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Pain/discomfort under right rib cage.

Posted , 412 users are following.

kit4410
kit4410

I have been experiencing this for the last few months, I have been searching the web looking for answers.  I am a 45 year old female, in good health, I take no medications, thin, active, I eat healthy, so I am at a loss. I have this feeling like there is something under my right rib cage as if something is stuck underneath or enlarged. At first I thought I had strained a muscle b/c I had been working out in the yard the day before it started. It doesn't hurt, it just feels like there is something there that shouldn't be but when I touch the area there is no swelling or bulge. After about 3-4 weeks when it wasn't going away I went to see my doctor. They did blood work, urine labs and sent me for an ultrasound of gallbladder, all came back normal. I have no other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. just this feeling like something is there. It seemed to go away on it's own and then came back and has come and gone since sometimes lasting a few days, sometimes a few weeks. When it is back wearing a bra is uncomfortable. Sometimes there is a warmth or burning sensation in the area. The only other symptoms I have had that I think are related are these: A few months before this started I experienced a fluttering sensation, almost like when I was pregnant and the baby moved, in the same location, a couple of times. Since this has started, on 3 or 4 different occasions, I have experienced a charlie horse like spasm in the same area, below the right rib, when bending over from a sitting position. Does anyone have any answers as to what this might be?  Does it sound like IBS? Peptic Ulcer? Hiatal Hernia?  

30 likes, 688 replies

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  • AksNona
    AksNona kit4410

    Posted

    Hi

    sorry I haven't been on here for awhile and just saw ur msg,.....

    Ur symptoms sound just like mine... they had done blood work on me and it didn't show anything but I kept Complaining that something wasn't right so they sent me for an ultrasound. ... and I am now scheduled for my gall bladder to b removed... I don't know y the blood work didn't show anything but I just had to go with what I was feeling and I knew there was something wrong.... so go with what ur body is telling u ..if it isn't ur gall bladder it could b a hernia, that needs to be taken care of... an ultrasound of the upper body cavity should shed light on ur problem... either way I would ask for more testing....keep us updated... Good luck & God bless J'me

  • steph40713
    steph40713 kit4410

    Posted

    Found this discussion in searching my symptoms so glad I have found others with similar symptoms. Please keep updating information, I recently found out I was severely hypothyroid.  I had many symptoms over the last two years that I just chalked up to age, I am 40. I finally went in when I felt the bulge under my right rib cage it really scared me.  I have been on generic synthroid for about three months and feel like a new person, but still have that daily bulge!  I feel like a crazy person and just wanted to add maybe what I have was secondary to my thyriod problem incase you had not had your thyriod levels checked.  I have realized I am not dying and will continue to mention the bulge at bloodwork appointments.  

    Thanks again and goodluck with your surgery.

    • Boubou
      Boubou steph40713

      Posted

      Did you get an answer about the bulge feeling?

  • tana71258
    tana71258 kit4410

    Edited

    Well I just wanted to say, I have been experiencing the same problems. In January of this year I had a severe cold found myself coughing a lot. During this time I started feeling something under my right rib area that shouldn't be there. Although I couldn't feel nothing when I would touch the area.... My stomach bloats out at times and then I get a sensation like cold tingly feeling across my diaphragm area. Also when I eat fruit and instantly begin to swallow, I get a sensation in my lower right area of my stomach. So I went to a doctor, they did an ultrasound on me and found nothing. I went to another doctor he ordered me to go in and get a colonoscopy, and a scope put down my esophagus to check to see what was going on. The gastronologist said I have slight diverticulitis symptoms. I had inflammation in my esophagus, due to a slight chance of food allergies, some erosion in my esophagus and a hiatal hernia. They told me to take Zantac twice a day. They didn't go over diet with me or nothing just threw me pills! I have never had heartburn in my life, so it kind of threw me off that they wanted me to take antacid pills. When I started taking antacids....I started getting heartburn.... so I went to another doctor they did a CT scan, blood work, and took x-rays, and found nothing! So right now I am wondering why I'm taking allergy pills, and now I'm on Prilosec but I'm still having the sensations in my stomach and the feeling under my right rib and no one can help me:-(does anybody have any prognosis as to what the feeling under the right rib could be? Could it be the hiatal hernia off to the right side? One of my doctors says the hiatal hernia would be right directly under your diaphragm.... I feel like a hypochondriac and just want some answers....

    • BVS
      BVS tana71258

      Edited

      Ask for a HYDASCAN. I went through several months with a pain under my ribs on my right side. Had all the tests mentioned in the string and one I didn't see. There is a test called a hydascan. With this test they found my gallbladder actually had essentially almost stopped working. A week later it was taken out and I was better. So ask for a hydascan if they haven't found anything with the normal tests. Sister and a friend had the same and both only had to suffer for under a month as I recommended the test and they also had theirs removed as they had similar results.

