Pain Under Left Side of Rib Cage

Hello,

well I too have been suffering from this pain... After seeing several doctors and getting no real answers, I finally found someone who gave me an explanation.

She said it's a condition called "costochondritis"

basically it's an inflammation of the cartilage of one or more ribs, commonly the left side and occurs around the 2nd or 3rd rib. The pain is often intensified by movements that change the poistion of the ribs such as, bending over, coughing or sneezing.

The best treatment is aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for the pain, and also because it's an anti inflammatory. A heating pad also helps

this diagnosis has helped me... And has answered my questions

just wanted to pass the message along.

For more info go to:
ht tp://www.Emedicinehealth.Com/costochondrit is/article_em.Htm

Since you also mentioned back pain, has anyone talked to you about gall bladder?
My pain is under the right the rib cage and high. Even if I eat an ear of corn only for dinner, I get bloated and have intense pain under ribs. I don't know what is going on but yours sounds like gall bladder.

I've had pleurisy before. Something I noticed while having kids (and not being on the pill after being on it for 8 years), was that I would have weird chest pains and pleurisy only while I was on the pill. Also wanted to mention that after having a daughter and friends with food allergies--a lot of the gas pain and bloating etc. Can be avoided by monitoring what you are eating. They are signs of food intolerance. 1/3 of all americans are not allergic to wheat, but wheat intolerant. A small percentage have celiac disease, like the woman who said she looked 5 months pregnant, but no doctor could find anything wrong with her. Dairy is also a big irritant. If you think about it, how natural is it for us to be drinking the milk meant for the baby of another species (and yes, I still eat cheese, but it does make me feel ill)...75% of african americans are lactose intolerant, and 90% of asians are also lactose intolerant. I haven't found any data for hispanic or caucasians yet, but if those are the numbers for 2 big parts of our population...My son, who is 1/4 asian, 3/4 caucasian gets chronic ear infections, pneumonia or runny noses right after drinking milk. It weakens the immune system and creates mucous--that's why they say to drink clear fluids when you're sick. I'm a firm believer having gone through all the health issues my family has that you are what you eat. Try to eat more organic fruits, vegetables, and meat. Avoid too much wheat and dairy and you should feel much better. Definitely stop eating dinners out of the box!

I am a 24 year old female. I smoke and like some of you- could certaintly eat healthier.

Last August I started to have the pains on my left side starting from the bottom of my rib cage to my hip bone and occasionally when its really bad I can feel pain near my belly button and at times on the right side- though most often its on the left. The pain is always a bit different at times- it feels like pin needle pain- and others it seems more of a radiating pain- or a lingering pain. This pain- like many of you have said also is in my back at times- For me it seems rubbing the area helps the most- and I have been trying to cut down on caffenine for a while- I haven't noticed many patterns though- but do feel that its worse after I eat.

I did go to the doctor in October and reported this pain as well as several other issues I was having (UTI).

I was concearned because I have had continuous issues with having no periods (since I was 16- my periods have became over time obsolete naturally) and a doctor diagnosed me with PCOS (polycystic ovarie syndrome) - so at first I thought it might be systs.

The doctor I went too did some bloodwork and I had elevated Cortesol levels and my heart beat was 92 bpm at that appointment.

I am suppose to make an appointment soon to see a doctor and want to bring this issue up but haven't had time nor the extra funds to go and see one - but its good to know that im not alone with these symptoms and I certaintly agree with a pervious poster on feeling like "the insides are rotten, and nothing that [I] can do." In additon I have always been a "worry wart" and have a lot of anxiety and worry almost on a daily basis- wow it looks like so much when I really type it out but thought that adding any additional details may help I will update once I go to the doctors

