Right side / back discomfort

[Bug84]

Sorry this is long. For about 4/5 weeks I’ve had discomfort / mild pain in my right hand side, it moves from the front - sort of lower ribs area, to the back - at my right shoulder blade. It’s not constant, and it’s not what I would describe as acute. Occasionally I feel it lower down - even at hip level. The time it began coincided with me starting to exercise again a long break - have stopped again now 😂

Went to the GP 2 weeks ago, who prescribed omeprazole in case it’s indigestion, and I do have some mild indigestion symptoms as well (more of a central discomfort after eating, needing to clear throat etc) but the omeprazole made me super constipated and gave me a dry mouth so I’ve stopped taking it. I had recent bloods done (last 2 months) done for another reason and liver etc was all normal. She’s referred me for an ultrasound in case of gallbladder issues but I haven’t had the appointment yet, assuming it could be months away! In case it’s relevant I’ve also had a recent pelvic ultrasound and chest X-ray for other unrelated (separate) reasons and they were both fine.

in case it’s more muscular I have also seen the osteopath, who seems unsure but has today worked right into the affected area, felt great at the time but I can feel it niggling again now. She said loads of tension in my upper back / neck.

I keep changing my mind if it feels muscular / nerve pain etc or if it’s something like gallbladder. Am also a massive worrier so tend to always think of worst case scenarios - trying to be sensible here!

does it sound like gallbladder? Everything I’ve read seems a lot more acute / more attacks which sound horrific. Whereas this is more of a low level thing grumbling along.

has anyone had a muscular / nerve thing in these areas? Or similar and turned out to be gallbladder? Thanks 😊

Hi there I have recently had similar investigations for similar pain. With me it was Ok (I thought it may be gallbladder) then I for a shingles rash ans it turned out it was that causing the pain.

Glad to hear the GP is investigating it thoroughly.

Hi Op, I've also been having similar pains for a few months now. It's sort of a stitch like, niggly pain which seems to be constant. Also spreads to my back and shoulder. I've had bloods, which were all normal. I've been referred for an ultrasound by GP as she thinks gallbladder, but everything I've heard of is acute intense pains. I've got health anxiety which isn't helping!

I've just had my gallbladder taken out, I had a mix of acute attacks (horrific!) and an annoying niggly constant grumble..

Thanks for your replies. It’s still there, I forget about it if I’m busy but it’s still sore, especially at night. Think I’ll ring the hospital on Monday to see how long an ultrasound referral might take. @familyissues12345 can I ask, how long did you go with the grumbling, before an acute ‘attack’? @Hope24 you sound v similar to me! I have health anxiety too 🤪

The niggle was pretty much always there, feels weird that it's gone now! Acute attacks roughly once or twice a month. No obvious pattern, apart from always triggered by food, but there was nothing in particular that always bothered me

@familyissues12345 could I ask if you had gallstones diagnosed? I have had an ultrasound recently and it was normal, no gallstones!

Hey @Hope24 hope you’re doing ok, good that your scan was clear. I’m still trying to get mine booked in. I saw the GP again yesterday and she gave my abdomen a good feel, also did a urine sample. Couldn’t find/ think of any other reason so I’m to wait for the scan and eat low fat until then just in case. She wants me to finish my course of omeprazole but i think it’s giving me an upset tummy 😢, I keep getting this horrible urgency to go to the loo after eating.
I’ve been reading about h pylori and thinking I meet some of the symptoms, have you thought of that? She said I can have a test a few weeks after finishing omeprazole if it doesn’t turn out to be gallbladder, apparently you can’t test for it while on those meds.
Im trying to pay attention to the pain triggers and it does seem to be worse after eating, so I’m kind of expecting it to be gallbladder, but who knows.

@Bug84 I hope you get your scan date soon! It's so frustrating not knowing what it is and my health anxiety has increased so much over the last few weeks 😔. I think I was tested for h pylori as my GP took a stool sample and that came back clear too.

It's scary how similar we are! I was also on Omeprazole, but as I took it for 2 months and it didn't make a difference, I stopped taking it. I had the stool test before starting Omeprazole.

It's such a weird pain, because like you I sometimes think it's muscular as when I twist or bend a ceratin way, I can feel a slight sharp pain in my back and same area in the front. I've also developed loose stools (sorry tmi!), but not sure if this is more because of the anxiety.

I think I'll be pushing my GP for further tests!

