What Causes Sharp Abdominal Pain And Breathlessness?

Posted on Thu, 23 Oct 2014

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

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 Answered on

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : For the past year I've had sharp abdominal pain in between my rib cage once in a while.The pain comes and goes.After a few 30 minutes or so its gone.Tonight was intensity of the pain was worst.I felt like I was being stabbed.I curled up into a ball and all of sudden started feeling breatheless, felt like I was on fire and was really shaky.The pain came around 9:30 pm and by 10:40 it was completely gone.Then at approximately 1 am I was woken up by the same sharp pain that almost brought me to tears.This pain was worst than birth contractions.I almost went to the ER but when I was ready to head out, the pain suddenly stopped.Im a 26 yr old , Mother of 2.Ive never had any health issues and havent suffered any illnesses.Suggestions on what I might have or whay I should do?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
History suggestive of pleural disease.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
A history of sharp intense stabbing pain in between the ribs is suggestive of pleural pain.
Breathlessness suggests associated respiratory disease, disorder.
Pleural pain can occur due to infection/ inflammation of the pleura or effusion in the pleural cavity.
I suggest you to consult a physician for clinical assessment and relevant investigations.
A X-ray chest and ultrasound of chest will assess the status of lungs and pleura.
Further Ct scan may also be required.

If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad