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

Posted , 236 users are following.

Geox
Geox

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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  • sharon2216
    sharon2216 Geox

    Posted

    I had that same pain for over a year. Got the blood tests, x rays and ultrasounds but never found anything either until my doctor done tests for liver enzymes and found out that the levels were high and I had something called PBC which is a liver disease which is controlled by tablets. I have the bloating so I eat small but regular, after drinking any alcohol I do feel more pain in my side (right) constantly tired and itchy skin!! It's a hard thing to diagnose but ask about it because it's better to get it diagnosed sooner rather than later. I don't drink much now but do try and drink more water than I used to. Good luck and hopefully you all get to the bottom of your pain.
  • kristi1234
    kristi1234 Geox

    Posted

    2 months ago I went into the ER with extreme flank/side pain, a fever, fatigue, and a general feeling of being unwell.  They found that I had a ureter obstruction that lead to hydronephrosis and kidney infection. Now, two months later I still have constant pain. My urologist thinks my kidney and ureter are still swollen.  My family doctor has ordered a full blood work up and an abdominal ultrasound.  Doc said if ureter and/or kidney are swollen, it can cause severe pain. 

     

    • Runner42
      Runner42 kristi1234

      Posted

      I can truly understand your frustration. I too, had my ureter inflammed and it felt as though I had appenditis. I had blood in my urine, inflammed urter and my kidney the renal pelvis was inflammed. I still have the same pain off and on and I've also had gallbladder issues which I'm having my gallbladder removed this Wednesday.I was told by several doctors because I have gotten multiple opinions before going into another surgery, that the galballber can cause many issues especially inflammation all through the adbominal cavity. Not sure if you have other issues but when indout if you feel you need a second opinion, please do not hesitate, it's always better to be proactive in your health decisions, it's your body and only you know how you feel and I can asure you I have had doctors in the past tell me I was having anixety and I needed to calm down, which he was absoluately incorrect and gave me wrong advise which led me after almost two years of agony landing me into a major hip surgery all because two doctors didn't listen or hear me and the third saved my hip after discovering a severe labral tear hanging off the bone with steel anchors to hold it back in place and having my femoral neck shaved down (Cam impignment) not to mention earlier my left hip was fractured (femoral neck) after visits after visits, basicly I was told I was to young to have any hip fracture and I was physically fit to have these problems, well they were wrong, I demanded an MRI and sure enough revealed my left femoral neck was fractured and he was shocked. I made it clear to him, he needs to hear his patients. Doctors are not always correct and as a nursing student (I'm 42), I've seen alot so far and been thru a lot, I have great respect for them, however, i have a problem with them not listening to patients and making sure they have done everything within their speciality to solve the problems and if they cannot they should be referring to another doctor. My thoughts....however, I wish you the best of luck!

       

  • ashley07017
    ashley07017 Geox

    Posted

    I had the same kind of problems.I thought gallbladder as no one in my family has their gallbladder anymore including extended family. I had pain on my side that radiated to my back on the right side right around the under part of the rib cage, I had digestive problems, and acid reflux. went to doctor after doctor and one had me do whats called a hida scan. When they said It was normal I wanted to know what the result was exactly. The normal ranges on some things are stupid. They told me my hida scan showed an ejection fraction of 90% and ejection fraction means how fast your gallbladder works. Anything over 35% is normal they said. That's one heck of a jump. I set out to find people on the internet like me who had gallbladder problems with a high ejection fraction. I found allot. I also found studdies from some major medical colleges that show major benefits from removing the gallbladder when the person has an ejection fraction above 70%. Of course when I told my doctor this he laughed in my face before getting angry. The whole do you have a PhD? Yea didn't think So.the only advice I can give you is do some research Don't stop until you find some one willing to help you. There are many people who have problems just like this who experience a significant drop in symptoms or end up with no symptoms from surgery. I'm in the process of meeting with a surgeon. Hopefully that goes well.
    • Becka35
      Becka35 ashley07017

      Posted

      Where was your stomach pain all located did you have any pain under the sternum area or around belly button?
  • kristen720
    kristen720 Geox

    Posted

    I've had very similar symptoms for almost 4 years now. My symptoms are sporadic and in the front, side and back on my right side, just at the bottom of my rib cage. Nothing makes it better or worse, standing, sitting, laying, it all hurts the same..

