RUQ and Mid-Body Pain Discussion For All (Pre-Tx, During TX,

[DoubleDose]

I would like to use this thread to open up discussion regarding our members' experiences with Rib Pain, Right Upper Quadrant Pain, Abdominal Pain, and Shoulder Pain, either prior to, during or after tx.  

Any comments on changes in your mid-body pain issues either over time, or from going on therapy, or from gaining the SVR.  Better, worse, etc?

The location and quality of this type of pain is also relevant to the discussion.  As I have stated below, I finally realize that most of my RUQ pain from over the years, and now after tx is really related to the ribcage and connective tissue, and also seems to move into the spinal column during flare-ups.  Frequently the rib pains will become more general, and interfere with breathing on exertion, and make it difficult to sleep comfortably.  The pains also migrate to the shoulder, and to the hips and lower back.  When the rib pains are at their peak, I often feel a referred pain in my upper abdomen, but it corresponds to the level of mid-back/rib pain in every case.  If I press the ribs firmly, it often reproduces the pain.

Costochondritis and spinal problems seem to be very prevalent in the HCV and Tx communities.  It would be interesting to see how many of us have dealt with these problems in the past, and how they have resolved, changed, gotten worse....

Could  many 'RUQ/Liver Pains' that some experience really be joint, rib, and connective tissue generated, thus having no real involvement with the liver at all?

Feel free to post comments, observations, questions, etc. regarding these issues.

DoubleDose

[linthomas]

Hi everyone, just wanted to jump in here for a moment. Hope everybody's doing as well as possible. About the pain in right side I got one Friday that just would not go away, it hurt to breathe. I've had a lot of pain in rib area before but this was different. I don't have gallbladder so where this was was just liver and pancreas, (another Tennessean who can't spell) anyway stretched over bed on stomach, hurt like heck, 10 minutes later got up and it felt pretty much normal, sore for a couple of days. Any ideas this was one if it had stuck around longer who have had to call dr. And this was before I did shot on Friday, had did Procrit. Kinda on empty stomach, Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Linda

[DoubleDose]

Often, IF it hurts to BREATHE when you are having mid-body pains,
the source of the pain may be in the ribs and spine.  Lying down on your stomach would put pressure on the ribcage, and IF there is any spinal problem, or costochondritis involved,it could also impinge on nerve roots in the spinal cord that attach to the ribs.  This can refer very sharp, and dramatic pain to the abdominal wall, and other internal organs, as well as causing severe pain upon breathing.  Movement of the ribs, or pressure on them will cause a triggering and/or intensification of the pain you are experiencing.  Another way to determine ribcage and spinal causes, or involvement, is to stand erect and twist the upper torso in different ways top see if that causes specific pains to be generated.  Pressing on the ribs, each individually, both in the front, and then in the back, near the spine, will also often turn up numerous problem areas that had been unnoticed previously.

It often feels like only liver pain, or upper abdominal pain, but my guess is that many cases , possibly even most cases, are triggered by this intercostal, costochondritis-like joint and connective tissue syndrome.

Try to ascertain whether you are having 'true' internal organ pain, without any involvement with the skeleton, or ribs.  
You may be surprised at the connection you discover, relating to the skeletal nerves, and tissues.

DoubleDose

[Califia]

Wonderful to eavesdrop on that conversation between you.  Thanks!   Yeah, it's annoying, if not worrisome,  that there is so little tracking of patients pre- post-tx, but I suppose the costs of thorough medical workups would be prohibitive.   Still,  medicine is so over-specialized that the master technicians of the various parts seem to rarely communicate over the high walls dividing their various turfs, much to the detriment of  their patients.   Btw, I'd like to forward copies of these posts to my internist, unless you'd prefer I didn't.

[linthomas]

Thanks for answering, I am now noticing being sore on other side but farther up, which could just be from the flu like aches we have, plus have terrible earache. Gonna call primary if it doesn't get better in a couple of days, But anyway had MRI done on my back back in summer and have mild scleosis, I usually have pain in my back especially when blood count starts dropping, when I get really tired, stand too long, sit too long, but I have never felt a pain like that, But it sounds like you know what you're talking about so it may very well be in my back. Makes me feel better than thinking it's my liver. Thanks again Linda

[Califia]

Shite!   That was supposed to read "Especially to DD and Cuteus."     Bad machine, bad.

[bwave2u]

just my experience w/ these aches and pains. i have degenerative
disc disorder/ibs/3 surgeries on neck & back, disc removal & fusion & they want to open me up for another one. with all this the conective tissue to the ribs is, i guess yould say lose and my ribs go out of place. making it very hard to breath deep. the only relief that has been true and doesnt involve cutting me open or giving me more pain meds, as i am on 180mgs of morphine a day as it is, has been going to,(and i know this is going to sound stupid but,) a chiropractor. I have been in chronic pain since age 22, i'm 40 now. after seeing a reputable chiro for awhile the ribs went back into place, discs were unpinched some what. my right leg turns way out and is atleast an inch shorter that the left causing sciatic pain & after being worked on for a bit my leg straightens out some what which relieves sciatic pain. it just seems to straighten me out and it gives me relief. i know that sounds just too simple but it doesn't hurt to give it a try. also if you do try a chiro and it helps you do crunches to keep your abs tight and that will hold the ribs where they should be:) as i said, just my opinion. The side pain may just be inflamation of your liver. i have that pain all the time to. sorry you're going through so much pain. i wish you the best.