What Causes Stabbing Pain On The Top Of Rib Cage?

since i can remember , every now n then i get a sharp stabbing pain in my left side near top of my ribcage thts takes my breath away , then at the same time shortly after the pain in my chest i start getting a really bad ear ache , when this happens i have to sit down and remain immobile until its gone away , it has only ever lasted a few minutes but would quite like to know what i should do about it