-Sarah

This forum is great!
I was always in decent shape and ate fairly healthy. I worked out religiously since 92. I became a stay at home dad in 2003 and things changed a bit. Stopped exercise and ate too much junk. I'm going on 37 this year. I've had this "knot" feeling since mid October 2006. It came at a stressful time for me. I had problems with the house and my son was having issues in daycare. I remember drinking a glass of water and sitting down at the computer one morning. It felt like a sharp pain at first but felt like a pulsating minor ache that went in waves. It wasn't anything too severe but very annoying. I also began to have minor heartburn. A Friday night two weeks later I felt an almost burning, tingling sensation going from the left side of my intestine to my right. That weekend the pain was not bad at all. I went to see my Doc and as soon as I got in the waiting room the pain was gone! I told him I felt like there was gas trapped in my intestine. Told him no unusual BM's. He did a test on me to check for an ulcer and it was negative. He put me on Ranitidine to help with the heartburn. Things were great till New Years Eve. My wife and I each had a wine cooler(not a drinker) and Chinese take out. My stomach pain was terrible. I felt nauseas and bloated. I couldn't find a comfortavle postion to sit or lie in. It eventually passed. Since Jan. 1st I've gotten back to doing cardio and lifting weights and have felt great. The pain still comes and goes and still have the minor heartburn but its much less severe. This past week its been a little worse. I decided to do a search on "pain under left rib cage" and I found this forum. After reading a few entries I started to feel better! Its amazing how many people described the same symptoms that I have had. For now the pain is gone. I feel less stressed that I have an idea what it could be. I think its got to be "splenic flexure syndrome"! I'm going to check with the Doc about this. Anyone been treated for this? Is this a mental thing or stress related? Thanks !

For those of you experiencing this pain it would be worth investigating the spleen. It is largely disgarded in western medicine other than knowing that immunity drops if you have it removed. However, it is a very large part of traditional chinese medicine, being regarded as very essential for uptake energy from food, moving fluids and for immunity and autoimmune diseases eg allergies etc.
I do not have those specific pains, however, supporting the spleen mainly with Astragalus has been great for alleviating my allergies. The location you specify is about the location of the spleen.

Wow! I was diagnosed with IBS at the age of 17. IT eventually subsided-probably around age 25. I was also at the same time diagnosed with anxiety disorder/panic attacks. I would have bowel problems as soon as the panic waves hit me. Now I'm 32 and for about 2 years I have been getting the left side pain right up under my ribs. Seems worse lately. A few weeks ago it was making a VERY loud gurgling noise for hours. I felt gassy and that spot was where the sound seemed to have originated. I feel uncomfortable sitting or lying in certain positions. This pain started during my divorce 2 yrs ago and seems to worsen during stressful times. My ex left me for my brothers girlfriend(Jerry Springer, anyone?) and I was left with no money and no health insurance. I have cruddy insurance right now so I don't want to go to the doctor for the fear of needing something surgical. It would financially kill me. Anyway, it sometimes affects my back in the same area, too. I wonder if it is the SFS everyone talks about on here. Knowing would be great! I guess I'll have to see a doc about it sooner or later.

Hello,

I was surfing the net aka" "googling" and found something that might be helpful to some of you regarding this problem. My son was especially active last week and is now complaining of a pain similar to what I am reading in your posting.

On the "Elsevier.com" website I came across an article describing :The twelfth rib syndrome . The way it can be confirmed is if the doctor can manipulate the affected rib and its costal cartilage and reproduce the pain you are describing. After reading all the various post on this site makes me very curious. The person who wrote about adding calcium and magnesium makes me suspect this syndrome even more as stress, alcohol, exercise all puts a higher demand for calcium on the body and anything involving the bones would work hand in hand with the need for calcium. One little fact that seems to be missed by a lot of people, your body needs a constant supply of calcium ( along with magnesium**). If the body does not have the calcium it needs, it will rob it from your bones and if you drink or are stressed out, or eat a lot of spicy foods, or are pregnant, etc. your need for calcium increases considerably.
***Magnesium..very important!! Always include magnesium when you are taking calcium. If you take 500 mg of calcium, please take 250 mg of magnesium or you will be having a problem with Kidney stones. I have been there, and done that and I do not recommend them to anyone! Whatever dose of calcium you take, the magnesium dose needs to be half of that amount.
I hope this helps. Thanks for sharing!

