Pain under left side ribcage....
Posted , 44 users are following.
About a week ago I woke to a pain on my left side under the ribs, I thought I'd slept awkwardly but the pain didn't go as it usually would. The pain is like a stitch/pulled muscle/gas sort of pain but with sharp stabbing pains also.
I ended up in A&E and was admitted whilst they ran tests. I tested positive for the protein that clots release but a vq scan ruled a clot out. I had orotein/blood in my urine but doctors said this is normal in a woman of my age (34). An ecg and chest xray both came back clear. I was then discharged and told it could be muscular skeletal.
It's about a week since the onset of pain and it does feel less painful when turning in bed etc but I still have this pain under my left rib. If you have ever been pregnant, it's the feeling of baby with its foot in your rib. It's still twinging to my back. I have also got random sharp pains in my stomach and it feels a bit bruised. Bowel movements are softer than usual but not diarrhoea as in I have to go urgently and extremely regularly.
In general been feeling under the weather for weeks. Had dental work and infrction 5 or 6 weeks ago and have had numerous doses if antibiotics prescribed; could this be a link? I have eaten live yogurt to avoid thrush. I am aware of gassy noises/feelings in my gut.
Any help is appreciated. 
3 likes, 74 replies
specialist254 boogagirl41
Posted
My problem started after I began my root canal I started doing doses of antibiotics, painkillers morning afternoon evening. My intra rib area started becoming "heavy" at times sharp pains while you sit or stand for quite some time in one position or sleep laying on your tummy. it's actually on the left side as well as the left back side. at times the sharp pain comes up to the frontal chest bone like you feel the sternum is drying up. I did some general tests like blood pressure and it was around 143-147 for three weeks now. Guys really what's the problem?
Beazk specialist254
Posted
miissee boogagirl41
Posted
missy72785 miissee
Posted
I can relate. I've had this for about 7 years and gets worse when I feel anxious. I've had other symptoms like severe fatigue and kidney pain first thing in the morning which goes away during the day. Blood and urine check came out ok for kidney function although not great but not bad enough to cause problems apparently. Vitamin D is still low and I've been taking supplements and Cod liver oil. I used to think I strained something because of sneezing a lot. Since taking Cod liver oil, my sneezing stopped but I was still getting pains under my left rib. I've been put on HRT this week, only estrogen patches. I didn't think it would work because by this point I have tried many remedies and already quit drinking coffee and alcohol. Well, the pain subsided after 5 hrs after putting on the first estrogen patch! The next morning I woke up with no kidney pain. Next day dull ache under my ribs but not as bad. Five days later no pain at all and my energy levels have improved. I'm hoping it's not placebo effect as it's still early days. Have any of you had an organ removed that could alter your hormones or ability to fight disease? I had my gall bladder taken out before I started having issues. Also, just reading the posts on here, it seems as if it's a side effect of taking antibiotics such as bad bacteria overgrowth. So today I started taking Berberine tablets as two people here mentioned that this worked for them. Belts and braces, to eliminate any bad bacteria/parasites. I'm going for CT scan soon, so will keep you posted. BTW, I also feel calm and enjoying my sleep since estrogen intake. I used to feel very anxious and fearful all the time. See symptoms and causes of low estrogen.
Keep persisting with the docs. Good luck.
knows1983 boogagirl41
Posted
My left rib pain/nearby abdominal pressure/discomfort started after a round of antibiotics, as well. I took probiotics for a while and, during that time, the discomfort seemed to disappear but returned when I made a long drive to see family (even while continuing the probiotics). It’s so hard to tell if this is gastro or musculoskeletal related. I’m having a HIDA scan of my gallbladder at the end of the month. I’ll try to remember to update on here.
knows1983 boogagirl41
Posted
knows1983
Posted
All of my tests have come back normal. Every last one of them. I've started tracking the pain in a journal and notice it gets worse around my time of the month. This is leading me to believe that the issue is muscle, skeletal, or both
woodbon boogagirl41
Posted
Sometimes an infection can cause chest pain. If it doesn't go after anti b's are finished or if it suddenly gets worse ring 111. I hope you soon feel better and the pain goes for good!
woodbon boogagirl41
Posted
Sometimes an infection can cause chest pain. If it doesn't go after anti b's are finished or if it suddenly gets worse ring 111. I hope you soon feel better and the pain goes for good!
stephie2394 boogagirl41
Posted
I've been experiencing something similar to this. It started in my left side and remains there. It at first felt like i had possibly pulled a muscle or bruised a rib but it it was a pulling feeling under my left rib. Now my symptoms include the burning/stinging pain in the stomach but only in the left side and diarrhea. I'm still waiting on my doctors to help me figure out what it is.
kg89366 stephie2394
Posted
did you ever get to the bottom of what was causing it? I've had intermittent pain since mid November, GP initially so costo, then acid reflux, then anxiety, then possibly musculoskeletal so is sending me to physio
stephie2394 kg89366
Posted
Yeah I did, I was diagnosed with IBS, I went to the gastro and he stated he believes it's IBS, had blood tests done to see if it was anything else, and those came up clear.
