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Pain in upper right quadrant under rib cage
Hi I am a 38 year old female and have pain in the upper right quadrant under my rib cage which radiates to the center of my back. I excercise 3 to 4 times a week at the gym with cardio and mild weight. I am still about 15 lbs over weight (I was more over weight 2 years ago). This pain actually started about 8 years ago. About 6 years ago I had my gall bladder removed.
The pain did go away for several years. After the gall badder surgery, the surgeon did make a comment that my liver kept getting in his way and he had to move it a couple of times and that it is big, but he said it did not look abnormal. I was in a lot of pain after the surgery and he kept me overnight in the hospital. The URQ pain started up again about 4 years ago. I have had all kinds of tests in the past year. A hida scan (no CCK since I do not have a gall bladder) was normal, barium swallow (I do have GERD and hiatal hernia). An edoscopy showed no ulcers, ducts all clear, normal liver etc... I also had a sonogram of my stomach, liver and pancreas - all normal. I have had 2 blood tests in the past year for my liver and pancreas- both came back normal. This info is not directly related, but wanted to mention that I had a total hysterectomy in Nov 2003 but this URQ pain had started up again prior to this surgery. Sometimes its a dull ache, sometimes it feels like I have ran for too long (but I haven't), sometimes it feels like a mild charlie horse (it actually spasms).
My doctor has just prescribed Reglan a few days ago (I haven't started it yet). What other tests can be done, do you know what could be causing this pain? It's gotten worse in the past 8 months.
Thank you,
Lena
Hello,
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural approach, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.************ that describes in detail and old holistic remedy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. The next morning you'll expel (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about every time I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an x-ray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool starts to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, that
I too have suffered from the very same pains all or most of you have described, for many years. When all the tests came back negative and the doctors started telling me it was in my head and started recommending anti-depressants I took my health into my own hands. After much research I decided to try the natural approach, first I started with bowel cleanses but I still had the flank pain. I found a site www.************ that describes in detail and old holistic remedy for flushing the liver and the gall bladder(Dr Hulda Clarks Liver Flush). It's simple enough ..epson salts, grapefruit juice, and olive oil...simple nothing poisonous. anyhow long story short the method is simple enough, fast for a day or so and then drink a bunch of oil and grapefruit juice. The next morning you'll expel (thru your ***) a half a cup of emerald green stones. I've done it a half dozen times now over the course of three years and just about every time I get around a half a cup or so of pure emerald cholesterol stones out of my liver and gallbladder(these stones won't show up in an x-ray or soniscan). I always know it's time for another treatment when my stool starts to turn pale and light orange and the flank pain comes back, that
I have very similar symptoms, except I am a 31 year old male. I first notice symptoms during a long distace car drive (Oct. 2005). It started with back pain directly behind the gallbladder, which felt like muscle strain. Within two weeks, I had a sunburn sensation below my right ribcage that has never ended. The sensation is always there with varying intensity. Two weeks after the sunburn sensation began (about 1 month after the original back pain), a physical, knotting pain in the gallbladder area of my abdomen. It felt as if I had a bloated organ, so I went to an ER. There, they did a complete blood count, urine test, multiple x-rays, and a CT scan only to say that nothing was wrong, other than a small amount of white blood cells in my urine (ie, kidney or bladder infection). Since then, the pain has intensified (knotting internal pain, sunburn sensation, and back pain) and I have went to a second ER. This time at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. They too, took a blood and urine sample and confirmed that all counts were within normal limits. This doctor did however palpate the abdomen and pressed on the exact spot that hurts internally, which caused elevated pain. He identified this spot as the area where the gallbladder and liver is located and said that I may have a growth/tumor on the gallbladder or possibly, gallstones. He suggested I go to a family practioner for ultrasound, since there was no emergency to be addressed at the ER.
I have not noticed an increase or decrease of intensity before or after eating. Also, when I sleep at night, it is more comfortable to sleep on the affected side.
Since Jan. 12, 2006, I have seen my family physician who sent me to a gastrointestinal doc for gallbladder testing and probably removal. After a hidascan, colonoscopy, an endoscope, and many blood test, there are still no answers- everything was normal. My GI specialist referred me back to the family doc for musculo-skeletal conditions. Not sure what other test should be done, will take any recommendations and let you know what we find out!
I have not noticed an increase or decrease of intensity before or after eating. Also, when I sleep at night, it is more comfortable to sleep on the affected side.
Since Jan. 12, 2006, I have seen my family physician who sent me to a gastrointestinal doc for gallbladder testing and probably removal. After a hidascan, colonoscopy, an endoscope, and many blood test, there are still no answers- everything was normal. My GI specialist referred me back to the family doc for musculo-skeletal conditions. Not sure what other test should be done, will take any recommendations and let you know what we find out!
I am posting to this to share my experience with a very similar pain condition to posted ones(see below for pain description). My condition began about 18 years ago; treated for awhile with beta blockers etc., no help whatsoever. Eventually, I was diagnosed with hepatitis C. For several years used interferon therapy, which always reduced viral load to undetectable; during these times, pain subsided. Eventually, after three viral recurrences, the combined use of an antiviral with interferon and now HCV free for 7 years. Pain condition improved markedly, but took a long time. Even jog now - physical vibrations in a car were debilitating at height of problem during HCV infection. Point is, there were always correlations with the HCV and degree, location, and type of pain (maybe indicating swollen liver, stretched Glisson's capsule, I don't know). Now, okay, except when I a) drink coffee, b) do not get at least 7 hours sleep, c) eat spicy food, d) fasting (possibly overworking the liver - just a theory) e) mechanically jar my body excessively like in springless pedicabs jumping speed bumps, f) experiencing emotional dissonance, even just a little, g) drink alcohol, h) poke my liver with a finger. Sounds a lot like gastrointestinal problems, right? I have had my GI probed to kingdom come; all normal, looks fine. I have more theories about what is going on in my liver (which has mild necrosis from HCV), but I am not a medical professional, and will spare those. When I digress from a-g (don't think about probing my liver), the pain intensification can last on the order of an hour or so (like when getting emotinally unbalanced), or many weeks (like when drinking coffee). After HCV terminated, my tolerance for a-h is better, but I have to be very careful, always, or pay the consequences. My working solution is a healthy diet, avoid problem foods (coffee is a clear problem, alcohol is forbidden -- no way for me, not in any form or quantity). Lots of water helps when I respond adversely to coffee or tea; lots of water is good in general for my condition (I am such a dope to drink coffee ever with its effects on my condition; continually moving into an absolutely purist diet; vegan 6 years btw). This is a nasty pain, worse physical sensation I know; even when present only moderately, it undermines nearly every aspect of my consciousness like wood in fire. Still, I am not sure about this/my problem's roots and keep an open mind - been fooled before.
Develop a positive outlook once on top of this enough to have breathing room (I understand how very very very bad this sort of thing can be. The problem can be viewed as a sort of a barometer that most do not have about "wrong living" which encourages improved habits and lifestyle. Like maintaining mental equanimity, eating a good diet, etc. It is a quality of life, accept and find the balance.
PAIN DESCRIPTION: sensitive in upper right abdominal quadrant, focus under rib in region about 4-5 inches from sternum, usually dull ache which can become a burning sensation that accompanies persistent pain in right should and upper right arm (always exacerbation seems to be related to one of a-h above), radiates into back and side in the vicinity of liver, usually okay, but always a sensation inside, there broadly, under the rib. Sensitive to pressure all along lower rib, around to the side.
Develop a positive outlook once on top of this enough to have breathing room (I understand how very very very bad this sort of thing can be. The problem can be viewed as a sort of a barometer that most do not have about "wrong living" which encourages improved habits and lifestyle. Like maintaining mental equanimity, eating a good diet, etc. It is a quality of life, accept and find the balance.
PAIN DESCRIPTION: sensitive in upper right abdominal quadrant, focus under rib in region about 4-5 inches from sternum, usually dull ache which can become a burning sensation that accompanies persistent pain in right should and upper right arm (always exacerbation seems to be related to one of a-h above), radiates into back and side in the vicinity of liver, usually okay, but always a sensation inside, there broadly, under the rib. Sensitive to pressure all along lower rib, around to the side.
I was sitting here at work at my desk and decided to start surfing the net to find what might be wrong with me when I came across this messageboard. I was searching for pain under rib cage on right side. As i read these posts i was glad I wasn't the only one out there. I actually have been in the ER and have been told those ever so famous lines "There's nothing wrong." I have had my pain for over 9 years now. I had my left kidney removed in 1997. I had sufferred from Kidney stones for years and often thought it was my kidney.
As I got older and more familiar with my body i knew and the doctors knew it had nothing to do with my kidney. My Gallbladder has been checked and I have had numerous tests. At this point I just deal with it. Except today I decided to look once again on my own to see if i found anything new.
Right now I'm experiences a sensation as if i have bubbles under my rib cage and it's quite painful. As if they are moving around bloated. I don't have gas, and it's not constant. But it is painful when I feel it move.
I too have experienced the sunburn sensation, pain in my back, sharp pains in and around the liver and gallbladder area. This is so strange to me but i'm so glad there are many more out there who are also experiencing the exact same thing as me.
As I got older and more familiar with my body i knew and the doctors knew it had nothing to do with my kidney. My Gallbladder has been checked and I have had numerous tests. At this point I just deal with it. Except today I decided to look once again on my own to see if i found anything new.
Right now I'm experiences a sensation as if i have bubbles under my rib cage and it's quite painful. As if they are moving around bloated. I don't have gas, and it's not constant. But it is painful when I feel it move.
I too have experienced the sunburn sensation, pain in my back, sharp pains in and around the liver and gallbladder area. This is so strange to me but i'm so glad there are many more out there who are also experiencing the exact same thing as me.
Wow, I have been trying to explain my pains to my doctors and they just look at me like I'm crazy. Yet everyone here has pretty much summed up everything I'm feeling. I am 31 years old and had a hysterectomy at 27. About six months after my surgery I started experiencing this pain and actually ended up in the hospital for 4 days. They ran every test they could think of and everything came back normal. I just lived with the pain which is under my rib cage on the right side, right over my gallbladder. About a 1 1/2 years ago, I couldn't take it any longer and went to another doctor who diagnosed me with shingles. He prescribed Neurontin, which actually helped with the pain temporarily, then I did some research and nothing I was experiencing lead me to believe that it could be shingles. I ended up in the hospital again, they ran more tests and that doctor said it was Pluracy. I've had pluracy and this feels nothing like that. The sad thing about that is that the nurse came in and told me that that is what the doctor tells people they have when she doesn't know. (Comforting huh?) My symptoms:
Pain in the upper right of my stomach, right below the rib cage, muscle spasms and more and more frequently, I get what feels like a charlie horse (this becomes worse when I haven't eaten and happens almost everytime I sneeze or cough) . Burning sensation and the area feels numb to the touch when it's burning. The pain now often "jumps" to my lower abdomen on either the right or left side of my belly button. And seldom it does hurt on my upper left side below the rib cage, but not that often.
It is getting worse and worse and usually end up doubled over on average 10 times or more a day. Before I spend another dime with the doctors, I was curious if anyone had some sort of clue what this was. But apparently we are all in here with a bunch of pain and no answers. At least it's nice to know I'm not just crazy.
Pain in the upper right of my stomach, right below the rib cage, muscle spasms and more and more frequently, I get what feels like a charlie horse (this becomes worse when I haven't eaten and happens almost everytime I sneeze or cough) . Burning sensation and the area feels numb to the touch when it's burning. The pain now often "jumps" to my lower abdomen on either the right or left side of my belly button. And seldom it does hurt on my upper left side below the rib cage, but not that often.
It is getting worse and worse and usually end up doubled over on average 10 times or more a day. Before I spend another dime with the doctors, I was curious if anyone had some sort of clue what this was. But apparently we are all in here with a bunch of pain and no answers. At least it's nice to know I'm not just crazy.
Is breathing difficulty present?.....I to have the sensation of burning in the rib cage area....other times it feels "knotted up" with the :sunburn" sensation.....anyways it's been 6 months and the pain with the difficulty getting a free deep breath is getting me a little worried.....mostly it's just annoying having to deal with pain from the moment I wake to the moment I fall asleep.......
I was looking on this site and found this condition. I suffered with the same pain for years and could not find a doctor to help me. I had my gallbladder removed years ago and still continued with the pain. I finally found a doctor to give me an ERCP and they found I had stones and sludge in my bile ducts. The ducts are connected to where your gallbladder used to be. They performed a sphinctorotomy (?spelling?) - it's when the cut the bile duct and put a stint to drain the bile. It is very minor and done under a local (like an endoscopy - the ERCP is almost the same exact procedure). Good luck.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
One consideration would be Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This is a condition that can occur in those without a gallbladder.
Typically, Sphincter of Oddi manometry done in conjunction with an ERCP would be needed for diagnosis. If present, surgery or endoscopic procedures can be done to correct this.
The upper endoscopy would rule out many of the major upper GI diseases. You can consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for GERD or esophageal motility studies to look for motility disorders.
These options can be discussed with your gastroenterologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Typically, Sphincter of Oddi manometry done in conjunction with an ERCP would be needed for diagnosis. If present, surgery or endoscopic procedures can be done to correct this.
The upper endoscopy would rule out many of the major upper GI diseases. You can consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for GERD or esophageal motility studies to look for motility disorders.
These options can be discussed with your gastroenterologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
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I have a pain under my rib cage on the right side it hurts when I take a deep breath because it must put pressure on it, it feels like a bad side ache its been going on all day and seem to be getting worse, I Gary gallbladder removed about 6 years ago so that couldn't be it. I also sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a terrible pain in the middle of my chest al
Most like a deep burning its kind of scary. Thank you Tonja
Most like a deep burning its kind of scary. Thank you Tonja
I'm havin the similar pains bt I'm only 15...I havnt had any surgery done nor am I pregnent...what then?
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you should go raw vegan. it has solved every problem/pain I've ever had, and I've never experienced the pain again. :-) good luck
-shelbey b
-shelbey b
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