Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain Below Rib Cage

Posted on Sun, 16 Aug 2015

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

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 7 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have horrible pains right below my rib cage. I wrote this all down already and submitted it but I am unsure if the question was sent. The pain starts on my left side first then slides to my right side. It is horrible pain like a knife is cutting me open, then it goes to a twisting pain. I have had three cat scans and a colonoscopy and all the doctors can't find anything wrong with me. I can't take this pain, I actual scream when it hits and it drains me my energy. I have no gallbladder or appendix.

PLEASE HELP!!! I can't take it and no one can fix me!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
IBS/visceral hipersensitivity...

Detailed Answer:

Hi and thank you using HCM.

I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follow :
1. You have done cat scan and colonoscopy and all tests come back normal. So you have rule out major abdominal organic issues.
2. Regarding the way you are describing the pain, it seems to be related to large bowel problems (bowel spasms).

To my opinion your symptoms are related to:
- visceral hipersensitivity
- IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome) / spastic colitis.

Otherwise to run into a final conclusion I need to do few questions:
- are. you suffering from constipation/diarrhea?
- do you have a helathy diet?
- do you use alcohol / energy drinks and how much?
- is the pain related with menstrual period or no?
- dose your pain is stress related?

I'm waiting for the requested data.
Meanwhile, wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (3 hours later)

I have had a colonoscopy. ...Dr said nothing wrong there. endoscopy. .Dr said nothing wrong there. i had the test that you drink a glass full of sugar water and blow in a balloon every 20 min for 2 hours. ..nothing wrong there. had stool samples for everything. ..nothing wrong there. due for a blood test Monday to see if I'm diabetic. ..they said i might be pre diabetic. i take Diovan 320 and a 25 mg water tab. i take cardevolol...3.125...prilosec....because they say i have acid reflux. I have had a liver resection in 2007. hysterectomy in 2012. gallbladder in 2007. appendix in 75. 2 bladder surgery in 1999. tired of the pain. i rarely doing and never do energy drinks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I'm waiting for the requested data...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

The examinations that you have done has excluded organic abdominal problems, and your symptoms are not typical for cardiac issues.

If you were my patients I would like to recommend doing the following examinations in order to find out what is causing your problems:

- ECG, cardiac echo and stress test to exclude any cardiac problems

- Chest x-ray to exclude pulmonary problems

If all these examinations will be normal than your pain may be related to previous interventions that you have done (liver, resection, hysterectomy and gallbladder). Can you upload the results of your abdominal CT and interventions (so I will check those data by myself)?

I'm waiting for the requested data.
Meanwhile, wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 hours later)

i have a heart problem. not sure if true.i had echo and the gap in the bottom part was to wide. i had the test where they take a camera and ran from my groin to my heart. Said everything looked good. ..no need for stints. they think the wall of the heart has a problem. chest xray shows enlarged heart. going to try to get scans.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cardiac/ lung problems to rule out...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

My opinion is that your pain may be related to heart and lungs issues and you should do also a thoracic CT scan to definitely exclude any cardio-pulmonary problems.

Only after that we can say that your symptoms are related to IBS/ or spastic collitis.

Wish you health!
Dr. Klera

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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