Constant pain under right rib

[wilscas]

Hi there, I have had constant pain under my right rib for the last 4 years. My Dr has continued to fluff me off and state that it must be IBS. I have had 1 ultrasound and 1 x-ray. My x-ray showed gas bubbles throughout my digestive tract. In 4 years the pain has not got any worse but not any better. It is daily. The last 2 weeks the pain has suddenly moved to my right side as well as my belly button. Has anyone with IBS had this. My bowel movements are normal in my oponion.

[damiante]

hello wilscas, i have the same problem only under the rib in my back, sometime left or to the right or down to the right side or to the left, i don't have ibs i have peptic ulcer, i have gone to my doctor many times and the answer is it's acid, rarely i have no pain, let's hope it's nothing serious, take care

[Kittylitty]

Hi, I have also experienced pain under my right rib for approx 6 months, which has taken me to my GP a number of times and a hospital admission. Had a CT Abdo with no clear diagnosis. Put down to 'possible IBS', (gastro related). Regular meds prior to meals and a complete change of diet for two weeks has helped, but it still comes and goes now and again. I have linked it myself to potential bouts of ?constipation, although I wouldnt say I'm classically 'constipated'. A vegetarian style diet helped (Im not veggie), exercise etc. Hope you feel better soon.

[Maureen1958]

Hi, yes I can relate to this. I get pain exactly where you do. It started on the right side many years ago and then went over to the left side too exactly like you describe. Also noticed more recently the belly button thing. I have had IBS for nearly 35 years, these symptoms started about 20 years ago. I put it all done to the IBS as I have no other illnesses to speak of. My IBS takes up all of my time anyway, no time left for any other problems.

[Neil119]

WE HAVE TO SURVIVE ON AND ON - BLESS YOU NAND ME

[elenarosa]

i have had this for 11 years. i have had every test imaginable. finally, my dr. suggested i look at t8 vertebrae. they found a cavernous malformation that they think might be related. it's the only thing left to point to this is a serious condition. so far, mine is stable, but there has been no relief for the right sided pain. dr. doesn't seem to know which direction to go in. i'm trying CBD oil. sitting for long periods of time makes it worse. so i think it's related to nerve problems from the back.

[Joe3]

Long answer - sorry but,

Ask your physician if he/she has heard of 'hepatic flexure syndrome'. He/She probably will not know of it. The large intestine has a bend just beneath the right rib cage (liver/hepatic side of your abdomen). Thus, if you have a constant pain, just on the right, inferior side of the rib cage it could be colonic gases building up at the flexure (bend) of the large intestine. Look at any diagram of the large intestine and you will see the flexure. Colonic gases may disperse at night and regather each morning when you stand up. Pain may ease when you are asleep and also a little after bowel movement but with me it never completely goes away. Pain remedies are virtually useless. I suggest you obtain a copy of "Rome 4" , which is a set of research papers gathered from the latest conference of leading researchers in gastroenterology who meet in Rome every 4 years or so (a simple Internet search will locate Rome 4 easily). Researchers apparently discuss latest notions about 'hepatic flexure syndrome' and many other IBS problems. I am thinking of trying to get hold of Rome 4 from the local medical library at the teaching hospital. It will cost you £125GBP if you try to buy it online. I am trying to obtain a good cook book at present so that I can take up and follow a FODMAP dietary plan. I have had the problem for 11 years now, without finding a solution, and I have had all the usual tests (US scans, MRI scans, CT scans, HIDA scans, endoscopy, X-ray, inter-costal nerve blocks, etc., etc.). None were conclusive/effective and surgeons/physicians were never decisive until recently. If your problem is constant and UNrelated to fatty food intake, then please consider 'hepatic flexure syndrome' and remember your general practitioner may well have never heard of it. It is not life threatening, it's just painful, constant and demoralising. Perhaps the upcoming "Rome 5" will offer us some solutions? Keep your eyes on the research. Also, it may sound silly, but I can assure you that peppermint tea and, GP prescribed, peppermint capsules have helped. I hope this helps someone ... It is the result of years of personal investigation on my part. I wish you all well...

Regards ... Alan

[elenarosa in reply to Joe3]

joe3, i am elenarosa on this thread. i have had this pain 11 years. it is just what you say. constant, demoralizing. the thing is my dr. suspects the back t-8 and i do have what they call a cavernous malformation at t-8. it's serious if it de-stabilizes. but honestly, i don't think it's the cavernous malformation. i think it may be the hepatic flecture. right now, i'm constipated and i really feel it.

any more words of wisdom regarding this problem?

