Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
If I were your treating for this case of pain in the left
rib cage , I would come up with these possibilities , these includes.
1 The first possibility is of
peptic ulcer disease or
Hiatus hernia. Diagnosis can be confirmed by upper G I
endoscopy .
Try raising the head of your bed 4 inches above with blocks.It might also help to avoid drinking or eating 2 hours before you lie down.
To help control the stomach acid , one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them or eat chocolates or spicy food or greasy good. Also take some antacid but if, symptoms are severe you may need drugs like
proton pump inhibitors.
2 As you mentioned that you lost appetite so this may be due to some disease in liver , diagnosis can be confirmed by
ultrasound of liver . Also get in blood for liver function test as
jaundice is the main cause of fatigue and loss of appetite.
3 tension is the one cause , which may be responsible your problem , so if you think so , avoid the same.
In my opinion antacid with oxetacaine in them will help you till your doctor's consultation.
Good luck, Dr. HET