Posted 4/4/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have pain under under and around right rib. It started four months ago after a bout with constipation, then going to the bathroom and having blood in the bowl due to hard stool to pass. My pain has gotten worse lately. I have had "stomach" problems my entire life, but the right rib pain is new. The lifelong problem is what I would consider IBS, gas, bloating, I cut out pretty much all dairy except yogurt, I am a vegetarian 23 years. The side pain sometimes feels like I've been kicked. Sometimes is is barely existent, like if I am resting quietly in my bed, or sleeping. Sometimes, a wave hits, sometimes it's just there round the clock. It came on during a time in which I was very stressed out, and now the pain and tests and not knowing what exactly is wrong with me is making me more stressed. Suffer also from panic / anxiety. So, pain started the first part of Dec. 2012. End of Jan 2013 I went to emergency room (mainly due to being out of town and getting panicky about the pain) They ran tests, gave me a RX for Bentyl and Prilosec, said it was generalized unknown abdominal pain, something like that. A few weeks ago, I started feeling worse so I saw my regular family doctor. Had an abdominal xray that showed gas and feces throughout colon, 2 ultrasounds, one trans-vag, one cleared all organs, one showed digenerative fibroid on uterus, (but she doesnt think thats where my pain is coming from) , had CTscan upper and lower abdomen, (no dye) that showed a cyst on my left ovary that didn't show up on my ultrasound. (You go looking and you will find things!) So, then referred to Gastro - He says it's IBS and that I am stressed and I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next week. The thing that bugs me is that I can't seem to put rhyme or reason to my pain. It doesn't really get better after a bowel movement. I never have diarrhea, only constipation. Sometimes I feel like more fiber is not the answer. I mean too much bulk is bad if it hurts coming out, right? Now I'm depressed and didn't eat for a week (well very little) The pain was still there. I still do not feel like eating at all, even though I know that won't help. I'm a nanny and lifting and carrying the baby makes the pain worse. So does other physical excursion like cleaning. Sometimes, I bend over or bend my leg up and it hurts. I'm in a vicious cycle of pain and anxiety and stress. When I wasn't eating, my bloating and gas symptoms were gone, but the right side rib pain was still there. When I get home from work at night and do bed rest with my computer, I barely have pain. At times, I have had come and go pain the is specific to like a 2 finger tip size are down from right rib, and also diagonal down a little from belly button on right. I am also looking into counseling, self guided imagery, and starting daily walks again. I am 43, usually very healthy, slim build. I am not on any meds. Using heating pad for pain. I have stopped chewing gum, gave up my one soft drink a day, drink (plenty) of only water, (one apple juice/day). Any feedback would be appreciated.