HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Pain In Lower Left Rib Cage

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/7/2012 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Could this be UC related? I was diagnosed in January after about 6 weeks of symptoms bu have not experienced this before.

I can't pinpoint exactly when or why the pain comes on. I do tend to notice more when twisting my back or applying pressure. Almost feels like more of a muscle pull. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks!
Posted 8/7/2012 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the muscle pull feeling just the other day. Actually was worse when I took in breath. Suspected all sorts of stuff.
But it was in my back and radiated all along the bra line to the sternum. ugh.

I did go to the chiropractor and got relief.

Is yours in your back or front...where exactly?

It could be gas as well...I get that, but different feeling, maybe because when I'm laying down and press...I can hear it blurping and I can actually move it along.

q

Posted 8/7/2012 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Mine is actually in front, right where the rib cage ends on the left side.

It seems to come and go throughout the day (I've been pushing on it for the last few minutes with no pain). Forgive me if this is gross but thinking perhaps the pain is caused by food "passing through." From looking at some pics online, it looks like the colon does in fact go this high up on the torso. Although, I was under the impression that my inflammation was limited to the rectum :/

Probably best to give the GI doc a call.
Posted 8/7/2012 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Limited to the rectum and upper left sided pain can coincide. Are you on rectal meds?
It's not indicitive as to where your inflammation is.

Yes, the transverse/splenic flexure is there...

I get pain there from gas and spasming, depends on what I eat some 6 - 12 hours later.

What meds are you on?

What time of the day does it come and go?

You can probably relate it to food (and its resulting side effects if it's a gas causing food)...or flaring, in the rectum, can cause more continued gas in the upper areas.

q
Posted 8/7/2012 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Currently on 2 pills of Lialda daily and a hydro-cortisone enema before bed. Tapered off of prednisone a month or so ago and had felt great ever since until this all started.

I haven't been able to really pinpoint timing or causes. I've noticed it each day for the last 4-5. More noticeable yesterday and today. I think that's just a function of my being much more aware vs the pain actually worsening.

Thanks for your responses!
Posted 8/7/2012 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
How often are you having bms?

What time of the day is the pain normally?

how long does it last?

q
Posted 8/7/2012 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
BMs 2-4 times a day of late...was down to 1 or rarely 2 for a month or so. Pain seems to be most noticeable shortly before and after lunch time. A bit in the evenings and first thing in the morning.

Pain usually lasts less than a minute...or as long as I'm twisting/applying pressure. It's not really noticeable while sitting but more so as I move to stand up.
Posted 8/7/2012 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Still sounds like gas, that's a classic area where it's a bit trapped and painful as it expands and moves.

Curious what you're eating, what supplements you take?

Are you using probiotics and fibre supplements?

q
Posted 8/7/2012 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Would gas come on like this? I've had other symptoms on and off for the last 7-8 months but nothing like this. And be consistently painful for 5 days?

I'm a vegan so no animal products. Lots of veggies, brown rice and fruit.

I take a B-12 supplement but that's really it. I had been taking a probiotic (Culturelle) but had pretty noticeable side effects (D, cramping, gas) that went away as soon as I stopped.
Posted 8/8/2012 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
If it's consistently painful for that long, you definitely should see the doc.

If you haven't added anything new to your diet..such as more awesome summer abundant fruit, cruciferous veggies, etc...then it should be addressed.

Any nausea?

How long on the nightly enemas?

What other symptoms have you had...any feelings of difficulty to go or harder stool? do you go once a day?
more mucus or rectal pain upon bms?

At least if you can get in to see the doc, he can do a hands on examination and hopefully do some blood tests.

q
Posted 8/8/2012 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
When I get the pain you are describing it means my UC is revving up. 2 Lialda daily may be too low a dose to control your inflammation as you taper off the steroid. The fact that your no. of bms daily has recently increased is another sign, I would think, that you need to have your Rx meds readjusted ASAP. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 8/9/2012 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks - I did call my GI doctor today...waiting to hear back.

The pain is really strange - seems to have spread further up the left side of my rib cage...makes me wonder if it is in fact a pulled muscle..
Posted 8/10/2012 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
It's possible, but definitely a must to check out if it's continual.

I get gas pains that cause radiated pain into the left side of my chest. I can relate to the discomfort.

Hope your doc calls you soon.

q
Posted 2/4/2015 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
rib pain lower left and right sides not as tender as they were but still causing intermittent aches and pain seeing my colonoscopy doctor tomorrow for an appointment to address this concern. My last colonoscopy was four years ago, I am 67 years old.
Posted 9/14/2017 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MRM,

I'm guessing you probably won't see this given how old this thread is…
If you do, did you ever get any answers to this?

I have the exact same thing you described only slightly to the back side. I have never been able to get any answers from docs about this so was wondering if you had.

Thanks!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply