Pain under left ribs

Posted , 57 users are following.

Hi,

I've been having recurring pain under my lower left ribs for 5 months now. Dr has tested bloods, all normal. Had full cardiologist check, ecg etc all normal. The pain initially felt like a really uncomfortable ball under my ribs and I struggled with sitting for a couple of days. Standing, walking etc all ok. Lying down helped but not on my back as it felt like something was pulling at my ribs.

Was put on lanzoprapole and felt not too bad. But after a small holiday, lots of food, moderate alcohol it niggled away but not so bad as first time and recently it's flared up horribly.  I had one day I had to stay in bed as the pain went all round lower left side and stabbing pain in the back. If I sneezed it was very very painful.

I've got a gastroenterologist appt in over a week so should find out more but wondered if anyone else has had similar symptoms?

I've no idea if this is related to pancreas but I have had multiple doses of antibiotics that I've discovered can cause this in pancreas. My pain is most definitely left side and right at the bottom of the ribcage. 

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  • Posted

    Hi.. I do low carb too and it seems to be worse when I'm lower in weight.. But unrelated to WHEN I eat.. But it's worse also when I'm on my feet for a while.. Like gravity is pulling something? It comes and goes, but its been terrible lately, and wrapping around my back. I've had EVERY TEST.. Exploratory surgery even.. No answers.. Any other ideas? I'm stumped.. Sometimes the pain literally disables me and I HAVE to lie down. It's not related to when I eat, like gallbladder would be.. Sigh.. 😩 Anyone?

  • Posted

    Hi all I have been reading this thread and just wonder if any of you are having these symptoms.  When I am upright and walking around I feel nothing, but when I lay on my left side under the rib cage area I have discomfort with pain and if I lay on my right side it feels like something is pulling the left side to my right and it takes ages to get comfortable.  I have had a CT scan with a barium meal and still waiting on the results which I will get on Monday.  Over a year ago I had a Bariatric Sleeve done and he repaired a hernia while in there, so I am hoping nothing wrong there.  Any ideas please
    • Posted

      I have this exact same problem. Did you figure out what is causing it?

  • Posted

    "If I sneezed it was very very painful."

    "left side and right at the bottom of the ribcage"

    Is it on the outside edge of the abdominal muscle? ACNES can be outrageously painful. Familiarise yourself with Carnett's test. If you think it's ACNES go find a pain specialist.

    ACNES can be caused by a pulled muscle, and a short episode of stress can make the pain go chronic (i.e. via Central Sensitisation).

    The pain can cause a reflex reaction which can cause back pain, higher up due to the path the nerves take.

  • Posted

    My son had 2/3 if his pancreas removed after MEN1, a genetic disorder was diagnosed. 4 tumors were removed. He has upper abdominal pain just left of the ziphoid process area which cannot be diagnosed. The remaining pancreas is working beautifully but the chest pain and nausea gave been constant since the surgery one year ago. He went to his first pain clinic appointment and the doctor was able to figure out that the problem wasn't gastro or muscular. He was diagnosed with Slipping Rib Syndrome. it is frequently missed as the cause of undiagnosed chest pain. My son was given 3 intercostal injections of corticosteroids and instantly the pain left. Thus is amazing since he hasn't had a pain free day for over a year. Hope this helps.

  • Posted

    ive been having these same issues and my primary keeps saying theyre ibs symptoms but I am having an abdominal and pelvic ct scan tomorrow blood tests are all normal. I am of course worried that it is pancreatic cancer. Im only 26 and had my gallbladder removed 2 1/2 years ago. The pain starts under my left ribcage right around the bottom rib. and it radiates to my back and under my arm sort of too. I have heard about possibly something called splenic flexure causing it.

    • Posted

      CT scans are the best method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer if that is clear you can rule that out. At 26 although not impossible it is incredibly rare. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

    • Posted

      I am going in today for the scans. will post update. Thank you!

    • Posted

      you said you will post updates , should we be worried?

    • Posted

      hi kylee,

      did you ever get diagnosed with this complaint .? i have had exactly the same symptoms as you , its worse some days than others , i also get a burning sensation at either side of the top of my abdomen . had numerous tests , endoscopy, colonoscopy , all clear . had ultrasound of my abdomen too, still not found anything. the pain and discomforts radiates around to my back . really worried about it. i too am worried about pancreatic cancer

  • Posted

    yes many people do that.they say to update us and they never will. then im left here wondering if something bad happened or actually the test was negative and then they dont have the need to share the developments anymore....

  • Edited

    Hi Fiona,

    I have had this for about 3 years now, had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, all came back normal.

    I suffer with it every day , some days worse than others, back to the doctors, although the doctor seems to think it is IBS. I have never suffered with IBS ever, and I am now 60 years of age. It feels like something is stuck under my left rib, and can sometimes feel really tender. It does feel worse after I eat, I also get a burning sensation there too, and I also get that burning sensation to the right side too, but its much much worse on the left side. My liver bloods tests said that the enzymes were elevated , but the doctor didnt seem too worried about that ! I've never ever had Acid reflux either, although the doctor tried to tell me it could be that - which is absolute rubbish. I am going to request they do a ct scan next but it is hard work with covid 19 going on. There seems to be a lot of people suffering with this, but no real diagnosis. Just wondered how you were getting on ?

    • Posted

      hi Gaynor did you found out anything ? seems similar to pain i have been experiencing

    • Edited

      Hi Patsy ,

      No not yet , just had further bloods done , they have come back as no further action needed ! I am not going to leg this go though as I am still getting this discomfort under my left rib. I will let you know what the next step for me is , as its quite worrying , never had any sort of acid reflux etc . I have already had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy which thank goodness , were normal . i still feel quite worried though as this discomfort / pain is not going away . will keep you updated . there are so many people on this forum that are also experiencing these symptoms . please let me know how it goes with you . Sharing this info could help .

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