Helpme101 boogagirl41
Posted
i know this is a really old thread but can someone help me... ive been experiencing the strange sensation on the left side and also pain in my back and the left side of my hip as well as upper abdominal pain?! The rib feeling occasionally shift to my right side as well. The upper abdominal sensation feels like a heavy feeling as if something is just sitting their?! The left rip is tender to touch and wearing a bra hurts at times!! I also get very sudden sharp pains throughout my entire stomach every so often as well as well as the "fluttering" sensation.
Can someone PLEASE reply im desperate 😦 Ive been to my GP and had an ultrasound yesterday they said i'll get results in 5 days and blood test are yet to be done in the next week. Any advice or ideas would be amazing
knows1983 Helpme101
Posted
I was initially diagnosed with IBS then a large, benign polyp was found in my cecum after a colonoscopy. It was removed but then I was diagnosed with SIBO after a breath test along with chronic constipation. I get this sensation when I am moderately constipated. Unfortunately I have lost some sensation of feeling the need to go after two c-sections. Have you tried anything to clean yourself out?
Helpme101 knows1983
Posted
thank you so much for replying! its strange but i have had no problem with constipation or any other change in that department (sorry tmi) . I'm sorry to hear about you what were your symptoms? its just a bit unnerving that it is pretty much all the time! I've seen so many people comment on the ribs but nothing with that and upper abdominal discomfort hence why I'm more worried 😕
julie54466 Helpme101
Posted
hi
I am experiencing something similar, and like you starting to feel a little desperate, especially as I have had no appetite for over 3 weeks. Ive lost weight , but trying to eat something, even when i don't want to
i have pain in my left side beneath the ribs. it is worse at night, and wakes me up. it sometimes goes around the back, but also get shooting pains across my upper abdo, and even in my chest on the left side.
i have a ct scan with contrast booked for Monday, I am terrified
sorry, I'm not much help , just wanted you to know you,re not alone.
Helpme101 julie54466
Posted
thank you for replying! do you have any upper abdominal pain? i just need to know what it is because everything i google is awful. I hope your CT scan goes well and if you could keep me updated that would be amazing
knows1983 Helpme101
Posted
Best advice I can give is to stay off of Dr. Google. It will not help and will only give you anxiety. Has your gallbladder been checked? Have your kidneys been checked for stones? One common theme that I saw throughout this group was that most people had been on antibiotics prior to this feeling. Have you been on antibiotics? I’ve also noticed that several said this feeling came up after physical activity. Have you done anything physical lately that was new or out of the ordinary? If it gives you any peace of mind I have been feeling this since 2015 and have had three clear CT scans, two clear x-rays, one clear MRI, rounds and rounds of normal bloodwork, and two normal endoscopies The only "off" things anyone could find was the polyp mentioned above, a mildly enlarged right liver lobe (which returned to normal when I stopped taking nsaids), a fragmented L4 disc from an accident I was in in 2004, and the SIBO which was treated with antibiotics and gone upon follow-up. Try not to fret but I know thats easier said than done.
julie54466 Helpme101
Posted
Hi
Yes, I do have pains.Mostly in the night, then during the morning, but as evening approaches, they seem to go away.
After lots of loose bowel movements, I now haven't had any bowel movements for 3 days!
I have not been on antibiotics. A week before I started feeling this, I had a raft of blood tests done (FBC, LF, KF, ESR, bilrubin and a few others, but not amalyse or lipase)
What is SIBO? I'm too scared to google it
I will update when I get my CT scan back
thank you
Jules
knows1983 julie54466
Posted
SIBO is small intestinal bacterial overload. It's harmless but can cause uncomfortable symptoms and will not show up on blood tests. Have you had any stools tests? Sounds like maybe you had a stomach bug that is still causing distress. You can always try a laxative to get things moving to see if everything resolves.
Helpme101 knows1983
Posted
I know google is so horrible. The only test i have had so far is an ultrasound and bloods and stool test. My blood test is due on the 17th. I did take antibiotics in September? But i didnt finish the full course only a quarter i would say and no new physical activity. That does make me feel better its just i also get a very dull ache and heavy feeling in my lower left stomach just above my hip and back. It feels like a heavy ball just sat their. Its so strange and i have not seen anyone mention the same feeling which in turn makes me more worried 😕 .