Odd sensation underneath rib, to left of sternum

[cristiana]

Hello experts!

I have another mystery complaint and would value some feedback.

This summer, as documented on this website, I had what the doctors thought was gastritis.  I did have acid heartburn and burning pain under my sternum.   During this time I noticed a sensation to the left of where the burning was.  Sometimes it appeared at the same time, other times it appeared on its own.  The burning pain under my sternum and the heartburn has since gone thankfully and I'm off the ranitidine - but this sensation persists.

It isn't there all the time.  It is directily beneath the left ribcage (i.e. not south of the ribs, if you see what I mean).   Sometimes, and the ladies reading this will understand, it feels as if a baby's foot or fist is up under my ribs. I asked the radiographer when she was doing the ultrasound and she told me - 'That area is your stomach!'

For about three years I've had rib pain in this area which comes and goes.  This pain is similar.  It is exacerbated by bad posture and heavy lifting.  Also wearing an underwire bra, or high waisted top - pressure on the area brings it on.  I notice also that at times I feel a tiny bit nauseous.

My Gastro sent me off for a detailed ultrasound of the area and two weeks later I have the news that nothing abnormal has been found.

Has anyone ever had anything like it? My friend has, and tells me she has been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia and is aware of the sensation when her gastritis is playing up.

Do hernias really feel like this?  Would an u/s spot it?

Any advice would be welcome.  I'm wondering what test to go for next.????

 

[Ennis-TX]

I generally get that when I am gassy...unsure but I think it is like a gas bubble trapped in your large intestine on the upper loop right before heading down to the colon...assuming here on that, I just know if I lay down and massage it, or do leg raises on my back lifting up my hips at the top I feel it move along and and gurgle, painful doing it but seems to fix it.

[cristiana]

26 minutes ago, Ennis_TX said:

I generally get that when I am gassy...unsure but I think it is like a gas bubble trapped in your large intestine on the upper loop right before heading down to the colon...assuming here on that, I just know if I lay down and massage it, or do leg raises on my back lifting up my hips at the top I feel it move along and and gurgle, painful doing it but seems to fix it.

Do you know, Ennis, that's interesting.  Thank you.  One thing is I don't suffer from this at night whilst lying down.  In fact, even if I fall asleep in front of the telly (which I always seem to be doing) when I wake up it has gone.  It is as if by relaxing it moves - whatever 'it' is.  I can't massage that area though because my ribs are in the way.    Do you mean you massage the area just south of the ribs?

[Ennis-TX]

Yeah, i press up and under it applying sort of a pulsing pressure...odd like pressing up and bumping a balloon with water in it...odd but how it seems much harder but the pressing quickly seems to carry the wave motion over to the problem area that seems to be about a inch further up and deeper.

[cristiana]

39 minutes ago, Ennis_TX said:

Yeah, i press up and under it applying sort of a pulsing pressure...odd like pressing up and bumping a balloon with water in it...odd but how it seems much harder but the pressing quickly seems to carry the wave motion over to the problem area that seems to be about a inch further up and deeper.

Yup, that's the place I have the sensation, you've described it well.   The odd thing is that it came about with the gastritis.   Weird. Maybe all the excess acid and wind did somethign to that area.

 

[cristiana]

Another thought came to me yesterday.  I spent some of the day with someone who is suffering from post-herpetic neuralgia and it occurred to me this is where I had the weirdest symptoms a few years ago that a doctor thought might be shingles without the rash.  I wonder if this could be a return of PHN?

But then when I read what a hiatus hernia feels like it also seems to match.

I called the doctors today as I haven't been sent a TTG result which was done three weeks ago and they forgot to send onto me.  I suppose if my figures are elevated it could be that.  

I find it so difficult and puzzling.  Since being diagnosed with celiac disease I seem to have the weirdest stuff going on all the time.   I seem to leave one specialist only to see another with a completely different problem.