Aa
not convinced
I was in the ER last night with excrutiating pain under my left rib. I had trouble breathing, had sharp pains in my chest also..after a CT scan, all the Dr told me was that I had constipation. I am not convinced thats all it was. I'm also taking Protonix for my GERD. Anyone ever experience this because of constipation?? Thanks!
Best Answer
I would recommend treating the constipation. You can start with eating more fiber, fruits and vegetables, and drinking more water. If that doesn't help you can try a laxative like Miralax or you can use something stronger like magnesium citrate. If you are feeling pressure in your rectum you can try a warm-water enema. You might also have some gas, so you can try something lie gas-x to help. If you want to take something for the pain, you should try tylenol not advil. If the constipation continues or the pain is still very bad, you should find a way to see a doctor.
The constipation was actually seen from the CT scan. The ER doc told me everything else looked fine, but that was the only thing they saw. The pain I felt was when I would take a deep breath. Also, when I would get up to walk, the pain was even worse under my ribs. Since that morning, I have not had a BM, so now it's worrying me even more. Do I take a laxative?? Do I just wait it out? I'm not sure. I have had that pain under my left ribs for quite some time now, but never that bad. I also have endometriosis which causes pain in my pelvic area and abdomen. So I've got pain all over, which is really fustrating. I dont have insurance either, so it's not like I can call the Dr and set up an appt when I need to. I'm just confused and don't know what to do.
I would not recommend taking Ibuprofen without the advice of a doctor for this because it can make a lot of problems worse. Did your doctor diagnose constipation from the CT scan (constipation, if it is bad enough, can be seen on an abdominal CT scan) or just from process of elimination? Also I normally think of trouble breathing as difficultly taking a breath, not pain; was it pain or just inability to take a deep breath?
Yes, pain under your left ribs can be colon related, normally trapped gas. There are several things that can cause this type of pain. I have IBS and have had this pain. If the pain has subsided and your are having BMs than you can relax in knowing that it is okay. Your descending colon goes down your left side (right behind your lower left ribs) and stool and gas can cause this pain.
I suspect your physician has constipation. And he recieved his medical degree in Afghanistan, I suppose?
Anything is possible, including the fact that President Obama may be a space alien, however it is unlikely constipation is/was the cause of your discomfort.
Your physician, apparently is a mjushroom enthusiast, keeping them in the dark and feeding them you-know-what.
Usually these problems are self-limiting. Sometimes one never knows that causes them.
Probably this was the case with your physician, but his ego couldn't bear for him to say the simple words "I have no idea".
Ocasionally they are due to pleuritic inflamation. Your physician was concerned you might be on the verge of developing what is called a "spontaneous pneumothorax", where one side of the lung inexplicavly collapses.
By "trouble breathing" I assume you mean pain upon inhaling past a certain point.
The first thing to due is to treat inflammation, which means 400 mg Ibuprufin, twice a day, with food and plenty of water for at least four days.
If the condition persists (it will probably go away), think about seeing a pulmonary specialist, but don't let them talk you into another CT scan, for goodness sakes.
A "3T" MRI, if any sort of scan at all is indicated, would be appropriate.
Anything is possible, including the fact that President Obama may be a space alien, however it is unlikely constipation is/was the cause of your discomfort.
Your physician, apparently is a mjushroom enthusiast, keeping them in the dark and feeding them you-know-what.
Usually these problems are self-limiting. Sometimes one never knows that causes them.
Probably this was the case with your physician, but his ego couldn't bear for him to say the simple words "I have no idea".
Ocasionally they are due to pleuritic inflamation. Your physician was concerned you might be on the verge of developing what is called a "spontaneous pneumothorax", where one side of the lung inexplicavly collapses.
By "trouble breathing" I assume you mean pain upon inhaling past a certain point.
The first thing to due is to treat inflammation, which means 400 mg Ibuprufin, twice a day, with food and plenty of water for at least four days.
If the condition persists (it will probably go away), think about seeing a pulmonary specialist, but don't let them talk you into another CT scan, for goodness sakes.
A "3T" MRI, if any sort of scan at all is indicated, would be appropriate.
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