I've had almost identical symptoms to yours for 2 years now continuously. I am 29 years old, male and used to be built like a tank. 2 years ago I started getting mild, chronic upper left abdomen pain...gnawing, ulcer like...but no acid reflux, etc. It has continued non stop for 2 years and now radiates accross my entire left side, up under my left ribcage, etc. I have had every test in the book done, from an upper endoscopic ultrasound to check for pancreatitis, to full body CT, to upper and lower endo for cancer, ulcers, cysts, etc and a hydrogen breath test for H-pyloric infection...nothing, NADA, ZIP. According to the docs, I'm healthy, with only a vitamin B and D definciency they can't seem to discern as well as a slightly elevated Amylase level (which again, I had an endoscopic ultrasound, the GOLD standard for detecting pancreatitis and it came back 100%, without a doubt, negative).

I lost 70 lbs last year. I have chronic fatique, weakness, trouble sleeping, heart palpitations, etc. I have an easy life. I have had the weight gain, loss prob for 10 years now. Lost 80 lbs when I was 23, gained 60 back, then at 27, lost that 70 lbs, now have gained 30 back. My doc thinks its stress. I honestly don't know anymore. He may be right. This IS a relief to see others that have the same symptoms. I thought I was alone. IBS does NOT match my symptoms, nor many of the similar ones to mine I see on this site.

The ONLY thing that seems to alleviate the chronic nagging pain is lying on my back. It goes away almost completely when I do that which is SO strange.

I've also found that after taking clidinium, nexium, prylosec otc, Viokase, and every drug int he book to try and help this prob that extra strength Tylenol does a better job than most. If I take Tylenol PM, I find often the next morning I am hungrier, and pain free well into late morning/ early afternoon.

I wonder if its something we're eating?

Does anyone here use Splenda artificial sweetener on a regular basis?

Also, does anyone here drink coffee or 2 or more caffeinated drinks a day?

How about alchohol, how much, when?...and does your consumption of any of these things line up with a starting point of your symptoms??

Splenda is something you should avoid, it's nasty stuff. Do a search for it and you'll find people with all kinds of problems. Myself included.

As for your other symptoms...have you finished a round of antibiotics recently? Like Cipro or Levaquin, perhaps? Do a Google search for quinolones. I'd post a link, but apparently it's against the rules to do so here. Or just PM me and I'll give you the links directly.

Yep, same here. I don't have much of an apetite anymore. Between ages 25 and 26 or so, I went from about 200 lbs down to my current weight of 165-170. I get full easily as well, and I stay feeling full all day. Just recently, constipation has become a problem, although rarely. I took some Dulcolax after Thanksgiving dinner made me miserable for days. Wow, that stuff works. Not sure I'd do that again.

But anyway, it is just interesting to me that your symptoms match mine so exactly. If I ever get to the bottom of this, I'll certainly post back.

Hello- I am new to this so bare with me.
I had a miscarriage back in December 06 and since the pregnancy I suffered from pain in my lower left side, which sometimes shoots across my lower back. It feels as if I am constipated /gassy and usually flares up around my period. The pain is so sharp sometimes it scares me. I was taking meds for ADHD, which I also think has caused bladder issues. I AM A MESS. I have stopped taking the adhd meds (currently looking for natural vitamins to help). I have also since this time had trouble with my marriage and lost 2 family members to cancer and one from old age. Could stress cause this?Could this be cancer (crazy, but this is what goes through your head after dealing with it for so long)? I need all the advice I can get!!!

Hey nlvs - Don't know if you'll see this...but have you ever talked to your obgyn about Endometriosis? I too have this upper left abdom pain...in addition to other pains and issues that seem to be correlated to my menstrual cycle...and have been previously diagnosed with IBS (gastro disorder) and Endometriosis (gyno disorder). It might be worth looking into. Take care and good luck!

Hi! I'm new here. I,too, have this stabbing, sharp pain under my left ribcage just 4 finger breadths from the nipple area. Its been 3 weeks now and despite the intense pain that I felt, I still haven't gone to the the hospital to seek professional medical help. I was hoping that through this forum, I can somehow find answers to my questions. I took Ecotrin, Advil and did some cold compress but I just got temporary relief. My Uncle said that it's probably Costochondritis since the pain is aggravated with deep breaths,coughing and sneezing. True, I do feel intense severe pain when I cough,deep breath,sneeze and yawn, but the pain is not located in my front chest wall. It does not radiate to my back or abdomen either. Prior to such pain occurence, I wasn't doing anything physical like lifting heavy object, exercising and what not. i didn't have any upper respiratory infections nor have minor traumas. Does any of you here have any idea on what's going on with me and how I could possibly lessen this discomfort? I haven't been sleeping well because of this. In fact, I just had 2 hours of sleep since yesterday. I don't have fever, body malaise, loss of appetite or whatever. Just this pain that's been bothering me like crazy!

