Pain Under Left Side of Rib Cage Posted: 05-12-05 14:04pm
I have had this pain and its ongoing for
over a year now, on the left side under
the rib cage....Do not notice any signs of
an onset. It is a constant uncomfortable
feeling that sometimes flares up and
shoots pain across the top of my
stomach....Alot of times will cramp and
hurts to move. There are no other signs
of anything else...No probs. With bowels
or nausea...Anyone else have same issue?
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dougfish
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: NJ
My Upper Left Side Pains... Posted: 05-12-05 14:15pm
I also have had upper left side pain,
specifically under my ribcage, for at
least the last 3 years now. It comes and
goes, but is present much more frequently
than not. I went through a whole battery
of tests when the symptoms first appeared
(i have crohn's disease, but the pain is
not typical for my case). None of the
tests showed anything (cat scan,
colonoscopy, endoscopy), and my blood
tests were normal. My gi doc told me it
was probably "splenic flexure syndrome",
which is basically gas getting trapped in
the portion of the colon that loops around
under your spleen. For lack of another
cause, and due to the longetivity of the
condition, I assume that it is nothing
more serious, but sometimes I have my
doubts. Anti-gas meds don't help -- the
only total relief I get is when I am out
doing something active - playing tennis,
jogging, etc.
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tcalvo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: staten island
Left Side Pain Posted: 05-12-05 15:09pm
I would love to talk to you & dougfish
further. Maybe we should e-mail eachother
phone numbers etc. The three of us sound
identical.
It would be interesting to explore this
with you .. Feel free to e-mail me
directly at dougf
ish@optonline.Net...
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
Same Condition? Posted: 05-25-05 11:18am
I too suffer from pains around my rib cage
and left side of stomach. I'm being
treated for an ulcer and have had several
tests run. I'm scheduled for and
endoscope this friday and hope that i'll
get some kind of answer, but the way this
has been going i'm not confident. This
has been eating away at me physically and
mentally for two months now. When i'm
busy and active I don't seem to notice as
much discomfort. It is also accompanied
by some back pain in the same general
region. Has anyone gotten any bright
ideas?
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kathib
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: FTW
How About This.... Posted: 05-25-05 12:38pm
Try stress relieving techniques.....Once I
started taking a sleeping pill at night
and doing regular exercise in the
morning.....And then regulated my diet to
lots of water and low starch and
fats.....I feel so much better. When
dougfish gave me the idea of the splenik
flexure syndrome and did quite a bit of
research and discovered that most of the
issues related to these symptoms are all
mind and stress related....Suprisingly
enough there is no cure for this kind of
thing....Because last year I was also
diagnosed with ibs...Turns out is also
related to the s.F.S.
I was in total disbelief at first..Only
because I refused to believe that this
much pain and discomfort can be caused by
something I can actually
control....Altough I cannot change my
circumstances quite so easily I can
definately change how I react to
them....And its helping so much....You
should look into this for youself.
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tcalvo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: staten island
Pain Posted: 05-25-05 12:39pm
You have the same symptoms as me let me
know outcome of scope?? I've had mine for
2 years now
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
What Are Your Other Symptoms Posted: 05-25-05 14:46pm
So out of curiosity, what are some other
symptoms you all are having? This seems
to be a recurring problem for me. Had
similar issues about a year ago and then
it went away in time. I attributed it
then to moving and lifting heavy things,
my doc at the time also felt, without much
to go on, that I may have an ulcer and put
me on nexium. When it started this time
around I was having bm issues and
discomfort in my stomach, left side of
ribcage, and along my back on the same
side. Never had serious heartburn or
indigestion, but they are treating me for
an ulcer simply because there was perhaps
the start of one in the upper gi they did.
My ribcage xray came back clear, as did
my ultrasound and ct scan of abdomen and
chest. Along with this I had some kind
of rash-like reaction, which I can only
attribute to the mix of meds I was taking
at the start of it all. Are there any
meds you are currently taking for any of
your symptoms and if so do you notice any
relief? A lot of people are telling me
it could be stress related or at least
elevated by stress. The doc put me on a
low dose nerve pill to try to help with my
depression over this situation. I
suppose stress is a possible
factor...Dealing with crappy job, a still
fairly new house, illnesses of close
friends and my upcoming wedding, but I
have a hard time understanding how such
recurring physical pain can be caused just
by stresses of life. Maybe talking to
some of you will help. How do you deal
with the daily pain and still function
normally? Especially those of you going
through this a year or more?
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kathib
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: FTW
Exactly Posted: 05-25-05 15:39pm
Think about it....And serioiusly look up
that splenik flexure syndrome....It opened
my eyes real quick....I have been having
pain and total discomfort in my
abdomen....Went to the doctor 3 times
before they told me I had irritable bowel
syndrome....Nothing they can do but give
me a pill to shut me up....A year later I
start having the "knot" under my left rib
cage which hurt even more than the
ibs.....And I noticed that when I would
get upset it would become inflamed and
swell up...Often times would bulge and be
very painful....Went to the doctor and did
a series of ultrasounds and
scopes....Nothing would come up....Blood
test and monitors wouldnt find
anything....It really stressed me out even
more...One thing I also noticed was the
affect it had on my heart...Would have
panic attacks and on top of my horrible
job hours and young son...Single
mom...Trying to make it alone....Was just
wearing me down....And then I posted this
to the message board....And finally got a
lead on that s.F.S.....I thought...Yea
right..No way is that possible..Then I
started eating healthier...And exercising
more...Im already pretty fit but never
really worked out...Cut out just about
anything that was a depressant...I.E.
Alcohol and fattening foods.....Making you
feel sluggish and nasty...And as far as
the alcohol goes...I had to cut it out
completely, I started noticing that when I
would drink...I would become very angry
and often times violent...Its amazing how
the body works....The mind is a powerful
thing
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
What Do You Eat? Posted: 05-26-05 10:54am
All the things i've read mention a large
list of foods you shouldn't eat. What
food do you recommend? I've cut out
fatty foods and spicy foods and started
eating mostly fruits and veggies. Then I
read that certain if not most veggies and
fruits can be bad for digestive issues.
Do you drink milk or eat other dairy
products? Do you have problems with
frequent gas or constipation/diarrhea?
One thing I have noticed through all of
this is that i'm less gassy than I may
have been before. Not as much belching
or the other. I have not been a very
health conscious person and of course
being stressed out and a smoker isn't
helping. I still have and appetite and
haven't noticed any other major symptoms,
but the pain is still there and
unexplained. How intense can your pain
be? Mine is low intensity for the most
part, but occurs throughout the day and is
a nagging ache or sharp twinge. At times
I just wonder if the bra I wear is too
tight and i'm just losing my mind. May
it's not digestive and i'm looking in the
wrong place. The fact that the tests
have come up empty haven't helped. I
just hope the doc I see tomorrow will have
some better ideas. I'd rather the scope
show something that treatable and I can
move on with my life...The stress of this
has taken over my life.
|
kathib
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: FTW
Same Here Posted: 05-26-05 11:18am
I have cut way back on the foods I used to
eat as well as the portions..I try not to
eat the heavy starchy veggies...And fruits
are great..Espescially the ones with lots
of water and juice....I also have the
exact same kind of annoying pain...Right
under my rib cage just below my
breast....I started to freak out when I
could actually feel the swelling....But
all test have come back negative and
clean...No blood in stool, no
constipation...Sometimes irregular bowel
movements but nothing that concerns
me....Often times have lower abdomen pain
and cramping which is explained by the
ibs....I think its all a bunch of bull
what doctors tell you anyway...They had me
on medicines and monitors...Done the
scopes and all it shows is inflammed
region with muscle spasms....Nothing they
can do....So I took matters into my own
hands...I stopped worrying about it and
focused on getting rid of it rather then
why its there....Things have changed
dramitically....Now mind you I still have
it...Right now that im thinking about it
actually I can feel it....Almost pushing
into my lung....And things at home are
horrible and my job sucks...Relationship
is going way south...Seriously look into
that splenik flexure syndrome...If anyone
has please comment and tell if it relates
to what you have.
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
I Will... Posted: 05-26-05 12:20pm
Well, I see a gi doc tomorrow, so I will
mention the syndrome and see what he has
to say. I just hope he can find
something, anything... Do you go through
days without the pain or feel it every day
but in different degrees of severity or
areas? Do you find that exercise helps?
I notice that the more active I seem to
be the less I think about it and the
better I feel. At night when i'm watching
tv and trying to relax it can be more
evident. Sitting in one position too
long or in an awkward position can
sometimes make it seem worse. I
understand the stress factor, but its
still hard to believe that a pain in one
localized area can be connected to stress.
Sounds like we both lead pretty
stressful lives though so maybe there is a
connection.
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kathib
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: FTW
I Agree Posted: 05-26-05 13:57pm
My pain and symptoms are exactly the
same....Think about it..Put the 2
together...You stress out it hurts....You
relieve stress by working out and it
doesnt hurt as much...Hhmmmm..Coincidence?
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
Posted: 05-28-05 21:26pm
Well, the endoscopy turned out to be
normal. I was really out of it, but my
fiance says the doc said it isn't a gi
issue. Might be muscular or skeletal.
