Strange feeling on the right side under the rib cage was experienced by many who participated in this discussion. This problem has not been fully 'deciphered.' However, several conditions have been named as possible causes.
The feeling was described by many as a bubble down below the right rib cage, which began as a 'pins and needles' sort of sensation, and is more prominent when sitting, particularly with bad posture. The 'bubble' feeling was also reported to come and go and is usually felt after eating a big meal (usually fatty foods) and sometimes relieved after urination.
The member who replied first reported having exactly the same thing - the annoying pain that feels like something is under his/her ribs. He/she also said having an ultrasound scheduled to check for gallstones, after finishing a course of acid reflux tablets. This member also said that he/she doesn't drink any alcohol which doctor suspected to be the possible reason for the abdominal tenderness. He/she also felt the need to burp to get rid of the ache.
Not sure if the lump was related to the gallstone or not?
Several other members reported or suspected gallstones as a possible cause of the strange feeling under the ribs. Some of them had their gallbladder removed which sorted out the problem. However, for others, the problem persisted even after gallbladder removal. For most participants in the discussion, diagnostic tests couldn't find anything wrong. One member said he/she had urine and blood tests, as well as an ultrasound and CT, which found he/she had a swollen tube going to my kidney and diverticulosis, which wouldn't contribute to the problem because it would affect the left side.
This member left the ER with a diagnosis of gastritis and was given a dose of Mylanta and a prescription of Prilosec to clear up this condition. Neither of the medications didn't help with the strange feeling under the rib. Along with it, this participant also developed diarrhea that lasted 2 weeks and got the diagnosis of viral infection along with gastritis on a follow-up appointment.
If this is the case, why am I still having this strange feeling?
Another participant with the same symptoms had an ultrasound which found 3 kidney stones. However, the kidney stones were not the problem related to the symptoms because they were very small and laying on the bottom of the kidney.
Several participants reported having acid reflux, few of them with a possibility of an ulcer. In this case, the acid suppressants worked healing the discomfort, though it occurred again.
I am overweight and I have often thought it could be a hernia. Is that a possibility?
Several participants indeed got a diagnosis of hernia that could be a possible culprit for the strange feeling under the right rib. Both diaphragmatic hernia and hiatal hernia were mentioned in the discussion.
One female participant suffered very similar symptoms. It turned out she had a form of endometriosis for over 12 years.
Other possible causes mentioned in the discussion include:
- excess gas
- diverticulitis
- IBS
- H. pylori bacteria infection
- slightly elevated lipase level (indicating a pancreas or gallbladder issue)
- lipoma, a benign mass of fat usually encapsulated, harmless, hereditary, and located in more than one place (so if you have one, you probably have more somewhere else)
- fatty liver, non-alcoholic
- an overworked digestive system causing inflammation
What do experts say?
Our stomach is divided into four quadrants. The right upper part of the abdomen, also known as the "right upper quadrant" (RUQ), contains many important organs, including liver (part of it), right kidney, gallbladder, pancreas, and large and small intestine.
The pain, discomfort or heaviness under the right rib cage may be a result of minor injuries or postural changes. However, sometimes it could be an indicator of a number of diseases or conditions affecting these organs.
Gastrointestinal causes of discomfort and pain under right rib cageGastrointestinal causes are the most common reasons for pain and discomfort under the right side of the rib cage.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is often a common culprit for pain and discomfort under the right rib cage. This is caused by regurgitation of food contents and reflux of acid into the food pipe. Besides pain in the chest and under the rib, the burning in the throat can also be present after eating food or when the stomach remains empty for long.
Ulcers
Peptic ulcers, particularly those affecting the duodenum, which is located on the right side, can cause similar pain and discomfort. Ulcers may require timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid further complications, such as perforation and abdominal bleeding.
Liver disorders
The liver is one of the vital organs located in the right side of the body below the rib cage. Many conditions affecting the liver can cause pain and discomfort in the area, such as:
- inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly)
- liver cirrhosis,
- fatty liver
- infections
- liver damage caused by toxins, drugs, and alcohol
Besides the pain under the rib cage in the right upper part of the abdomen, the associated gastric complaints may be present as well.
Gallbladder conditions
The gallbladder conditions, such as inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or gall stones (cholelithiasis) can cause the pain in the right upper part of the abdomen, under the right rib cage, which may even radiate to the right shoulder. The pain usually occurs after consumption of fatty food and may be accompanied by bloating, nausea and vomiting.
