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What Causes Pain In Right Side Of Rib Area?

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Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Question: I'm having a lot of pain to my right side in the rib area that radiates to the upper and lower back on the right side. Has been going on for a couple of weeks. No relief with otc pain meds. Hurts even when I'm not doing anything.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would need some info

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way.



In order to help you better , I would like you to give me some more information,

I will here by ask you some relevant questions to fill up the information gap.

1)what drugs have you already tried?
2) any other medical issues like diabetes blood pressure issues?
3) Is the area tender?
4) if you lie down at right side does the pain get bad?
5) was there any such history before that pain?
6 any particular event after which the pain started?



Waiting for your input


Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner)

Resident M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (43 minutes later)
I have tried Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and a percocet I had from after having my last child 10 months ago. The only medical issues I'm treated for is depression. The area is tender when touched and when I lean over to my right side. Nothing really exacerbates the pain like exercise. I haven't fallen recently. I did fall several years ago on that side and had an awful bruise along my ribs, but never got it checked out. This is the first time since then that I have experienced any pain like this. Like I said before it also radiates around to my back on the right side. I had a cholecystectomy in 2010.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (38 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This thing can be dealt with, don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

thanks for writing back,
The way you describe your sysmptoms and the way they started and have been progressing , it seems that there is a neuromuscular cause to it.
Though there was a trauma at that area but this is not usually common to have a trauma years back which would start to pain out of no where with this severity.

You have also got your gall bladder removed already so gall bladder as a suspect is out of equation,.. other common differentials are impinged nerves, neuralgia or costochondritis.

Tender area which get worsened by bending is usually because of chostrochondritis which is inflammation of rib joints. This can be because of any cause, stress, pressure , strain on rib joints (costochondral joints).

Few suggestion to deal with it.
Though you have already tried almost every OTC pain med for no avail , I would suggest you to do following things.

1) Take as much rest as you can and try to avoid those body movements that increase the pain.
2) Rub diclofenac or brufen gel over the area six hourly.
3) Take Brufen tablet 400mg thrice a day.
4) Warm compresses over tender area will help you too.

Try this for 5 days and if there is no improvement you should get a complete checkup and workup by a doctor, because pain this severe will deffinitely have some reason if doesn't get cured with simple pain meds. There are other prescription pain meds which are more efficient in releieving pain but will need a proper checkup by a doctor so that he can prescribe appropriate drug group for you.

I would suggest you not to panic start following this in a proper way with a sequence..everything should be fine in 3--4 days.

Wish you a quick recovery , and the best of health.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Causes Pain In Right Side Of Rib Area?

Brief Answer: I would need some info Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to Health Care Magic. I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way. In order to help you better , I would like you to give me some more information, I will here by ask you some relevant questions to fill up the information gap. 1)what drugs have you already tried? 2) any other medical issues like diabetes blood pressure issues? 3) Is the area tender? 4) if you lie down at right side does the pain get bad? 5) was there any such history before that pain? 6 any particular event after which the pain started? Waiting for your input Regards. Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner) Resident M.D.