Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Left Rib Cage

Posted on Thu, 23 Jun 2016

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

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 Answered on

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Wife suddenly experience sharp pains just under the left rib cage -- pain is most severe/sharp while lying down and generally unnoticeable when sitting up -- recently sat up in bed with no sharp pain in that area -- she has had heating pad on area for the last 15 minutes while lying down and it 'seems" pain has lessened -- sharp pain will at times emanate from said area -- pressure on area sometimes produces pain

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rib nerve pain seems to be most probable reason

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thank you for the query.

From your description her pain is caused by a rib nerve irritation. It is not caused by any abdominal issue.
Rib nerve pain gets more intense when breathing, and less intense when the chest is not moving.
She may try Ibuprofen for the pain. If it wont help, she should consult orthopedist.

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