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What Causes Pain In The Lower Rib Cage While Sitting?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Question: My question: My 79 yr.husband has abd. pain #4 at night and while sitting in chair for long periods. It is much improved when up and moving around. Cardiologist thought he had abd. hernia. Saw surgeon yesterday and he said it is not a hernia. CT Scan ordered for Tue. Could this be possible muscle strain? Started as slight pain in lower rib cage area in the Fall. Last 3 weeks has become more intense. Takes ES Tylenol twice in day and Vicodan at night. to be able to sleep lying down. Otherwise has to sleep in recliner. 1 previous appendix and one L ing. hernia repair many years ago. Hiatal hernia. Targeted radiation in 2015 for very early stage prostate cancer. Oncologist said cured of prostate Cancer. Appetite good, no weight loss, normal blood work. He has been working out in gym and repainting our basement recently. He has stopped both of these activities. More comfortable wearing an abd binder. Has pot belly
and is short waisted. Thank you!
XXXXXXX XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably costochondritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query about your husband.
To recapitulate: Male/79 - pain in abdomen - #4 at night and while sitting in chair for long periods - better when up and moving around - no hernia - Diastasis Recti -
started as slight pain in lower rib cage area in the Fall - intense 3 weeks - ES Tylenol and Vicodan - recliner - past history of surgery or left inguinal hernia, appendix - targeted radiation for early cancer of prostate - cured - comfortable wearing abdominal binder ...
This may not be muscle strain as it would have worsened while getting up or any activity that puts the muscles on strain.
This may most probably be due to costochondritis as the pain has started in the lower rib cage area with further description as you have mentioned above.
If at all there is any internal problems or of the muscles CT scan may show so.
I would advise him the following:
Use the abdominal binder continuously.
Change over to Ibuprofen or so if it suits him as this is a better anti-inflammatory medicine along with painkiller property.
Get a confirmed diagnosis by having clinical evaluation and examination by your Doctor. There can a local tenderness so classical of costochondritis.

I hope this answer helps your husband, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communications.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

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

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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What Causes Pain In The Lower Rib Cage While Sitting?

Brief Answer: Most probably costochondritis. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query about your husband. To recapitulate: Male/79 - pain in abdomen - #4 at night and while sitting in chair for long periods - better when up and moving around - no hernia - Diastasis Recti - started as slight pain in lower rib cage area in the Fall - intense 3 weeks - ES Tylenol and Vicodan - recliner - past history of surgery or left inguinal hernia, appendix - targeted radiation for early cancer of prostate - cured - comfortable wearing abdominal binder ... This may not be muscle strain as it would have worsened while getting up or any activity that puts the muscles on strain. This may most probably be due to costochondritis as the pain has started in the lower rib cage area with further description as you have mentioned above. If at all there is any internal problems or of the muscles CT scan may show so. I would advise him the following: Use the abdominal binder continuously. Change over to Ibuprofen or so if it suits him as this is a better anti-inflammatory medicine along with painkiller property. Get a confirmed diagnosis by having clinical evaluation and examination by your Doctor. There can a local tenderness so classical of costochondritis. I hope this answer helps your husband, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communications.