Could this pain under my ribs & around my back be connected to my periods and not gall-bladder / IBS problems as previously thought?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Brief history -for about the last 3 years I've had occasional severe pains and aches under my ribs and around to my back (probably once every 3-6 months, lasts a day or two each time).

Initially GP thought gall-bladder (symptoms were perfect match) but tests showed no problems. Referred to a Gastro consultant who suggested an IBS-like problem and said to go back to GP for anti-spasmodic meds for if/when it flares up again.

Anyway its slowly dawning on me that I think the flare ups might be occuring at the same point in my menstrual cycle , about a week before period actually starts. The pain doesn't seem to be in the 'right' place IYSWIM as its too high at the front but my whole lower back seems to be achey. When I've had period pain before (not something I've suffered from much TBH) its been very low down (front and back) but has also been the day before/first day of my period not a week before

Could it be connected?

Is it actually a menstrual thing rather than a gastro thing?

Anyone had similar problems?

I'm so glad I'm not alone. I appreciate this is an old thread but I honestly thought it was just me. I have the worst horrendous pain, always at night about a week before my period. It seems to start under my tight shoulder blade and spread across the top of my back and onto my chest under my right boob. It makes me sick and sometimes black out. I've had incredibly heavy periods for the last 6/ years (with a break when I had my little one 4.5 years ago).

I've had my periods investigated and all seems to be okay bit I've just been dismissed with these symptoms - "it's just muscle spasms...we could give you some muscle relaxers I suppose". No confidence in this as I want to know why. Anyway, I'll suggest some of the things in this thread but anyone with anything further to share please do 🙏

Wow has anyone actually found out what’s wrong I have the same thing ! All after my period

I had this pain on and off from 2020 and had it investigated to the point where all avenues were exhausted and it was concluded that it was costochondritis. It was not at any particular time in the month, but I don't have it any more and the main difference between then (when I had it) and now is that I am post menopause. No more periods but when I was in peri and periods became less frequent, the pain was far milder, so there's a good chance it is connected.

Overall, I think there are many symptoms or odd things our bodies experience more in that perimenopause stage and some of them are flooring. If it had continued after menopause, I think I would have considered HRT or some kind of therapy rather than ibuprofen.

@naughtymutha what was your pain like?

how interesting I’m glad it’s stopped for you, I’m 36 and just had my last baby a year ago and it seems it’s all changed for me hormonally etc

I was 36 when I had my daughter and after 6 months I had a very painful lower back (from the waist down) and it didn't seem to ease. I went to a physio who explained that after having a baby our bones or ligaments are all a bit looser as we have just accommodated a baby and our bodies need time to readjust, which is also quite challenging along with the sleepless nights and carrying baby, etc that comes with being a mum, so it probably takes a lot longer than it should. I hope your body heals quickly and your body gets back to pre-pregnancy strength. Always seems having a baby is an understated experience - it causes a lot more trauma to the body than is documented.