Over the last year I get regular pain underneath my bottom ribs on both sides (sometimes one left only or right only). Almost like someone squeezing tightly in a hug or a belt wrapped around me.
Usually pain relief and a hot water bottle helps to ease it after a while, but also while it happens it hurts to breathe.
But this is a constant pain nearly every day I endure.
Last November I was admitted to A&E because it got so bad they thought it was kidney stones, but after an ultrasound and CT scan they found nothing and said it was probably muscular.
I know endo can grow on the kidneys and I'm wondering whether this might be the case.
I'm nervous about going back to the GP incase it's just brushed off as muscular and something I just have to suffer with and get on with. I hate wasting time so don't want to really go and waste their time.
Any insight would be wonderful.
Written by
FallenCas
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Hi there! I'm disappointed to read once again how dismissive doctors are being with women. Even if it's muscular, they should be trying to determine why it's happening and giving you guidance.
I have had something similar, but it wasn't directly related to my endo. I suffer from anxiety and it became worse this year to the point I was having attacks quite frequently (I'm now being treated by a therapist). One of the symptoms was a pain just under my ribcage - like a pressure/tension from my diaphragm where it almost felt like my ribs were being torn apart.
Have you been feeling increasingly anxious?
You definitely need to get back to your GP. They shouldn't be dismissing you.
It is very frustrating. The same happened when I had my lap in 2016. I wasn't told any information on discharge and no information on discharge letter only to ring consultant secretary 2 days later and find out they found endo.
I do suffer from anxiety so it's possible that could be the culprit. But lately I've been feeling better in myself but mental health works in mysterious ways so who know.
I think a trip to the GP is definitely in order to find out what is going on. Thank you so much for the reply
If it gets worse with periods, might be worth considering endometriosis on your diaphragm- usually presents with pain under ribs where you describe (more common on right side but bilateral is possible), shortness of breath and shoulder/arm pain.
I'm actually on my period right now so that could make more sense. I have shoulder pain too but assumed it was just unrelated.
My first lap was back in 2016. So maybe I need another to see what's going on as my pelvic pain is starting to return again after zoladex treatment last year.
Just keep track of it in regards to your cycle, and if you have another lap make sure you insist they check your whole diaphragm because often they don't! Actually, even if you have no endo seen on the abdominal side it's still possible to have it only on the pulmonary side- but much less likely. Good luck!
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