I hope you are doing okay too 😊

I had something similar, polyps in my gallbladder found on ultrasound, on waiting list to have it out. Been told it will be a few months

Yes! Diagnosed last summer using ultrasound. When it was whipped out the surgeon said it was packed with stones and very distended

Just thought I'd update as I've now had more tests (CT scan, further blood tests including ones looking at liver and pancreas and a stool sample)and they've come back normal too!

I'm completely lost as to why I am still getting this pain. My upper right back has started to hurt more, so Dr thinks it maybe something muscular to do with my back. But it does sometimes seem to get worse with eating!

On my bloods, one thing that did show as low was b12, which was at 150 (range is 190-700)

OP did you get anywhere with your tests?

Costochondritis

Hi! Glad all your tests have been clear 😊
I’ve actually got the scan (abdominal ultrasound) coming up on Sunday. It’s not been too awful lately but definitely still there. I’ve been trying to stretch a lot and doing some yoga which seems to improve it, but then like you say it is def worse after eating sometimes. Guess the scan will show if there’s anything gallbladder-y or not! I’ve also just found out I’m pregnant so I hope whatever it is/is not doesn’t complicate anything.

I’ve wondered about this too, but isn’t that usually more central, rather than on the side?

@LaLoose I've thought about this too and had similar thoughts as Bug84 as I thought this affected the centre of your chest. Another possibility I though was slipping rib syndrome?

@Bug84 ah congratulations! Hope everything goes well in the pregnancy and that your ultrasound is fine too 😊. I think I will try your Yoga suggestion as it might make a difference!

I’ve been finding this one good

No, costochondritis is inflammation around where the ribs join the spine, on either side. It flares up, so is sometimes worse than at others. I've also been down this path and had a chest X-ray etc etc. (I am a runner.) My doctor said - I paraphrase - 'Don't stop exercising. You won't get rid of it - even if you stopped exercising you would still have it. And I'd rather you were fit and ageing than unfit and ageing.'

It seems as though this is what is ailing the OP as she specifically said she had just started exercising again after a break.

@Bug84 Thanks for the link, will give this a try 😊

@LaLoose ah I see, thanks for the clarification 😊 . I'll have a google and see if my symptoms match this. Could I ask, do you still have issues with it now?

Yes I'm afraid I've had it since I was pregnant (twins) and my son got stuck behind those very ribs... Very different situation from you, though, don't worry.

Just to update that my scan was also clear - phew!

Good news about your scan. I have something very similar and have had on and off for years. Soreness/ache which starts at the right side under my ribs and goes round to my back. Not bad enough for painkillers but always there - apart from when I lay down - and then it goes. I’ve
had scans and blood tests before. But it’s back now and not going so I’m having another scan on my abdomen and they are checking my liver. It’s worrying because I just find any medical things terrifying.

OP i have had something very similar the past few months, a pain in my lower right side and it feels like into my hip and back at times. It seems to be worse in the morning and when im hungry. Also saw the ENT as food kept catching in my throat and turned out i had excess stomach acid, took loreprazole for 2 months. Pain in my side disappeared until i stopped taking them a few days ago and has now made an appearance again.
Had scans etc, all clear thankfully and going for a colonoscopy now as have had a few digestive issues too. I honestly dont know what it is and noone else seems to either. Not looking forward to the colonoscopy but at least it will rule that out hopefully.
It is causing me a huge amount of health anxiety at the minute tbh

Thought I would resurrect this thread to wonder if anyone got an answer on their pain?!
I had my baby in November, all went well! Didn’t have the pain after the first few weeks of my pregnancy at all, but it’s come back in the last two weeks now baby is 3 months old.
Not feeling like going back to the GP as they were so thorough last time, I think they’d be like oh she’s back again 😂

its the same upper right discomfort, around to ribs. Often after eating. Not an acute pain. I’ve noticed it’s sometimes uncomfortable to sleep on that side too. I’m thinking it’s either an acid / indigestion type issue, or the costochondritis thing. How is everyone getting on?

Has your gp ruled out hiatus hernia?

My upper right side pain has mostly behaved, but on occasion it can flare and twinge. It all started back in 2020 and I too had a thorough check. I have concluded that it has to be something like Costochondritis. I have noticed that it's more likely to irritate when doing a bit more activity (carrying/moving heavier items, doing things like gardening, exercises or things that I don't do consistently). It must be a weak spot that probably got aggravated originally from doing something strenuous. I find wearing a lycra/shapewear vest gives it some support, but not ideal in the summertime.