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
jayne07149 kit4410
Edited
I had the same pain for about 2-1/2 months. I've gone about 4 months now without having it (but for maybe one or two little episodes, but not daily like I had been). I've had one case of shingles in the past, about 2 years or so ago and my pain is in the area where I had the most deepest itch and pain when I was having that bout with shingles. I thought that they might be related, but I also thought IBS , hernias and other things were the culprits.
I started experiencing this pain after adoption of my grandson, selling our home and moving away and then living in an RV until our home was complete, so I thought there was correlation there and there may have been. I finally got a doctor in my new living area and my doctor believes the pain I was experiencing (charley horse types of pain that I had to rub out) and the shingles were related. When I first arrived at the doctors office and explained my symptoms the first thing the intake nurse asked me was if I had ever had shingles and the doctor also asked me the same.
I posted here in the past regarding this, before I was able to see a doctor about it, I wanted to know if anyone else had similar symptoms and I was having them pretty bad at the time.
I realize that people may be experiencing different issues, but if anyone has had shingles and experiencing this type of pain, it is possible it is from shingles. I would suggest seeing a doctor and asking about the possibility.
jduffey3 jayne07149
Posted
I haven't but I hope someone else will be able to help. prayers
kikoi jayne07149
Posted
After I had internal and external shingles, I needed surgery for MALS - it is when a ligament compresses around an artery that provides blood flow to your stomach. I also had two slipped ribs on my right side that I ended up having to have removed - they are floating ribs way down - the 11th and 12th ribs were hitting each other causing inflamation and swelling in that area - aggrevated by bending over and exercise - making it feel like someone was sitting on my right lung. see my earlier post. I saw Dr Hsu for the MALS in CT. It could just be a slipped rib - a thoracic surgeon should be able to diagnose and treat.
rhondajj jayne07149
Posted
I so get the charley horse thing and have to rub it out. I have never had shingles. I am having major digestive problems. I wonder if this could have anything to do with that.
VS8100 rhondajj
Posted
Let me know if you figure out what causes your charley horse pain. Mine is just under my right ribs close to my stomach. It only lasts about a full minute but I have to breath like I'm in labor to get through it. Always happens when I bend over or scrunch up to much.
rhondajj VS8100
Posted
yes. when I bend in an awkward position, it pops. very painful. i am going to call doctor tomorrow. I will let you know.
kikoi rhondajj
Posted
It sounds like it could be a slipped rib. It was more painful when bending over, trying to garden or exercise. My best position was laying on my back or left side. I could not lie on my right side without it causing pain and making it feel difficult to breath. I would feel pressure - like a baby was pushing up into my rib cage. If I tried to go in long car rides or flights it would really start to hurt and sometimes actually stick out. It became too painful to wear a bra or anything that was tight around my ribcage. I went from a 34b to a 38-40B - I had to buy a bra extender to be able to wear a bra when I needed to. Since my rib surgery I have been able to wear a bra, go on longer plane trips again, go to the movies again, and sit comfortably in general.
kikoi kit4410
Edited
see my earlier post
sian97030 kit4410
Posted
Ive been having similar issues and many tests have come back clear (still waiting on a few and a second ultra sound) my pain radiates though and can also be on the left and right in the centre most commonly. Im really worried about it and worried its a gym injury from weightlifting incorrectly. Car makes mine worse and talking loudly.
linda14943 kit4410
Posted
I have the same symptoms for over a year! Nobody knows anything! under the ribs is driving me crazy.
angie03099 kit4410
Posted
I have all the same syptoms except that I also have extreme fatigue, headaches, back pain at times. I don't have medical insurance! 2 years ago when I did have insurance I had blood work done and everything was normal except that my bilirubin was slightly elevated. I was also diagnosed with an eye disease that is caused by excess amounts of cortisol. Through googling I find that I self diagnose myself with an array of illnesses from thyroid issues, hiatel hernia, chronic appendicitus or liver disease. I want answers but I am also afraid that it could be bad news. Does anyone else have similar syptoms?
claudia55436 kit4410
Posted
I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms! I had my Gallbladder removed in 2009 and the symptoms just started about a year ago. I don't have diarreah, no vomiting, no fever, and my bowel movements are as normal as they get for a person without a gallbladder. There are times where I feel like there is an air bubble or balloon trapped under my right rib cage. Sitting or bending makes it worse. When I was pregnant with my first born, she was breached and her head was stuck under my ribs. This was in 2008. It feels exactly the same and I am not pregnant!I also thought my posture was not good and that was the cause. I have gotten blood work done and everything looks good. I am seeing my DR again next week but she continues to think it is just gastritis. I take omeprazole 2x a day but this time it does nothing. I am always worried! I don't enjoy life because I am so worried it can be something life threatening. Does anyone have any answers to this? Any suggestions? I am desperate for answers!
cat98697 kit4410
Edited
hello - i have the same - im 39 - and completely healthy and fit and active - mine comes and goes and have had it for about 4 years now... i was scanned 4 years ago and have a lesion on my liver but they said that it was benign and lots of people have them - but the uncomfort has come back again this month - no pain at all just uncomfortable and i need to wear a top to bed as its more supportive - havent been back to tje doctors about it for 3 years as im not in pain but thinking maybe i should
Rothwell cat98697
Posted
I still have the problem. Have had many tests and nothing shows up. So im just living with it until something else happens.
cat98697 kit4410
Posted
also had a riding accident in sept 2016 and popped 5 ribs so part of me thinks this is the cause and they have never gone back to how they should be