    I had my gallbladder removed about 3 years ago and I was hoping that was the issue, but it still exists. I'm starting to wonder if there are gallstones left behind and that's the explanation for the pain I'm having..

    Both of my children were huge babies, so my previous doctor blames that. Stating that I may have a fractured rib. Although, wouldn't that heal itself with time???

    No idea what is causing this uncomfortable pain, but I know I'm determined to figure it out!

    I hope you've gotten some insight as to what you've been feeling. If you find anything out, please share!!

  • jo69734
    jo69734 Geox

    Posted

    I also have the same symptoms. I am a nearly 52 year old female and have had this problem since Xmas 2014. I was first diagnosed with IBS then Dr thought it was kydney stones and I had blood tests - all normal. Then I had a scan and found to have a gall stone. Due to slight irritation in my front right side I have had the gall stone removed and still now 4 weeks later I have the pain in my side. Before I had the gall stone removed my bloods were tested to ensure kydney and liver were functioning ok - they were. Most recently I saw the Dr who said it is muscle sprain. I work in an office! However I was prescribed 10% Ibuprofen gel - not working. I was taking 8 Buscopan tablets a day for muscle cramps and have managed to reduce it to 2 a day but still the pain. I am presently trying the 'FODMAP diet' and eating only low FODMAP foods. I am not sure how long to try this but the pain is still there. I may have IBS but obviously so far nothing has really helped. I have spent a fortune on prescriptions and the Buscopan is only prescribed a week at a time so not a long term solution. I have had a colonoscopy and was tacacardic and cramped up at one stage but apparently that has nothin to do with it. I believe it is something to do with the large intestine but maybe it is an irritant that will always be there. It is so frustrating and if only we could find something that could cure it for good!
  • chaas001
    chaas001 Geox

    Posted

    I have had this same pain for 4 years now. I'm 28 a female and the pain it has become such an annoyance. I have cut things out of my diet tried exercise, drank more water, nothing takes this pain away. It's the same pain under my rib on the right side and around to my back on the right side. I have been to my family practice, the ER, the urologist, gastroenterologist, I had MRIs, ultrasound, colonoscopy,blood work. The doctors can't find anything wrong. I FEEL PAIN!!! and they can't tell me answers. I want my life back... please if anyone can help please write me back.
  • kit4410
    kit4410 Geox

    Posted

    I have been searching the web trying to find an answer to what this is, I recently found someone who said they had the same issue and their doctor diagnosed them with Hepatic flexure syndrome.  Maybe this is the answer.  http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-hepatic-flexure.htm
    • jo69734
      jo69734 kit4410

      Posted

      I have been doing the FODMAP diet eating low FODMAP foods for nearly 3 weeks and it seems to be helping me. I think the hepatic flexure may be my problem although I had my gall bladder and Stone removed 5 weeks ago and it could just be healing. Time to try and re-introduce high FODMAP foods to see if I am ok with it now but slowly and gradually!
  • john58105
    john58105 Geox

    Posted

    Up your Dr.  I changed physicians because my original Dr. decided to close his office and work at the hosipital ER.  I elected to go to my wifes Dr. knowing he was bad about changing medications.  I went in for my first visit and sure enough, he told me he was going to take me off all the medications I had been taking.  I told him "No, your not".  He said "Yes, I am".  I said "No, you're not".  He said "Why?"  I said "YOU'RE FIRED."  Keep in mind it is your health, your body and your say so.   If he/she doesn't like it, fire them.  They have NO hold on you.  Go get a Dr. that will find what is wrong with you.  I'd rather get them mad than hurt for several years or worse, die.  They’ll get over it, you might not.  Good luck.
  • mxlaren
    mxlaren Geox

    Posted

    I am a 40 year old male and have had these exact symptoms for about a 1.5 years. The pain comes for a about a week or 2 and then subsides. When the pain is at its least, the best I can describe it is a small stitch like you get from running. When at its worst, it feels like someone has punched me in the back on the right side and a severe stitch under my ribs. The pain does seem to move a bit and can feel it lower down on my right flank. I do also prefer to sleep on my right. If I lie on my left, it seems to squash the right area. Someone in here mentioned an enlarged kidney and that is what it feels like. I feel like I have an organ that is too big for my ribs. I have had blood and urine tests and they came back all good. Please keep the post going as I am glad to see people with the same issue.

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