Suffering from pains around my ribs

[OldTimer74]

For about 4 weeks now I have had various pains around my ribs and my upper back, it is never the same and not severe. I`m fine when I am in bed. I have always suffered from pulled muscles in my back. I am just wondering if the latest virus attacks that we are all in danger of is actually causing me to be tense and worried. I have had two heart attacks in the past and this feels nothing like that. I can get a day when I`m fine and others when I get these pains. I`m 75 years old and I must admit I am affected by the way this virus is catching on, could it be something as simple as that? It also seems to be affecting my digestion. I don`t want to worry the doctor while they are under so much pressure. Sorry for being a wimp but the more I think about the pains the more I worry. I`m sleeping OK, I have been told I have IBS in the past but that used to affect me being loose when going to the toilet. Thanks Dave

[Susiiscute]

Hi Dave, is the pain on your left side?

[OldTimer74 in reply to Susiiscute]

No, it`s on the right, below my rib cage. I have been getting various pains around my ribs and shoulder blades. I think it might be tension with the virus situation. Also, I have been taking Zantac for excess stomach acid for a number of years with no side effects but just recent they have been removed from sale so I am taking the generic ones from our doctor and that`s about the time it started. The doctors say that the generic ranitidine is the same but I don`t think it is.

[Susiiscute in reply to OldTimer74]

Sorry to hear that. It’s not your pancreas, that pain is on the left side. I was just checking. I don’t know what your pain could be and don’t want to alarm you either. I think you should call your GP though to speak on the phone if you are worried. Are you mobile, as in walking about normally?

[Deniseki]

Hi Dave. Sorry to hear about your problems. Might help to know that I have been having similar sounding pain on right side under ribs and up right side of back to shoulder. Not sure what's causing it but seems to tie in with my normal IBS symptoms. I too think it might be partly to do with stress in current situation as I live alone with plenty of time to wind myself up!! Trying to find ways to distract myself. Take care

[OldTimer74 in reply to Deniseki]

Thanks for coming back to me, I have had that pain start after cleaning the windows on my conservatory where I have to stretch that little bit extra, I put it down to a pulled muscle at first ( a few years ago) but it does keep coming back) I did have the camera down my stomach a few years ago and they did find a sore area where the stomach empties into my intestines , they did a sample in case it was cancer but it was clear. It is not a pain exactly but more like a burning feeling but just the last few weeks I have had light pains around my ribs and even my back that comes and goes. I don`t mind if they could find the cause, I can put up with the discomfort but it does play on your mind more so during this virus shut down. It has been worse now that I can`t get Zantac and have to take the generic ranitidine from the doctor. The doctor is going to put me on a different drug for the excess acid so we shall see. Getting old certainly aint for wimps

[MariaSt]

It could be stones in your gallbladder, you could do an ultrasound of the upper abdomen to exclude it.

[OldTimer74 in reply to MariaSt]

That might be an option when things quieten down in the hospitals. My hobby is photography and sometimes when I return home after being out with my camera I do get pains around the centre of my chest and I put that down to holding the camera up at eye level with heavy lenses on it. Thanks

[Mascot68]

Hi I have had IBS for 20 years and in the last four months have had dull ache under my right rib extending round my back , sometimes it is worse than others . All my bloods are fine but just feel tired . Am awaiting an abdominal scan God knows when that will be with the Covid virus

Does anyone else have these symptoms ?