HELLO ALL i am new and i have the same thing as you all are been talking bout and i have had this since a month now and it is driving me up the dam wall!!!
had all test done but found nothing and my dr is treating me for uti and got me on antibotics and still have the pain and dr said i also have ibs witch i got pills for that to but nothing seems to work but a really good pain killer does the trick but the poain is still there when it wares off LOL----CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE HELL TO DO?????
THANKS SO KINDLY I AM LOST

It has been a year & have had numerous tests & to no avail nothing has been found. Reading all the replies from everyone is so reasurring to hear how there are other people with the same problem. I feel like I've hit the jackpot. I haven't had a chance yet to look up splenik flexure syndrome. I'm so tired of telling the doctors all symptoms I've made a bio which I take with me to each doctor & let them just read it:

- began April 2007 & is consistantly every day on left side only
- main source is one spot directly below ribs & travels to top of thigh
- pain also travels from chest area to top of thigh, belly button to my waist & varies day to day, evening worse
- most painful sitting in chair or L-form (back straight, legs straight out front)
- aggravated after coughing, sneezing, physical work such as sweeping, vacuum, washing dishes, folding clothes, carrying anything & walking
- as stomach fills throughout the day pain increases, bowl movements gives some relief as some pressure is relieved from main source area under ribs
- no pain when lying down.
- press down on left side no pain is felt, pain will surface afterwards since pain area has been aggravated
- pain can become so severe where the left side feels paralyzed

lets keep in touch & let each other know what works & doesn't work in relieving the pain.

Hi Sidonia- I have an eerily similar story- and my pains even started at the same time, 4/07.

I have continuous pain under my left rib cage, into my back, down into my left thigh area. No pain when laying down so I have been going to sleep rediculously early every night. I feel crazy because I have had a CT and other tests and nothing ever comes up. I went to a different doc on Friday and will be getting an ultrasound and xray of my ribs.

I also feel like there is increased tenderness and sensitivity over the left pelvic bone.

Like you, I cannot pinpoint the source of the pain by pressing on the area but it will hurt after I press there.

I really can't deal with this everyday for the rest of my life, and I fear it's ruining my marriage. I just hope to god I can get an answer from the new doc.

Hello, I am new to this forum. I read all your message. I am asthamatic and I go regularly to the doctors. I was diagnosed with IBS couple of years back and was suggested to take Ispaghula natural fiber. They asked me to diet and stay active I tried joining Tae-kwon-do, tennis, walking and swimming regularly. Many times I used to feel my tummy bloated. If I go to doctors again, they always say it will all change if I change my diet and try to be active.I got this pain under left rib cage somewhere at the back, behind my stomach. So I started researching into natural healing foods. I have reduced eating too much. I normally eat too much of fruits and try to eating vege's raw. I bought a full fruit juicer and started juicing cucumber, carrot, mint, few vegetables, apples, grapes, lemon everyday in the morning. For this pain in our digestive system, I read in the internet that MINT helps. So I tried it for few days eating couple of mint leaves and taking a bunch of mint leaves and boil or put it in hot water for 5 minutes and drink it at least two or three times in a day. I took probiotic yogurt often and at least one activia everyday. Whenever I remember I try to drink water as much as I can. After couple of days I felt better and really the pain is gone. .. I felt very strange without the pain. Now I have started telling everyone about this Mint concotion. Everyday, whenever I remember I added fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds to the mint water and drink the concotion as part of my daily fluid in-take. Believe me, if its to do with the digestive system, these will help. Along with this swimming also helps to and relax. Good luck to you.

