Pain in lower ribs / side of bellybutton

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi

2 months ago I felt a pain in my left lower ribs (like a stitch from running) but i was just sitting on the sofa. The pain persisted and moved to my upper abodemn so i made a GP appointment. Kidney infection was rules out and my doctor did some blood tests to make sure it wasn't a clot. She concluded it was probably muscular and perscribed me naproxen.

I was still getting the pain a month later and didn't want to waste NHS time so I used the virtual GP service and they suggested because i bloat after eating it could be IBS, they've since referred me to a gastro specialist and the appointment is in September. My concern is that I dont notice much difference between the pain when i eat so im not sure it's related to IBS?

The pain is continuing and moves between my lower ribs and space between the belly button, sometimes my back too. It feels like someone is hitting me in the side with a baseball bat but the pain comes and goes throughout the day!

I was having heart palptations recently and they did a bunch of tests on my iron, blood pressure and sugar and everything was fine. I don't want to annoy my GP by going back with this pain if it can wait til I see the gastro-specialist next month. Does anyone know if I can hold off til next month?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Edited

    hey how has your stools been, i went to the doctor for this too but they told me if im having diarrhoea , blood in stools or difficulty going to bathroom then its ibs. they can check this via blood work. im not sure if u mean by flank pains? flank pains are side mid-abdominal regions. i have this along with pains that radiate to the back and towards the belly button. my doctor pretty sure this is gastritis. i dont know whats happening either but thats what they told me. hope u get better soon!

    • Posted

      That's reassuring thank you. I don't get diahorrea but I would experience irregualr patterns, maybe only passing stools every other day or every two days so that sounds in line with what you've said about IBS. Yes my flank exactly but increasingly has been radiating down to my belly button area. Hopefully the gastro specialist can shine some light on this in September. Did your doctor provide any treatment for the gastritis?

    • Posted

      yes for me too it radiates to the belly button. not always but sometimes like somedays once or twice a day.

      my go prescribed nexium for me but honestly i havnt been taking it. im trying to get rid of it naturally changing diet and taking cabbage juice. cz i think for me it may have even formed ulcer in my stomach.. too much acid.

      it all started by taking antibiotics for my tooth infection and it messed up my stomach

    • Posted

      that's really interesting actually because i've been on anti biotics for nearly 6 months for my skin so that might been the cause and could be playing havoc with my digestive system. thanks for that, don't feel alone!

  • Posted

    hi Jasmine just read your post and know about gastritis, try speaking to your chemist and get some gaviscon, try it 3/4 times a day, that's all! it does work!

    • Posted

      hi Sam, i popped to the chemist after i saw your response and they recommended Buscopan before i give gaviscon a go! haven't started it yet but fingers crossed it tides me over til i see the specialist

    • Posted

      i hope it works for you, fingers crossed hey! 🤞

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