I Have A Pain Just Below My Left Ribs That

Posted on Thu, 13 Dec 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 Answered on

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Question : I have a pain just below my left ribs that radiates to my back. I have had it for about 3 years and it seems to be getting worse. Sometimes I can't lay on my stomach. I have had an ultrasound and gall bladder test, dr said my gall bladder was functioning at 50%, but they have not been able to find anything.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy and kidney ultrasound needed to determine diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think this is not coming from gallbladder since ti gives pain mostly on right than on left.
I think most probably this pain comes from diverticulitis, a condition where bowel is full of infected diverticuls( small pouches).
Sometimes is accompanied by irritable bowel syndrome.
This is diagnosed with colonoscopy.
Another possibility of left abdominal pain is kidney stones.
You should do a total blood count, an urine analysis and an ultrasound.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad