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hard lump to the right of my left ribs

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For the past 7 or 8 months the bottom 3 ribs on the left side of my rib cage have been sticking out more than normal. I didn't really worry about it though, I figured it was normal for bones to grow a little differently sometimes. But a couple of months back, after poking around my ribs feeling just how different they were from the ones on the right side, I realized that I could feel something strange. I'll try and describe it.

It goes in the opposite direction of my ribs (up and down my body, in other words). It's a few inches long, probably between 2 and 3. It's rock solid. It only shows up if I've been lying on the left side of my body for about 10 minutes, otherwise you can't even feel it. When I press on it, it recedes into my body, and when I take my hand away it pops back up again. Sort of like pressing on a jar lid that pops in and out. If I push my finger down the side of it and press it against my ribs, it doesn't give at all, as previously stated it's rock solid. I've tried getting my fingers down the left side of it to get a better feel of it, but it's too close to my ribs for me to do so, and I end up just pushing it back.

I went to see a doctor about it, but he refused to let me lie on my left side for 10 minutes for it to show up. He's a busy man, as there's only one doctor in town, so it's understandable. I described it to him, and he simply said it was my spleen after dismissing everything I had to say. I find it hard to believe that it's my spleen, as I can't see why an organ would be rock solid and just come and go like that. And it seems like more than a coincidence that it's near ribs that are sticking out more than normal.

I'd like to get a second opinion, but I'd have to drive for about an hour to find another doctor, and I doubt I'll be able to find one that lets me just lie there for 10 minutes so the thing can show up anyway. Thus, it's very difficult for me to convince myself to go out and see another doctor.

Does anyone here have any idea what it could be? It doesn't cause me any physical discomfort, but it's somewhat concerning.
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replied June 29th, 2007
Supporter
Ok, no offense but it might be fatty tissue that you are noticing. But then again i think not. I'm not so sure... i wish i could look at it. I know though it can not be a spleen, i mean any organ or body part popping out is not normal.
So, since its not discomforting you i say fat.
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replied June 30th, 2007
I appreciate you trying to help, but I don't think you're correct. Firstly, it's rock solid. It seems to me that fat wouldn't be rock solid. Secondly, I'm incredibly skinny. I've actually had people think I'm one of those people who throw up to stay thin. I just can't see it being fatty tissue. I'd like to believe that's all it is though =/.
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replied July 1st, 2007
Especially eHealthy
you should go and see your doctor
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replied August 31st, 2009
Lump under rib cage
What ever it takes, go see another doctor. I felt something rock hard on my right side just below my rib cage and first got an ultrasound, and they indicated it might be cancer. After getting really sick and almost unable to walk, I was admitted to emergency room, they kept me and 4 days later they diagnosed me with lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, and I went thru chemo, and doing much better now. Don't every stop until you get a decent answer..cuz you know your body, and what you are feeling is not normal...God Bless
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replied December 22nd, 2010
When I was 13 I had exploratory surgery on my stomach below my rib cage on the left side, because I had something that would pop out everytime I would laugh or use my stomach muscules. They took out my - and excuse me for not being medically knowledgable, but they took out my thing that is right in the middle of your rib cages at the top, where if you did the hymlick remover and broke it, it could do real damage. That didn't work and I went about 10 years with it until I had another surgery and the doctors took out a "floating rib". They say I was born with my insides alittle lop sided. Stomach muscles that have not formed all the way. I still have this thing that pops out evrytime I laugh and use my muscles in my stomach. I now have a rock hard bump that came out that is right below my left rib cage and waiting to get into the doctor. I understand what you are going through and I think that you should go to a doctor. You know your body and if you think that there is something wrong then there is.
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