Hi! For the past several years I have
had pain that varies in intensity under my
rib cage. Sometimes the pain is on the
right side of my ribs, sometimes on the
left and sometimes all around including
the middle under my breastbone. I had my
gall bladder removed a few years back, so
I know the pain isn't stemming from that.
I have asked several doctors what it
could be and have been told it could be
excess gas in the colon and was told to
just make sure I keep regular, which by
the way I am. I am a gassy person in
general, even though my bathroom habits
are very regular. One doctor even
suggested the possiblity of having an
inflammation of the rib cage area called
costchronditis or something along those
lines. I still tend to think it is all
gas related since I do have an excess
amount of gas a good deal of the time.
The other thing I thought of is maybe a
hiatal hernia? I just don't know what to
think and I am starting to think the
doctors don't know either. What do you
think?
|
pjw8
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 1
Pain On Left Side, Under Rib Cage, Gas, Acid Refulx Posted: 02-07-06 15:35pm
Hi,
i know several people have posted to this
site. Someone said that pain on the left
side, near the rib cage, upper stomach, is
related to spenal (?)flexure syndrome and
that is caused by stress.
But my symptoms are cyclical. They occur
intensely every other day but I can always
feel them.
How can stress be so regular? Or is the
symptoms of ongoing stress related to the
cyclical digestive system.
Doctors have told me nothing despite
various tests including an endo
colonoscopy.
|
vixy7
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Australia
I Have Almost Stopped Eating Posted: 03-28-06 19:52pm
:(
it's really interesting to read over the
posts so far, as I can relate to a lot of
your stories.
I have always had stomach upsets, and been
sensitive to fatty foods, which like many
of you was attributed to ibs (before any
tests had been done to rule out anything
seriuos).
However, over the last couple of years,
and increasingly over the last six months,
things have gotten a lot worse. I have
had every test you can imagine, have taken
many medications including nexium and
flagyl. Apparently there is nothing
wrong with me - I am perfectly healthy.
I am afraid to eat. I am losing 2-3
kilos per week, because I cannot bear the
thought of the repercussions of ingesting
food. I eat smaller meals than my 6 year
old, and I am starting to worry. I don't
mind losing weight, but not under these
circumstances.
I am 28, and I smoke - I don't drink
often
my symptoms are:
** upper mid-abdomen pain and pressure,
especially after eating, and lying on my
back.
** (pocket of gas?) underneath rib cage on
left side
** gastric reflux - although I think this
is a symtom of the symptom... Stomach has
skrunk considerably and cannot tolerate
much food.
I cannot bring myself to believe that it's
stress related, or in my head. I have a
course of steroids I haven't started yet -
specialist thinks it 'may' be chrohns
disease, but I doubt this will work
either. I don't know what to do anymore
really... I am becoming depressed, and
possibly perpetuating the symptoms because
of this.
Thanks for letting me share
|
BlackLotus
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Texas
At Wits End. Posted: 03-28-06 22:50pm
For a year I suffered with chest pains.
My mother had passed away suddenly and I
found myself a collapsing one afternoon
which resulted in being rushed to the e.R.
My sister drove me and I had some sort
of seizure and she pulled over and called
911. I was rushed via ambulance at this
point. I had every heart test known to
man ran on me, resulting in a three day
stay in the cardiac unit. All of my
tests came back normal. I was sent home
with the advice of seeing a grief
counselor. I was told I wasn't "dealing
with the loss of my mother." I accepted
this. The body can do strange things.
My chest continued to hurt. Two weeks
before hurricane rita hit, I collapsed on
a friday afternoon. As soon as I could
crawl to the phone, I began to call gastro
doctors. I was able to get in the next
friday. The doctor immediately wanted to
have an upper g.I. The following monday,
I went in for the upper g.I. Very ill,
and in a lot of pain. The results were I
had a hiatal hernia in the lower third of
my esophagus. I was put on nexium and
librax for a few months. My doctor said
the hernia "wasn't bad". By december, I
had a new problem. I began to have some
serious pains on the left side, underneath
my rib cage. Since january, I have had a
cat scan, a small bowel series, and just a
few weeks ago, a colonoscopy. Every test
I have had has been "normal". All the
blood work, the small bowel series, all of
it. During all of this, i've just about
lost my mind. We have spent a small
fortune on these tests and I am still
barely able to function now because of the
severe pain. My cat scan results were
"normal" except my colon was full of
stool. I am not prescribed any pain meds
because i've had a problem with
constipation. February, I spent 80% of
the time curled up in a fetal position in
the bed. Alternating between a heating
pad and an electric blanket. A week
after my colonoscopy, my gastro Dr.
Decides to refer me to a surgeon. So
here I am, the day after my appt. With
the surgeon. Scheduled for yet another
cat scan before he can determine what is
the matter. I have been on so many drugs
for antispasmodics, reglan, you name it.
