomach is thrown up into your food pipe or esophagus. This also causes burning sensation or discomfort in the chest area or left upper abdominal area. Another possibility is hiatal hernia, where a portion of stomach herniates into the chest cavity through the diaphragm. Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. However I would recommend you see a doctor and take medication under a doctor’s supervision. Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you. You should  see a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms.
This does not look like a pancreas pathology.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Gigi051907]

My OB(I'm pregnant now) agreed with you and said I should see my primary care doctor and she sent me to get an ultrasound. I had the ultrasound today and they said I had gallstones and a fatty liver, but both are on the right side. The nurse said sometimes gall stones pain can show up on the left.  Is this right? It's still really gurgly and goes up under my left rib and down my left side. Feels like liquid or air moving though.I'm so stressed over it.