Discomfort in right rib cage

[LauraQ]

Hi. I was diagnosed as having pbc in my second pregnancy and on urso. I have discomfort in the side of my right rib cage on the side/back, only way I can explain it is feels like I have a tennis ball pushing against my rib. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Lisacj]

Yes I do and it is the same as yours. I do also get sharp stabbing pains as well, I keep trying to sit up straight to try and give the area more room?? Odd, anyway the pain are normal, both a friend who has had a transplant for PBC and my hematologist have told me..try to keep wellx

[LauraQ in reply to Lisacj]

Thanks Lisa. I stretch or move my position to give it more room! Nice to hear someone understands what I'm talking about. My consultant said its muscular. Maybe I'll try an osteopath. Try and keep well too. X

[spoul]

Yes I have it, it's due to liver enlargement and inflammation according to my consultant. Thank goodness for elasticated waists! X

[skywalker]

Hi LauraQ

Sounds like liver capsule pain due to liver inflammation.

I'm curious, have you still got your gallbladder? It's just that I had that pain when my gall bladder was playing up, it just felt like a hard tennis ball, but no-one believed me because I never had stones (scan clear) and all that!

Until eventually it got so bad I ended up in A&E at 11pm the pain was so bad!

Had to have it removed because it was diseased! Now the pain as gone....

I'm just mentioning it because it might not be your liver.

How far down the line with PBC are you?

Just thought it might be worth consideration

Stay well xxx

[LauraQ in reply to skywalker]

Hi there. Still have my gall bladder, going to have another liver scan at some point. Had pbc for 2 1/2 years & diagnosed in 2nd pregnancy. Have mentioned it to two different consultants but both said its muscular but I'm not convinced. Phosphate levels are around 350 at the mo, rose to 1200 after the birth. No itching anymore thankfully. Eay stages apparently. Have another appt in 6 months. Thanks for your reply. How are you? X

[skywalker]

If you are early stages it shouldn't be your liver! Ask them to perform the Murphy sign on your back, that should hit the spot and hurt if it's your gallbladder.

It took years for them to sit up and listen to me, and no-one did the murphy sign. Because they couldn't find stones they kept telling me I was ok.... and sending me home! Very disheartening!

But I knew something wasn't right..... If at the doctors they had performed a simple test called the murphy sign they may have realised it was my gallbladder.

But, they didn't, until it got really bad and swollen, then it was visible on scan..... was in hospital for a week...... they said it would be removed in 6 wks, still had to wait 5 months!

Do you feel any tightness or aching in your right shoulder? or like a tight band feeling? This can be gall bladder pain!

We tend to think that most aches and pains are PBC related but actually they may not be! It's worth having your gallbladder checked out, don't forget "the murphy sign" google it, so that you know it's being done properly xxx

[LauraQ]

Thank you! Havent had any shoulder pain recently but did have terrible discomfort in shoulder in my first pregnancy for months. Will google & get it checked. Thank you so much. Xx