I started having pain around the sternum, under and below left ribs, extending to left back ribs Oct. 2006. Went to ER twice had test for heart -ekg, stress test, and Cat of arteries. Stomach was scoped and bioposy taken. I do have a small hiatal hernia but was told was not causing a problem. Had Hpylori and ulcer many years ago, treated and cured. Also have had CT, Ultra Sound. Only thing found was enlarged thyroid, have an appointment with endocrinologist in May. Primary doctor and GYN does not think their any problem because blood test is in normal range. Primary doctor does not think I have a problem even though the pain around sternum, ribs and back has become constant. It hurts to wear a bra, and is difficult to sleep on my side because of discomfort. My pain starts after physical activity like walking, riding bike, gym, vacuuming etc. It was improving after 3 or 4 days of rest. This time it has been eleven days and still very unconfortable. I have always been an active person and this has debilated me. My GYN did call a heart doctor today and I am to get an appointment. I am a 67 year old female. It bring me to tears not being believed.

last monday i ate a really spicy soup and just plain too much food. i love food though i only weight 114 so this isn't part of the problem. i have had some of the same pain before last monday but i never payed attention to it because i was a excessive drinker and thought it was due to that and yes like a fool i ignored the fact drinking too much was ruining my body. and i'm big into being healthy besides that.
after i ate too much i felt too bloated and felt like vomiting so i made myself. when i did, i vomited blood and my left side under my ribs started hurting sharply off and on. so my husband took me to the hospital. they took 4 blood tests and a urine sample and told me i had gastronitis because they found nothing "serious" wrong and gave me some pills to lower the acid in my stomache but the pain is getting worse. i admitted i drank a lot so they probably just didn't want to waste their time on me.
im not drinking anymore but im scared i gave myself stomache cancer and its too late. i dont have insurance so im afraid to go to the doctor and just have them tell me nothings wrong and wasting money i dont have or most likley end up oweing the only doctor i have left i dont owe. am i just being paranoid ? i am known to be a huge worry wort. or could i really have stomache cancer? i'm 25 and been drinking heavily for about 2-3 years. it sucks this is what it took for me to finally stop drinking but at least im not dependent on it and i can actually quit. what should i do? i go to the gym i try to eat healthy MOST of the time. besides the occasional red meat or poor weeks where i have to eat lots of noodles. thanks in advance for anyones help. and i know im an fool so no one has to tell me.

Suggestion... I am a 46 year old woman with IBS. My doctor told me that the best thing that I could do to manage the pain in my left side (caused by repeated involuntary spasming of the colon and muscle spasms at the base of my rib cage were to 1. drink a 4 oz. glass of port wine every evening. Taylor port costs about $9.00/bottle and absolutely stops the spasm of the colon AND it delivers excellent policosinol (great antioxidant). He also suggested that I buy a product called CalAbsorb to offset the muscle spasms. He thought they were due to a lack of magnesium in my system. With these two things going I rarely ever have any pain, I'm not spending a fortune on RX and there are some very nice side effects! Longer, stronger nails and great sleep at night. I hope that you are all feeling better very soon!

I have similar symptoms...I cannot really pinpoint whenI started to have trouble, but it has been going on for a good 8-9months. I currently have pain in the upper left abdominal quadrant, esp right under my ribs. It comes and goes. Every couple days I notice the attacks seem to last longer and longer. I sometimes have pain on the right side of my upper abdominal area, though this is one in a blue moon. On a side note, I have had IBS since high school...I am now 25. I used to take meds for it when my dr first diagnosed me, but I have been managing it through diet and exercise for a long time now. Over the course of approx 4-5months i noticed I have more diarrhea than I am normally used to (bc of my IBS i alt between diarrhea and constipation and it sucks!). This past christmas I was rushed to the ER for the worst pain in my left upper abdominal area. It also hurt to breathe and I have extreme pain down the left side of my arm and mirgraines like you wouldn'y believe. ER dr diagnosed me with costochondritis after some tests and an x-ray. After taking some naproxyn and pain meds and resting for a week I could finally function somewhat normally. After that happened I noticed that I just haven't felt right at all, even if it was only for a few hrs a day. I am extremely scared to go to the dr as my mo just had her gallbladder out and my grandmother had small bowel cancer....which I am happy to say she has beat.
I can't take the pain anymore...I don't smoke or drink and I weigh 122. I'm 5'4". I just started to train for an ironman...Don't know what to do.

About 4 months ago I was telling hubby that it felt like a "running cramp" on my left side under rib cage. He assumed it was the way i would sit on the couch or just muscular. But it hasn't gone away and it's most of the time always there. I worry myself sick about it to a point where i get anxiety. I keep telling him "what if its cancer".

I decided to google pain on left side and came accross this forum. I am SO shocked to find out that SO many people suffer from this. Hubby told me tonight to go see dr but i'm affraid he'll think it's in my head. I feel like when you eat or drink and you end up taking a jog or run afterwards and you get that cramp.

