I Have A Pain In The Front Middle Section Under

Posted on Sun, 11 Aug 2019

Question: I have a pain in the front middle section under my left rib cage, can you please tell me what it may be?
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

Regarding your concern, I would like to know if the pain is triggered by deep breathing, body movements or pressure on the chest.

This could be indicative of a musculoskeletal pain( including chostocondritis).
In such case ibuprofen would help improve your situation.

Otherwise, I would recommend going to the ER for a physical exam, a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes and a chest X ray study, coupled with some blood lab tests ( complete blood count, PCR, ESR ) for inflammation.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

I know that was a very broad question. To answer your question; The pain is triggered by deep breathing and just sideways body movement. I haven't had any pressure on my chest, but I just pushed on my upper chest and it made me feel it. It doesn't hurt all the time just when breathing deep or turning very sideways. I don't believe it's a muscle which is what really concerns me, but I also can't afford an ER visit let alone blood work. That's why I spent the $20 to see if I can get any help here. Once again I know it's a very broad question, but do you think my answers to your questions will help any? Also, the only thing I've taken is Naproxen Sodium 2 220 mg tablets. Do you think ibuprofen would work better?

Thank you very much.

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 minutes later)

Sorry if you got this twice, I had two different browsers open and I got mixed up. I went to look up chostocondritis and it came back to this page that showed it wasn't sent. I don't think it is chostocondritis because it's under my rib cage not on top of it. I apologize again!

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

Based on your description, I would exclude any cardiac disorders. So, in my opinion there is no need to go to the ER as nothing serious seems to be going on.

It seems to be local inflammation and agree that naproxen sodium is a good treatment choice.

I would just recommend having some rest and also take a PPI (omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) or antiacid for the stomach or acid reflux.

Hope to have been helpful!

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

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