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Suggest Remedy For Recurring Pain On The Side Of Ribs

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Posted on Tue, 3 Mar 2015
Question: Hi!
I'm asking for my mother. She is 80 years old and has more energy than me and all my friends. She has been experiencing pain in her side, by her ribs for a while now. This is a recurring pain from a couple of years ago, which was finally alleviated with surgery. The surgeon went in and found nothing until she went deeper and found a lump of fat which had accumulated around my mom's ribs, and this was causing pain when she breathed. She is feeling the same pain now. Her doctor has had many tests done on my mom and nothing has been determined. My mom breaks out in a sweat after a small amount of activity, including cooking, which she loves to do. The pain is less when she is laying down. She is on some kind of pain killer which helps a bit, but since the pain is always there, she is very worried. The doctor also told my mom that she is a drain on the medical system and that there's nothing else she can think of doing. My question is this: what should our next step be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I want to see investigations

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your mother's case and I think that there can be some tumour in the abdomen which was misses. It can be hormonal problem also. But before I comment about it I would like to know little detail about your illness.
1.Since when she is having these problems?
2. Is their any other symptoms apart from pain and sweating like high BP, anxiety, lack of sleep?
3.Please send me all investigations which you have done till now.
I am waiting for these answers. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 minutes later)
Hi again,
I don't have access to my mom's medical information. As for blood pressure - it is up and down always, and she only has trouble sleeping when she is in pain. I know that she has had a CT scan and it showed nothing. All of the bloodwork reveals nothing - there have been cholesterol issues for many years and she does take medication for that. She has had this kind of pain for at least 3 years, except for a pain-free period after her surgery, which was about 2 years ago. I really just want to know what we should do since her doctor has told her there is nothing she can do for my mom. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
A repeat CT with contrast can help

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think that if previous surgery has worked and gave her pain relief for some time, we believe that this tumour was the cause of her pain. If this pain has reoccur there is possibility that this tumour has regrown.
I would suggest you following.
1.Get a contrast CT, this gives us better picture.
2.Met a physcian and get her blood pressure check up. He may advised you hormonal assay.
I hope these two tests can give us clear result. If even a small tumour is there it can appear on this CT.
I hope these steps will help you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4486 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Recurring Pain On The Side Of Ribs

Brief Answer: I want to see investigations Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your mother's case and I think that there can be some tumour in the abdomen which was misses. It can be hormonal problem also. But before I comment about it I would like to know little detail about your illness. 1.Since when she is having these problems? 2. Is their any other symptoms apart from pain and sweating like high BP, anxiety, lack of sleep? 3.Please send me all investigations which you have done till now. I am waiting for these answers. I will try my best to help you. Thanks