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What Causes Breathing Difficulty With Pain Under The Right Rib Cage And Back?

Posted on Fri, 30 Jun 2017

Question: Had a PFT 5/31. Usually not a problem but was having an especially difficult breathing day (COPD) so the motions of the PFT were not easy. Next day pain in right side by ribs just below breast. Aleve worked for Sunday & Monday (no pain at all)- severe pain back on Tuesday thru now and nothing is working - not Aleve, Advil, Tylenol or Ibuprohen. Hurts most when I inhale which makes my COPD even more difficult.
I have some heavy duty pain killers but do not want to use a band aid if something more serious might be invoved. Best advise........

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Is this a constant pain?

Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for contacting me at healthcare magic.

I am so sorry to hear about your pain. Before making a recommendation, I will like to know more about this pain:

1. Is this the first time you have experienced this pain?
2. Is this pain constant since onset?
3. Can you provoke this pain if you were to press from the outside?
4. ON a scale of 0 to 10, what number would you rate your pain.

I hope to hear from you and would follow up immediately as soon as I hear from you!

Waiting...

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (58 minutes later)

1. Yes this is first time - thinking pulled muscle
2. constant except sunday and monday??? ( On Aleve, but it hasn't helped since)
3. pressing outside has no effect
4. about 5 - pain is constant especially bwhen i inhale

I answered these questions hours ago. Have I received a response yet? I'm told your answers 'bounce back' to you. How can I fix that?

Please respond. I hesitate to take anything to try to relieve the pain until I hear your advice.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Feel free to take the bandaid!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have reviewed this information. It sounds more of a muscle problem. The main goal now would be to address the pain and allow for healing. Because less potent medications have failed to provide adequate relief, I recommend you take more powerful pain medications for this. Am not exactly sure about what you have. If you can communicate the names to me, I will be able to help direct you on this further.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (12 hours later)

Thank you -- I have Hydrocod/acetam 325 mg left from recent dental work. Instructions are 1 tablet every 6 hours

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
That's correctly prescribed!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The dosage is okay. Keep me posted with how the pain responds to this.

I wish you well.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 hours later)

Has not helped at all. My husband had cancer. I have a few pills left which include Percoset, Oxycodone, Tramadol, Darvocet and Hydroco/acetaminop. This pain has been over a week. Can I try any of these (from 2012) and which would be best?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Take hydrocodone/acetaminophen!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Take hydrocodone/acetaminophen. You can take a tablet every 4-6hours depending on the intensity of your pain.

I wish you well and keep me updated.

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