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Chronic pain in right rib cage

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Chronic Pain
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Posted Today 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!
I had my gallbladder out 5 weeks ago. about 3 weeks ago I developed a sudden pain under right breast in the rib cage area. I best describe it as a poking, dull pain. With in a weeks time it had kept me awake all night long twice. I tried over the counter pain meds and they did nothing to ease pain!! I finally went to the ER where I had the surgery. They did blood work, and. Did a ct scan and shot radioactive iodine in my veins, took pics of my abdomen area. They told me blood work and ct scan were all good. I am feeling some what frustrated by the daily pain and that the only thing that relieves the pain is prescription meds. I have been to the chiroprachter and have been adjusted a few times, massage therpy, and physical theraphy. I just wonder how long I should go through this pain and at what point should I seek an alternative?? I'm not even sure where to go from here!! I am being told that it's muscular, but I question it. If the pain didn't radiate to my back I might believe it maybe. They tell me my liver is okay. But is it??? I would appreciate any input or suggestions one might have!! Thank you for taking the time to read this!! Sincerely, suffering in oregon
Posted Today 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dolly!

I remember when I had my gall bladder out many, many eons ago that I had some stabs and jabs well after I healed from the surgery. But that is likely different than yours.

So how long should you go before doing something? IMHO, no longer. I'd get to a specialist for a second opinion. Maybe a neurologist or rheumatologist to start. Both can look into pain that seems to be muscular. Muscular pain can feel like pain somewhere else like in the joints, etc. For people with muscle pain it can feel as if the pain is coming from the nearby joints. This is but one reason it can be so hard to diagnose. But you do need a diagnosis of some sort.

Personally I have fibromyalgia which is muscle pain 24/7. It can be dull aching pain most of the time, some sharp pain and/or a more gentle aching or throbbing. It's also very touchy to diagnose. There are things like muscular pain syndromes and pelvic pain problems that might be involved. Way to many things to suggest anything in particular except that I would suggest you pursue it with your medical doctor and a couple of specialists to start.

Keep us posted!
Chutz
Posted Today 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Chutz,
Thank you for your reply!! I will do a little research on the specialists you suggested. I wonder about a gastroentrologist??? I'm not having any intestinal probs to speak of, just wondering...... I will be going back to primary doc and adxressing the pain with him for the second time. I am hoping he will work w/ me and send me in right direction. Wish me luck!!
Dollynose
Posted 12/4/2011 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
I get pain at the bottom of my right ribs from them being separated from the cartilage in an auto accident - seatbelt. I can still feel one or two slipping over each other on bending and twisting 2 1/2 years later. They grind right where the port was put in for my Nissen, the same port area as your gallblader.

I'm not saying you have slipping ribs, but there could have been some damage to nerves or cartilage due to the port being put in at that point. It'll probably heal with time, but in the meantime you could consider getting a nerve ablation at the spine - the only thing that has worked for me. It's not a permanent solution and it hurts a little to get it, a day on ice pack.

I needed to see an anesthesiology-trained pain doc, not just a physiatrist, to get someone who would work on thoracic spine. I'm considering going back for another one, actually 3 pokes for my 3 ribs, because it works.
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