[Eivissa in reply to Joe3]

Hi Alan, understand your post was some time ago but have you had any luck in resolving your symptoms? I believe I suffer with hepatic flexure syndrome but can't find any advice on how to treat it. Many thanks

[Joe3 in reply to Eivissa]

Hi Eivissa, I have found no resolution up to now, and I am in my 13th year. Effective solutions seem as elusive as ever. Two years ago, my gastroenterologist recommended peppermint tea, exercise and avoiding constipation. There is some benefit to following this advice, but it is not a cure. Frankly, I have had a dreadful day with it today. Pain killers are virtually useless on days like this, but I have taken paracetamol nevertheless. It has been my worst day in many, many months. When physicians use terminology like 'syndrome', it seems to mean that they have no idea of the cause or the cure. Irritable bowel could refer to anything and could have a wide range of causes. Hepatic flexure is just a spot where the pain seems to centre itself. You may wish to ask your GP directly, to help you to understand hepatic flexure syndrome (HFS). GPs can obtain the 'Rome 4' research papers and provide you with the latest advice from gastroenterologists. My GP printed it off for me to read. It may be that having Dr in front of my name gave him the confidence to think I would understand the research paper. I read it with a dictionary at my side, as I am not a medic. Read it and you will see how little the physicians really know about IBS or HFS. Your GP may refer you to a specialist to obtain this HFS advice as they are usually too busy themselves, and not specialist enough on gastroenterology to know of, or to research the problem. I have found that a hot water bottle and bed are helpful. Surgery, scans and scopes have all been totally ineffective for me. The only clue that I have to its origins is that I was very constipated on the day that it arrived. I am very sorry to say this to you, but welcome to my world. Keep in touch, if it helps. I wish you well, most sincerely I do ... Alan

[Eivissa in reply to Joe3]

Hi Alan, thank you for coming back to me and I'm sorry you had such a dreadful day. The pain is exhausting and if you're like me, it's draining physically and emotionally. Much like you I have been suffering on and off since a teenager. But I have found as I've gotten older, the 'active bouts' last much longer. Once something (possibly stress) triggers it, I'm stuck with it for years. I get pain throughout the day every day....after eating and when stood up and moving about. The only way to ease it is to lie down so my life is pretty sedentary. But, my pain will suddenly diasappear over night!!!! And I feel AMAZING when it goes.....it just never goes for long. Do you suffer daily? Has yours diasappeared over night? Over the years I've seen numerous drs and had lots of scans/tests but all came back clear. I was recently referred to a gastroenterologist and told him what I believed to be happening but he completely disregarded it. I feel so let down by the medical profession but on a positive note, he did prescibe a medication to manage pain which seems to be working. I'm currently taking Gabapentin.... fairly strong but so far I'm only taking 1 tablet per day (prescribed 3per day) and they are definitely making a difference. We had tried Amitriptyline prior but this made no real difference. I hope knowledge in this area improves soon as the thought of suffering with this for the rest of my life is quite depressing. Hope you have a better day today and please let me know if you do come across anything that works. Warm regards

[Joe3 in reply to Eivissa]

Hello Eivissa ... Yes, my problem does indeed almost disappear over night, but returns every day when I stand and move about until at the end of each day I am worn out with it. Walking for half an hour, or an hour, helps me to a degree. I used to get a little relief by going to do some light exercise at the gym, but the pandemic put paid to that. Like you, I also tried Amitriptyline and Gabapentin but the side effects were adverse for me and I dropped them. Anyway, their effect on the pain was minimal at best. I was a lecturer before my retirement and some of these drugs prevented me from thinking straight, so that I couldn't work effectively in the mental fog they created. Students and research were far too demanding for me to work without my brain in gear. Your description fits my case to a T. I am so sorry you have this condition as it is certainly an enormous drag on our quality of life. I try to think of it as an affliction that works for my good. God knows our frame and he has allowed this to happen to us, so I tend to look for reasons. It helps me a lot, just to reflect on that at times. I will certainly get in touch if I find anything that helps.

[Harveyhound]

Hi there I have the same problem, pain under right rub that never goes away. I also feel bloated, gassy and a tight sensation. I've had this for 29 years now, was told I had IBS after ultrasound. Nothing helps at all.

[Napa38 in reply to Harveyhound]

I’m exactly the same as this so frustrating

[Harveyhound in reply to Napa38]

How long have you had these symptoms? Do you find anything that helps?