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Does Pain In The Solar Plexus Area Indicate Gall Bladder Issues?
Question: Hi. I have been experiencing pain from my solar plexus\ gallbladder area radiating though most of my back. Could this be a gallbladder attack or liver issue or kidney issue? What tests are needed to properly diagnose this?
Brief Answer:
See your Doctor and get an Ultrasound done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It sounds most likely to be Gallbladder pain. Gall bladder pain usually arises in upper abdomen in the center just below rib cage.
Kidney pain arises usually on one of the flanks and radiates down to the groin or to the back depending upon the problem.
Liver pain is a dull aching pain on Right side of upper abdomen and can go towards back or right shoulder also.
Without clinical examination it is difficult to say which is causing pain.
It could be arising from either of those organs. The only way to find out would be to see your Doctor or GP and get examined. You would also require an Ultrasound of the abdomen and blood tests like Liver function tests and complete blood counts.
There is nothing to worry about. The Ultrasound should be able to pick up what it is.
Do let us know the report so that we can guide you further. You could also upload the report on the site.
Take care and do let us know if there are any other concerns.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
See your Doctor and get an Ultrasound done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It sounds most likely to be Gallbladder pain. Gall bladder pain usually arises in upper abdomen in the center just below rib cage.
Kidney pain arises usually on one of the flanks and radiates down to the groin or to the back depending upon the problem.
Liver pain is a dull aching pain on Right side of upper abdomen and can go towards back or right shoulder also.
Without clinical examination it is difficult to say which is causing pain.
It could be arising from either of those organs. The only way to find out would be to see your Doctor or GP and get examined. You would also require an Ultrasound of the abdomen and blood tests like Liver function tests and complete blood counts.
There is nothing to worry about. The Ultrasound should be able to pick up what it is.
Do let us know the report so that we can guide you further. You could also upload the report on the site.
Take care and do let us know if there are any other concerns.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX I will request an ultrasound of my gallbladder from my family physician.
In retrospect I am beginning to wonder if this may be tied into another issue I have.
For the last 2.5 yrs, I have been experiencing pain on my left side/ribs at times severe and it affect almost all of my left side.
Additional symptoms:
-swelling under the arm, down the left arm, the left ribs and side to the hip.
-touching the left side at times below the ribs can cause severe pain that almost drops me to my knees.
-swelling on the left shoulder/neck
- pain and swelling in the left breast.
- Pain on the left side/ribs is constant and at times severe.
- moderate to severe inflammation
Tests that were done:
-Initial bone scan - results: The 6th Rib where it connects to sternum was seen to have an issue. Was told they were not exactly sure what it was but were going to call it costochondritis.
- blood tests had shown slightly increased white blood count.
- Regular x-rays did not show anything
Medications that were prescribed at different times:
- For severe pain - Morphine 5mg tablets(note: This took the edge off but did not take away the pain completely)
- Ibuprofen 600 - no affect
- Gabapentin 300MG - has not had any affect.
- Pregabalin 75 mg - no affect.
Pain specialist did in one visit 9 cortisone injections to the ribs. This also had no affect on the pain.
Also I was recently told by a doctor in the walk-in clinic that he did not feel this was costochondritis as it would not last this long.
Being told that this is just chronic unknown origin pain is not good enough.
I would like your thoughts on this and what it might be and what further testing should be done to determine root case.
In retrospect I am beginning to wonder if this may be tied into another issue I have.
For the last 2.5 yrs, I have been experiencing pain on my left side/ribs at times severe and it affect almost all of my left side.
Additional symptoms:
-swelling under the arm, down the left arm, the left ribs and side to the hip.
-touching the left side at times below the ribs can cause severe pain that almost drops me to my knees.
-swelling on the left shoulder/neck
- pain and swelling in the left breast.
- Pain on the left side/ribs is constant and at times severe.
- moderate to severe inflammation
Tests that were done:
-Initial bone scan - results: The 6th Rib where it connects to sternum was seen to have an issue. Was told they were not exactly sure what it was but were going to call it costochondritis.
- blood tests had shown slightly increased white blood count.
- Regular x-rays did not show anything
Medications that were prescribed at different times:
- For severe pain - Morphine 5mg tablets(note: This took the edge off but did not take away the pain completely)
- Ibuprofen 600 - no affect
- Gabapentin 300MG - has not had any affect.
- Pregabalin 75 mg - no affect.
Pain specialist did in one visit 9 cortisone injections to the ribs. This also had no affect on the pain.
Also I was recently told by a doctor in the walk-in clinic that he did not feel this was costochondritis as it would not last this long.
Being told that this is just chronic unknown origin pain is not good enough.
I would like your thoughts on this and what it might be and what further testing should be done to determine root case.
Brief Answer:
Ultrasound to be done &Mammography for chest pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam.
Thanks for your reply.
Firstly the Ultrasound should be of Abdomen and Pelvis which will see all the organs and not only the Gall bladder. It will also see the spleen which is the organ in the left side upper abdomen. It will be able to tell if there is anything wrong with that.
The pain in left ribcage is quite puzzling. The fact that almost all groups of pain killers as well as steroid injections have not even decreased it is quite rare. Costochondritis is the commonest condition leading to such pain. I usually give my patients Cap Tramadol for such pains. I hope they have screened your breast with Mammography to rule out benign breast disease as a cause of pain. If not then you can discuss that with your GP or Surgeon.
Take care and look forward to seeing your report.
Hope you recover fast and are on the way to good health.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Ultrasound to be done &Mammography for chest pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam.
Thanks for your reply.
Firstly the Ultrasound should be of Abdomen and Pelvis which will see all the organs and not only the Gall bladder. It will also see the spleen which is the organ in the left side upper abdomen. It will be able to tell if there is anything wrong with that.
The pain in left ribcage is quite puzzling. The fact that almost all groups of pain killers as well as steroid injections have not even decreased it is quite rare. Costochondritis is the commonest condition leading to such pain. I usually give my patients Cap Tramadol for such pains. I hope they have screened your breast with Mammography to rule out benign breast disease as a cause of pain. If not then you can discuss that with your GP or Surgeon.
Take care and look forward to seeing your report.
Hope you recover fast and are on the way to good health.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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