Pulse under right ribcage ??

[Von66]

Any one else had this like a pulse or a twitching top of abdomen under ribcage ? Could it be trapped wind I suffer terrible with wind I have ibs d it's really annoying !

[Sekida]

I do! It doesn't hurt, it just beats away, never bothered me but always wondered what it is... It's always there 😑

[Von66 in reply to Sekida]

Same , doesn't hurt but it's very annoying only had it a couple of days I'm hoping it doesn't last long☹️ Do you think it's to do with ibs?

[Lynnetod in reply to Sekida]

Is it your heartbeat , I can feel

Mine there

[bantam12]

The aorta runs down the centre of the abdomen from the heart so you will feel a pulse in it, just as well really !

[Sekida in reply to bantam12]

Oh I didn't know that! Thanks 👌

[Von66]

Yes but it's actually like someone is kicking me like when you are pregnant and I'm definitely not .

[bantam12]

It's normal to feel and see the pulse but you should get it checked out in case there is a problem. Google abdominal aortic pulse to see if it fits.

[Angie11]

I get it when I'm badly constipated.

[Lynnetod]

Could be trapped wind 🌬

[sickandsore]

I get this too, its def trapped wind. Try peppermint capsules to help release the trapped gas. And look at ways to ease the constipation. I've just read Patrick holfords good gut health its really knsightful.

[Joe3]

Pulse under right ribcage ??

This is an IMPORTANT topic. With me, it pulsates regularly and quite noticeably all day and night, without being painful in itself. With me it's not constipation, is not synchronised with heartbeat, and is not gastric wind. It proceeds at intervals of one or two second ON and one or two seconds OFF without a break.

This pulsating feeling coincides with the spot where I have for ELEVEN years felt like I have a large golf ball inserted just below my diaphragm, on the right flank just below my rib cage. Now, that, unlike the pulsating, IS painful.

It is NOT on the outer surface of the skin, NOR is it deep in the abdomen. It feels like it is a muscle-skeletal problem. Pressing on the spot with my hand can give a little relief but driving seems to irritate it more and it feels VERY uncomfortable when I am sat in a car.

Numerous scans, pain relief clinic, physiotherapy, exploratory operations, gastroscopy, gall bladder tests all prove useless. EXERCISE AT THE GYM DOES HELP BUT THE EFFECT DOES NOT LAST. A hot water bottle helps too, especially at night.

The only test that HAS identified an 'indication' of herniation was an ultrasound scan where I was asked to blow out strongly against pressure (thumb in mouth) to put stress on the abdominal muscle wall. The radiologist then saw indications of herniation. The following exploratory op. found NO abdominal hernia. I wonder therefore whether it is a hernia between the abdominal muscle and the fatty tissue beneath the skin. I am still pursuing this line after 11 years!

Check for a fatty lipoma by pressing on the area. Can you feel a painless lump. It is not serious in itself. Just look for it.

Sometimes the pulsating becomes more pronounced and is exactly and precisely beneath the rib cage on the right flank. On rare occasions the muscle in that area cramps up and I then have serious pain problems. More generally, it is seriously effecting the normal function and movement of muscles on the right flank, making me feel very tense all day. I am utterly exhausted!

I will post the solution, if ever I find it. All good wishes to those who are suffering from this chronic problem.

[thetim in reply to Joe3]

Joe, how are you, any further forward? I began to experience similar sounding difficulties around 5 months ago. Marked discomfort under right rib and sometimes right flank and rear of ribs. Discomfort becomes pain at times and can extend to lower right abdomen. Frequent spasm sensation as well as visible muscular contractions. Just beginning to experience the frustration of medic visits. Bloods all clear and likewise ultrasound of gall bladder, kidney and liver. Yes this is good but leaves me suffering and in the dark still. Already think drs are suggesting this is in my head. Have you heard of slipping rib syndrome? This condition more than any seems to fit with my symptoms but drs won't have it. I am going to seek a chiropractor soon. My best wishes

[Joe3]

Hi thetim

Thanks, your enquiry is very timely. OK, here goes.

I have always had bad stomachs occurring around an hour after meals, no matter what I eat, fatty foods or otherwise. This has been going on for MANY years. I went to the GP again very recently because the stomach problems had become intolerable. Does that resonate with you?

In desperation for some accurate diagnosis my GP requested a radiologist 'review' of the results of ALL the scans I had over the last 11 years. The radiologist was very thorough and picked up on just one 'suspicious' HIDA scan result from years ago that he said 'may indicate' a chronic cholecystitis. He suggested doing a new HIDA scan to see if the bile ejection 'fraction' was still low. The normal bile ejection fraction is 35% and I had only a 22% result. HIDA scans measure the rate of flow of bile from the bile duct. The new HIDA scan is due in early March.

I have had enough of waiting around for physicians to find evidence so I am seeing a surgeon tomorrow because I want him to look at the evidence, old and new, with me. If there is still a low ejection fraction result from next month's HIDA scan, and he asks me how I suggest he proceeds, I will opt for having my gall bladder out. Interestingly, I am told that the gall bladder contracts rhythmically to eject bile into the gut. That may explain the pulsating sensation. Gall bladder contractions can be very painful if there is a blockage. Mine is mostly just VERY uncomfortable, like a mild stitch, so it may be related to a chronic, long lasting infection. I am aiming at surgery because I can see no light at the end of this dreadful tunnel without it.

I truly hope that this is some help to you. If you have the condition I have, it just doesn't stop or relent. If God had not been so very kind to me in so many ways I don't know what I would have done over these years. I wish you well. Try requesting a HIDA scan and see what turns up. If the consultant says the bile ejection is just sluggish, don't be put off. He may ask you what you want him to do. Be decisive...! That's my advice, or you may be facing a lifetime of misery.

All my good wishes to you ... Joe