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What Does Pain Along The Ribcage Indicate?
Hello, I'm having moderate pain along the rib cage. Lower edge front side. No injuries. Family has been fighting nasty cold I was hoping to avoid though. I'm on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. xeljanz too. So my immune system has been compromised to some degree. Painful if I move wrong. Deep breaths cause mild to moderate aches. Moving is slightly worse. Nothing unbearable but I'm 54 years old an this is a new one for me. Any ideas?
Sat, 14 Apr 2018
Hello,
1. It could possibly be costochondritis which is common with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis but also asks for ultrasonography of HBR [hepatobiliary region] for amoebic liver abscess and cholecystitis. Pain could be a pleural pathology. Ask for a chest x-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion.
2. If the investigations come normal, take an opinion of gastroenterologist or medicine specialist who might ask for an investigation like endoscopy, gastric analysis, colonoscopy.
3. If by adopting
- Hot water fomentation
- Rest with minimal movements
- Chest strapping
- Intercostal nerve block
- Taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved to ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest. At present all I can say is that it might be a 'gastrointestinal' symptoms thus you should contact either a general surgeon, gastroenterologist or gynecologist and if not sure consult your general physician who after reviewing your case history and physical examination will refer you to specialist concerned.
4. Although most of the times, pain may be the result of minor injury or postural changes, however sometimes there may be an underlying medical condition which needs appropriate treatment.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
1. It could possibly be costochondritis which is common with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis but also asks for ultrasonography of HBR [hepatobiliary region] for amoebic liver abscess and cholecystitis. Pain could be a pleural pathology. Ask for a chest x-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion.
2. If the investigations come normal, take an opinion of gastroenterologist or medicine specialist who might ask for an investigation like endoscopy, gastric analysis, colonoscopy.
3. If by adopting
- Hot water fomentation
- Rest with minimal movements
- Chest strapping
- Intercostal nerve block
- Taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved to ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest. At present all I can say is that it might be a 'gastrointestinal' symptoms thus you should contact either a general surgeon, gastroenterologist or gynecologist and if not sure consult your general physician who after reviewing your case history and physical examination will refer you to specialist concerned.
4. Although most of the times, pain may be the result of minor injury or postural changes, however sometimes there may be an underlying medical condition which needs appropriate treatment.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
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