Pain under right ribs

[tellybeth]

I am a 34 year old female with Rheumatoid Arthritis Sjogrens, polychondritis and Degenerative Disc Disease.  I had a spinal fusion on L4-5 in 2009.  Since approximately 2005 I have had a dull aching pain that would come and go under my right ribs. It started as a mild discomfort but, over the past year it has gotten extremely worse.  It is a sharp and gnawing type pain that, at times, make me feel like I cannot get a good breath.  I cannot say what makes it worse.  It seems to not have much of a pattern.  Although, I have noticed that it isn't there in the mornings but as the day goes on and with more activity it does seem to get worse.  There are times it feels like it is spreading in my chest and back.  I have seen many, many dr's about this with no luck.  I have had colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT of abdomen, ultrasound and bloodwork.  Nothing has shown up.  they did find a lesion on my right kidney on this last ultrasound and I am waiting to see the dr to see what that could be.  I had an MRI recently and it showed some degeneration in the thoracic region and a small hemangioma.  I am always concerned about my liver and kidneys due to being on methotrexate and pain meds for years now.  I get my liver panels done every other month to keep track of this and so far no problems.  I am so tired of this pain and am more tired of the stress it is causing me because I worry constantly about what it may be.  I have so many health problems already and take so many meds to maintain some function so I realy don't need to be stressing over something that has not been diagnosed.  Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you I am desperate
Telly Flyn

[tellybeth]

Thank you so much for your response.  I believe that this sounds like the best explanation to what is happening.  Is it possible to detect costochondritis on any type of scan?  I have dealt with this for so long and even though it isn't excruciating, especially compared to the other things I deal with, it is worrisome not knowing what is causing it.  The RA and polychondritis sounds logical.  Thanks so much for the help.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi! Since you have rheumatoid arthritis and polychondritis, the pain under the ribs can be due to costochondritis or inflammation of the joints between rib and sternum. Also pain can be due to adhesions in the abdomen if you had any such surgery in the past. Degeneration in thoracic region spine can cause spinal compression and hence consult a neurologist with this MRI. Take care!