What Causes Pain In The Ribs?

Posted on Sun, 3 Dec 2017

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

Sun, 3 Dec 2017 Answered on

Thu, 10 May 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm having pain under my last rib on the left side.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more details

Detailed Answer:
hi,
can you describe more about pain? how it's character, when does it increase or decrease? any relationship with food or physical activity? how long is this pain? did you ever seek medical help in the past for similar pain?
do you have high BP/ diabetes/ asthma/ peptic ulcer?

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

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (17 minutes later)

It's a sharp Pain that comes & goes. It's been going on for awhile. I have high blood pressure. I have not gone to see my PCP.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
nerve pain

Detailed Answer:
Sharp pains that are spontaneous and do not last longer than 15 minutes should be related to nerves. So intercostal nerves should be first thing in mind. If everything else seems within normal limits we prescribe pregabalin / Gabapentin for a week as a trial. I recommend a full fledged PCP examination.
Although it does not sound serious but it can warrant an impending ailment.
Check for BP, if it is higher than 180 you should get ekg done.

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