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?  

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  • Posted

    So last night I was sitting here watching a movie leaning back a bit and I could feel the pressure building and the pain intensifying.... Probably the worst it's ever been. Took my breath away and made me nauseous. And this all came on in a matter of minutes. And they I felt this strange sensation like something moved inside of me and the pain and pressure was almost gone... Anyone?

  • Edited

    Ever got any answers?  Similar to me
    • Posted

      Never.... I'm a 51 year old female with no uterus I still have both ovaries. I know it's impossible for me to be pregnant. I have had ultrasound cat scan mri... I have small complex cyst on my liver and cyst on both kidney.. But nothing to explain this feeling.... It really feels like when I was pregnant and the baby would get up under my rib... However the pain and pressure is magnified by 10....and sometimes I swear I can even feel something move... This started about a year ago and is progressively getting worse

    • Posted

      It seems so bizarre to me that so many of us have similar symptoms, but  very few have had clear diagnosis of the problem. Several of us, including me, have mentioned it feeling like a baby kicking. Are we all females? Wondering if it could be a reproductive organ issue. 
    • Edited

      I don't see any correlation with reproductive organs just because they are positioned so low in our pelvic area and the issue is so high up by the diaphragm. I have read some post from men as well so it does not seem to be gender specific. I'm at a loss. However I do plan on sharing this group discussion with my Gastrointerologist. It IS NOT my imagination!

    • Posted

      can't be reproductive organs, I've had a full hysterectomy.

      I need to get more tests but I can say I've had these pains and muscle spasms etc for years. Gallbladder removed before any of these pains.

      If nothing comes back, I wonder if it would be from my thoracic spine T5-T6 bone spur pressing on spinal cord (seen on MRI), or IBS, or adhesions from scar tissues from the surgeries? when straining for BM, I also feel a twist in there

  • Posted

    I have the exact symptoms as Kit.  Have had them for 3 years.  Mine started with the fluttering sensation when I would laugh hard or bend over. Then it started feeling tender after eating a large meal, the same as i felt when pregnant like a pressure causing the soreness. But not painful. Now I feel some soreness in my back occasionally on the same right side. I don't really have the fluttering anymore but the past couple of weeks when I twist or bend a certain way  or slouch down the exact same spot will have a burning or stinging sensation that just lasts a few seconds.   I had bloodwork and ultrasound about a year ago and they didn't find anything. I am not overweight but I do have a desk job so I sit alot. I do exercise almost everyday.... walking, treadmill, elliptical and a recumbant bike. I have wondered if it has to do with my posture sitting at desk on computer. I do sort of lean to the right side using the mouse.  Or maybe hormones? I am 50.  

    • Posted

      I blame a lot of things on meno - i'm 60 and have been suffering with menopause for over 10 yrs.  I try to exercise as much as I can also and my PT person thinks this is scoliosis and bad posture for many yrs.  many yrs at a deskjob also.  I still don't know what I have.

  • Posted

    So I found this thread and want to say I have the same problems and tried talking to my doctor about it, but he said it was nothing.  I just tried to some ab workouts and I feel a tightness and pain as if something is tearing on my right rib.  There almost feels like a constant tightness on the right side.  The doctor checked my gallbladder and liver through ultrasound and found nothing.  I don't know what to do and I want to workout, but not if it will keep causing this pain sad  Anyone have any ideas?

  • Posted

    Has anyone found out what’s causing this pressure. I see a lot of us have the same conditions and have had the same test. But has anyone found the relief for it. Planning on gallbladder surgery soon. They have not even though they have not found anything wrong with it. Look forward to hearing. Thank you 
    • Posted

      I have been taking a Zantac 150 twice a day. Morning and about an hour before bedtime. It has helped me tremendously. I still occasionally feel a little twinge if I eat a large meal. 
    • Posted

      Please do not have your gallbladder removed unless you are positive it is non-functioning.  You'll have more problems, if you do.  I have not seen an answer to the issues the people on this forum are having.  I have had it for almost 10 years.  It started as a stabbing pain when I bent over to tie my shoes.  It has now moved on to a terrible muscle spasm that is relieved by standing up as straight as I can and trying to relax.  I definitely believe it is positional (any type of bending wrong at the waist) and I try my best to not do anything that puts me into that position.  I guess you would call it "guarded."  First doctor thought it was a floating rib, the second thought it was my gallbladder.  I'm not sure what it is, other than it's painful.  I now eat better sticking to light meals of fruits, vegetables and lean meat.  I do my best not to overindulge because it worsens the problem, in my experience.  It probably isn't life threatening since I have dealt with it for so long.  Good Luck!

    • Posted

      Exactly what I have heard.  Even if it's low functioning best not to have it out unless it's really bad.  I don't want mine out.  I haven't had a hida scan yet.  I still have a feeling this is my thoracic spine - I get pain back there and in ribs in front.  I don't eat a lot of fat either.

    • Posted

      I have seen a chiropractor and had my spine checked it seems to be fine. I may get a u s abdominal complete to see if any growths. I’m looking into that now. 
    • Posted

      I did the ultrasound a couple times now since this started 2 yrs ago i'd like to find a good ortho doc.  I've had a PT person and a chiro tell me I have scoliosis and my rib cage is twisted.

    • Posted

      Dear cindy

      What problems would you likely to have after removal? I had mine out thirteen years ago with (hopefully) no problems so far. For me it was the only way forward to rid of the discomfort.

    • Posted

      I have had the exact symptoms for the past eight years. I have learnt to live with it but I would like to solve it. Last week I had abnormal liver function test results which is worrying.  I would now like some advice on how to improve my liver function. I have to repeat test in three months. 

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