Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Pain Under Ribs When Diagnosed Previously With IBS And Gastritis?
Question: Hi, I am a 33 y.o. female with a history of GI problems. I have been diagnosed 3 years ago with IBS and gastritis.
However, for 3 month now, I have been experiencing pain under ribs, that gets worse after I eat something (especially if it is fried), or if I bend forward. The pain initially started under my right rib, but I now feel also pain under my left rib. I also feel that the food I eat stays undigested for a longer time than usual. I had a couple of episodes of clay colored stools and I lost about 4kg since XXXXXXX which makes me very worried, because my symptoms sound a lot like pancreatic cancer. However, most my blood and imaging results came back normal, except ferritin that was initially lower (11ng/L), but now came back to normal. My liver and pancreatic enzymes were also normal. I had an abdominal US and a MRI that came clear. I also did a CA19.9 test that was negative. I am very worried and puzzled of what it can be. Do you have any suggestions? What are the chances of the MRI missing a tumor? Thank you in advance for answering. Regards, XXXX
However, for 3 month now, I have been experiencing pain under ribs, that gets worse after I eat something (especially if it is fried), or if I bend forward. The pain initially started under my right rib, but I now feel also pain under my left rib. I also feel that the food I eat stays undigested for a longer time than usual. I had a couple of episodes of clay colored stools and I lost about 4kg since XXXXXXX which makes me very worried, because my symptoms sound a lot like pancreatic cancer. However, most my blood and imaging results came back normal, except ferritin that was initially lower (11ng/L), but now came back to normal. My liver and pancreatic enzymes were also normal. I had an abdominal US and a MRI that came clear. I also did a CA19.9 test that was negative. I am very worried and puzzled of what it can be. Do you have any suggestions? What are the chances of the MRI missing a tumor? Thank you in advance for answering. Regards, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Take antispasmodic, proton pump inhibitor and a prokinetic agent
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM).
It appears that the pain is due to Intestinal spasm. For this I will advise you to take some antispasmodic of anticholinergic group like clidinium bromide. Loss of weight may be due to decrease intake of food as you feel heaviness after meals. For this I will advise you to take a proton pump inhibitor like pantoprazole along with a prokinetic agent like domperidone. Since your tests like MRI and and USG are normal pancreatic cancer is almost ruled out as MRI is very sensitive for pancreatic disease. Its very rare that MRI may miss any lesion in pancreas. Moreover pain of pancreatic origin is most commonly located in epigastric area that is in the middle just above the umbilicus.
I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.
Take antispasmodic, proton pump inhibitor and a prokinetic agent
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM).
It appears that the pain is due to Intestinal spasm. For this I will advise you to take some antispasmodic of anticholinergic group like clidinium bromide. Loss of weight may be due to decrease intake of food as you feel heaviness after meals. For this I will advise you to take a proton pump inhibitor like pantoprazole along with a prokinetic agent like domperidone. Since your tests like MRI and and USG are normal pancreatic cancer is almost ruled out as MRI is very sensitive for pancreatic disease. Its very rare that MRI may miss any lesion in pancreas. Moreover pain of pancreatic origin is most commonly located in epigastric area that is in the middle just above the umbilicus.
I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi again and thank you for answering! The pain I experiece is on the right and left of the stomach...not entirely on the edges of the rib cage. I also feel it at times under my breats. The pain is usually dull, but gets agravated after I eat. What about the pale stools, what are they caused by? XXXX, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please see detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. Organ located on the right or left or slightly below the ribs is intestine so intestine appears to be the origin of pain. Moreover pain of intestines usually aggravates after food intake. Stool comes in a range of colors from brown to green which are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is mostly influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile (which helps in digestion) in your stool. As bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, they are chemically altered by enzymes leading to change in the color of stool. Moreover as your liver tests are normal I dont think there is any problem.
If you do not have any further query , you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you a good health.
Please see detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. Organ located on the right or left or slightly below the ribs is intestine so intestine appears to be the origin of pain. Moreover pain of intestines usually aggravates after food intake. Stool comes in a range of colors from brown to green which are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is mostly influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile (which helps in digestion) in your stool. As bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, they are chemically altered by enzymes leading to change in the color of stool. Moreover as your liver tests are normal I dont think there is any problem.
If you do not have any further query , you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you a good health.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
