Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Pain Under Ribs - What Is Physically Going On?

Sibenjam

By Sibenjam
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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. 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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." 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,930
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Mhp
    Newest Member
    Mhp
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Bitters for digestion?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Definitely get vitamin D 25(OH)D.  Celiac Disease causes vitamin D deficiency and one of the functions of vitamin D is modulating the genes.  While we can survive with low vitamin D as an adaptation to living in a seasonal environment, the homeostasis is 200 nmol/L.  Vitamin D Receptors are found in nearly every cell with a nucleus,while the highest concentrations are in tissues like the intestine, kidney, parathyroid, and bone.  A cellular communication system, if you will. The vitamin D receptor: contemporary genomic approaches reveal new basic and translational insights  Possible Root Causes of Histamine Intolerance. "Low levels of certain nutrients like copper, Vitamins A, B6, and C can lead to histamine build up along with excess or deficient levels of iron. Iodine also plays a crucial role in histamine regulation."  
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      I forgot to mention my suspicion of the high amount of glyphosate allowed to be used on wheat in USA and NZ and Australia. My weight was 69kg mid-2023, I went down to 60kg in March 2024 and now hover around 63kg (just after winter here in NZ) - wheat-free and very low alcohol consumption.
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      Hi Jess Thanks so much for your response and apologies for the long delay in answering. I think I must have been waiting for something to happen before I replied and unfortunately it fell off the radar... I have had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in the meantime (which revealed 'minor' issues only). Yes I do think histamine intolerance is one of the problems. I have been lowering my histamine intake and feeling a lot better. And I do think it is the liver which is giving the pain. I am currently taking zinc (I have had three low zinc tests now), magnesium, B complex, vitamin E and a calcium/Vitamin C mix. I consciously think about getting vitamin D outside. (Maybe I should have my vitamin D re-tested now...) I am still 100% gluten-free. My current thoughts on the cause of the problems is some, if not all, of the following: Genetically low zinc uptake, lack of vitamin D, wine drinking (alcohol/sulphites), covid, immune depletion, gastroparesis, dysbiosis, leaky gut, inability to process certain foods I am so much better than late 2023 so feel very positive 🙂    
    • lehum
      4.5 years into diagnosis, eating gluten-free and still struggling: would love support, tips, & stories

      By lehum · Posted

      Hi and thank you very much for your detailed response! I am so glad that the protocol worked so well for you and helped you to get your health back on track. I've heard of it helping other people too. One question I have is how did you maintain your weight on this diet? I really rely on nuts and rice to keep me at a steady weight because I tend to lose weight quickly and am having a hard time envisioning how to make it work, especially when not being able to eat things like nuts and avocados. In case you have any input, woud be great to hear it! Friendly greetings.
    • Hmart
      Is this celiac?

      By Hmart · Posted

      I was not taking any medications previous to this. I was a healthy 49 yo with some mild stomach discomfort. I noticed the onset of tinnitus earlier this year and I had Covid at the end of June. My first ‘flare-up’ with these symptoms was in August and I was eating gluten like normal. I had another flare-up in September and then got an upper endo at the end of September that showed possible celiac. My blood test came a week later. While I didn’t stop eating gluten before I had the blood test, I had cut back on food and gluten both. I had a flare-up with this symptoms after one week of gluten free but wasn’t being crazy careful. Then I had another flare-up this week. I think it might have been caused by Trader Joe’s baked tofu which I didn’t realize had wheat. But I don’t know if these flare-ups are caused by gluten or if there’s something else going on. I am food journaling and tracking all symptoms. I have lost 7 pounds in the last 10 days. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.