Pressure under lower right rib cage.

[jdthelen]

I have read many posts about lower rib cage pain but none of them list the symptoms the same as my pain.  Hoping to find an answer.

For the last several years (I'm 64), about once a year I get a severe pressure inside my right lower rib cage around the 9th or 10th rib.  It lasts for about 4-5 minutes and is then gone and does not come back for another several months or longer.  I would describe the pressure as someone pushing on the inside of my rib cage with their fist, as hard as they can.  This is not a sharp pain but a severe ache that will double me over for a couple of minutes until it subsides.  Breathing is difficult. It can start anytime with no apparent relationship to physical activity, eating, or other health issues. The last one, I was sitting in my recliner watching TV.

The only way I can relieve it is to place my arm over the area and lean on it applying an opposite pressure.  This doesn't make it go away but will make it slightly more tolerable.  Fortunately, after a few minutes it begins to fade  and within 5 minutes is completely gone with no aftereffects.  At first I thought it was a heart attack but there are no other symptoms and no effects after the episode.

I have not seen a doctor about it due to the fact the it lasts for only a short time and has no other symptoms for the doc to look at.  Hope someone can add some light to this problem.

[bigsissie]

I would have to agree with the gallbladder symptoms but I would go to the dr first doing a liver flush before you know how sever it may be could cause you more problems in the long run. I just had my gallbladder removed yesterday. The reason a flush could be dangerous is if you have small stones it can cause them to become stuck in your bile duct and that takes a special surgeon to remove. A simple ultrasound will show your gallbladder and if it has stones ect. Your pains sound similar to the ones that I started with. The sever ones felt like I was having a heart attack and lasted for hours.  Best of luck to you. Sissie

[Ricobord]

Pain in that location usually means the gallbladder or liver.  I wonder if you are experiencing occasional gallstones.  You could try a liver flush and gallbladder flush to see if it helps.  If not, you might want to have your doctor check out your liver enzymes and see if the gallbladder is functioning well.