constant pain under the ribs (on the right side ..in the back)

Posted , 236 users are following.

I am experiencing this pain under my ribs, on the right side and more towards my back than in the front..for about three months now and I have to take Ibuprofen almost every day

This pain is just annoying as its not as bad to prevent me from moving or do stuff, but it is very upsetting to have to endure it every day.

I am 29 years old (woman).

I went to the doctor first in February when he tested my blood. The result came back normal (he said he tested for infections). After that I went again and he gave me an X-ray in my abdominal area..well that one came back normal too.

Now, last week (30th of May) he said he would send me through the post a form or something like that.. to go with it and have an ultrasound. I waited now a week and I cant wait to receive it already as I want to see if they will see something at the Echo scan.

I would have wanted the ultrasound taken first if you ask me..as I suspect it might be something like a kidney stone..or something like that..?

I only have this pain in my back, somewhere under my ribs (and on the right side), only when I stand.

I feel better when sitting down or lying. I am thankful for that at least..I suppose it could be worse ..so I get some break from this.

The doctor as I see him is clueless and he said that if we don't find anything after all these tests..he might just blame it on a muscle that was pulled or something..

I mean..this is ridiculous as basically it would be just a guess..even leaving it like that..

what if in time it affects me more with some other consequences?

I am very concerned already and tired with this pain.

Please I would like to know your opinions about this.

I must add that I have no other symptoms..no swellings or other problems. Just this pain every day and is constant and annoying and I just want to know what it is already to treat it and get over with my life.

32 likes, 305 replies

305 Replies

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  • Posted

    Have them check for Sjorgrens Syndrom. 
  • Posted

    I got pain in right side ribs can you say solution
  • Posted

    My aunt had pain in lowerror back,she thought she was passing stones. Long story short, her son found her lying on floor,ambulance took her away. Did many test,one was that she ended up with toxic shock in her blood stream all due from a bladder infection that should have been treated had she known thats what was wrong. She passed away due to bladder infection,something we women can get often.
    • Posted

      Oh my Goodness ! So sorry to hear this.
    • Posted

      There is one called Discitis, from undetected urninary tract infection.  The shooting pains through the frontal groin area and even down the legs as well as feeling the pain in the ribs we're talking about.  The undetected urinary tract infectrion can get into your spine and get really infected.  If you have symptoms like that and especially if you are losing a lot weight, get a body scan to check into it if the tests offer no results and the pain is really terrible.

  • Posted

    The pain under my right rib is GONE! :D

    After countless tests all showing no reason for the pain, a CT of my abdomen and pelvis with contract discovered the culprit: "Chronic Fatty Replacement of the Pancreatic Head." My doctor prescribed Creon to compensate for the pancreatic insufficiency and I've had no problem since.

    I started taking Creon two months ago and it has changed my life so much! I am supposed to take it with each meal but I found out that I only need it if the meal includes meat.

    Now if I press on the area I can still feel some tenderness but I no longer have that feeling of a knot under my right rib. Since there is a bit of tenderness there I'm seeing an Endocrinologist to see if there is anything that needs further attention, just to be sure.

    I don't know if this information will help anyone else who is struggling with this, but since this has helped me so much I felt I should share it. smile

     

  • Posted

    I've just read your post from more than a year ago and I'm really curious how you're doing now. I've had this same exact pain for at least ten years now, always worse when standing. I also fell flat on my chest a few years ago for no apparent reason and not sure if it was related to all the pain. I've complained to many doctors, and had CT scan. Nothing is ever found but the pain can be debilitating when standing sometimes. I just wonder if anyone has ever figured this out or if I'm stuck with it for the rest of my life???

  • Posted

    Hi everybody,

    It's been a while since I wrote anything in here as I was very busy.. I have had a baby in the meantime. My son is now 13 months old smile

    The pain under my ribs is gone for a long while now. To be honest I definitely think is related to stress!

    As each time I feel really stressed combined with tired as well this paIn comes back!

    So if you guys checked everything else and the pain it's still there it might be stress and tiredness or even a pulled muscle .. Just try and observe yourselves when you feel stressed if you have the pain.

    It might be something to consider. I mean nowadays who isn't stressed? Especially if you might not find enough pokemons biggrin (joke)

    Hope this helps someone.

  • Posted

    Hello all I'm 51 with the same problem... I've had pancreatitis in the past I have no gallbladder,

    But I still have the problem of the pain on the right side under ribs ...and the doctor don't know why,

    I they called it everything from a kidney infection to diverticulitis are just gas in the system....

    I've went to three G.I doctors ...this latest thinks it might be cancer...but not for sure....

    So its seems to happen to a lot of people so it seems...I've had these pains for about 10 yes now.!!

    So I guess its just something we are going to have to live with.!! Unfortunately

    • Posted

      Maybe you don't have to live with this! I had the identical problem plus chronic vomiting for about 4 years. After several GI exams came out "normal" I noticed a comment on the bottom of one report about "chronic fatty replacemnement of the pancreatic head" (or similar wording - I can't find the report right now). I showed this to my doctor and he prescribed "Creon" to compensate for any lack of pancreatic enzymes - and Voila! The pain was GONE!:D

      The pain under my right ribs had gradually built up from a minor annoyance to totally affecting my quality of life. Someone suggested that lying on my left side in a fetal position (knees to chest) after eating might help alleviate the pain, which it did help for awhile, but eventually even lying down in a fetal position didn't help any more. And the vomiting was getting worse and worse until finally I was living on liquids (I couldn't even keep baby food down). By April of this year (2016) my BMI was down to 14 and I was becoming totally non-functional. In fact, I learned later that everyone in the family assumed I was near death. sad

      The medical profession couldn't find any reason for pain or the vomiting, and assumed it was all "in my head" - like I was doing it for attention or maybe I had some kind of eating disorder. But as soon as I started on Creon not only did the pain stop but the vomiting also stopped! I slowly tried eating various foods and no vomiting - and now I can eat ANYTHING! And my BMI is up to 20.5 - in the "normal" range! In fact, I've actually started eating smaller portions to avoid gaining too much weight too fast.

    • Posted

      oh my goodness I noticed after I posted this that it repeated three times. I know I'm having some computer problems but I sure didn't do this on purpose. If the moderators catch it before it is disrtibuted please don't delete the entire post just the repetitions, ok? Because I think this is important information for those suffering with this pain.

    • Posted

      Similar issue here, Jmw... Had my gallbladder removed after a severe pancreatitis attack. Immediately after and up to this point, 18 months later, i have pain in the ride side right under the ribs. 

      I went back to my surgeon twice. The second time the partner surgeon wasn't happy to see me back. He assured me in an arrogant way, that my pain was NOTHING and to basically get on with my life. He added, we might have nicked something during your gallbladder surgery. That's a rib that's bothering you. It will go away.. To this day, it comes and goes. When it acts up, I worry, but for the most part, it's a nuisance and one more thing to worry about.

      Take care..

  • Posted

    I know your post is over a year old now but was it ever found out what was wrong with you having pains side of body?.

    I been dealing with much the same thing now for over week not sure what it could be hoping that it's nothing serious...I know that for 4 months now been using walker that could have something to do with it but not sure.

  • Posted

    Hi Geox

    Just wondering if your pain ever came back? I have the sam issue. Horrible pain under the back right rib cage. About half way down my back. The only thing that helps is to lie down flat.

    I don't want to run from Doc to Doc to try to figure this out so I thought I would ask your advice on this one.

    I'm a 54 year old male in otherwise good health. Nothing really sets it off like eating or exercise. Just constant pain.

    Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

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