neck shoulder and low rear rib pain and discomfort

hello. I’m currently being investigated for liver/ pancreatic or gallbladder disease, second stage tests and results pending. I confess to bring a heavy drinker and I smoked until my mid 30s. I eat well, exercise when well and am veggie but dairy is my down fall. My cholesterol and amalyse levels were high in the first tests. I’m 5’1” nearly 61 and have dropped from 9 stone 12 to 8 stone 13 in less than three weeks. I also live another long term autoimmune condition called Adult Onset Stills Disease which for me manifests as rheumatic Disease. My question is about the lower rear rib pain , is thus common with chronic pancreatic issues I’m amending my diet accordingly and cut out alcohol . Thank you.

[Skye_MC Administrator]

Hi stillsdisease 👋 If you do get diagnosed with pancreatitis, I would maybe suggest looking into genetic testing as well. While alcohol can contribute to pancreatitis, more and more research suggests that genetic factors play a larger role. However, no one with pancreatic issues should drink alcohol, so glad to hear you have successfully cut it out! In terms of rib pain, pancreatitis pain typically starts in your abdomen and radiates to your back. Of course, pain is different for everyone, so maybe someone else in the sub might be able to relate.

[Hidden in reply to Skye_MC]

thank you, I’ve always attributed the lower rear rib pain ( middle of my back, right hand side below shoulder blade) to rheumatoid pain but reading about pancreatitis I’m beginning to think otherwise. I do have abdominal pain in short sharp stabbing burst quite high up. Anyway I’m on the road to a diagnosis and will let you know. The indicators in my blood tests were raised inflammation, cholesterol and very high levels of amalyse. I only had a phone call with a locum GP and have yet to actually get a f2f appointment.

[PurpleButterfly2]

Hi stillsdisease.

I had neck, shoulder, lower ribs and lower back pain very very often. The pain was horrible but the one in the shoulder was horrendous!!! Whilst in hospital I mentioned to many doctors & consultants these pains, and in particular the shoulder pains.

Rib and back pain are quite common with pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. This is due to the connection of nerves between the pancreas and back. To have pain going from the pancreas to the back is "normal".

As for shoulder pain, this can also be due for different reasons. I also had liver issues with very high liver enzymes. The liver can also produce pain in different part of the body. That’s why pain should always be investigating, especially if it goes on.

But with my shoulder I had several tests done in hospital and nothing could explain the cause, even though I was in great pain. It’s only after reading about pain that I heard about "referred pain". It’s when we feel pain from a condition which is also felt in another part of the body.

[Hidden in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

thank you for your interesting reply. I did wonder if it was referred pain, living with another chronic illness means I tend to put everything down to that rather start trying to get it investigated. Where I live the only route to a telephone appointment with a nurse, let alone a Dr is via 111 service. The pain is severe enough to need pain relief so I agree with you that if could be referred pain. Thanks again and wishing you well.

[Hidden]

Hi stillsdisease, I personally was having the mist horrible rib pain. I couldn't even handle my clothing touching my ribs, trying to lie comfortably on either my left or right side to get off to sleep was impossible too. It was driving me crazy until a GP suggested a nerve painkiller. I'm so glad she suggested that because it has stopped that awful rib pain as well as shoulder pain and other weird pains around my poor little abdomen. I have chronic pancreatitis and I sincerely hope you don't have that too especially since you already have one serious condition to deal with. Good luck with all your tests and I hope the results don't bring any bad news or shocks for you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thanks for your reply and kind words. I realise now I always suffered bowl issues, slow transit, constipation and its possibly linked to the other AI condition I have. Currently I have sharp stabbing pains high in the abdomen, heartburn, headache, cough, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, itching, sore eyes, earache, loss of weigh and appetite, bloating and pain under my rib cage in my back below the shoulder blade on my right and pain on the left in my neck and stabbing pain under the shoulder blade. All scary and confusing , tests and results pending, lots of concern about high amalyse levels so I’m resting and eating carefully, taking the PPI, off the wine, cheese and cake 😉

[Hidden]

My goodness you are in a bad way. My heart goes out to you. It's fantastic that you're being careful about what you're eating though. I think educating ourselves about the digestive system and particularly the pancreas is the best thing we can do for ourselves. If it turns out that you do indeed have a pancreatic condition, make sure the doctors get you onto creon as it's fabulous for helping the digestion and keep educating yourself about the best things to eat and avoid. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thank you, I will look that up 😀

[Slinkyminx]

hi. I have had Stills disease for six years now I’m 61. It manifests as rash fever and joint pain with me. I was admitted to hospital with Macropharge activation syndrome which is extension of stills and when there I mentioned my under right rib pain and shoulder pain which I thought was reflux. Turned out to be a 2cm gallstone. Have they checked you for gallstones? Your symptoms sound like mine I’m waiting to have my gallbladder removed in between biologics.

[Hidden in reply to Slinkyminx]

thank you so much for your reply. I have no regular health carer just locum GPs who only do telephone calls. Research has led me to consider gallbladder issues and MAS but without a specialist of any sort I can only wait for the colonoscopy and gastroscopy appointments which could be months away. I’m beginning to feel a massive hypercondriac as GPis so dismissive. I think I need to find a private rheumatic specialist and get tested fully or just pay for an MRI which I believe would show organ conditions, trouble is I need a letter from from GP outlining the issues first I think. I am feeling overwhelmed by it all tbh.

AOSD in your mid 50s, wow that is very rare, do you manage a normal life routine? I’m very interested in your story. Thanks again for your message.

[Slinkyminx in reply to Hidden]

I struggle. Going from one issue to the next. Stress seems to be my biggest maker of a flares. I just a granddaughter over Christmas and ended up being admitted withMAS. Luckily they caught it early. I’ve tried over nine biologics done work for a while but my knees always swell and are painful. What medicines are you on for Stills? I got a second opinion from a Harley st consultant but it didn’t change anything. Currently my biggest issue is being off my biologics and waiting for gallbladder surgery. Waiting for the flare lol. They won’t go the op privately because I might get another MAS. I’ll have yo go to A&E in the end. Have you tried that approach ?

[Hidden in reply to Slinkyminx]

my experience of Stills was in 1979 and I was off meds within about 5 years except pain relief. I married, had two sons, worked, divorced and eventually ended up living and working in London with a grotty bedsit so I could support my boys and non working ex husband in the marital home. Yes, I left him with the boys, reason was financial and I thought best at the time but I was very wrong. My boys are in their mid 30s now and my ex died recently. He was a lifetime alcoholic. My step Dad AND my Dad both died on 29th December so that’s three funerals in two months. My new symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, reflux, etc started just after this but with AOSD one never feels well and there is always pain. Extremely bad sore throats are the worst! I have related AI conditions and I think I have either AIP or CP possibly due to Stills, I’ve known for a long time I need to see a rheumatologist again but can’t face trying to get a locum GP to understand or accept this and I want to stay off meds. I believe my Stills to be a one off attack as it’s never completely immobilised me or put me in hospital again since, but joint damage, pain and fever are as you know constant.

You sound much worse off I’m sorry to say. Thank you for your reply and help.