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Having Pain In Upper Rib Cage. Hurts While Taking Deep Breath. Any Solution?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Aug 2012
Question: I have a pain in the upper left side under my rib cage. It started in my back on Monday and Tuesday moved into the front as well. It hurts constantly and really hurts when I take a XXXXXXX breath. It is a constant throbbing on my left side. Thanks for your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (3 hours later)
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I am a medical specialist with an additional degree in cardiology.
I read your mail with diligence.
The symptoms you are describing pain, muscle cramp manifesting as pain, are usually seen in transitory phase of Hashimotto's Thyroiditis when Synthroid has been started and its effects take control. So my question to you is how long you have taken synthyroid and what are values of your thyroid functions when it was last done?
What concerns me most is your description of XXXXXXX pain which really hurts when you take XXXXXXX breath. Was this symptom present before or a recent development? Are you getting other respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, expectoration or phlegm?
After getting a mail from you I will be in better position to answer your question.
Looking forward to your mail. I will be able to answer as soon as possible.

With Best Wishes
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anil Grover (2 hours later)
I was diagnosed with Thyroid Disease around 6 or so years ago and have been on synthroid 1.75, I can't remember my last numbers but have been pretty normal on the synthroid for a number of years.
The pain in my side just started a couple of days ago and like I said started in my back on Monday and now it is my whole upper left side front and back. Like I said it really hurts to take a XXXXXXX breath and also to lay on that side is very painful. I have not had a fever, cough or any other symptoms.
I wondered if it could be my pancreas or spleen or something of that nature.
I have an appt. with my OB Gyn next week to go over some routine lab and test results but would like to know what to do in the meantime until I can have the pain in my side checked out. Thanks for your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (15 minutes later)
Hi,
Thanks for replying.
Assuming that you have normal thyroid function tests now. Then, obviously, pain- specifically the throbbing and related to respiration is not related to thyroid. Pain from spleen, is usually lower down- lower inter-scapular region and below right scapula more on left side. You have pain on left upper rib cage akin to pleural origin (Pleura is the membrane lining the lung). Other possibility could be it could be nerve pain, as a result of cervical spondylosis, as you do not have symptoms pertaining to respiratory symptoms. In this even, if pain is severe and can not be controlled with Tylenol, I will urge you to see a doctor urgently.
It is too late in the evening in your part of the world for a regular appointment then arrange for you to be taken to ER so that proper physical examination can be done by a doctor and necessary investigations like chest x-ray if needed is available for the doctor to interpret. If you have a question for me, I shall be happy to answer. Good Luck,
With Best Wishes

Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anil Grover

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 922 Questions

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Having Pain In Upper Rib Cage. Hurts While Taking Deep Breath. Any Solution?

Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I am a medical specialist with an additional degree in cardiology.
I read your mail with diligence.
The symptoms you are describing pain, muscle cramp manifesting as pain, are usually seen in transitory phase of Hashimotto's Thyroiditis when Synthroid has been started and its effects take control. So my question to you is how long you have taken synthyroid and what are values of your thyroid functions when it was last done?
What concerns me most is your description of XXXXXXX pain which really hurts when you take XXXXXXX breath. Was this symptom present before or a recent development? Are you getting other respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, expectoration or phlegm?
After getting a mail from you I will be in better position to answer your question.
Looking forward to your mail. I will be able to answer as soon as possible.

With Best Wishes
Dr Anil Grover,
Medical Specialist & Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW