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What Causes Severe Pain And Burning Sensation Under The Ribs?

Posted on Mon, 17 Oct 2016

Question: severe pain and burning under ribs on left side, Had a barium test and nothing showed up, also no gall bladder, I am in good health. age 72

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow..

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking on HCM!
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows :
1. You are reporting to have pain and burning sensation under ribs on left side.
If the pain seems to be under skin with severe burning it may be related with Herpes Zoster viral infection.
It may be associated too with aking signs like erythema.
Otherwise It can not be typical in all cases.
2. The second issues of your symptoms may be pancreatic issues and stomach issues like ulcer or gastritis.
I woukd suggest to do :
- abdominal ultrasound
- blood work
- upper endoscopy
Hope it was helpful to you
Dr.Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (14 hours later)

I'm so sorry. It is on my right side. I have had an upper endoscopy

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
You are reporting to have burning sensation in the right side.
With regards to herpes zoster it may affect any side especially near the ribs location.
Otherwise when the pain is in the right side it is nessesary to rule out gallbladder issues with abdominal ultrasound or MRI of the abdomen.
Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr.Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (23 hours later)

I thought herpes zoster is Shingles of which I have had.
Also my gallbladder has been removed....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Since you have had episodes of Shingles in the past your symptoms most likely are related to Herpes Zoster infectio (Shingles).

Please keep in mind that Shingles episodes may reoccur especially when body immune system is weak.

If within the next three days there will be no signs of shingles than gastrointestinal problems are to be blamedd for your symptoms.

Since your gallbladder have been removed the pain may be related to pancreas issues.

If you were my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms:
- Blood work including liver and pancreas enzymes (especially lipase)
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Abdominal CT scan

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (19 minutes later)

Thank you for the info....Shingles are out because I have had
this pain for 6 months....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
since you have had this pain for more than 6 month tha you should rule out pancreatis issues or biliary tree issues like bilary diskinezia.
Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr.Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 hours later)

Thank you...Since you did rule out those two issues....does this narrow it down
to a specific problem?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I can only suspect the issues but I can not be specific about your diagnosis since you need to be evaluated.
After you will finish all the exams that I mentioned above than I can give you a more accurate opinion.
Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr.Klerida

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