Pain/discomfort under right rib cage.
Posted , 412 users are following.
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
kikoi kit4410
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I had all of the above symptoms and was finally diagnosed with MALS. I had surgery last week. Dr Hsu says the surgery was a success. He found a constricted aorta to gastrointestinal tract and scarred & inflamed nerves, so he cut away the muscle and removed the nerves - the one area was bent over like a hose - especially when I was sitting position. As soon as the aorta was unconstricted, he could see the blood flow. The pain and pressure under my right rib cage is gone now. The healing process for MALS is not easy and is lengthy, but, it was a relief to finally find the problem.
Cindisu kikoi
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Here is what Wikipedia says about the symptoms of MALS:
Patients with MALS reportedly experience abdominal pain, particularly in the epigastrium, which may be associated with eating and which may result in anorexia and weight loss.The pain can be in the left or right side, but usually where the ribs meet. [1] Other signs are persistent nausea, lassitude (especially after a heavy meal) and exercise intolerance. Diarrhea is a common symptom, some experience constipation. While some experience vomiting, not everyone does. Exercise or certain postures can aggravate the symptoms. Occasionally, physical examination reveals an abdominal bruit in the mid-epigastrium.[1]
VS8100 kikoi
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With your condition did you experience the very strong "charlie horse like spasm in the same area, below the right rib, when bending over from a sitting position"? That phrase is how I found this group and it was a match to kit4410s symptoms. It's very weird, scary, and painful when it happens. Also my pain is not associated with eating. It's more of a dull pain or sensation of something being just under my right rib cage next to the stomach or where I imagine my gall bladder would be.
VS8100 kikoi
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I'm sorry... in my comment to you a few minutes ago I forgot to add that I'm happy that you found a solution to your pain and wish you a speedy recovery :-)
Cindisu VS8100
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stacey09574 Cindisu
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kikoi Cindisu
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Dr. Hsu explained that some people have the MALS anatomy their whole life and have no pain or discomfort. Many times something triggers the compression of the nerves, aorta, etc...to then interfere with your life. For me, it was Shingles. For some adults with MALS it can be an illness, injury or something that causes the ligament compression to worsen and affect your quality of life. Before Dr. Hsu would even see me, he first reviewed my tests to see if I even had the MALS anatomy and to see if my nerves were being compressed. Before surgery, I was given a block to see if I would find relief if the nerves were blocked in that area. For me, I found great relief and when the block wore off, the pain and pressure returned under my right rib cage.
After qualifying for the surgery, I made the decision to actually get the surgery because my quality of life was so drastically affected by my inability to sit for any length of time. I was unable to exercise, and had become more and more inactive. Going to the movies, taking a flight or drive longer than and hour was unbearable. I could eat, but, I found myself eating very small amounts during the day and eating mainly in the evenings. I suffered more from constipation than pain and used Miralax or Oxycleanse to help with those symptoms. My problem was mainly that the ligament was compressing nerves and blood flow to my gastrointestinal tract and I could not find relief from the pain that came with that. As soon as I had the surgery, the bulge, pressure, and pain under my right rib cage was gone. I have a long ride to full recovery, but, look forward to being active again. This may or may not be your problem, but, weight loss was also not one of my symptoms.
Cindisu kikoi
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You are describing almost exactly the same thing I experience with the exception of not being able to sit for long periods of time. Would you mind telling me where Dr. Hsu is located ?
kikoi Cindisu
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Guest stacey09574
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By any chance, are you on a particular medication? I haven't read this thread carefully, so forgive me if I'm missing some details.
The pain under the right rib cage is more like a feeling of numbness. I notice it more when I sit down, but sometimes I'll suddenly feel it while standing. I got an ultrasound done Thursday but I haven't got the results back. With that being said, I stopped noticing the pain when I ran out of my Adderall medication. I just started taking it again, so I will see if the pain returns again. Also, this is the same type of pain I felt while I was pregnant. My doctor told me I was feeling the pain then because all my organs were being mushed. I'll let you know what my ultrasound results are.
caroline21071 kit4410
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Hi it's been a few months since I posted about my similar issues with right sided pain.
