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Q: Pain in left rib cage
asked by: x1337Imagine on February 22nd, 2009
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I'm having a sharp pain in my left rib cage, slightly under my breast. It occurs at random times and seems to worsen when I breath deeply. It lasts for maybe 3-5 minutes, and reoccurs at times that seem irrational to my eating times. The only information I have to offer is: I am 16, have IBS and am on medication for depression and anxiety. I am 5'6 or so and am around 180 lbs. Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks.
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Dr. Bruce Harrow , MD
replied on June 11th, 2009
A first step is to try to identify the organ system involved:
That area of your body contains stomach (should have some ties to eating or change with antacids or Pepto), spleen (tends to be a dull pain, associated with nausea, and lasts longer), the corner of the colon as it turns south (could be, might change with simethicone, Gas-X and others), ribs and muscles (often positional as well as breathing related, responds at least somewhat to regular pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen). You might weigh more than you want but certainly not enough for that to be a factor. Some medicines can cause muscle pain (cholesterol medicine comes to mind). With your doctor's knowledge and blessing, you might stop or hold each of your medicines for a few days or long enough to be comfortable that they are not a factor.




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