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Abdominal upper right quadrant pain, just below ribs
Hi,
I too have upper right quad pain just below my ribs. I am a male, 46yrs old 6ft and weigh 175 lbs. My pain comes and goes and has for about 6 months. It is not severe pain, but at times is more annoying than anything. It feels like there is something in there pinching me. I went to an internal med MD in July. He ran blood tests that all came back fine. He sent me to have an abdominal ultrasound which showed only "healthy" organs. No dilated bile duct, no gall stones, liver enzymes were in normal range. It is 4 months later and the pain is still happening. When I sit, or bend at the waist, I can feel the pain. It is not a deep, internal pain, but seems close to the surface, just to the right of that little cartlidge/bone that splits the rib cage...just to the right of the stomach. What the heck could it be? My MD put me on Nexium, thinking maybe it is peptic in nature, but 60 days of Nexium and still the pain persists. I am freaking out because my dad passed away this past March due to a rare appendix cancer (pseudomixoma peritonei) that several MD's could not find, nor diagnose properly once they found it, another story in itself...so you know how the paranoia sets in. I don't have a lot of faith in MD's right now. Anyone out there have any input? Can the liver be screwed up for this long and still avoid being detected? Can inflamation be detected by ultrasound? It feels like it's burning, not like heartburn, but a firey sensation...hard to describe. Someone, please help me settle my fly away brain...thanks.
I too have upper right quad pain just below my ribs. I am a male, 46yrs old 6ft and weigh 175 lbs. My pain comes and goes and has for about 6 months. It is not severe pain, but at times is more annoying than anything. It feels like there is something in there pinching me. I went to an internal med MD in July. He ran blood tests that all came back fine. He sent me to have an abdominal ultrasound which showed only "healthy" organs. No dilated bile duct, no gall stones, liver enzymes were in normal range. It is 4 months later and the pain is still happening. When I sit, or bend at the waist, I can feel the pain. It is not a deep, internal pain, but seems close to the surface, just to the right of that little cartlidge/bone that splits the rib cage...just to the right of the stomach. What the heck could it be? My MD put me on Nexium, thinking maybe it is peptic in nature, but 60 days of Nexium and still the pain persists. I am freaking out because my dad passed away this past March due to a rare appendix cancer (pseudomixoma peritonei) that several MD's could not find, nor diagnose properly once they found it, another story in itself...so you know how the paranoia sets in. I don't have a lot of faith in MD's right now. Anyone out there have any input? Can the liver be screwed up for this long and still avoid being detected? Can inflamation be detected by ultrasound? It feels like it's burning, not like heartburn, but a firey sensation...hard to describe. Someone, please help me settle my fly away brain...thanks.
CMT4u Thanks for your sharing--
Egoscue Method, Physical Therapy, massage and treatment for a 'possible' ulcer helped me - also I stopped carrying a heavy purse over my right shoulder. Who knows for sure-- only God! I just praise Him for my being out of my worst pain.
..folks really should be sure to check out bodywork especially when other things are dead ends...
I could not afford much testing, and well, I don't have a whole lot of faith in conventional medicine today -- they are too specialized and looking at folks from their specialty only not the whole person. The last time I looked all my parts were all connected and when one part hurts the whole body is uncomfortable---
I personally think dehydration might be a factor with myofascial pulling on our muscles and messing with our overall structure.
Lots of considerations-- thanks again for your thoughts!
Egoscue Method, Physical Therapy, massage and treatment for a 'possible' ulcer helped me - also I stopped carrying a heavy purse over my right shoulder. Who knows for sure-- only God! I just praise Him for my being out of my worst pain.
..folks really should be sure to check out bodywork especially when other things are dead ends...
I could not afford much testing, and well, I don't have a whole lot of faith in conventional medicine today -- they are too specialized and looking at folks from their specialty only not the whole person. The last time I looked all my parts were all connected and when one part hurts the whole body is uncomfortable---
I personally think dehydration might be a factor with myofascial pulling on our muscles and messing with our overall structure.
Lots of considerations-- thanks again for your thoughts!
I'm only 19 years old male overweight. I also have right quadrant pains getting really bad, I've had an abdominal ultrasound which didn't find anything I am nauseous 24/7 I hardly eat, 2 times at most a day all for about 3 months now pain comes on and off and it'll hurt my back and sometimes cause heartburn very painful sometimes. Certain little things like alka seltzer and cimetidine will help numb it for a bit but not all the time and I at one time was abusing alcohol and now when I do drink every so often it makes my stomach very upset and causes me immediate diarrhea. I too have had the "clay" type stool every once in a while I have no idea what that is or even an idea of what's really wrong with me, any advice?
i too have been suffering with this pain and idscomfort for about 3 mths, all test came back ok except when i did hida scan second dose bout killed me, so GI doc thinks it is my gallbladder although it is functioning at 51%..I meet with surgeon next wed, wish me luck and i feel your pain!
This suggestion is only for those individuals who have already seen a doctor - had things checked out - and not been able to determine a problem.
There are muscles that can spasm or get something called "trigger points" (which are tender areas where the muscle fibers are contracted). These trigger points often refer pain to other areas. There are TWO muscles that can cause pain in, under, around the ribcage area AND around to the back (usually the lower, inside aspect of the scapula). They also mimick gallbladder issues.
So...if you have had all of the tests come back normal - and still experience discomfort - you may want to give this a try.
Trigger points will usually disappear by applying pressure/massage to them. The two muscles that need to be addressed are; the Serratus Anterior and the Diaphragm.
To release the Serratus Anterior muscle, feel for the most prominent rib on your side, straight down from your armpit at the level of your nipple. This is usually where the tenderness is the greatest. If the trigger point is very active, you won't feel like touching it - as it can really hurt. Fortunately, it doesn't take much pressure to have an effect. If you do not feel tenderness at that specific spot - realize that trigger points can be on any of the 9 ribs that this muscle attaches to. You can simply use your fingertips to apply some pressure to the tender area. Hold the pressure for several seconds (keeping the pressure the same). You should feel the tenderness start to slowly subside (this is the muscle releasing - as your pressure should be staying the same). Palpate your entire side feeling for tender points. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the tender points. *****Keep in mind that the trigger point may be several inches from where you are feeling the discomfort - it can still be the cause of the pain*****
The second muscle is your Diaphragm. This is a thin muscle that separates the orgrans of the chest from those of the abdomen. It attaches to the lowest of the ribs (all the way around the body). You will have to use your fingers to apply some gentle pressure under your bottom ribs. This can feel uncomfortable and is easiest on the exhale motion (I find it nearly impossible to go deeper on an inhale). Your hands and fingers may tire easily - so you may have to break it down into separate sessions.
If these trigger points have been in the muscles for some time - they may take some time to release. Be patient. If you are tender after your first session - give yourself a few days before trying another session. Expect a slight "bruised" sensation. If this happens, not to worry, the tenderness will subside in 1 - 3 days and the muscles should be much healthier and happier than prior to the treatment.
If this all seems too complicated or you are apprehensive - call around to find a good, qualified Massage Therapist that is experienced with these treatments. If they look at you with the "deer in the headlights" look when you mention work on these two muscles - keep looking for another therapist. An experienced therapist should know exactly what to do. However, with practice, you can easily do this yourself. There is a great book that can guide you called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" by Clair Davies. You should be able to find it on Amazon, ebay, etc.
Again, to reiterate, I only recommend this for those that have exhausted other resources. Please don't assume that it could be muscles if there is potential for it to be your gallbladder, liver or pancreas. However, if all has been cleared for you on those and you are still frustrated with the pain and discomfort - I think some of you might possibly find relief with these techniques. I suppose if even ONE person does - then it will be worth posting this. These techniques, of course, will work on either side of the body - but trigger points on the right side Serratus Anterior - could definitely be more prevalent in right handed individuals (but not limited to).
Best wishes to all!