I broke down in his office. At this
point, i'm mentally and physically
exhausted. He gave me few options. One
being he could operate on the hernia, but
that it didn't seem to be bad based on the
results. I've been told I have ibs, then
told I don't. And I hurt. All of the
time. I guess I mostly wanted and needed
to vent. To find some solace, yet
sadness in the fact that there are so many
people, just like me, suffering. My gall
bladder is gone, I "might have scar
tissue". Is this it? Suffering? Not
allowed to take pain medications for this?
I feel like my life is crippled with
pain now. I can't plan anything, i've
stopped going out unless I have to and i'm
only 37. I just can't believe that this
... Is it.
|
van71
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 16
Left Side Pain-back Too? Posted: 03-29-06 10:58am
You guys are not alone, I have only had
the left side pain under my ribcage for 3
months now but it is draining and
frustrating.
Does yours radiate to your back also?
Some days are better than others, but it
is always there. Sometimes it is an ache,
sometimes it is shooting pains and
sometimes it feels like I have a golf ball
there. Food can aggrevate it, but it is
there regardless. I recently had my
gallbladder out, and that seems to have
made it worse.
I had a ton of tests done before I had gb
out (ultrasounds, catscans, bariumm xrays,
endoscope) and they cant figure it out. I
am getting worried it may be pancreas
related, but the drs are making me feel
like I am crazy....
|
misterogers
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Boston
Possible Splenal Flexure Syndrome Symptoms Posted: 04-08-06 08:47am
I am a 24 year old, fit male who has had
similar symptoms for the past 3 years:
- mild to intense pain in upper left
abdomen, just behind rib cage
- mild to intense pain on corresponding
position in my back
- when intense, pain feels as if it
penetrates through my body
- pain comes only during or after sleeping
at night
- pain comes generally with gas
- pain intensity may be higher when larger
quantity of food is eaten
- stretching and physical activity
alleviates the pain more quickly
i have not been to see a doctor about
this. From my first experiences with the
pain, I associated the pain with
lots-o-gas. At the time, I had just
moved to guinea, africa, so I associated
the increased gas with the change of diet.
However, since returning home about 9
months ago, I still have had lots-o-gas,
and a couple of nights each week the pain
returns. I'm now used to it however, so
it doesn't really affect my lifestyle.
After looking through the web pages, I
think this may be splenic flexure
syndrome. But, I can't be sure, there is
hardly any info available on the web.
If anyone has stumbled across an effective
treatment, please let us know.
|
rob44136
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 1
Re:pain Under Rib Cage Posted: 06-20-06 15:14pm
I have had sharp, knifelike pain under the
left ribcage for about 20 years, on and
off. Mainly related to eating more than
just a small amount of food, and gas. A
health food store employee got me relief.
He said it was splenic flexure syndrome,
where the bowel spasms just under the left
rib cage.
Digestive enzymes taken to prevent gas....
And peppermint oil capsules (pepogest)
to sooth the bowel and prevent spasms.
I used to get these spasms 3 times a
week.
I've been doing this enzyme/pepogest
regimen for the last 3 years. I've had
only one slightly bloated attack since.
|
KGLK
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 2
Re: Left Side Pain-back Too? Posted: 09-12-07 21:12pm
van71
wrote:
You guys are not alone, I
have only had the left side pain under my
ribcage for 3 months now but it is
draining and frustrating.
Does yours radiate to your back also?
Some days are better than others, but it
is always there. Sometimes it is an ache,
sometimes it is shooting pains and
sometimes it feels like I have a golf ball
there. Food can aggrevate it, but it is
there regardless. I recently had my
gallbladder out, and that seems to have
made it worse.
I had a ton of tests done before I had gb
out (ultrasounds, catscans, bariumm xrays,
endoscope) and they cant figure it out. I
am getting worried it may be pancreas
related, but the drs are making me feel
like I am crazy....
Please dont let anyone say you are crazy.
I got that from some, but not many. It
still hurts and adds to your fear and
anxiety. I have all the same problems for
6 years now, worse after gb out. I am
starting the GERSON therapy next wekk. It
is a wholistic treatment that basically
resets your body on a cellular level.
Since I have done just about everything
else to no avail, I will keep this site
posted on my progress, i am so praying i
can stop the pain!!! God Bless, and good
luck to you, KK
|
ninachgo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 1
Pain Under Rib Area Posted: 10-01-07 22:44pm
I had been sick for exactly one year with
pain under my rib on my right side. I
couldn't even sleep on my right side or
else it hurt even more and keep me awake.
It almost felt like I had a football
shoved under my rib and their was pressure
there it felt that way. It also radiated
to my back side. It always happened after
eating so I started loosing weight because
I was afraid to eat.
I was tested with everything under the
sun. All tests came back negative. I
found out it is celiac disease which is
kind of an allergy to gluten which is
found in flour and wheat items like bread,
pasta, etc.
