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Left side pain

11 replies

Scarlettpixie · 29/09/2020 13:33

I have been having pain in my left side just below my ribs and round the back for the past couple of weeks. I though it might be a kidney infection or stone so was drinking water but have had no symptoms on infection such as more frequent or smelly/discoloured wee.

I had a couple of days off work last week as I was really struggling to sit at my desk. My most comfortable position is lying on my right side though slouching on the sofa can be ok or sitting forward.

The pain improved a bit but then was really bad Fri eve and all day Sat and on Sun I phones 111 and was sent to the local walk in clinic.

I have no sign of infection. I have had a little nausea but am eating and drinking fine, The Dr was a little puzzled and wondered if I have pulled or strained my intercostal muscles although I don’t recall pulling anything. He have me some strong Codeine and advised painkillers and rest. He said to go back or to GP if it gets worse or I become more unwell. I am off work again. Painkillers are helping a bit, certainly at max dose although I am not taking max dose all the time. They wear off before I can have the next dose. I don’t feel like doing anything more than the bare minimum I have to. I have been on the sofa all morning and am going to lie down for an hour now before DS comes back from school.

Has anyone had anything similar? It doesn’t feel like a muscle strain because of the sharpness/feeling like it is something inside but then I don’t know what a pulled intercostal muscle might feel like

Pain is dull all the time but sometime quite sharp too. It has made me feel lightheaded though not faint. It doesn’t feel digestive, Sometimes it is round the back and that area becomes tender to touch. I have also tried diclofenac cream and heat helps.

When it is bad it is worrying but as it isn’t worse than Sunday I am trying not to get wound up and follow the advice. Feeling a bit anxious though.

OP posts:
AlphabetDinosaur · 29/09/2020 14:04

Did they check for kidney stones?

Sertchgi123 · 29/09/2020 14:07

Unexplained pain needs investigating. Ask your GP to send you for a scan.

MyNameForToday1980 · 29/09/2020 14:11

I wholly agree with PP re: getting a scan (though they are a but tricky to come by at the moment).

In the meantime, have you looked up costochondritis? I had that about 10 years ago, and I still remember the pain now - it was like being stabbed with a knitting needle, it genuinely felt like something was terribly, terribly, wrong.

Here's a link: www.healthline.com/health/costochondritis#symptoms

Though it is usually primarily centred around the sternum, rather than the back of the ribs, it has been known to travel all around the rib cage.

I had painkiller and steroid injections as a first step, then weekly osteopathy for a few months to fully get rid of it.

Scarlettpixie · 29/09/2020 20:12

I wondered about kidney stones but the dr didn’t mention that at my appointment. I didn’t think to ask until I was home!

No scan offered. He was going with the muscle strain idea and painkillers/rest. Presume I need to give it a few days before going to GP. I am no better but also no worse.

I thought Costochondritis was chest pain but will have another read. The pain I have is the line where you get stitch. Sometimes further to the front snd sometimes further to the back. It feels a bit like stitch but sometimes more stabby, like something is catching. It does ease off in certain positions.

OP posts:
sadie9 · 29/09/2020 20:58

Is there any difference after eating?

Scarlettpixie · 29/09/2020 21:01

No eating make no difference and I am eating normally.

OP posts:
KoalaandRabbit · 29/09/2020 21:21

I had pain under ribs and to right side on and off for a while, left it but a few weeks later got uti symptoms then kidney infection. I've just been given antibiotics, 3rd course is working - hoping there's no kidney stones there as well though no pain now.

123efox · 07/11/2020 21:55

@Scarlettpixie did you find out what this was? have same going on at min x

LadyOfTheFlowers · 08/11/2020 09:38

I used to get what felt like stitch whenever I sat in the car many years ago. I never found out what it was but I couldn't stand to be in the car for more than 20 minutes. I'd have to sit at an awkward angle leant towards the driver to relieve it.
Doctor had no idea.

millyskye3 · 09/01/2025 16:18

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I have the same issues.

Plaza1 · 05/06/2025 13:13

Did you ever find out what this was?

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