I feel like i'm back to square one. They
took a biopsy to check for bacteria, but
if that comes back normal i'm to consult
my regular doc again. I was really
hoping for some answers. The pain has
been very noticeable today. Been busy
cleaning for memorial day party we're
thor\\rowing tomorrow, and the pain was
most evident when I would stop and rest
for a minute. At this point i'm going to
amp up my exercise, continue with a
healthy diet and maybe look into physical
therapy. A heating pad seems to help at
least when i'm at rest. Still highly
stressed out over this whole thing.
Cried over it last night and today. I
just don't know what to do any more.
Feel like i've wasted a lot of time and
energy, not to mention money tell me, does
it feel like pressure and like there is
something there? I constantly find
myself feeling the area and looking for
bumps, lumps, any explanation. I even
worry it could be a breast cancer issue or
something of that nature. A doc over a
year ago told me that it could be that I
damaged the cartilage in and around my
ribcage. I just know another office
visit to my reg doc is out of the
question. He can send me for more tests
or tell me to seek therapy, physical or
otherwise, but i'm not taking more time
off and spending more money just for him
to come up with nothing.
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sheilab
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 1
Pain Under Left Ribcage Posted: 05-31-05 18:54pm
I went to the doctor a couple of years ago
due to pain under my left ribcage. It
was a sharp pain and would buckle me over
but come and go. It eventually came more
often. He said there is a major muscle
just below your left ribcage and suspected
it was lack of magnesium. Calcium and
magnesium allow your muscles to expand and
contract.
I started taking calmag immediately (you
need twice as much calcium as magnesium
and need to take it together). Within 24
hours the pains stopped. I take calmag
to this day but if I forget and my diet
isn't all that great the pains will come
back.
Hope this helps someone.
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
Sounds Interesting Posted: 06-01-05 19:55pm
Thanks for the suggestion. I think more
and more it may be a muscular thing. My
fiancae has suggested viatmins,supplements
and such plus exercising those muscle
groups. I am willing to try anything.
What effect do you notice with regards to
your diet??? I've been thinking it was a
gi issue because I seemed to have related
symptoms, but since the doc doesn't think
so and suggests a muscle issue I though
diet wasn't a big factor. Still watching
what I eat, but not as closely as with my
fear of a digestive problem. If you
still see a connection though then maybe
it's still worth being sensitive to what I
eat as well, espcially since expansion of
the stomach can push on muscles and create
pain.
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andy12
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 1
Me Too Posted: 06-07-05 00:22am
Well I happened to across this interesting
site.
For the past year and a half I have been
having this pain (sometimes sharp
sometimes not) on the left side just under
my ribs on the side. I have gone to a few
doctors had blood tests etc, and they have
no clue, they have ruled out ulcers.
My history is that I do drink especially
( heavy) on the weekends and that (yeh I
know I shouldt say it) but I take adhd
meds. When I take the meds I do not drink
but on the weekends when I do not take the
meds I do drink. Anyways this week the
pain is sharp I have no clue what it is.
Please help
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jsubak
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 8
Is Pain Related to Drinking? Posted: 06-07-05 13:38pm
Do you notice the pain is better or worse
with alcohol? What about the days you
take or don't take your meds. I don't
believe the two are related to the pain
though. Are you an active person? Any
chance of muscle pull or strain? Nerve
damage? I had all the gastro tests done
too and there was no ulcer. Was even
being treated for an ulcer I never had,
but pain did not change. I've tried lots
of things and now suddenly my pain is
starting to get better. Someone
suggested calcium/magnesium supplements to
help build up muscle and repair nerve
function. I also take a one a day
multi-vitamin. I started those last
thursday and thought it was another hoax,
but since then I have had two
coincidentally pain free days. I hope
this is a sign of good things to come!!!!
Or maybe my body is getting used to the
pain. At any rate, I plan to keep trying
with diet, exercise and vitimins and see
where that takes me.
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redhead39
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 1
Left Side Pain Posted: 06-10-05 13:01pm
I have had unexplained pain under my left
rib side for a year. It occurs almost
every day and affects the way I can do
things all day. It is a constant pain,
sometimes it flares up that I double over,
goes around to my left kidney and
sometimes to the other side. I have had
every exam, test you can think of and they
have come up with nothing. My last xray
showed I had a slight curve in my spine.
In 1999 I was diagnosed with primary
biliary cirhosis. I don't find being
active helps it any, and sometimes at
night I apply a hot water bottle to it for
relief. I am currently getting
accupuncture because I have no options
left. I have 2 children who I would like
to spend more fun time with, but am unable
to find any energy to do anything. The
word frustrating comes to mind, and I find
that when I get stressed out it
intensifies. When I am away from the
household I feel good usually, as soon as
I step foot in my house I feel sick.
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