What Causes Pain Below The Rib Cage And Acid Reflux?

Posted on Tue, 1 Jul 2014

Question: Healthy and fit 42 yr old male. Horrible squeezing ill feeling on right side below ribcage. Also burning acid reflux pain and fullness feeling after drinking and eating. Had all blood and urine tests below and all came back normal other than hypothyroidism test that i always fail but i dont take medication. Doctor gave me prescription prilosec and vicodin for pain. The center reflux pain doesnt bother me. The right side squeezing ill gnawing pain scares me. I worry about cancer. The doctor didnt seem concerned and thinks right side pain could be connected to center pain. I disagree. He said if it doesnt get better we could do a cat scan. If it was cancer would one of the blood or urine tests probably have showed something? The squeezing pain feels like one of my organs is aggravated. I worry about cancer like the pancreas or liver? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Matija Romic (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need further investigation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I understand your concern. Regarding to your symptoms it seems like you are having problems with your liver or gallblader. Ultrasound examination is needed to confirm this condition.
But you have to know that sometimes heartburn, or central pain as you say, could be connected with pain on your right side.

To diagnose cancer from blood tests require special markers that I doubt that you have extracted. Therefore, I suggest you to do an ultrasound of the abdomen and ask your doctor to check these markers to be calm. Check also your liver enzymes because liver problems like inflammation could also cause pain in this area.

Until you visit your doctor try to avoid heavy food (salted, fat and spicy) and alcohol. Try also to avoid eating before sleeping.

I hope this answer was helpful to you.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T