Is this really costochondritis? Right side pain

[DasAlteLeid]

Any advice gratefully received!

I started having intermittent left flank pain mid-2021, usually starting the week before my period and then vanishing once menstruation started. I then would have no pain again until the following cycle.

That pain seems to have abated, and instead I’m getting similar pains in my right side! But they don’t coincide with my menstrual cycle and I’m not able to pinpoint the area so well - the pains range from flank (just above my waist indentation) all the way up to just under my right side rib cage. The pain is more like discomfort, and can be sharp twinges or dull cramping/throbbing. It’s been going on for a couple of months now, doesn’t seem to be getting any worse or better, and only occurs a few times a day for a minute or two (sometimes just seconds and then nothing for hours).

Full disclosure: I’m 40, very slightly overweight by BMI standards but nothing out of the ordinary, I run a few times a week and am fairly fit and well, have one child who is five, hardly drink or smoke (a couple of each a month), eat a fair amount of sugar and crap carbs like white bread…! Have had a kidney scan and chest x-ray in the last six months which were both clear. Bloods also fine although my kidney function was a little low, but went back up again after a repeat test six weeks later (and an extra few gallons of water consumed!).

Anyway, the doctor had a poke around and diagnosed costochondritis! He’s prescribed an ibuprofen gel and sent me off. I’m a bit confused as the pain is very much right-sided and nowhere near my sternum… could this still be costo?? I’m more thinking gall bladder as I’m 40, female, fair, ‘fat’ etc??

Anyone in the same boat, or any advice, all received with thanks! X

My costochondritis affected a specific bit under 2-3 ribs.

If you’re not convinced, see a good physio. They know so much about bodies and often are better at diagnosing causes of pain than the gp.

Thanks @INeedNewShoes. Was it your lower ribs that were affected?

Yes it was. I was satisfied with my diagnosis as sometimes I could actually feel pinching with it.

It took a couple of months to resolve.

Sorry to ask so many questions - did the pain move around at all? Mine can be anywhere along my right side from above the hip right up in to the rib cage! And is on the outside of my ribs, nowhere near the sternum. Was that the same for you @INeedNewShoes?

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice!

Mine was a smaller area than that and didn’t move. It felt like it was right next to my ribs rather than further back.

I’ve had costochondritis three or four times and it’s been fuxking debilitating every time. I couldn’t get relief from the pain in any condition and could barely breath without pain. Every time, it came on suddenly and disappeared within a week. Mine was where I imagine my diaphragm would be.

Thanks for the info both.

I feel like what you’re both describing doesn’t closely resemble my malady 😔 don’t know whether to be grateful for that as I don’t want excruciating pain, but also this is really playing on my mind as it’s been going on for a while now! But perhaps costochondritis presents in a multitude of ways?? The only other things I could think of were liver problems (ruled out with liver function blood tests which were apparently the best the GP had ever seen for a woman of 40!), or my gall bladder. Or just good old fashioned muscle sprain??

I had this a few years ago, I thought it was breast related but was rib related. GP suggested I saw a chiropractor who said my back and ribs were very tight. After a few sessions I felt able to breathe deeply and I felt more flexible. It maybe worth seeing a chiro/physio just to see.

Oh just to add I've had my gall bladder removed, the pain is the worst pain ever, think tight band around your middle, shoulders, and stomach, unable to get comfortable - I had to have morphine for the pain, and diazepam to relax the area to allow the stone to move through - this pain was after eating anything. The two are very different in my experience.

Good luck

Definitely costchondritis. I've had it for years. Sometimes I can't even lie on that side, other times I don't notice it for weeks.
Mine is lower couple of ribs, under my right boob.