I have had the same pain as described here for about 3 years and found that Pepcid Complete works great! I also take calcium and magnesium which helps also.

i stumbled on this site today, in search of others who might be experiencing the same thing. i started out having pain on the right side (originally thought it was back pain) it was on my side, just on the back ribs and would sometimes permeate to the front. then...it moved to the left side. lately, i've had the same thing - all on the left side, front ribs, back ribs, and a stinging and shooting pain on the left back side. (feels like it starts in the ribs and shoots down) . Today and yesterday I felt nausea...
i recently had some blood work done, everything came back fine. the discomfort comes and goes - but its making me crazy. i cry a lot -
i am going back to my doc on tues....but its so hard to explain to the doc because the pain moves around. although - it has been primarily on the left side for the last few weeks. i have no clue what this is....and i get anxiety over it all...
anyway, just wanted to jump in on the forum...just looking for support and answers.

I have been having sharp pains below my rib cage on the left side and I have felt like vomiting for the past 3 days. I'm wondering if this could be serious? I've read everyone's posts on here and I seem to be going through the same thing all of you are going through. I have several stomach problems in the past that I have tried to ignore because I hate going to the doctor. My dad had stomach problems and went to the doctor and found out he was eat up with cancer. I'm afraid of what I might find out. Can someone please give me some advice on what may be going on? Maybe something that will ease my mind a little bit. Thanks

Hi everyone!

I too am suffering similar symptoms. I have frequent pain in my ribcage, on both sides, but more often (and more intense) on the left. I have a spot under my left ribcage that is very tender to touch. I also feel pain in my chest and up through my shoulders and sometimes even down my arms. I also have pain under my left breast almost in the armpit. Like everyone else, the pain is more often present than not, but at varying levels. I was diagnosed with GERD when I was 19, I'm 33 now. For years I didn't have problems, but since last October it seems to just keep coming back. I have had my gall bladder removed, so I know it's not that. I'm feeling distraught since I've been to see my doctor several times, and she doesn't really seem to think it's a big issue. In October she suspected Costochondritis, and prescribed some anti inflammatories. This did absolutely nothing for the pain. So, I went back and she then said that it was fibromyalgia. I can understand that some of my pain in my shoulders and arms could possibly be this. I went a few more months and then went back and then she said that fibro wouldn't cause the pain in my stomach/chest/ribs.....HELLO!?!?! Sometimes I think they just pick something to tell you just to get you out of the office. I'm going to the doctor today, and luckily mine is on vacation. I'm going to explain things to this new doctor. I think I need to be referred to a gastro specialist. Has anyone else notice that their pain seems to worsen at certain times of day? I've noticed that when I'm in a "tolerable phase" that it gets worse in the evenings after the sun goes down.
Also, can anyone give me their opinion as far as anxiety? I can be somewhat of a hypochondriac when it comes to pain like this, I worry that I'm having a heart attack, which makes me have a panic attack. I am very overweight, although I have had multiple tests confirming that my heart is fine. My husband wants me to get some kind of medication for when I get anxious like this when this "mystery illness" acts up.
Like others have said, I'm so happy that I found you all. It really does help to know that I'm not alone.

I came across this on Google and was suprised to have so many people have had a similar problem. I was treated for stomach ulcers in high school, I have a grandfather who had colon cancer twice, and my mother has colitis. So I have been very alert when I start getting any pains in my stomach area - and have been doing so much reading about it the last few years.

I have had great success with changing my diet. I started reading about food combinations and it has helped me tremendously. A great book that explains this (and you don't have to eat all raw, there is meat and dairy in it for those that want it) "The Raw Food Detox Diet" by Natalia Rose. I have been trying to eat at Level Three in this book the best I can the past year and a half and it has been great. I also try to get to the gym 2 times a week, which helps too.

