Suggest Treatment For Pain In Ribs After A Gall Bladder Removal Surgery

Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016

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

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Answered on

Sat, 30 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Sometimes when I driving I get dull pain in my upper ab's left under my left breast. I had gall bladder removed years ago and I do smoke but otherwise healthy blood pressure (112/70) and blood tests etc I am 50 and not menopausal yet. I don't eat in car just water and stomach is mostly empty at this time

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
please give details.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your history and query.
Since the gall bladder is removed and is right sided, the pain is not related to it.
The commonest causes of pain on left side of abdomen under the breast are:
Costochondritis
Gastritis
Colitis.
To name the important ones.

To decifere further, please give some details:
Is the pain on lowest ribs also, particularly on applying local pressure?
Any burning sensation?
Any urge to pass stool?
Any other symptoms associated like nausea, vomiting, bloating, difficulty in breathing or so?

Answers to these will help me to assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (58 minutes later)

There is no urge to use the bathroom. The pain is upper ab not lower at top just under chest. I have been on ketones diet and have lost 32 lbs. i have experienced regular bowel movements once in the AM but do urinate more because I drink 75 to 90 oz daily. I have still more to lose. It seem to pass after a while but no other symtoms. It reminds me of the first time I had pain for gallbladder. I put it off and it was in my liver. I am a little concerned about liver. I was a regular user of Advil 3 to 5 pills for knee pain. I stopped that dosage a couple months ago. Perhaps gas but on this diet I have had none. I consume about 1,000 calories a day.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably costochondritis or muscle pain.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Read and understood your additional history and the pain does not look to be related to colitis or gastritis.
If there is tenderness on local pressure it may be related to the lower ribs inflammation called as costochondritis or the inflammation of hte abdominal muscles attached to it.
This is as per the history you have provided.

Since you are so much worried about the liver, you may please go for one ultrasound of the abdomen and a clinical evaluation and examination by a Doctor to be sure about the cause of pain and get treated accordingly.

I hope this answer helps you to get an early diagnosis and proper treatment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (16 minutes later)

I have had no other symtoms I am aware of. I did try pushing on it and that did nothing for pain nor felt worse. There is no burning or nausea.