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Is Travelling Advisable While Having Pain Under Rib Cage?

Posted on Fri, 22 Jan 2016

Question: Dear doctor,

I have a severe pain from yesterday in my back side of rib cage(almost at the end of rib cage) some times mild pain in front side of the rib cage. But most of the pain is concentrated on my back side of the rib cage right side. I was previously diagnosed with the mild pancreas changes like "mild bulky pancreas". This is 4 years ago and also recently 6 months ago also. Now I am in US for a short business trip. Yesterday I got sever pain on my right rib cage on the back side. I am worried weather this pain is from my pancreas or other muscular/ bone pain. Yesterday I lifted a weight of 16 liters water can. I am not sure is the pain from sudden lift of the weight or from pancreas. I see my stool had food particles still not digested. And bowel sounds are there. Pain is little relived today. But its present. Please help me ! Pain some times radiating to middle of the back.

Can I travel back home with this condition tomorrow or day after?
Weight : 112 lbs
Non smoker, non-alcoholic, occassional non- vegetarian XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Either due to muscle fatigue or due to costochondritis.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through the description but find it hard to comment unless I can examine you clinically. However, the pain seems to be due to costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilages adjoining the ribs). If that is the case, taking some pain medication like paracetamol/acetaminophen 1g will provide relief. It will also take care of the issue in case it is caused due to the excessive muscle exertion caused due to the heavy weight handling yesterday. Hot compress should also prove useful.

With these supports I do not think that you would have trouble travelling home tomorrow or the day after.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Sir,

I have the pain now in upper middle back. Pain is little more after eating. I am using Razo 20 mg. The rib pain is not much today.

I am much worried because this is a recurrence, I met 3 GI doctors in XXXXXXX ( Hyderabad) CT impression was mildly bulky. One of my GI doctors suspects that it could be early stages of Chronic Pancreatitis. Do I need to consult the doctor here? My insurance company is rejecting the coverage for pre-existing condition. I am currently taking mild diet.

Can you please suggest me if the RAZO 20mg in the morning is enough or can I take it in the evening also?

I need to stay here for 2 more weeks. But due to this planning to leave early.

Thanks
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If you stay for 2 more weeks, see a doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Indeed, your doctor rightly suspects that it could be an early indication of development of chronic pancreatitis. The description of the pain is typical of pancreatic origin both in terms of location as well as the onset after food. If you see a doctor in the US, you can ignore mentioning that you have had such problems earlier and can present it as an acute problem. But the pain of chronic pancreatitis cannot be resolved in a day. Hence, if you can bear the pain and if you are going to return to XXXXXXX in a day or two anyway, get it treated after you return. On the other hand, if you need ot stay in the US for two more weeks, it might be definitely worthwhile to see a doctor.

Razo 20 in the morning is usually sufficient. However, you can try taking it twice daily and see if it helps.

Regards

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj