Left side pain

[Hxa0063]

Hi, first of all it's so nice to know I am not crazy. Three years ago, while pregnant with my daughter I started to feel pain under my left rib cage. The docker thought it was her feet brushing against my ribs. Three years later, I am still in pain. Now the pain won't go away. I have had every test under the sun done. Endoscopy, colonoscopy, upper gi, stress test, heart ultra sound, EKG, five other types of ultrasounds ranging from uterus to spleen to gallbladder. I have had chest x rays too. Recently the pain is so bad sometimes it wakes me. It pinches, pulsates, stabs, and burns. All blood work is normal. I have to go get a ct scan next. On most days, standing up and moving around, I don't feel much. When I sit down I feel worse, I am so concerned. I take Antacids too. Often times under my left breast it is so sore you can't touch it. I was once told I might have a enlarged spleen and a hiatal hernia, but recently they said they couldn't find the hernia. I am freighted and worried. What else can it be?

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include GI infections, inflammations, cardiac issues, causes related to the respiratory tract, chest wall inflammation, costochondritis, neuro-muscular causes, vascular issues, referred pain from other regions etc. A few of these such as GI and cardiac causes have already been ruled out by the tests mentioned, while other possibilities may need to be evaluated for as well. I would suggest getting this evaluated by an internist in detail initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[Hxa0063]

Hi,
I recently had my CT scan completed. Results came back in the normal range. The doctor also did blood work to check for liver and pancreas enzymes; normal too. Today I played basketball for a couple of minutes; I have terrible pain near left rib cage now. It's pulsating and burning as we speak. It's so bad it is radiating to my shoulder. Recently, I had a cousin, who is 50, be diagnosed with stomach cancer. He too had pains for years, look where he is now. At this point the anxiety is taking over.