I have this burning sensation at lower rib cage the vibrates at my back and upper part of my body. It started when i use norethindrone. Its a hormonal contraceptive. I stopped that 9 months ago. Still the burning sensation still there. I have IBS problem. Im always constipated but i make it a habit to defacate everyday as possible. I always fart, im thinking maybe because i eat pears first thing in the morning. But whats freak me out is the changes in the body: bloating of my lower abdomen, dry skin, breakouts all over my face and swelling lymph node on my left neck. I went to the doctor for my lymph nodes, i had a lot of ultrasounds, scans and biopsy yet they cant find the cause of it. A lot of bloodtest for my liver and bacterias still they cant find anything wrong. Can someone know whats happening to me? The burning sensation i feel lessen when i am standing or walking. Its bad when im laying down worse when im sitting down.
Thanks
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Doona
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Has you discussed with your GP whether you have acid reflux/GERD? Best to discuss this with a GP for a diagnosis first.
This can be worse in constipation prone people and if you getting a lot of gas, since the pressure builds up in your system and weakens the valve that sits between your stomach and throat, allowing stomach contents to flow back. This is why is is worse when you lie down. You can raise the head of your bed by 20cm by using plastic bed risers available on the internet. I have been sleeping like this for years.
If you can get on top of your IBS more, the gasses might die down, helping the GERD too.
Here is some information about IBS that I have shared with others in this group:
IBS can be due to a number or combination of factors - these can be stress (including stress from early life experiences) which impacts the communication between the brain and the digestive system. There are lots of free webinars online at the moment regarding mindfulness meditation which might help. Plus you can ask to be referred for CBT or something similar to reduce your anxiety - I would have thought online appointments are available. Exercise can play a major role in IBS in terms of reducing stress, helping your gut microbiome and regulating bowel movements.
There is also not absorbing certain types of carbohydrates called FODMAPs very well, the residue ending up in the colon and bacteria feeding off them causing symptoms. Ordinarily feeding gut bacteria is a really good thing - when you feed good gut bacteria these produce by-products that have great health effects in the gut and throughout the body. However, in some people with IBS bad bugs might have the upper hand over good - these bad bugs may cause symptoms such as excess gas, pain or disordered bowel movements. There is an interesting infographic on this here:
This is why it’s worth trying probiotics such as Alflorex (which has been scientifically studied for IBS) or Symprove to crowd out the bad bugs and make their numbers die down. If that doesn't work you can try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app it will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities. You can eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks and then introduce each type of FODMAP one at a time starting in small quantities, increasing over a 3 day period and wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount (1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size) of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then try to increment again . I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly and your bad bugs are under control with a good probiotic. Ideally you want to eat as many FODMAPs as you can since they are good for your health. Many people with IBS don't have diverse gut bacteria - it has been found that people who lack a diverse microbiome are more prone to diseases in general. In the long run, if you can get your symptoms under control, the ideal situation is to have a very varied diet - lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables, a variety of protein and carbohydrate sources including cereal fibres. This may seem a long way off, but with the right treatment all of this is possible. Last year all I could consume to control my IBS was white rice, protein and limited low fodmap veg. Using the approach above (particularly introducing Alflorex) I am now able to consume far more foods - more than I've ever dreamed of including wholewheat bread which is unheard of for me.
If you are also suffering from pain, you may be suffering from visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:
It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain - this is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these. Linaclotide (for IBS-C only) & Alflorex have helped me with this intestinal pain.
You may also find assistance with anti-spasmodic medication such as mebeverine (Colofac) or enteric coated peppermint.
I have a redundant colon too, which results in constipation. I've had to get my pain under control so that I can consume much more fibre and fibre supplements to help with BMs.
I run 3 times a week and have a walk around after breakfast to try to get things moving. This is going to sound really weird, but there is a movement I have found that seems to massage my intestines to promote a bowel movement - the movement is between 1.15 and 2.00 of this dance video:
I have been prescribed Linaclotide for my redundant colon and I take Alflorex as already mentioned. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM including oatbran, wheat bran (if tolerated), 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 8-9 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. I find that I need to have 1 orange a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.
Note that I wouldn't have been able to consume any of the foods mentioned above without the Alflorex.
There is some good advice about constipation here:
I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.
Some people say that enteric coated peppermint can help with pain.
I have been giving Optifibre a go, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas.
Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week.
You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).
Not sure why you are unable to exercise & drink the water.
I dont have problem handling my colon when i was in my country since i live in a highly active lifestyle. When i migrated to new country and this pandemic. In someway, i cant find much time to exercise. My new job requires more sitting and thats so bad. Thanks for all your advises. Ill try to do the dance.
Hi I Am New To This But I Find Your Comment Very Interesting..At The Moment It's The Pains Around My Central Chest Area That's Giving Me Concern...Had It Checked In hospital Recently And Told It Wasn't Heart Related So Would Be Glad No Of Some Advice Thank.. Stay Safe and Stay Well....
Pain in the central chest area which has been diagnosed as being not heart related may be acid reflux/GERD. However, you would need to discuss this possibility with your GP.
Hi Doona, I think you haven't got what I have because my symptoms get worse when standing and better when lying down, but like you I have had dry skin which I think in my case is caused by pressure from my connective tissue reducing fluid circulation. So maybe one possible explanation for your dry skin and lymph node swelling might be because pressure from something internally is reducing your fluid circulation? I'm not at all medically qualified, so it's just an idea but not a very well-informed one. I hope things get better for you soon!
I was wondering if you could give an update. I think I have the similar condition, burning sensation closer to the ribcage...I have IBS and with a very bad burning sensation right 2-3 inches right of my belly button, single location. Thx.
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