I am 21 ears old, female. I have depression, treated with the SSRI cipralex, unmedicated social anxiety, unmedicated ADD, and I take Naproxen as needed for Temporomandibular joint disorders. I don't drink alcohol, and I don't take any medication other than above and the occassial tylenol for a headache or some such.
The pain started suddenly, I woke me up, and there was also a lot of pressure from under my ribs, right across the front of my chest, undernethe my breasts. It was uncomfortable, but felt a little like i just really needed to burp. The pain was worse when i breathe in , and lessen slighty when i breathe out. The pain was also lessened if I was walking, instead of sitting or laying down. A chest x-ray showed nothing abnormal, and an ultrasound is scheduled for next week.
At one point the pain was so bad I curled up in a fetal postition, and after about 30 minutes of that the pain was almost gone. Only the discomfort from the pressure on my ribs remained. I am feel the pressure still, but not as much, and without almost all of the pain. The ER doctor gave my a script for Tylenol 3s (codine) however because the pain has lessened I haven't taken any.
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
If the pain is on the outside, it can be costochondritis, which causes pain and tenderness at points where your ribs attach to your breastbone. The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose this for you. Generally there is no cause. However it can be due to infection, blow, injury, or fibromyalgia. It usually goes away on its own. Otherwise it can be treated with muscle relaxants, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. It can also be muscle pull. Shingles can also start this way.
If you have pain under your right rib then there could be a liver infection, pancreatitis, or a gall bladder problem. Get a liver function test, ultrasound or CT of abdomen, and pancreatic enzymes. It can also be due to acidity and duodenal ulcer. Take a late night snack. Raise head end of bed. Take Omeprazole empty stomach in morning and an antacid gel at bedtime. Refrain from smoking, alcohol, fuzzy drinks and spicy food. Walking around also helps clear gas. Pain under right ribs with gas can be due to any inflammatory bowel disease like Celiac or Crohn’s, IBS or due to food intolerance. Pain under right rib case can also be due to pleurisy, asthma, or any other lung problems. Usually this is accompanied by lung related symptoms like breathlessness, cough etc. If all these are ruled out, then laparoscopy should be done, especially if you have a previous history of any abdominal or pelvic surgery. Such an undiagnosed pain is usually due to adhesions and cutting the adhesions takes care of the pain. Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please discuss with your doctor once. Hope this helps. Take care!