Hi,
I'm very worried about my husband who's had a dull ache for a few weeks under his right rib cage. He also has twinges in his back occasionally.
He had a CT scan a month ago, a chest X ray and ultrasound of his kidneys which was all clear.
We have an appointment with GP but not for a few days.
Any thoughts? He was in hospital with a UTI/sepsis two weeks ago
I can not say this is not kidney related--see anatomy below:
google.com/search?q=anatomi...
There is a possibility that he has pyelonephritis--a kidney infection since he had a UTI--from Mayo--see below:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...
I would go back to your PCP for an evaluation....
Best of luck....
Don Pescado
Thanks Don. The kidneys do seem to be in the right place for pain and I think pain from there can also be felt in the back. Just seems odd that antibiotics for UTI didn't clear it up although the ache started at the same time.
Another possibility is kidney stones as we know he has these from original CT scan done at diagnosis. At the time we were told they weren't a problem but maybe they have become one of it's moved.
We have an appointment for GP in a couple of days so hopefully get to the bottom of it soon
Thank you so much for your reply and thoughts
Best wishes
Yes, if a kidney stone moved into a narrower part of the ureters--partial or complete blockage--see the MD, if it gets significantly worse--go to ER....all the best....
Don Pescado
I have suffered from kidney stones twice in my life.
The first time, the pain was very sharp and severe. It was diagnosed with a CT scan and cured by an injection of some drug that caused the ureters to relax and expand. That immediately ended the pain and I passed the stone in urine within a few hours.
The second time was quite different. I had a UTI that got worse and worse, until I felt I had to urinate every few minutes - though of course I couldn't. However the pain was less severe than the first time. I was given antibiotics that cleared up the UTI but the existence of continuing pain was a clue to there also being a stone. I was given tamsulosin (Flomax) that expanded the ureters and, again, the stone passed. No surgery was required on either occasion.
I hope that info is useful.
Alan
Pure hell ,it sounds like to me . Glad you’re over that nightmare ..
If the stone has been confirmed, you will want to see a Nephrologist probably through referral. If he experiences a stone blockage he will feel like he’s been kicked by a stallion. It knocked my brother down in the men’s room of a restaurant. Then it was off to an ER.
I m sorry that he suffers so . He beat sepsis? Wow! Do you have a urologist ? May be better than a GP .. I had so many random pains at various locations during my first years with APC And I used to think every pain was a met . Fortunately for me none were . I hope these are just pains from treatments . See the Dr.. please ..take care ..
Yes, that would be good. However, I too had kidney stones a long time ago and the pain as not in my abdomen but in my back. The doctor then told me that if I had problems with a kidney stone, I should be feeling the pain in my back and not in my upper abdomen.
Save the kidneys at all cost .. Good luck
Aw thanks Lulu. Yes sepsis twice, pnemonia twice!
We don't have an urologist at the moment but going to see GP tomorrow who may refer is to one depending what he thinks is the cause.
It's frightening but a little reassured that he's had scans recently.
Thanks for everyone's replies, you're all the best x
I understand what you are saying. But mets can go fast, so better to request new scans, just to be on the safe side I think.
What did the Dr say?
The doctor did a test (think he said Murphy's sign) and is pretty sure it's gallbladder stones. We have an ultrasound next Friday.
He started antibiotics for yet another UTI on Wednesday and the pain has also gone so suggests it was an infection although we'll still go for ultrasound. Was too much of a coincidence that it started at the same time as another UTI a few weeks a go.
All so worrying.
Thanks for following up
Thank you ! At least you know what it is now . Painful I’m sure .. uti’s are the worst . I hope he graduates from this .soon . 🙏
Thank you Lulu. You're a kind man.
It's been a year of one thing after another.
I can relate..We had two critical years with pc.. you need a break from it . Good look passing this gallstone test .ouch! Poor fellow... good Jews they have a bead on what’s wrong , the darn antibiotics did me a lot of damage over prit near two years of constant use for uti’s due to tubes and foley . Be glad he’s not there ., Thank you for your sentiments and the update . Many prayers 🙏
I've had 2 Kidney stones on the right and 3 on the left. F---ing PAIN, PAIN, PAIN. If it is, drink water water and more water. Stay away from alcohol drinks and coffee. Jump up and down to help dislodge the stone... I have a feeling it's not a stone since you didn't mention he was crying. See a doc ASAP.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Tuesday 08/06/2019 8:15 PM DST
I think you should have liver and gall bladder checked as well due to the location of pain under the ribs on right side. Best of luck
Thanks hansjd,
Yes we saw gp today and he thinks it's gallstones so we have an ultrasound booked next week.
Gallstones.... Yep had one too.... Painful and in the back (pass blood).... My whole family suffered from stones (kidney and gallbladder)... Don't let him eat fatty or rich foods.....
Wish the stones were the ones you put on jewelry....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Wednesday 08/07/2019 6:20 PM DST
Even though a dull ache under his low rip cage doesn't sound like it could be the liver, because liver pain when cancer-related often comes in more sharp darts of pain; however, I would request another CT scan just to make sure there are no tumors/mets growing there.
You can't be careful enough.
The back pain could be muscle pain - and that would be good - but could also be mets activity. Again, without wanting to alarm you, I would get bloods taken and get another CT done.
Love, Mel.
Advanced Stage 4 Prostate Cancer with Mets
concerned about prostrate Cancer. ? PIRADS-4 
Zytiga and stomach pain; pain relief cocktails 
Urethral calcification pain
PSA dropping but pain
