pain under right rib cage, right shoulder blade, pressure has ruined my life.

have it all the pain is like a sword going thru my shoulder into shoulder blade and breast had over a year no help 5 doctors told me they cant help me isnt there some kind of test that could show that whole aera. at times its a constant stabbing like pins and needlees HELP HELP

Can somebody Pleaseeeeeeeee help me! I understand this is an old post but It caught my attention because the same thing is going on with me! I've had xrays and ultrasounds but doctors couldn't find what was wrong or where the pain was coming from! Its been a week since this pain has been going on and I really wish it would go away! I'm girl and this sucks so bad I can't do anything! :((

I reccomend you research online about tietze's syndrome. It's a painful condition that is often misdiagnosed.

 I know this is an old post, but I though I should reply anyway.  I am going through the same thing right now.  Classic gallbladder symptoms with right shoulder blade pain.  The gastroenterologist told me that there is something called Sphincter of Oddi.  It is the muscle that lets the bile out of the bile duct.  If it is having spasms or is too narrow, it produces the same symptoms as a bad gallbladder.  Therefore, some people still feel bad after having their gallbladder taken out.  It is worth looking into.  There is a procedure you can have done, but it is more complicated that gallbladder removal.  There are also medicines that can relax that muscle to help with pain.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for replying! so I did my research on tietze syndrome the way you advised and I thought that maybe that's what I had after reading many articles and such; but when I went to the doctor again two days ago I mentioned tietze syndrome to my doctors if it was a possibility that I might have that and they stared at me with a confused expression on their faces. They had no clue what I was talking about!! I've had this pain for four weeks now and I just want it to go away!! thank for the help though I really appreciate it!!

I’m sorry to hear your doctor isn’t knowledgeable about Tietze’s Syndrome. I’m fortunate to have a doctor who is open-minded and has a lot of experience (but is very old!!), and knew right away that it was Tietze’s. I had NEVER heard of Tietze’s, but I trust my doctor and he knows my extensive medical history, so he knew to act quickly. Due to the severity of my pain at the onset (it hurt to breathe), my doctor sent me for a chest x- ray and did bloodwork to test for generalized inflammation. The blood tests were Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive protein. The x-ray didn’t show anything unusual and both my CRP and sed-rate were normal, but of course there was stage 10 pain under my left breast so my doctor prescribed hydrocodone and a prescription anti-inflammatory. The intensity subsided from a level 10 pain to a level 7 pain after two days, but stayed at about a stage 3 pain for months. It’s been 1-year since my first painful episode, and while I’ve never experienced excruciating pain like that first time, I do notice a dull, constant pressure in that area.

All that aside, unfortunately, there are no reliable lab tests or imaging that accurately diagnose Tietze’s. You’ll have to treat your pain then learn to manage it. The anti-inflammatory medication seemed to work best for me. Luckily I only needed the pain meds for the first few days, then occasionally over the next few months. I should also add that I eat very little wheat/gluten, and at the time of diagnosis was 100% gluten free. My diet probably contributed to my blood tests showing no indication of generalized inflammation, but my doctor and I could clearly feel the swelling between my ribs.

Please keep us posted!

Thank you for your response!
did your pain ever go away?? will the pain ever go away if I start taking anti-inflammatory pills? I have another doctors appointment next week for a another chest xray (my 4th xray to be exact) so that way I can ask if they could prescribe me anti-inflammatory pills because I seriously can't handle this pain. having this pain has stopped me from starting my first year at FSU since its difficult for me to walk and move around :/
Thank you for the help, I truly appreciate it!!

What did you figure out?

Lisha - my husband is an FSU alum and I hope you’re able to begin school soon and put this situation behind you. My advice is to ask your doctor which imaging (MRI vs. X-ray) is best to detect inflammation in cartilage. Hold your ground if you think it is Tietze’s Syndrome and also ask to have blood work for CRP and Sed Rate. Have your doctor feel in between your ribs to see if there’s swelling, but be warned poking on an inflamed cartilage will hurt a lot. It will make you jump to the moon. I was diagnosed with Tietze’s one year ago and the onset was most painful – but I was treated with pain meds and anti-inflammatory prescriptions within hours of the diagnosis. My doctor caught it early, and I can’t imagine that type of pain lingering for weeks. It’s very, very distressing to learn you’re being sidelined by medical ignorance. You sound very educated and aware, so use that to your benefit and don’t accept dismissive actions from doctors. Print pages of research that are relevant to your condition and don’t leave the office without hope.

Two other self treatment options that come to mind are supplementing with (high quality) magnesium which is a natural pain remedy, and turmeric which is a natural anti inflammatory. You can also eat foods rich in magnesium (seeds, nuts, seafood) and turmeric (spice) – but you’ll have to rule out gallstones before taking turmeric because it contradicts gallbladder conditions. My second self-treatment advice is to change your diet. It’s possible you have too little acid in your stomach to digest food, so avoiding wheat (bread, pasta, cereal, etc) will help balance your gut flora. Taking a good quality probiotic supplement will also help.

As far as how I feel 1-year after Tietze’s diagnosis – great! I’ve learned how to manage the pain, and haven’t had a significant reoccurrence of pain since onset. I have to avoid lying on hard surfaces (hardwood, concrete, etc.) and underwire bras are a thing of the past – anything that aggravates or radiates pain throughout my back to my ribs is avoided. Keeping my posture upright and side sleeping with support has helped tremendously. And keeping a simple, clean diet of fruits, veggies, protein, water and good fats makes an enormous difference in maintaining my health.

I wish you the best at your appointment next week. Please keep me posted!

identical symptoms here. gall bladder checked and fine. every organ fine. right kidney enlarged, but no way that is the issue. Pain 100 times worse at night when lying down. Wake up screaming, if I can breathe, which is rare. Pain causes the diaphragm to lock up.



Anyone....I am desperate for answers. Thanks.

I have had the same problem for about a year now.  I went to see my Dr, they said it was muscle spasms but i still have it.  I also had chest x rays and ultra sounds and they couldnt find anything.  I feel like something is swollen under the upper part of my right rib, which causes me to feel uncomfortable when sitting and i have to sit slightly to the left side.  I also have a dull aching pain under my right shoulder blade.  At first i thought it was the way i was laying in bed as my pillows are quite high, so i only use a flat one now but the pain is still there.  It feels better first thing in the morning sometimes but soon comes on and its driving me mad.  Anyone had symtoms like me and if so what did you do to get rid of the pain? 

Ever find out cause. I have had the same sysmptoms/tests and continue to not find cause. Hurts like hell.

I have not found a cure yet...my pain is killing me everyday!..Going back to doctor again Monday. Geez, pain in my back, under my right shoulder blade, under my right ribs. my skin is even sore. I am just about ready to scream. Can't hardly stand this any more. Am gonna tell my doc something must be done.

ConnieM wrote:

Quote:

Ever find out cause. I have had the same sysmptoms/tests and continue to not find cause. Hurts like hell.

I have not found a cure yet...my pain is killing me everyday!..Going back to doctor again Monday. Geez, pain in my back, under my right shoulder blade, under my right ribs. my skin is even sore. I am just about ready to scream. Can't hardly stand this any more. Am gonna tell my doc something must be done.

A thought. Costochondritis. I had this inflammation down my breastbone years ago. 1 injection of some type of steroids and it was gone. My pain is completely throughout my left front/back rib cage so not sure if that is my issue this time. At least something to discuss with your doc......so he/she can send you on your way to another doc! I received a call today that my doc would like me to come in to discuss recent lab work. Doubt it's related but wish they wouldn't leave that kind of message a few minutes before 5! Remember...we know how our bodies feel. The hard part is getting healthcare folks to listen. Good luck.

I have very exhaused and I am hurtin in the right rib cage area to the point that I cannot lay down. Have had some fever. Had blood tests but the doctors can not find anything wrong!