Now that I do not eat those foods, I am
fine. I was also tested for celiac, but
it came back negative because I wasn't
tested until recently and I had already
stopped eating the gluten containing
foods. Needless to say, I will not
torture myself to eat that again just be
tested positive.
I do have to be careful, as any kind of
bread or crumbs can contaminate the foods
that I eat and will cause discomfort
again. I'll know right away something
happened because I will feel the
discomfort. I immediately have to review
what I ate so that I do not eat that
again.
There is lots of information on gluten
free diets now since 1 in 133 people have
this disease that is for the most part
misdiagnosed.
Good luck!
|
richy28
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 1
pain Posted: 05-10-08 05:12am
Patients in whom extensive investigations
have failed to identify the cause of
abdominal pain present a challenge to
surgeons. I have been in pain for over 8
years having 100's of tests, i am going
for a Diagnostic conscious pain mapping
laparoscopy to see if the pain can be
sorted .. i had a
laparoscopy done last year and they found
things they didn't except to find so that
says alot for all the test's i'v had done!
|
missmike
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1
pain just under the rib cage Posted: 05-16-08 13:27pm
Hi i'm new hear but found it intereting
that there are many people in my
situation. I too have had minor pain just
under my rib cage. I also have pain in my
abdomen and some bouts of heartburn.
Doctor says this is probably all related
and is sending me for a colonoscopy. He
says it sounds like Crohn's, Colitis or
Celiac disease.
|
doggirl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 1
Pain under left rib cage post partum Posted: 06-10-08 20:39pm
Hi. I'm new, and was so glad to find this
site. It has given me some relief reading
your stories, and I'm not feeling so alone
anymore. I had a baby girl in Feb 2007 via
c-section. Since then I have had digestive
problems. Every couple of months I would
have severe upper abdominal pain which
would last about a day. So bad I couldn't
get out of bed. I would also have
diarrhea. Then every few weeks I would get
this dull pain under my rib cage on the
left side. Finally went to a gi doctor who
tested me for celiac and lactose
intolerance. Tests came back positive. I
now have to have an endoscopy this week to
confirm the diagnosis. I've been reading
alot about celiac symptoms and this
particular symptom doesn't seem to exist.
I'm curious whether or not it is this
splenic flexure syndrome. I have read that
pregnancy and surgery, which I have had
both of, can trigger celiac. In any event,
I'm glad to hear that there are others out
there with similar symptoms. I was fearful
that it was something much more serious.
|
Sadgirl08
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 1
Posted: 06-27-08 22:36pm
HELLO I COULD HELP READING ALL YOUR
STORIES ON HOW MUCH EVERYONE HAS SUFFERED
ON THIS, I'M SORRY TO SAY THAT I TO SUFFER
TO THE MOST EXTREME WITH THIS. BUT I HAVE
TO SAY THAT THE PROBLEMS FOR ME ALL
STARTED WHEN MY GALL BLADDER WAS REMOVED,
AND THAT WAS IN THE YEAR 2005. THE PAIN IS
IN MY UPPER LEFT SIDE RIGHT IN MY RIB AND
THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE I CAN'T EAT I HAVE
LOST ABOUT 95IBS AND STILL GOING, I'M
AFRAID TO EAT AND THIS IS SCARY I DON'T
KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE I HAVE TRIED EVERY
TEST. MEDICINE, DOCTORS AND NOTHING. IT'S
NOT FAIR THAT WE HAVE TO LIVE THIS WAY AND
DEAL JUST DEAL WITH IT, DOCTORS NEED TO
SEARCH BETTER BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS
SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME, I HOPE EVERYONE
ELSE GETS SOME RELIEF OR ANSWERS TO THIER
QUESTIONS SOON.
|
tigator27
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 1
pain under ribs Posted: 07-02-08 08:51am
thank you all. i also suffer, as does my
80 yr. old mother. i'm 43. i was diagnosed
with haidle hernia, acid reflux, had an
endoscopy(thats where he found and
afterwards showed me the picture of my
hernia). the pain is pretty constant in my
chest i just try to blow it off and
attribute it to the gas and the food. i
can tell you what helps. while i'm working
and sweating it seems like my foods
digesting and the pain subsides for a
while then i start getting hungry and pig
out which for a little while the pain goes
away. so exercise seems to be one key. i
noticed when in the hospital after going
through the barium tests, heart tests etc.
that the bland food at the hospital made
me feel good, also not smoking probably
helped. i take prilosec because insurance
raised my nexium from $25 to $75 but
nexium was good stuff. prilosec seems to
work when i stay on it. i've also taken
prevacid, propulsid. but you gotta take
the pill every day. thats not easy
especially when your feeling good. my bro.
in law also has reflux and he was told
that your stomach will try to reproduce
itself in your chest if no treatment. not
sure what that meant. good luck and god
help us
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