Ah - and one more suggestion if this fails. Some people may find relief through acupuncture. If the the thought of needles makes you uncomfortable - find someone that does acupressure. Same concept, but without the needles!
There are muscles that can spasm or get something called "trigger points" (which are tender areas where the muscle fibers are contracted). These trigger points often refer pain to other areas. There are TWO muscles that can cause pain in, under, around the ribcage area AND around to the back (usually the lower, inside aspect of the scapula). They also mimick gallbladder issues.
So...if you have had all of the tests come back normal - and still experience discomfort - you may want to give this a try.
Trigger points will usually disappear by applying pressure/massage to them. The two muscles that need to be addressed are; the Serratus Anterior and the Diaphragm.
To release the Serratus Anterior muscle, feel for the most prominent rib on your side, straight down from your armpit at the level of your nipple. This is usually where the tenderness is the greatest. If the trigger point is very active, you won't feel like touching it - as it can really hurt. Fortunately, it doesn't take much pressure to have an effect. If you do not feel tenderness at that specific spot - realize that trigger points can be on any of the 9 ribs that this muscle attaches to. You can simply use your fingertips to apply some pressure to the tender area. Hold the pressure for several seconds (keeping the pressure the same). You should feel the tenderness start to slowly subside (this is the muscle releasing - as your pressure should be staying the same). Palpate your entire side feeling for tender points. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the tender points. *****Keep in mind that the trigger point may be several inches from where you are feeling the discomfort - it can still be the cause of the pain*****
The second muscle is your Diaphragm. This is a thin muscle that separates the orgrans of the chest from those of the abdomen. It attaches to the lowest of the ribs (all the way around the body). You will have to use your fingers to apply some gentle pressure under your bottom ribs. This can feel uncomfortable and is easiest on the exhale motion (I find it nearly impossible to go deeper on an inhale). Your hands and fingers may tire easily - so you may have to break it down into separate sessions.
If these trigger points have been in the muscles for some time - they may take some time to release. Be patient. If you are tender after your first session - give yourself a few days before trying another session. Expect a slight "bruised" sensation. If this happens, not to worry, the tenderness will subside in 1 - 3 days and the muscles should be much healthier and happier than prior to the treatment.
If this all seems too complicated or you are apprehensive - call around to find a good, qualified Massage Therapist that is experienced with these treatments. If they look at you with the "deer in the headlights" look when you mention work on these two muscles - keep looking for another therapist. An experienced therapist should know exactly what to do. However, with practice, you can easily do this yourself. There is a great book that can guide you called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" by Clair Davies. You should be able to find it on Amazon, ebay, etc.
Again, to reiterate, I only recommend this for those that have exhausted other resources. Please don't assume that it could be muscles if there is potential for it to be your gallbladder, liver or pancreas. However, if all has been cleared for you on those and you are still frustrated with the pain and discomfort - I think some of you might possibly find relief with these techniques. I suppose if even ONE person does - then it will be worth posting this. These techniques, of course, will work on either side of the body - but trigger points on the right side Serratus Anterior - could definitely be more prevalent in right handed individuals (but not limited to).
Best wishes to all!
Ah - and one more suggestion if this fails. Some people may find relief through acupuncture. If the the thought of needles makes you uncomfortable - find someone that does acupressure. Same concept, but without the needles!
Lets try an experiment together, those with Gallbladder & without.
Sit in a chair, stretch right leg out behind you as far as you can, now lean forward onto desk laying your head on your left arm (like you where bored in one of your high school classes), now make sure your right leg is stretched out behind. Now breathe in slowly, but deeply, where does it hurt??????
Is it right under or below the right ribcage???
Sit in a chair, stretch right leg out behind you as far as you can, now lean forward onto desk laying your head on your left arm (like you where bored in one of your high school classes), now make sure your right leg is stretched out behind. Now breathe in slowly, but deeply, where does it hurt??????
Is it right under or below the right ribcage???
1 Comments
Yep, that's where it hurts for me, though it radiates to my back -- been this way for two years.
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