Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

pain under left rib

I have been experiencing pains under my left rib for a couple of years now. It's not always there it will show up for a week and then disappear for a couple of weeks and then start again. The pain is probably a 3 or 4. Sometimes it feels like maybe it's gas, sometimes it feels like a sore muscle, but always the same area. I can hear gurgling there sometimes. I'm really scared it's my pancreas. I used to drink pretty heavily. I don't anymore. I also used to smoke. I'm somewhat overweight as well. Any insight? I'm scared.
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the forum!
With your history of drinking, smoking and being overweight and the ability to hear a gurgling sound, there is a chance that this is esophageal reflux (GERD), where the food in your stomach is thrown up into your food pipe or esophagus. This also causes burning sensation or discomfort in the chest area or left upper abdominal area. Another possibility is hiatal hernia, where a portion of stomach herniates into the chest cavity through the diaphragm. Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. However I would recommend you see a doctor and take medication under a doctor’s supervision. Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you. You should  see a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms.
This does not look like a pancreas pathology.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My OB(I'm pregnant now) agreed with you and said I should see my primary care doctor and she sent me to get an ultrasound. I had the ultrasound today and they said I had gallstones and a fatty liver, but both are on the right side. The nurse said sometimes gall stones pain can show up on the left.  Is this right? It's still really gurgly and goes up under my left rib and down my left side. Feels like liquid or air moving though.I'm so stressed over it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Tags: Pain, left, ribs, left ribs, years, muscles, sores, pancreas.

I too have suffered with symptoms identical to yourself and have in the past had a similar lifestyle. To cut a very long story short, what saved me from goimg crazy was the advice of a consutant gastoenterologist to take 15 ml of lactulose solution morning and night which softens stools and allows easier bowel movements (so that gas is not trapped) and 10 ml of Altacite plus (co-simalcite 125/500) morning and night which ensures that any acid reflux does not burn. In addition I was also encouraged to drink plenty of water (still not sparkling) While this helped me in a big way, please check with a medical professional before following my plan. For your added info. all advice on high fibre diets proved to be totally wrong for me as that only aggravated the problems, A diet with moderate amounts of fibre proved fine.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.