I have a shooting pain in my side. Just under my ribs.

We need to know which side of the body you are referring to.

It would also help us to know when the pain started, what makes it better or worse.

Is the pain continual?

Have you any problems with constipation, diarrhoea?

Do you have any other symptoms or medical problems?

Do you take any medication.

The more information you can give, the more specific we can be with our answer.

Thanks

Edited by plaw123 on October 7 2006 at 1:29pm

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The pain happens every 3 to 5 minutes or so-and then some times it will hit me 2 or three times before it stops again. It feels like there is pressure under my left ribcage. My stools are pretty normal with the exception that they are very light in color and my stomach has been feeling a little uncomfortable. I don't take medications. I had my gall bladder removed a couple years ago and for the most part I do not have stomach problems anymore.

On the left side of the rib cage, you will have your left lung, your heart, and below that you will have your oesophagus and stomach, and then underneath all that is your spleen.

From your description I am thinking it is more stomach related, but we should rule out the more serious causes of acute pain.

Have a look at this information:

1. Heart - angina or myocardial infarction will cause central crushing pain, often radiating upwards towards jaw and left arm. Clamminess, Shortness of breath, nausea, feelings of doom are also symptoms of an actute MI

Angina would occur periodically especially on exertion. A diagnosis of angina is usually made on a full history of when symptoms occur and what makes them better eg rest or Glyceryl trinitrate spray. Angina does not usually start under 40 unless there you have some other medical conditions, family history of cardiovascular problems or severe ischaemic disease. There are other conditions relating to inflammation of heart muscle/valves and walls which can cause central chest pain.

2. Lungs- inflammation of lining/muscles might cause lateral chest pain although usually associated with shortness of breath. Also a Pulmonary Embolism would cause chest pain and usually shortness of breath

3. Oesophagus/Stomach - problems with the digestive tract can cause central pain and discomfort. There are a number of different problems including oesphageal stricture, hiatus hernia, stomach ulcer to name a few. Pain on right side may be related to liver.

As you can see there are a variety of possible causes so treatment recommendations cannot be made until we identify exact cause. Any acute chest pain needs to be seen by your doctor, speed of visit depends on intensity of pain.

The easiest landmark is your breast, if the pain is underneath the breast then I would be concerned about lung or heart. If the pain is right at the bottom of the rib cage then I am thinking more stomach. Trapped wind and spasm can cause pain along the diaphragm too.

I would be happier if you could get this checked out with a proper physical examination. If the pain is acute onset and severe then a visit to the ER is not unreasonable.

Does this help?

Regards

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