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Swollen left ribcage and gas for over a year??

Posted , 4 users are following.

prickly_75324
prickly_75324

In the last year the left side of my ribcage has become visibly swollen. When I lie down I can see that the left side is taller than the right and it bothers me when I wear tight pants or a seatbelt. This area is often itchy and sometimes painful, especially after eating. My other concerning symptom is excessive gas every morning regardless of what I've eaten (even if I haven't eaten). I've had so many tests (CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, xray, colonoscopy/endoscopy, chiropractic) and nothing seems to come up as abnormal. My quality of life has decreased so much as a result of this and I'm so tired of looking for clues as to what may be wrong online. Does anyone have this problem and been given a diagnosis?  I'm scared! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Portacrean
    Portacrean prickly_75324

    Posted

    I've gone through the same thing this past year. Had all sorts of test that have turned out normal. I have a lot of pain in the middle upper abdomen. 24 hrs a day. Can't hardly function. Tested liver , gallbladder and pancreas function. All normal. Xrays show nothing abnormal. One ct scan found H-Pylori. The last scan showed negative. Docs say they don't understand the pain because there's nothing abnormal anywhere. Even had an arterialgram which was normal. I thought maybe it was low blood supply. I've been on PPIs for the past 2 months though and the pain has actually gotten worse. So be assured , you aren't in this boat alone. Have had all kinds of advice and sugestions from people on here , and have tried all of them. But the pain remains and has set down my life for the past year. So good luck in your pursuit . I keep tabs on her just in case someone comes up with a different idea. All my doctors seem to have given up and aren't interested in looking any farther. Just kinda kicked to the curb now.

    • prickly_75324
      prickly_75324 Portacrean

      Posted

      Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. I feel the same--kicked to the curb as all of my tests have come back normal. Do you have the constant swelling/pressure feeling too? That is what I am most scared about. There must be some part of my body inflamed to be causing this. 
    • Portacrean
      Portacrean prickly_75324

      Posted

      Feels swollen or a fullness from my left rib to the center of my abdomen. Left rib sticks out more than my right. All the experts and specialist say it's all normal. Hahaha. You don't have to be a specialist to realize they have no idea what they're talking about.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 prickly_75324

    Posted

    I have IBS and have pain that moves all over my stomach and sometimes into my ribcage.  I have had nausea, constipation, loose stools and back pain.  I sometimes get gas and I have heartburn frequently.  Anxiety mskes it worse.  I don't have swellings, or itchiness.  However, everyone is different.  Try keeping a food diary to check for intolerances and go back to your doctor and ask about IBS if you have change of bowel habit.  If all your tests are negative IBS can be diagnosed.

    • prickly_75324
      prickly_75324 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi Pippa, thanks for your response. I don't think it has much to do with what I eat as my bowels seem to function fine other than the gas. I have tried food journaling and elimination diets before to no avail. My diet is generally very good. The thing that is really scaring me is the visible swelling of my left side. It is quite dramatic, and seems like a very serious side effect of IBS. Do you have this swelling as well?

  • Portacrean
    Portacrean prickly_75324

    Posted

    Pipa has a very good suggestion . Just make sure your doctor listens though. My docs just don't seem to pay much attention to my ideas. They just keep saying oh no no no , it's not this or that. I'll go back to my gastroenterologist again with that suggestion. Already changed gastroenterologist twice though. They have a tendency to agree with other docs though. So I guess , just don't take no for an answer.

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