I also notice as association with stress, and that is something I am working on. Turning everything off and having some quiet moments helps. Slowing down my schedule and letting some things go has helped a lot too.

When I start getting the pain again - I can always seem to trace it back to this food combining, which is very interesting to me. It's about eating them in right combinations for proper digestion and exit. It really works!

I wish you all the best - and that you find something to feel better. Just thought I'd share what helped me!

Gosh i'm glad I found this Site. But it's amazing to me just how many people have so many of the same problems. I was diagnosed with an Ulcer a few years ago and took Nexium for it. It got better and I had to quit the nexium due to insurance change and $$ . A few months ago I started getting those bad pains right below my ribs on my left side toward the center of my stomach. I was told it was Acid reflux and put me back on Nexium. It worked great but then I ran out and couldn't get a refill for 3 weeks. during that time I started getting Bad heartburn agian and stomach aches again. I started taking the nexium agian 1 1/2 weeks ago and Now i'm having aches that Radiate from the right below my left ribs down my side into my back The only way I can explain it is an Ache that feels a Lot like a Stitch in my side. It doesn't hurt so much as Ache and drive me nuts lol. Any ideas?

I too have the irritation under my left rib cage and I'm glad that i'm not the only one, I was going to go to the emergency room tomorrow, but my wife suggested that I go online to research 1st. In the past my "old" doctor told me to take pepsid AC, but i never did because the medicine is unrelated to the symptoms that I had. He was a bone head. But i will continue to research and see if anyone finds a solution.

thank goodness for you guys - same type of pain, same location - went through all the tests one year ago - nothing appeared and doc sent me away - nicely enough but told me to relax. I switched jobs (less stress) but increasing stress now after 9 month on high profile job. numerous and similar gastric issues as most of you - bloating, gas, constipation, etc. last two days immense pain under rib on left side is here with a vengeance. did the calcium/magnesium mix help anyone else. oh! through all of this, I am gaining weight no matter what I do.

Hello everyone! I'm very new to this - but it seems I have a lot in commong with everyone. For almost a year now I have been experiencing soreness in back left rib cage (just under "bra" line. Also feeling very uncomfortable under front rib area - like someone else said the feeling of a "knot" or "fist". Also some pain down left side - for which I have been taking aloe vera juice, which seems to help. Had abdominal ultrasound which came back clear apart from some small polyps in my gall bladder which I am assured bears no relation to my discomfort as they are firstly miniscule and secondly on the wrong side! Also had chest x ray which is also clear. I've been driving hubby mad as I keep telling him how I feel!!!!!!!! It's good to know that I am not alone and from all that I read on this site and what my doc tells me, there is nothing to worry about. Still when you are a worrier - easier said than done!. This site has eased my mind no end. God bless you all!

I've had pain in my side, under my ribs, for about 3 months now. It sounds very similar to all of yours, and i'm practically in tears finding out other people are dealing with this. I don't have any bowel passing issues, like many of you, and simply feel pain that radiates from under my rib cage on the left side, and has a certain tenderness in my left side. I've been tested, man have I...and apparently i'm fine. I just got in from a week long road trip and i feel like I was kicked in the stomach, sharper pain from the region that was originally irritated.

I'm getting married in a year, and have been really depressed about this. I can't help thinking this is my demise, and I'll never be there for my wife. After being tested extensively (CBC, Lipase, Lipid Panel, Leuk? in blood tests, X rays of my entire upper half, an abdominal CT scan, multiple urine tests, and a colonoscopy) i'm feeling moderate relief, but it's very depressing to constantly feel pain. I run everyday, and have since way before this began, so i'm sure my exercise habits and eating (I eat really well, I am very concerned about my health) weren't causing this. I smoke when I drink, but I do neither very often, perhaps one drink and a smoke a week.

Anyway, i'm just looking for some support, and am glad this mystery ailment is afflicting tons of us, and we're all still here.