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Pain Under Ribs - What Is Physically Going On?

Sibenjam

By Sibenjam
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Sibenjam Newbie
Sibenjam
Posted

I have been having horrible pain under my ribcage for about four years. I have gone to my pcp doctor to complain again and again, and have also seen two different GI doctors, all of whom suggested that I had IBS but had no explanation or relief for the pain. Finally I saw a Liver and Digestive Disease Specialist who agreed with me that I do not have IBS, but quite possibly this is caused by a reaction to gluten. I have been gluten free for nearly 10 days (with one relapse) and the pain is subsiding. In the meantime I had a HIDA scan and lots of bloodwork, for which I am still awaiting results. I have been doing lots of searches on the Internet and over and over again I read anecdotal stories of people with this exact same pain but nowhere have I read an explanation of what is internally, biologically causing the physical pain. Can anyone offer any explanation?  Thanks! Susan

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shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

If its the right side, it could be the gallbladder. Mine did fine on all blood tests and ultrasounds, but when i had a HIDA scan done it showed it was working at 5%. The pain was really bad from it. It was not functioning properly either.

rosetapper23 Explorer
rosetapper23
Posted

I experienced this on my right side for MANY years until I found out I had celiac disease.  It took a number of months for it to resolve, though, on a gluten-free diet.  I always thought that it was caused by celiac because it corresponded with the beginning of the small intestine, where I assumed the most damage had occurred.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Gall bladder is a possibility.  Damage and inflammation of the small intestine caused by celiac disease is another.  Celiac disease causes damage to the villi lining of the small intestine.  It's not real unusual to see posts on this forum by people with both gall bladder issues and celiac disease.  Sometimes the gall bladder can heal after the irritation (gluten) is removed, but not always.

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted

If it feels like the entire ribcage itself, it could be costochondritis, an inflammation of the connective tissue holding together the ribcage.  This goes along with certain types of auto immune or generalized inflammation conditions, like some types of arthritis.  A flare-up will coincide with a glutening if you have a gluten problem, as well.  It is good to see some of the Liver Specialists cuing in on the problems gluten can cause with the liver, gall bladder, etc.  Anything that makes your liver malfunction, is going to cause a lot of discomfort in other areas. 

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I have costochondritis and it is NOT funny.  Started when I had severe bronchitis which then became pneumonia.  The intense and frequent coughing literally ripped muscles from my bones.  That happened 2.5 years ago and I have had the pain ever since.  Would love for it to disappear but so far has not on my gluten free diet.  Makes it very difficult to sleep at night.

 

Hope you find out what is causing this pain!

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I experienced this on my right side for MANY years until I found out I had celiac disease.  It took a number of months for it to resolve, though, on a gluten-free diet.  I always thought that it was caused by celiac because it corresponded with the beginning of the small intestine, where I assumed the most damage had occurred.

 

 

OH ,so good to see you, Rose! How's the arm??? :)

 

(pardon the interruption, folks)

 

As for rib cage pain, breast bone pain, cholecystitits ( pain & inflammation in my gall bladder which eventually became diseased and was removed)  and costochondritis including severe pain whenever I took a deep breath...well, I had them all while quite ill from UnDXed celiac.

 

Post DX? --all gone. 

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love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

OH ,so good to see you, Rose! How's the arm??? :)

 

(pardon the interruption, folks)

 

As for rib cage pain, breast bone pain, cholecystitits ( pain & inflammation in my gall bladder which eventually became diseased and was removed)  and costochondritis including severe pain whenever I took a deep breath...well, I had them all while quite ill from UnDXed celiac.

 

Post DX? --all gone. 

 

Thanks for reminding us there is always hope.  :)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Thanks for reminding us there is always hope.  :)

 

Oh, Lovey, my friend,  hope is what I hang my hat on.  :)

With hope, all things are possible.  Without it, you're already beaten.

I say "Never give in." 

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