What Causes Sharp Pain Under The Left Ribcage?

Posted on Wed, 25 May 2016

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

Wed, 25 May 2016 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : sharp pain under left rib when coughing. Deep palpation provokes the pain.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have pain while movements?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.
But I want to know few more things about your illness.
1. Do you have pain while movements?
2. Since how many days you are having this pain?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

In answer to you question. Significant pain when coughing but less on movement such as getting out of bed or standing from a seated position. Pain was noted arising from bed yesterday. The night before I experienced significant GERD (not usual for me). I have a diagnosis of Crohn's but pain from that is generally experienced in lower left quadrant. I started the prednisone and levaquin in case the pain was related to that.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have hypertension or diabetes or other heart diseases?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.. So please let me know
1. Was the pain relieved after starting prednisone and Levaquin?
2. Since you are having left sided chest pain we should also rule out heart diseases because heart related pain is commonly seen on left side of chest. Do you have hypertension or diabetes or other heart diseases?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 hours later)

pain was less with with the levaquin and prednisone. Seems to be reducing as of now. Now have started diarrhea. I have mild hypertension. No diabetes.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have breathlessness on exertion?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are having hypertension, we should definitely rule out heart diseases for your pain.
So please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone ecg and 2d echo?
2. Is your hypertension under control?
3. Which antihypertensive drug you are taking?
4. Do you have breathlessness on exertion?
5. Do you have worsening chest pain on exertion?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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