I no longer have my galldbladder and i had a baby May 2007. So a year ago. I am sooo worried about this pain i get and another thing is i kept telling husband it felt like a "gas thing". Like i had to have a BM and what not...i was really surprised when i read this forum.

I would LOVE to talk to anyone about this one on one...
I don' t know weather to see my dr or try the suggested things like "healthy eating and excercise". I do eat healthy although i enjoy chips and chocolat once in a while. I also take walks a few times a week wtih my baby. I don't drink coffee and i don't smoke and i also don't drink alcohol very often. I'm a bind and worrying myself sick!

hopefully someone out there will want to correspond with me! Thanks everyone!

In November of 2006, I started having the pains a lot of you have mentioned. I am 29 years old, and at the time I started having the pains, I had just had a baby 3 months before. One day, I pain started on my left side and radiated to the middle. It was intense and worse than having a baby. It lasted for several hours, and I thought I was dying. Eventually it subsided. About two days later, it happened again but only lasted about 20 minutes. However, the next time it did it, it was worse and the pain was constant. My husband took me to the ER, and they did tests and could not find anything. They thought maybe it was my liver, but it was not. They gave me something like Malox that had a numbing medicine in it, and it went away almost instantly. I was having other problems also like heart palpations and gurgling stomach. My husband and I started talking about what I had eaten before the attacks happened and we realized everytime I had eaten eggs prior to it. The first time I ate tuna fish with eggs, the second time (which wasn't that severe) potato salad, and the most severe case I had eaten an omelet. Since then I have not touched an egg, and I have not had an attack. I still have gurgling on my left side which usually is more severe close to my period. However, it is not painful, just annoying. If I do not eat anything that is cooked with egg in it, my pain disappears. I do not understand what eggs have to do with because I have always been able to eat them until now, but I know it HAS to be my main problem. So, if someone has the same symptoms, I hope this helps. Cut eggs out of your diet for a while and see if it helps.

My pain is getting worse and not just that but my whole stomach is now cramping with this left rib pain. And i get bubbly/gasy and a lot of bm's.

I am being sent for a Barium Enema. And my hospital here is backed up and it's not until May 29. Now i'm having all this anxiety waiting and thinking its somthing like colon cancer.

I would really love to talk to someone who is going through this....i'm freaking out here and feel like i can't live my life until i get some answers

Well i thought i was the only one with this problem still it does not look good if you guys have had this for years mine is exactly the same as you pain under my rib cage left side at first i thought it was a sprain or i had pulled a muscle or something like that then. When it didn't go away i thought it might be cancer my worst nightmare now reading all these replys i at least fell a little better knowing that you have had tests done and they came back clear so tell me does it get worse when you bend over ? i find it does. i am going to start my own investigation now and will keep you posted to how i get on incidentally i found that eating rubbish makes it worse will have to think about changing my diet now bugger i love chocolate well if you don't laff you cry so what you going to do lol

My husband has been tellin me hes got this pain like under his left rib, he says the same things ive read on this page. But he doesn want to go to the doctor.
He says he thinks its his heart and is affraid hes gonna die and hes only 25 sooooooo yeah im lookin around tryn to make sure that is not the case.

I recently found this sight after frantically trying to figure out what is going on with me! I had my gallbladder laproscopically removed over 10 weeks ago. About 3 1/2 weeks after the surgery a new pain developed mostly under my left rib area. I do also experience the same sort of pain on the right side, but it is mostly on my left. It feels like stabbing, "electrical", throbbing, and "biting" pains. They are not constant, they just show up unexpectedy throughout the day. It doesn't really feel like a deep pain, mostly on the surface (if that makes sense). It seems to bother me more when I am inactive for periods of time. The surgeon believes it is totally unrelated to the surgery, but I find it odd that it appeared after I had the surgery. I have had blood work that shows everything is normal with my Liver and Pancreas. I had an ultrasound that did not show anything to explain the pain. I had a CT Scan last week and everything appears normal. I am taking 600mg of Advil every 6 hours and using a heating pad on occasion. These things seem to reduce the pain, but it is still there. My General Practitioner told me to wait another 2 weeks and see if the pain is going away. He is convinced this is something that will work itself out. I would love to believe that, but I would like to see if anyone has any information to share with me! I am trying to stay positive, but it is hard because I just want to get back to normal!