    • louise57001
      louise57001 tana71258

      Posted

      Hi 

      I too have a hiatal hernia & have all the same symptoms. Apple Cider Vinegar has definitely helped . I was given Lansoprazole for Reflux but stopped taking it in August . It didn’t return this time . I do find it all quite scary as it really feels look kevthere is something on my right side . I used to get great discomfort & bloating after eating certain things but it has all ceased since taking the vinegar ! 

    • Boubou
      Boubou louise57001

      Posted

      Did the hital hernia cause pain under right rib below the rib? feeling of something there?

  • Tracypo
    Tracypo kit4410

    Posted

    Hi Kit4410 I have had this for a few years is it in the left side of the top of the stomach under the ribs if so it is servere constipation you need to take stool softeners best to get prescribed ones from yr doctor.

  • ana28473
    ana28473 kit4410

    Posted

    I have had these same symptoms for several months. Everything checked out fine but I have a lesion on my liver. MRI scheduled for next week.

    Anyone receive a conclusive diagnosis?

    Good luck!

  • Ladydi205
    Ladydi205 kit4410

    Edited

    Hello, I have the Same issue some times the pressure is there even if I'm laying flat on my back... And yes for those of us that have been blessed to have children.... It feels like the ninth month baby's head in the ribs trying to stand up... I do have complex cyst on my liver and my kidneys that are small so Dr says that is not the cause so if anyone gets a definitive answer please share... Thank you!

    • vanessa66568
      vanessa66568 Ladydi205

      Edited

      I have the same issue, pain under the right upper rib cage so severe I feel like I'm going to pass out! Went to see GP he said gallbladder most likely had an ultrasound & blood test everything is normal. Later that night I was rushed to the ER for the pain, had CT scan and again normal. Went back to my GP the next day & he admitted me to the hospital, they did a HIDA scan my GB was functioning at 10% so they took it out. The surgeon told my family that the gallbladder looked great once they had it out & he doubts that was the problem. 3 weeks post op & I'm still in the same pain feels like when your pregnant & the babies foot gets stuck in your ribs. I'm so frustrated because now I have more issues nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and not eating. I just had a CT scan with contrast and that came back normal too, I have an upper GI scheduled next week & hoping for answers. I can't sit or bend over without feeling like something is going to burst under my ribs

    • Mosesna
      Mosesna vanessa66568

      Edited

      I have the exact same feeling and symtoms. Pressure under right rib cage. I also have severe cramps in that area. I feel as if I have a small golf ball stuck under my ribs. 
    • angie20011
      angie20011 vanessa66568

      Posted

      Vanessa66568 - have you found out any answers? I’ve described my pain in my ribs the same way - feels like you’re pregnant and the baby’s foot is in your ribs. It first started happening after I had kidney stones and I had to have one removed that was stuck. I’ve been told that my kidneys function normally, but my right kidney is slightly enlarged. I’ve had CT scans, ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds, and I don’t have my gallbladder. I’ve also tried the chiropractor. I haven’t had issues since losing 35 lbs until yesterday. Ive been nauseous and vomiting and feel like I have the flu, but after reading this thread I’m thinking it might be something else. I’m curious what you have found out from the other tests you had done. 
    • louise57001
      louise57001 vanessa66568

      Posted

      Hi , mine seems to be getting worse this week , it’s really worrying me now . I seem to be getting stomach pain with it too . I wish we could get to the bottom of it!
    • dianelynne55
      dianelynne55 angie20011

      Posted

      Hi Angie, I found this tread tonight as I lay in bed feeling like an alien is trying to bust out of my right rib cage. I can so relate to most everyone’s symptoms on here but I thought I’d respond to you because yours was the newest post. Your symptoms are so much like mine. It does feel like when I was pregnant and my baby was pushing against my ribs. I also have all the Charlie horse like catches in that area. And tonight I just feel sick. I’ve dealt with this off and on for years but this time it’s lasted for about 3 months with different degrees of pressure. Tonight’s was the worst. My dr did a urine test-normal and liver function test-normal. I go in this Friday February 16th for a Ct scan with contrast. I had my gallbladder out in 1998 so I know it’s not that. I have sjogrens and deal with reflux off and on but usuall my daily prescribed Prilosec takes care of that. But tonight I’ve had heartburn along with all this pressure. So I’m not sure what it is and after reading this whole thread, I don’t feel hopeful I’ll find out. I have been gluten free for years which really helped with stomach issues and reflux. I just recently stopped consuming dairy to see if that would help but so far no. So anyways I’d like to find answers so please keep me updated on how you are doing. 
    • jayde21148
      jayde21148 dianelynne55

      Posted

      How did your CT scan go? Did they find anything? I’m currently experiencing the same pain, although I have had my gall bladder removed and was told I have a hiatus hernia last year. A home visit dr just came out and told me that I’ve pulled a muscle from coughing (I’m seriously not even coughing much!) this is day 4 now and I also have loose BM.
    • robbo123
      robbo123 dianelynne55

      Posted

      I too have these problems have paid to see two gastroenterologists who say its I BS Next move is scan I haven't got symptoms all the time but I have the pain everyday Just taken co codimal second lot tonight

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 robbo123

      Posted

      Hi robbo, do  you actually have IBS and its symptoms.  Docs seem to home in on saying that if they are not sure what it is.

      G.

    • dianelynne55
      dianelynne55 jayde21148

      Posted

      Hi jayde21148,

      Sorry I didn’t respond right away. The ct scan was normal. Which is great. So after ruling out any visible problems in my gut area, I’m assuming I have IBS. I guess there’s no test for that so they rule out anything else. So after reading forums of people with IBS I see that same complaint on there. Discomfort in the right rib area. At the moment that pressure is gone. It has always come and gone for years but this last time it just lasted for weeks. So now I need to work on my diet to control the symptoms of IBS. 

    • liz_61750
      liz_61750 vanessa66568

      Posted

      I’ve got the same thing.  For 5 years now. Had every test done under the sun. And no answers! 
    • ruth51056
      ruth51056 liz_61750

      Posted

      Hi liz. What scans have you had? Ive had it over 7 years.
    • mary27278
      mary27278 angie20011

      Posted

      Angie just reading your post if you dont mind me asking how old are you?
    • Boubou
      Boubou Mosesna

      Posted

      same here/ did you get tests, answers?

    • Boubou
      Boubou louise57001

      Posted

      Same here, what everyone here saying. Pain under right rib cage, feeling of something in there, muscle spasm between rib, awful! One night, I felt the pain in the back as well, that worried me even more, that was a new feeling. Gallblader out years ago. I've had these pains for many years but it was mild, then the muscle spasms in right ribs, now the back and gassy. diaharea. When straining in bathroom, feels like a kink in there. Going to see doctor. Have you found anything out ?

    • mary27278
      mary27278 dianelynne55

      Posted

      Hi Dianelynne55 How have you been coming along with this issue? Did you find out the cause? I'm having the same issue, the pressure feel on the right, was it diffiult to lay on your right side?

    • Boubou
      Boubou mary27278

      Posted

      Mary27278 Hi, have you had any tests done for this? what other pain/discomfort do you have?

      mine has been a small pinch under right rib where gallblader was but removed several years ago before any of this started. Seemed to happen after drinking too much but it always went away. Was seeing a gastro surgeon for something else back then when I mentioned it and he dismissed me saying it's another issue, would need another consult. Took images of liver and was fine then. Since, the other thing was the charlie horse cramps I feel between ribs, not all the time, but streching got the kinks out. Now I feel like something pressing in there but not all the time. I have IBS as well. Waiting for Dr consult to check. Laying on my side doesn't hurt. Pain/discomfort comes and goes.

    • kikoi
      kikoi Ladydi205

      Posted

      I was diagnosed with slipped rib syndrome. After trying PT, chiropractic care and injections, I finally had surgery removing two ribs on my right side and one on mt left side. When they went in they found the two on the right side were actually hitting each other - causing inflamation and fluid build up on the right side. I am finally able to sit for longer periods again - go to the movies, take road trips and longer flights! The surgery was in August and I still feel the need to wear a support brace around my ribcage as I am still trying to strengthen the muscles around my rib cage to avoid additional slipped ribs.

    • kikoi
      kikoi

      Posted

      Before surgery, I could not lie on my right side, found it difficult to breathe at times, could not sit without swelling and discomfort, could not exercise, had increased inflamation and discomfort when bending over, had the feeling like when I was pregnant and my baby's foot or part of their body would be up in my rib cage. I would recommend seeing a thoracic surgeon, chiropractor, or rib/pain specialist in your area for diagnosis.

    • dana1071
      dana1071 mary27278

      Posted

      look up "slipped rib" also user "kikoi" her story sounds a lot like mine and a lot of others on here. Good luck.

    • dana1071
      dana1071 ruth51056

      Posted

      look up "slipped rib" also user "kikoi" her story sounds a lot like mine and a lot of others on here. Good luck.

    • karen57329
      karen57329 vanessa66568

      Posted

      I’m not sure if you were still following this blog. I’m just wondering if you have any updates or if your symptoms have gone away?

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