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What Causes Pain Under Rib Cage That Increases On Lying Down?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: I retired 6 months ago aged 65 from a retail job which required me standing for 8-10hrs per day. I was quite healthy and had no health issues.Obviously my lifestyle has now changed. A month into retirement I noticed an annoying pain under my left rib cage which has been ongoing for 6 months. It radiates around into the side of my back. The pain is constant and if I lie on it is sore. Went to my GP who thought it was a pulled muscle and sent me for xrays and full body scan which showed areas of arthritis but nothing that could explain the reason for pain. Had course of anti inflammatory which helped a little. GP said it will be a process of elimination so now thinks it may be due to nerve and has me on a course of Lyrica to see how it goes. Sitting makes it worse and feels as if my rib cage is pressing on something. The pain is constant and is really affecting my life. I am a female.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can be calcium or Vitamin D3 deficiency or arthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain under your rib cage that increases on lying on it is likely to be due to musculoskeletal cause. Other causes can be pleuritis or renal calculus that can be ruled out after an ultrasound scan.
The constant pain that you have can be related to arthritis or decrease in Vitamin D3 or calcium levels in the body. You can do a hot compress in the area and take a mild pain killer. Do start taking calcium supplements and get your Vitamin D3 levels evaluated to find out any deficiency.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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What Causes Pain Under Rib Cage That Increases On Lying Down?

Brief Answer: Can be calcium or Vitamin D3 deficiency or arthritis. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The pain under your rib cage that increases on lying on it is likely to be due to musculoskeletal cause. Other causes can be pleuritis or renal calculus that can be ruled out after an ultrasound scan. The constant pain that you have can be related to arthritis or decrease in Vitamin D3 or calcium levels in the body. You can do a hot compress in the area and take a mild pain killer. Do start taking calcium supplements and get your Vitamin D3 levels evaluated to find out any deficiency. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal