advice rib pain

[Napa38]

Hi all I have been lurking on here for a while! I have had right side rib pain for a couple of years, nothing that stops day to day activities but just a dull gnawing ache! I have recently had bloods done which came back within normal range and subsequent ultrasound which also came back normal. I have been a daily beer and wine drinker for a number of years and therefore concerened this pain could be liver related? I have no other symptoms other than occasional diarrhoea which I have had on and off for as long as I can remember, although I have now started using a probiotic which seems to be clearing this up. I haven’t drank for 2 months and I am just trying to gauge what my next steps should be as it’s proving very difficult trying to speak with a doctor given the current problems within the nhs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Hidden]

hi sounds like irritable bowel syndrome on the diarheo maby the pain is intestine, have you had any injuries like pulled muscle in the rib area theres lot of muscles and rib injuries tend to drag out mine still isnt right from 3 years ago, i deffinately have intestine pain but on the left not consistant,from slight ibs sorry cant be more helpful hope you get proffeshional help, beer is a trigger for ibs sufferers 🤗

[Napa38 in reply to Hidden]

thank you for your reply twinklystar. I have never formally been diagnosed with IBS although a few years ago I mentioned the diarrhoea symptoms to the dr and he said i likely do have some ibs issues. I also have GERD and have been on medication for this for circa 20 years.

[Hidden in reply to Napa38]

oh lanzaprozil my mam has gerd, my intestine pain is often trapped wind, my ibs is very slight sometimes i take lanzaprozil for indegestion pain, too much alcohol is a trgger for ibs and certain foods you can look them up onions for one

[Napa38 in reply to Hidden]

thanks twinkly star. I have certainly noticed a marked improvement in my GERD since giving up the lager and wine! I have a lot of wind and once passed the discomfort under my ribs does seem to ease although it doesn’t go completely!

[Chinkoflight]

His Napa38, right side pain under the ribs can be associated with the gall bladder and gallstones. You need a specific bilirubin blood test and a scan to check for this. 1/10 people are thought to have gallstones. Following stroke follow up bloods for my meds showed the possibility of liver dysfunction but further specific tests showed raised bilirubin, I then had a scan and the outcome was lots of gallstones. I was then asked by the GP whether I had the pain you describe. I was asymptomatic but have occasionally had what I assumed was indigestion. So although not really troubled by this I was advised that the stones can move and cause more rapid onset problems and because I was on anti clotting meds easier to remove the gallbladder now rather than risk an emergency that might not be treatable. I had to come off meds before the op.I don't seem to miss my gallbladder!!!

The consultant said post op that my gallbladder was very inflamed so I was a problem waiting to happen.

PS by way of reassurance the scan revealed the liver was okay, kidneys were okay but also revealed a cyst, (harmless apparently) everything else ok. So worth doing as I'm sure the Dr was sceptical about my general health and diet!!!!!

[devkermeg]

is the pain a burning pain? Where in the right side ribs… front or side upper or lower?

[Napa38 in reply to devkermeg]

more of a gnawing pain but suppose it could be described as burning as well. Its below right ribs on the front and around lower ribs towards my back. Thanks for your reply!

[devkermeg]

I asked because I have had a right lower rib side pain for 6 years. Liver tests all normal. Dr thinks it is more of a nerve pain as opposed to organ. I was a nightly wine 1-2 glasses for 2 decades. Very fit, vegetarian, runner/walker. Tests have always been normal. I cut back drinking to very little back in May 2-3 glasses a month. My ribs have calmed down. Dr said alcohol can be an inflammatory. My pain feels like it’s in the ribs so that makes sense.

[Napa38 in reply to devkermeg]

hi devkermeg thank you for your message. I have managed to get a drs appointment in a couple of weeks so hopefully get to the bottom of it!

[devkermeg]

I will be curious to see what they come up with. Seems like we are an anomaly 😂

[mr_eldritch]

I have this pain on my right side too. I’m awaiting an ultrasound. It gets worse when I move or bend somethings with a sharp pain that only lasts seconds but scares me. Sometimes that sharp pain travels to my right shoulder too.

[Napa38 in reply to mr_eldritch]

Hi mr_eldritch there are a few members on this forum who have similar problems and many go undiagnosed after numerous checks, scan etc... Its definitely worth contacting your GP to get checked out and the necessary scans which you are awaiting... Wishing you luck and keep us informed. Regards Napa38