Pancreatitis
The inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, can cause pain in the right upper quadrant and below the rib. The pain from pancreatitis slowly worsens over time and may include additional symptoms such as:
- nausea
- vomiting
- fever
- increase in heart rate
Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD)
The abdominal pain and discomfort under the right rib cage, accompanied by vomiting and altered bowel movements can be a sign of an inflammation of the gut caused by conditions like Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis, which are known as IBD.
Other common causes of pain and discomfort under the right rib cageCertain disorders and conditions of the musculoskeletal system can cause pain under the right rib. These may include:
- Fractured ribs
- Costochondritis - an inflammation of the cartilage joining the ribs due to trauma or certain infections
- Osteoporosis
Kidney conditions such as kidney stones, a urinary tract infection (UTI), a kidney infection, or kidney cancer can lead to the pain and discomfort located under the rib on the right side.
Preeclampsia is a condition that typically occurs in women who are at least 20 weeks into their pregnancy. It causes a rise in blood pressure, but the pain in the right upper quadrant may occur as well.
A consumption of particular food items, imbalance of vitamins, shingles, build up of toxic ketone acids as in diabetic ketoacidosis, and many other conditions can also cause the pain and discomfort under the rib in the right upper quadrant.
Diagnosis of pain under right rib cage requires a thorough evaluation of medical history and physical examination, along with laboratory and imaging tests. The precise diagnosis will determine the course of the treatment.
- www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0401/p971.html
- emblog.mayo.edu/2014/09/18/right-upper-quadrant-pain-when-should-i-call-the-surgeon/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27133241
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29757718
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1121753/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4133436/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17956071
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2271178/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92038/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23329465
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1124163/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25473723
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849938/
Discussion highlights
What symptoms have been reported?
- I still have the tenderness, and feeling of something there under my rib along with a lump that doesnt hurt but like you said a very annoying feeling.
- Along with this strange feeling I've also had a bout of diarrhea for the past 2 weeks.
- In the beginning, it was like a 'pins and needles' sort of sensation.
- Hi I have exactly the same type of symptons, feels like there is something under my right rib I have terrible back/shoulder ache on the right side!
- It feels like there is a bubble or some mass under my ribs just below and to the left of my sternum, but I cannot feel it with my fingers.
What diagnosis has been made?
- I have had a ultrasound on my liver kidney and gall ladder and they say I have excess gas and diverticulitis plus ibs.
- I have seen had an ultrasound and they found 3 kidney stones.
- After a follow up appointment with my PC, she said that after looking at my tests, that she can't see anything wrong and that she thinks I just have a viral infection along with the gastritis.
- But one gyno suggested a particular scan that showed a thickening of the uterus wall/lining so he did an op (for something else at the same time) and found I had advanced endometriosis.
- The most recent test was an upper endoscopy which included a biopsy that came back showing that I am positive for an H Pylori bacteria infection.
Verification Claims & Medical Studies
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I have started drinking the new Pepsi and Mountain Dew made with real sugar only and no breathing problems at all.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ProvidedDocs/44/NCT03543644/ICF_003.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065144/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880768/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mih/pdf/support-materials.pdf -
There's a strong link between digestive contains and stress
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/anger-how-it-affects-people
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/digestive-system
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/hidden-causes-of-weight-gain/ -
Could be costocontritis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5455195/
https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@mwa/documents/downloadable/ucm_465413.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/costochondritis/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597886/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384935/ -
Autoimmune diseases cause inflammation.
https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/autoimmune-diseases
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-scientists-find-link-between-allergic-autoimmune-diseases-mouse-study
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000777.htm
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01351805
https://www.nature.com/collections/vzdlng -
After doing some research I realised that it might be an inflammation of my Duodenum, one of the more likely causes of this is Helicobacter Pylori infection.
https://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/consumer.htm
https://www.nature.com/articles/scientificamerican0205-38
http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v108/n1s/pdf/ajg2013268a.pdf?WT.ec_id=AJG-201310
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921475/
In conclusion
The discomfort or pain under the rib on the right side can indicate anything, from minor conditions that are nothing to worry about to the serious diseases. Since the right upper quadrant is the home to many vital organs such as liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right kidney, and small and large intestine, it is important to visit your doctor to get timely diagnosis and treatment if necessary.