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Original poster

Pressure / pain under right ribs

25 replies

Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 21:40

Mid 40's, female, bmi of 28, only health issue usually is chronic back pain for which I take naproxen.

I've been having moderate pain and a feeling of pressure on the right side of my abdomen, sort of under my ribs. It's been going on every evening for a few weeks, the pain isn't terrible but the pressure sensation is very uncomfortable. Last night for the first time it woke me in the night as I sleep on my right side. The pain is definitely worse after eating dinner.

At first I thought it was an IBS flare up, but I'm suddenly and uncharacteristically very constipated (sorry tmi) and IBS generally causes the opposite for me, plus the pain is the wrong side? I'm not losing weight (mores the pity) and still can eat although I do feel a bit sick afterwards sometimes.

I can't get a doctors appointment for love nor money (been stuck in the perpetual loop of ringing at 8am and failing) but this doesn't seem serious enough to go to urgent care. No temperature or anything. I did have some slightly out of range liver blood tests a while back (slightly raised bilirubin and ALT) but GP was not worried.

I can get a pre bookable appointment in a month but don't really want to wait that long.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 21:41

Gosh, that is way longer than I intended. Sorry!

OP posts:
JengaNonConfirming · 09/04/2023 21:42

Have you looked up the symptoms of gallstones? It sounds very much like it.

DustyLee123 · 09/04/2023 21:43

I’d bet gallstones too

DustyLee123 · 09/04/2023 21:44

Take the pre bookable appointment, but then keep trying for a sooner one.

BTMadmummy · 09/04/2023 21:45

gall bladder?

Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 21:46

I've considered gallstones, but I understood the pain was severe, and mine is not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 21:47

DustyLee123 · 09/04/2023 21:44

Take the pre bookable appointment, but then keep trying for a sooner one.

This is obviously the sensible solution, and I shall do so, thank you.

OP posts:
DrMadelineMaxwell · 09/04/2023 21:48

Mine is non alcoholic fatty liver, diagnosed by a scan.

Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 22:18

DrMadelineMaxwell · 09/04/2023 21:48

Mine is non alcoholic fatty liver, diagnosed by a scan.

Hi, does that cause the horrible pressure sensation?

OP posts:
DrMadelineMaxwell · 09/04/2023 22:21

The liver gets enlarged, so puts pressure there, yes.

When it got even worse it could also be a sharp pain, if I bent too far over at my waist. Usually it's just a feeling of pressure though.

Cakeandslippers · 09/04/2023 22:29

Allthegoodusernamesareused · 09/04/2023 21:46

I've considered gallstones, but I understood the pain was severe, and mine is not.

Not always. Mine started like this, was severe for a year or two and now is something in between. There's a big range of symptoms, loads of people don't even know they have them

Gallstones was what i was going to suggest anyway.

MeinKraft · 09/04/2023 23:46

Definitely gallstones. They aren't always a screaming agony, sometimes they're just niggling, sometimes fine for weeks then bad for a while, it all depends on various things.

lemonchiffonpie · 10/04/2023 00:05

Gastritis. Naproxen is an NSAID, these are renowned for causing gastritis and/or ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. Try sleeping on your left side. Also, see your GP and report this symptom.

SD1978 · 10/04/2023 04:44

Also gastritis is a possibility. See your GO for some bloods.

endofthelinefinally · 10/04/2023 05:02

Could be gall bladder - sounds most likely.
Are you taking omeprazole to protect your stomach from the naproxen? That is very important and should be prescribed along with the naproxen. If not, the pain could be from damage to your stomach lining. Potentially dangerous.

Missingthegore · 10/04/2023 05:50

Gastritis from the NSAID use.
Get a PPI prescribed

Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 10/04/2023 06:15

endofthelinefinally · 10/04/2023 05:02

Could be gall bladder - sounds most likely.
Are you taking omeprazole to protect your stomach from the naproxen? That is very important and should be prescribed along with the naproxen. If not, the pain could be from damage to your stomach lining. Potentially dangerous.

Yes, am taking lansoprazole daily alongside the naproxen. I'm not taking the full dose of naproxen either, I was prescribed 500mg twice a day but generally only take it once or not at all if my back is not too bad.

OP posts:
MeinKraft · 10/04/2023 08:16

I should add, gastritis and gallstones often go hand in hand.

Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 12/04/2023 22:12

Just to update... I managed to get a doctors appointment 🥳 by telephone, this afternoon. He booked me in for a full set of blood tests next week. I'm still having the same pain and pressure under my right ribs, and it's now through my back up up twds my right shoulder.

I did ask if I can continue to use naproxen for my back, and he says it's fine. Seemed confused by the question to be honest.

OP posts:
Iudncuewbccgrcb · 12/04/2023 22:21

The three Fs

Fat, Forty and Female

= gallbladder issues

I say that as a 3Fer myself - told to me by my 3Fer GP.

recyclemeagain · 21/10/2023 23:36

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but can I ask if you ever got the answer to what was going on? Was everyone right with gallstones? I'm having very similar symptoms along with constant and severe belching most of the night that I can't stop but also provides no relief. Just wondering if you ended up getting anywhere with your appointment? Hope you are ok now OP.

Original poster
Allthegoodusernamesareused · 22/10/2023 08:02

recyclemeagain · 21/10/2023 23:36

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but can I ask if you ever got the answer to what was going on? Was everyone right with gallstones? I'm having very similar symptoms along with constant and severe belching most of the night that I can't stop but also provides no relief. Just wondering if you ended up getting anywhere with your appointment? Hope you are ok now OP.

Hi. Yes, I have gallstones. My issues have got progressively worse, and I'm on the waiting list to get my gallbladder out! I don't really have belching so much though. See your GP and ask for an ultrasound, is my best advice. Hope you get an answer!

OP posts:
recyclemeagain · 22/10/2023 11:52

@Allthegoodusernamesareused thank you so much for getting back to me! I had an ultrasound last week and she seemed to be quite focused on my gallbladder, it's been more sore since then. Waiting for the results at the moment and keep jumping to worst case scenarios (which I think we probably all do) I'm sorry to hear it's gotten worse for you. I hope you don't have to wait too much longer.

Bug84 · 15/12/2024 06:19

Hi @recyclemeagain what did yours turn out to be? Going through a similar thing.

recyclemeagain · 15/12/2024 14:18

Hi @Bug84 Mine turned out to be a large gallstone along with fatty liver. I've managed to keep it at bay with overhauling my diet and have managed to lose nearly 7 stone since then. Waiting for op to have gallbladder removed and still have occasional pain, however removing fatty, gluten, dairy and high sugar foods/drinks has made a massive difference for me. Especially removing pasta, bread, cheese rice and pizza as they were the biggest culprits for me. Hope you are ok and sorry you're experiencing similar.

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