My pain has now gone!! I was having issues with sore stomach acid reflux and central abdominal pain but also constant right sided Stitch like pain which never went away and was worse when I was in a sitting position and relieved when I led flat.
I had a normal gallbladder ultrasound normal pelvic scan and then I finally was referred for an endoscopy.
I think I had 2 things going on to be honest. My acid reflux or gastritis and my right sided pain which worried me the most if I'm honest.
I had no bowel symptoms which was a positive sign but this constant pain was there for 4 months and worried the hell out of me. I also had rib pain going round to my back on the flank area and oain going down my lower back into and around my hip bone. I even questioned if it were my kidneys as the pain in my waist was awful. I felt like I had to clutch my waste.
I tried all sorts for my gastritis symptoms as I could hardly eat anything without being in pain. I was completely miserable and unsociable and coupled with my anxiety about my right sided rib pain I wasn't in a good place and felt like a hypochondriac.
I cut out foods like gluten. I couldn't drink alcohol.
I finally decided to cut out milk from my several cups of tea I had every day jist to try and see what happens. During this time I also started drinking green tea Instead of normal tea and i found this easier to drink. I've now drank this ever since and don't drink black tea anymore as it now feels too strong. 2 weeks before my endoscopy I started to feel better and gradually my symptoms got less and less. By the time I had my endoscopy I felt ok and of course it came back clear!
During this time I also went to see a massage therapist to see if she could help my rib pain and back pain . I felt like someone at times was squeezing my whole rib cage and i couldn't lie on my right side together with this stitch like pain under my right ribs at the front. It hurt like mad having this therapeutic massage and i felt a bit groggy for a few days after. On my second treatment 3 weeks later she tackled the issue of my right sided rib oain at the front. She prodded around the front of me and said there is a major abdominal muscle which connects the spine all the way down to your hip. It was a deep seated muscle.. when she finally managed to locate it and gently pressed it I got the Exact pain at the front under my ribs that id been getting for months. The muscle is called the Psoas muscle. She work very gently on this to release it. I've had 2 treatments since and together with stretches for hip.flexor my pain has gone!!
I still get thenoccassional niggle so just do some hip flexor stretches and it goes away.
I'm not sure if this helps anyone bit I'm so happy I've found a.somution to both my problems. My stomach has been the best.it has been I. Years. I'm still avoiding milk in drinks and drinking green tea. I can now enjoy alcohol occasssionally without being in pain afterwards. I don't know at this point. If it's coincidence and if flare up would have got better anyway but I am.certainly not reacting to food like I was before for years on and off.
Interestingly I did a food Intolerance test recently and cows milk came out as the worst thing for me.
I'm still going to continue with therapeutic massage as it's doing me.the world of good.
Hope my story helps
trulyblessed1 kit4410
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alison242 kit4410
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Hi ive had same symptoms still have them. Had blood's s answer ct and mri currently under a physio and going again for mri I have nausea plus I can hardly breath when the lump comes our I also feel faint . Hopefully I'll get some relief when I'm diagnosed with whatever it is.
BVS alison242
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Rothwell kit4410
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jerry77900 Rothwell
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I'm still dealing with it too. I have been drinking beer again. It actually goes away when I have a few and relax. I think mine is gastritis but I'm not sure. I had 2 years of very extreme stress and think that has brought this on. Just try and relax about it and get some exercise. If it gets bad go to hospital. That's where my thinking is on it at this point.
mary97984 jerry77900
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Mine happens at night when I am laying on my back in bed watching TV. I drink a lot of diet Mountain Dew, so that may be part of it. I'm on Prilosec and hate it. They said I had GERD after endoscopy. I never had heartburn or anything. Gave me Prilosec. Took it for 3 months, than tried to stop. Got horrible heartburn. I hate taking meds. Hope you feel better.
BVS mary97984
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BVS jerry77900
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BVS Rothwell
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