Pain under lower left rib cage.

[balleteach]

Greetings, I know first-hand about rib pain and discomfort. The pain you are having sounds like a condition called costochondrites. This is inflamation of the cartilage between the ribs and breastbone area. The pain can radiate around the back and even down the arms. Wearing a bra or seatbelt can be uncomfortable. This condition can be caused by overexertion or also a viral infection. There can be alot of pain, causing you to think you are having a heart attack or lung problems. Usually after the dr. eliminates everything serious, this condition is what they come up with. Costochondrites is a benign condition, but can be very painful and uncomfortable while it lasts. Search this website or google the word for more info, I think my spelling is correct. There is a ton of info. out there. Good Luck and keep posting balleteach

[kentuckywoman]

Thanks for all the responses. I was not able to get in to see my doctor today. His office was closed for the holiday. I will try to get in tomorrow to see him. My pain is not a constant, but sharp soreness when I move. This soreness is along the curve of the rib cage and seems to involve about 3 ribs.It is a couple ribs below my bra line and does not seem to affect the breast.
I have so many other health problems that I really hope this does not last for years; I hope it is something temporary. I take so many medications already, and am trying to stay off pain meds to see if that will help my headaches. I will let everyone know when I see the doctor and see what he says. It is getting me a bit worried and this pain and soreness seems to get worse every day and affects my sleep. I have less pain standing than when sitting or lying down.
I appreciate the responses and at least I know others have had similar pain.
Kentuckywoman

[kentuckywoman]

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he called me today with the results.He had first sent me to the hospital for xrays of my ribs to rule out any fractures. He then ordered an MRI for me. This revealed that I have osteoporosis and my ribs are definitely thinning. For the pain he has put me on the Duragesic patch which is helping a lot and I just started it today. Since I also suffer from Reflux, I have been unable to take the oral medications.( I had a bone density test a couple years ago and had tried Actonel and fosamax. They caused so much reflux and were causing swallowing difficulties that I had to stop them). My Dr. told me today his nurses will contact me tomorrow to set up a time to teach me to give myself injections for the osteoporosis. I do not like needles!! I will need a daily injection. I am going to drag my husband along and maybe he can learn to give them to me.
I am still a bit confused about how this bone thinning is causing so much pain if there is no fracture. Tuesday was my 52nd birthday; I quit smoking two years ago, started taking calcium with vitamin D, try to drink fatfree milk every day, and I started working out at the gymn 2 hours Monday through Saturday. I have been trying to do the right things. I know the years of smoking have taken their toll. I have never used alcholic drinks.
My mother has suffered from osteoporosis in recent years, but she did not have problems until she was in her 70s. She is now 96. I am really in the dumps over this diagnosis. Doctors tell me that I am young to have so many health conditions that usually do not occur until people are older. That does not give me much comfort.I would like to hear from others who have thinning bones and if anyone has taken the injections and if it helps reduce their pain.I am sorry this is so long, but I need encouragement! Thanks to all who have taken the time to share their experiences.

[dixiepeep]

I always have that pain when i am constipated. I looked it up under remedy find and others have the same pain too. I think when it is on the right side is when it is gallbladder issues.

[fleetingfallacy]

I actually have been having the same pain for the past six months or so, except the pain reaches from below my armpit to my hip, and it hurts the most around my lower left ribs. At first my doctor thought I had mononucleosis, because my throat had also been really sore at the time. I went through several blood tests and an ultrasound; my spleen was fine and my blood seemed just fine. The pain continued and another doctor I saw was absolutely convinced that it was mono, so he tried to put me on medication for it. Yet another doctor made me stop taking the medication and said that I had acid reflux and wanted to put me on yet another medication. This one, just to be sure, sent me to get chest X-rays. I went back to see the first doctor and she sent me to get a CT scan and more bloodwork. All of my tests came back saying that there's nothing wrong with me. Even now, my side still hurts. I usually can't sit still for a long period of time because it starts to hurt, and I haven't been able to do any physical labor for a while. I usually am forced to lay down every so often because it's the only time that it doesn't hurt as badly. (I'm too long-winded...)