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Pain Under Ribcage, Stomach Spasms. History Of Stomach Ulcer. Any Suggestions?
I m having a throbbing pain that comes and goes under the ribcage on the left side. Sometimes, I get stomach spasms that are very painful and last around 2-3 minutes before stopping. Seems lately, the pain under my ribcage throbs, stops and starts again. I did have a stomach ulcer, but that part of my stomach does not hurt anymore. It s all under the ribcage. If I press on it, it s quite sore. Any suggestions? Thank you@
Mon, 7 Oct 2013
Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
If I were your treating doctor for this case of severe ( mild sometimes)pain under the left rib cage , I would come up with the following possibilities , these includes.
1 As you mentioned that you have ulcer , but in my opinion this may be a peptic ulcer or Hiatus hernia. Diagnosis can be confirmed by upper G I endoscopy.Try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches with blocks. It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for two hours before you lie down.To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them or eat chocolates or spicy or greasy foods. Also take some antacid but if symptoms are severe ( as you mentioned sometimes severe pain) then you may need drugs like proton pump inhibitors.
2 The 2nd possibility of pancreatitis as bending or sitting may worse the pain .
So for this get in blood for serum amylase , lipase .
3 According to you there is ulcer but in my opinion 3rd reason of this pain may be some stone in left kidney so get in ultrasound of abdomen with emphasis over kidney ( left).
In my opinion please consult a gastroenterologist and get his opinion and treatment . Good luck.Dr. HET
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
If I were your treating doctor for this case of severe ( mild sometimes)pain under the left rib cage , I would come up with the following possibilities , these includes.
1 As you mentioned that you have ulcer , but in my opinion this may be a peptic ulcer or Hiatus hernia. Diagnosis can be confirmed by upper G I endoscopy.Try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches with blocks. It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for two hours before you lie down.To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them or eat chocolates or spicy or greasy foods. Also take some antacid but if symptoms are severe ( as you mentioned sometimes severe pain) then you may need drugs like proton pump inhibitors.
2 The 2nd possibility of pancreatitis as bending or sitting may worse the pain .
So for this get in blood for serum amylase , lipase .
3 According to you there is ulcer but in my opinion 3rd reason of this pain may be some stone in left kidney so get in ultrasound of abdomen with emphasis over kidney ( left).
In my opinion please consult a gastroenterologist and get his opinion and treatment . Good luck.Dr. HET
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