What is this pain?

[tunapicklesandwich]

So I have this pain on my right hand side right at the edge of my rib cage, below my breast but it doesn't feel like on the bone, more inside and radiating below. It comes and goes every day since the past two weeks, I would say it's mild but it's certainly there. I also have some pain on my left side but far less prominent. I have finally tried calling my GP but they had no appointments left for today, will try again in Monday. Worked myself into massive health anxiety ofc.
I have no other symptoms maybe apart from slight bloating. Appetite, bowels, skin color, everything in good shape. No alcohol, very healthy diet but overweight. I couldn't help but wonder if it's peri. I'm 40 and have very regular periods. Any ideas what this could be? I have a feeling I will be catastrophizing the whole weekend until I see the GP 😣

I have had the exact same pain and everything thing else is normal bloods,FIT, also had full abdo scan no gallstones/ kidney stones . I actually now believe it’s muscular and because I am always running around looking after others . I am now taking things easy and the pain seems to have lessened .

Ha! Running around looking after others sounds like me and I also have aches and pains around my spine 😫

Could it be costochondritis? xx

Gallbladder?

I had this pain for 4 years had all the CT scans MRI scans gallbladder ultrasound endoscopy colonoscopy and they found nothing. I was then referred to a different hospital and they found I had a gallbladder full of sludge (. This does not always show up on scans ) I then had it removed
The pain somewhat remained however. This year I had a Sehcat scan which showed I had bowel malabsorption disorder, its a gastrointestinal condition that occurs when the small intestine doesn't properly absorb bile acids. This often causes diarrhoea. However, I do not have the diarrhoea just the pain in exactly the same spot you described which incidentally is the same pain you get when you have gallbladder issues
it might be worth you getting a scan to check the gallbladder and don’t let your GP fob you off either. You will most likely be offered an ultrasound on the gallbladder kidneys and liver .
try to eat food with very low-fat for a week and see if that helps too as excess bile can cause pain when it tries to digest fats- even good ones
don’t worry too much ! I’m 45 now my issues started at 40. It might not even be that for you, but generally pain in the area is associated with gallbladder and bowel issues.
if you start to get sharp pains on your left side and middle call 111 as it could be appendix related , however doesn’t seem to be that based on what you said x

So a bit of an update...ultrasound found nothing. Stool test found nothing. Gastroenterologist suggested trying omeprazole for 4 weeks to see if it makes any difference, otherwise endoscopy. Some days it's much better, some days about the same. Diet and stress seems to make a big difference but still a bit worried because medication didn't do much...

I had a similar pain below my left breastbone/behind rib cage terribly for few weeks I think. At one point I was doubled over in pain. I had pulled an intercostal muscle. It hurt like mad and I wasn't entirely sure I might be having a heart issue. Eventually had tingling arms and when that combined with chest pains I called my gp but was instead sent an ambulance!! They gave me lots of codeine, scanned my lungs, couldn't find a thing wrong. The only suggestion given was a pull or tear to the intercostal muscle. Thank god it went away over the course of maybe 3 more weeks and lots of gentle rest. Probably not much help but thought I'd mention incase that's useful. Sorry you're in pain.x

Very much sounds like gallbladder area pain. This can be from sludge (which isn't always spotted on scans and tests) or just gallbladder function and/or issues with biliary duct and sphincter of oddi (I've now been diagnosed with SOD, which is dysfunction of this valve). It mimics gall bladder issues, and is way more common than people know.

I actually had my GB out many years ago, but have continued daily pain - with occasional attacks is thrown in.

Changes to progesterone and estrogen alter the concentration of bile, so issues like this can begin during peri (SOD Facebook group is full of middle aged women!) or when pregnant. Google this and you'll find a lot of information.

I'd consider looking at some bile support supplements and having a read around the topic. Happy to answer any questions if you have them.

I did similar. It does mimic a heart issue. Glad I went to A&E.