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What Causes Numbness In My Lower Left Ribcage?
Brief Answer:
Need some more details...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
At the outset, it doesn't appear to be from sinister cause. However I would like some more information before giving the final verdict.
1. How long have you been dealing with it?
2. Is it something that is present 24/7? - Does it get better with sleep? What other factor improves it?
3. Do you feel pain?
4. Are there skin changes over / around this numbness? I am particularly looking for skin rashes. Can you remember if you had rashes in the last few months around this area?
5. Do you feel there is swelling / lump here?
6. Are you running fever? How about other symptoms like body ache, generalised tiredness and weakness?
7. Lastly have you had similar complaints in the past - in the same area or else where?
Please write back to me and we can discuss further.
Regards
Need some more details...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
At the outset, it doesn't appear to be from sinister cause. However I would like some more information before giving the final verdict.
1. How long have you been dealing with it?
2. Is it something that is present 24/7? - Does it get better with sleep? What other factor improves it?
3. Do you feel pain?
4. Are there skin changes over / around this numbness? I am particularly looking for skin rashes. Can you remember if you had rashes in the last few months around this area?
5. Do you feel there is swelling / lump here?
6. Are you running fever? How about other symptoms like body ache, generalised tiredness and weakness?
7. Lastly have you had similar complaints in the past - in the same area or else where?
Please write back to me and we can discuss further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
1. How long have you been dealing with it? I noticed it about 2 weeks ago
2. Is it something that is present 24/7? - Does it get better with sleep? What other factor improves it? It is always present but I don't notice it at all unless I touch the area, otherwise it's completely unnoticeable.
3. Do you feel pain? No pain at all
4. Are there skin changes over / around this numbness? I am particularly looking for skin rashes. Can you remember if you had rashes in the last few months around this area? No rashes in the area or anywhere else
5. Do you feel there is swelling / lump here? In this same area, for about 35 years now (since I'm 10 years old) I've noticed that the bottom left rib sticks out more than the right bottom rib. When I was young, I would feel pain there, but there has been no pain there for 30 years.
6. Are you running fever? How about other symptoms like body ache, generalised tiredness and weakness? No fever or other symptoms
7. Lastly have you had similar complaints in the past - in the same area or else where? See answer to #5 - but this numbness is new - again, I only notice it when I touch it with my hand, otherwise it feels normal.
2. Is it something that is present 24/7? - Does it get better with sleep? What other factor improves it? It is always present but I don't notice it at all unless I touch the area, otherwise it's completely unnoticeable.
3. Do you feel pain? No pain at all
4. Are there skin changes over / around this numbness? I am particularly looking for skin rashes. Can you remember if you had rashes in the last few months around this area? No rashes in the area or anywhere else
5. Do you feel there is swelling / lump here? In this same area, for about 35 years now (since I'm 10 years old) I've noticed that the bottom left rib sticks out more than the right bottom rib. When I was young, I would feel pain there, but there has been no pain there for 30 years.
6. Are you running fever? How about other symptoms like body ache, generalised tiredness and weakness? No fever or other symptoms
7. Lastly have you had similar complaints in the past - in the same area or else where? See answer to #5 - but this numbness is new - again, I only notice it when I touch it with my hand, otherwise it feels normal.
Brief Answer:
Paraesthesia from nerve irritation...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Apologies for the late reply... Based on your description this paraesthesia is from a nerve irritation most likely from benign condition. It would be difficult to name the cause without evaluation - could be a viral infection or electrolyte / nutrient abnormality.
The lower most ribs are not connected to the sternum (breast bone) in most cases. Since you reported this close to the mid line, the difference that you feel between the two side could be normal anatomical variations or an abnormal condition such as tietze syndrome. This difference that you notice can also be pinching on the nerves leading to sensory disturbances.
Without clinical examination, it is going to be a difficult task to isolate the cause. However as I mentioned earlier, it doesn't seem to be sinister. I would suggest to meet the local general physician. He/she can examine this area closely and if needed order for investigations like blood count, ESR, Vitamin B12 level check, X-ray before prescribing the drugs. I would put you on gabapentin/pregabalin along with vitamin b12 supplements after ordering aforementioned tests. Those drugs can be modified and adjusted based on how you respond and the test results.
In short, "Nothing alarming. But physical examination is mandatory to identify the root problem".
Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Paraesthesia from nerve irritation...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Apologies for the late reply... Based on your description this paraesthesia is from a nerve irritation most likely from benign condition. It would be difficult to name the cause without evaluation - could be a viral infection or electrolyte / nutrient abnormality.
The lower most ribs are not connected to the sternum (breast bone) in most cases. Since you reported this close to the mid line, the difference that you feel between the two side could be normal anatomical variations or an abnormal condition such as tietze syndrome. This difference that you notice can also be pinching on the nerves leading to sensory disturbances.
Without clinical examination, it is going to be a difficult task to isolate the cause. However as I mentioned earlier, it doesn't seem to be sinister. I would suggest to meet the local general physician. He/she can examine this area closely and if needed order for investigations like blood count, ESR, Vitamin B12 level check, X-ray before prescribing the drugs. I would put you on gabapentin/pregabalin along with vitamin b12 supplements after ordering aforementioned tests. Those drugs can be modified and adjusted based on how you respond and the test results.
In short, "Nothing alarming. But physical examination is mandatory to identify the root problem".
Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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