Severe right upper quadrant pain (behind ribs)

[Tagsisbk]

Hello

Sorry for posting here when this is clearly a health matter

But I’ve been woken up by a pain I’ve literally never experienced before. It’s 7/10. 9/10 when I lie down.

It’s behind my ribs on the right hand side. My stomach is also hard and I feel mild nausea.

I’m trying to avoid A&E, as I work in the same hospital and it isn’t particularly large and I’m a nurse (and so a rubbish patient) but dear me this pain is something else.

I’m 22. And posting for some unknown reason. Thanks

Don't know what "behind ribs" means (front? Back?) or how high up your pain is so hard to say. Could be acute kidney infection, which can be either side on the back. Or the obvious one is appendicitis. Or so many more less common things. You know you know to go to the hospital, not the internet. Go.

Also a nurse, and also a terrible patient so empathise entirely. I imagine you're running through differentials right now but you know your symptoms need urgent assessment. Please seek help if you've not already done so. I hope you're feeling much better soon.

Gallstones? Definitely need to get this checked out soon.

Possibly gallbladder. Mine initially felt like someone was slowing forcing a red hot poker through my right shoulder blade into my chest. It was suggested I go to a&e to rule out a heart attack.

Gallstone attack?

Agree it sounds like a gallbladder attack. I had mine removed a couple of years ago. The pain of an attack is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.

Any fever, nausea, diarrhoea?

Ok, you have nausea.
Is it under the bottom part of your ribs or right up into your chest/breast/shoulder area?

I immediately thought gallbladder. I had stones and the pain of an attack was horrendous.

I once had excruciating pain in my chest area - I was thinking heart attack or something...my chest felt tight and it was right down the one side of my rib age - I think I panicked and added to my symptoms (so I felt like I had a racing heart too!)
the doctor discovered a small blister on my breast when listening to my heart and diagnosed shingles. (Must've been just starting so was caught very early) once diagnosed I calmed right down.

Sorry to have abandoned

I swallowed my pride and went to A&E

Querying gallbladder, kidney infection and appendicitis

Staff have been excellent, seeing the NHS from the patient perspective is something else

I have no idea why I thought I’d post here instead of following the advice I’d give to someone else but I truly am the worst patient 😂

Thanks everyone xx

What would you do if this was your patient @Tagsisbk ?

Do your baseline obs then ring for a Dr and take some pain killers.

Crossed post glad you got it sorted, but I agree seeing things from the patients perspective. Get some rest and hope you feel better soon.

The A&E team were lovely. The care I received 10/10.

I’m fine and on my way home, given some codeine which has reduced the pain.

Blood tests and X ray pretty unremarkable.

The reg reckons it’s gall stones but not requiring intervention at present (kick in the arse for me to eat healthier), I also have a mild urine infection and a very tiny suspected stomach ulcer which at present needs no intervention.

Whilst I feel incredibly guilty about going to A&E it’s only my fourth trip in my whole life and that gall pain has given me an even higher level of sympathy for my surgical patients

I'd be more concerned about a 'mild' ulcer?

Gosh, don’t feel bad about going to A&E!

Do you think you might be a bit stressed and exhausted? Can you try and look after yourself a bit, in a kind way, rather than give yourself a hard time for eating crap?

Don't feel guilty. Several of the conditions discussed here turn deadly extremely quickly if untreated. Always better safe than sorry.

Gallstone Attack I think as I had similar. I called an ambulance one time as the pain was so severe, but they didn't do much and I didn't go to hospital. It happened a few more times, but then I modified my diet and it hasn't happened for over a year. Hope you're ok OP

Thanks guys you are all very lovely

Working in icu in a pandemic has definitely contributed to stress and exhaustion

The ulcer should heal by itself in a month or two. They are only an issue if they are huge, bleeding or infected. I’ll also be avoiding NSAIDs for a while.

It was more that gallstones is the only thing that I can control a factor for (diet).