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Pain/discomfort under right rib cage.

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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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  • mary97984
    mary97984 kit4410

    Posted

    I am getting an ultrasound on liver and gallbladder next week. Mine happens when I am relaxing, laying down in bed. I think my addiction to diet Mountain Dew may be part of it.
  • caroline21071
    caroline21071 kit4410

    Posted

    I posted a couple of months back to say i was cured but now my in right side is back!!!

    I'm still doing hip flexor stretches but part of me is convinced it's coming from my.kow back pain and coming round the front. At other times I feel the pain after eating so that then throws a spanner in the works and makes me.think it's still my.gallbladder or something even though my scan was clear. I've read that gallbladder oain can sometimes.mimic acid.reflux. endoscopy was normal.so it can't be my tummy.

    I'm.at a loss what to try next.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 caroline21071

      Posted

      Have a go at Kinesiology.  I have gastritis/gerd/hh and intermittent ache in the right under breast.  I mainly get cramping pain in the left.  I also developed chemical sensitivity to any smells which was a nightmare and the doc could not help me with it.  I had two sessions with a Kinesiologist and it cured it.  That was 18 months ago.  The acid reflux etc comes and goes but only because I cheat with foods!!

      I also feel better when not wearing a bra with underwire and I have read that can cause a Hiatal Hernia which I have.

      Mary - the Mountain Dew (Diet) which will have sacarine (sp) in it and that is a no no for reflux probs.  Just a thought.

      G.

    • BVS
      BVS caroline21071

      Posted

      Ask your doctor to run a Hydascan.  Mine finally ordered it after 3.5 months of other tests and such.  Found my gallbladder was almost not functional and that was the issue.  Had it removed and was so thankful to be over that issue.
  • BVS
    BVS kit4410

    Posted

    On September 1st that year the doctor ordered a Hydascan.  That test showed that my gallbladder had almost stopped working.  Days later I had my gallbladder removed and that pain went away.  It took almost 4 months until they finally ordered that test.  Since then my sister and another person I know had similar issues and thankfully my 4 months of testing payed off as they didn't have to suffer that long.  The more common issue with a gallbladder is stones, which they can see with many of the other tests, but when it stops functioning those tests don't show much.  I went through the gammet of testing before the Hydascan and since an endoscopy showed I had some ulcers in my stomach they put me on Protonix a couple times a day, but that didn't stop the pain.  I went from just over the counter stomach meds to a pretty high amount of the prescription a day.  They told me I may have to take that for the rest of my life.  Then they found that my gallbladder wasn't functioning and took away that pain.  I had a discussion with the Doctor afterwards regarding getting off the Protonix and since I hadn't been taking anything prior to the issue, he put me on amitryptiline for 2 weeks and I was back to the over the counter meds as needed.  If anyone is having issues in the same area and the ultrasound and such come back negative ask for a HYDASCAN.  So glad they finally did that test and I could get back to life.

    • Cindisu
      Cindisu BVS

      Posted

      Did you have pain, discomfort and bulging on both sides near the  rib cage area? Many of us are complaining about this pain and protruding bulge like mass that pops out just under the ribs in both sides. 
    • jduffey3
      jduffey3 Cindisu

      Posted

      Mine was just right side... feels like a first or like if a baby would kick. Only happens when liver is in distress
    • BVS
      BVS Cindisu

      Posted

      Yes, but more just on the right side of center.  It was pretty uncomfortable when I would sit with fitted clothing on.
    • david02868
      david02868 BVS

      Posted

      BVS, I am with you on the gallbladder testing. Sometimes you have to be your own doctor and make decisions! I have been dealing with the pain for several years and have been thru all the tests and they tell me nothing is pointing to removing the gallbladder but I do have stones, which I have had about 20 years with no real symptoms. Since all the tests came back stellar, I finally went back and asked for the Hydascan that you mentioned but the doc said they dont usually do it when you already have stones and that it could dislodge some and then you have to get emergency surgury. I finally decided to go see the surgean next week as they say there is nothing else there that could be causing the discomfort. If after talking with him and we are convinced it will help to remove it, I will do that!

    • david02868
      david02868

      Posted

      Update: Getting Gallbladder removed in January, will report back if it solves my discomfort.

  • jduffey3
    jduffey3 kit4410

    Posted

    I have had the same issues. My doctor told me its the liver when it's in stress. My iron Deficiency it acts up or of my irons too high which can cause the ulcers on your liver. It would be smart to get your blood work done on your deficiencies of your vitamins

    • Rothwell
      Rothwell jduffey3

      Posted

      I've had blood work done. All is good. Also 2 ultrasounds which showed nothing.

    • mary27278
      mary27278 jduffey3

      Posted

      What causes your liver to be in distress? Because my problem all started when i did a liver flush and started taking milk thistle.

      Afterward I started feeling really bloated in my liver/gallbladder area , moved to whole stomach and tightness and pain in my back.

      I have gastritis too and im wondering if its really from the gastritis. My stomach does feel inflamed.

    • margaret_53580
      margaret_53580 mary27278

      Posted

      gosh i wouldnt take any of those supplements i read about the man who took greentea supplements for 3 months an ened up with liver failure my doctor told me they cause more problem to your liver please be careful

  • Rothwell
    Rothwell kit4410

    Posted

    I'm having the same problem. My tests are good back good and ultrasound was good. Hope someone finds out something.

    • jerry77900
      jerry77900 Rothwell

      Posted

      I've found relief by taking a zantac or similar everyday. I think mine is gastritis.

    • BVS
      BVS Rothwell

      Posted

      Ask your doctor about a Hydascan.  I had WAY to many tests done when I was having this issue.  Ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopies,....  None of those tests showed that my gallbladder essentially stopped working.  I guess the only test for that is a hydascan and for some reason it isn't something they do on a regular basis.  I was in quite a bit of pain for over 4 months, had the hydascan done, and had my gallbladder removed and have had no issues since.  

    • melissa55323
      melissa55323 BVS

      Posted

      BVS, could you describe the symptoms you were having?

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