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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain Under Right Rib Cage, Hurts While Coughing And Sneezing, Heavy Drinker, Liver Damage ?

I have a dull achy pain under my right rib cage, presumably where the liver is. It hurts most when I cough , sneeze , or laugh. I have been somewhat a heavy drinker for 6 years, on and off, and have been drinking more heavily this past month. Could the pain be related to this? I am a 30 year old female, and have been known to be a hypochondriac, so wonder if it could just be in my head.
posted on Fri, 11 May 2012
Twitter Sat, 12 May 2012 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 14 May 2012 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Welcome to HCM.

The pain you have been experiencing is mostly likely to be musculoskeletal in origin but the possibility of liver involvement can not be ruled out.

As the pain is increasing while you cough , sneeze or laugh- i would like to go in favor of Muscular strain or a rib cage issue. You have not mentioned whether you had any injury in that area.

Taking a pain killer with or with out a muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxazone should help you. Meanwhile ice pack or hot fomentation will soothen the pain.

Though unlikely in your case, the possibility of a liver injury has also to be ruled out. You have not mentioned whether you have icterus ( yllowish discoloration of sclera of eye) or pruritis or yellowish discoloration of urine , as all these findings favor the diagnosis of liver injury.
Just Get an Ultrasound done to rule the possibility of a liver pathology and take a call on the treatment required.

Do not worry. You are gonna recover very soon for sure.
Take Care
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Pain Under Right Rib Cage, Hurts While Coughing And Sneezing, Heavy Drinker, Liver Damage ?

Hi, Welcome to HCM. The pain you have been experiencing is mostly likely to be musculoskeletal in origin but the possibility of liver involvement can not be ruled out. As the pain is increasing while you cough , sneeze or laugh- i would like to go in favor of Muscular strain or a rib cage issue. You have not mentioned whether you had any injury in that area. Taking a pain killer with or with out a muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxazone should help you. Meanwhile ice pack or hot fomentation will soothen the pain. Though unlikely in your case, the possibility of a liver injury has also to be ruled out. You have not mentioned whether you have icterus ( yllowish discoloration of sclera of eye) or pruritis or yellowish discoloration of urine , as all these findings favor the diagnosis of liver injury. Just Get an Ultrasound done to rule the possibility of a liver pathology and take a call on the treatment required. Do not worry. You are gonna recover very soon for sure. Take Care