Worried About Dull Pain Between Ribs 2 and 3 on My Left Side
Personal Information: 31 years old, weighing 170 pounds, height 5'9" Greetings everyone, For a while now, I have been experiencing a persistent dull discomfort in the left side of my chest, particularly near the area between my second and third ribs, close to my armpit and slightly above my breast. Occasionally, I also notice this sensation on the right side. At times, the pain intensifies and radiates towards my armpit. Just to provide some context, I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and have a previous medical history that includes gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux. Recently, I consulted a cardiologist who performed an EKG. Although the test indicated abnormal T waves, she did not express any concern regarding the results. During the examination, she palpated the upper part of my chest and did not detect any unusual lumps or irregularities, leading her to conclude that the pain is likely related to acid reflux. Nevertheless, I am still apprehensive, especially because the pain tends to occur randomly, with a higher frequency at night, and it has been troubling me for the past six weeks. Most of the time, the discomfort is a dull ache, yet I have experienced heartburn and reflux before, and this sensation feels distinct. At times, the pain escalates, and I take famotidine, which offers some relief. I have a mammogram scheduled for next Wednesday, and I can’t shake off the fear that it could indicate something serious like lymphoma or breast cancer. During the cardiologist's exam, she only assessed the upper portion of my breast, but later in the day, I discovered two small, pea-sized lumps beneath my left nipple that are tender to the touch. Could it be possible that this discomfort is merely a symptom of acid reflux? I’m quite unsettled that the cardiologist didn’t investigate this further, particularly since I underwent a stress test back in January that returned clear results when I was experiencing random palpitations.
Answers (1)
7/23/2025, 6:40:50 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious about persistent pain and any new symptoms you are experiencing. The discomfort you're describing between your ribs, especially considering your history of endometriosis and gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux, can likely be attributed to several potential causes. It's very common for anxiety about health to amplify these feelings. Let’s consider what you’re experiencing more closely.
Key Points:
- The ache between your ribs may be related to muscular issues, acid reflux, or other benign causes.
- The lumps you found need to be evaluated, but they are often non-cancerous.
- It's crucial to manage your symptoms while awaiting further evaluations.
Explanation:
- Dull Pain: The dull pain you feel on your left side can often result from muscle strain, especially if it’s worse at night or after certain activities. Given your existing acid reflux, it could also stem from irritation due to stomach acid affecting the esophagus or diaphragm.
- Lumps: The tenderness and size of the lumps you discovered are significant. While they can be benign (such as cysts or fibrocystic changes), getting them evaluated at your mammogram appointment is critical for peace of mind.
- Previous Assessments: Your cardiologist’s assessment and the EKG results, while concerning, were deemed not indicative of immediate health crises by a specialist. This can help in alleviating some anxiety, though it’s valid to seek clarity on lingering symptoms.
Next Steps:
- Track Symptoms: Keep a detailed journal of your pain, including what triggers it, how long it lasts, and any changes in your bowel habits or gastrointestinal symptoms. This will help you and your healthcare provider identify patterns.
- Manage Acid Reflux: Continue taking famotidine as needed, but also try to implement lifestyle changes. Avoid trigger foods (spicy, fatty, or acidic foods), eat smaller meals, and try not to lie down immediately after eating.
- Schedule Your Breast Examination: Make sure to mention the lumps to the doctor during your mammogram. They can provide a more thorough examination and decide if any further tests are necessary.
- Mindful Practices: Engage in stress-reducing activities like mindfulness or gentle exercise to help manage anxiety surrounding your symptoms.
- Consider Following up with a Primary Care Provider: After your mammogram, discussing your concerns with a primary care provider might lead to more personalized insights into your symptoms and anxiety.
It's important to focus on these steps while awaiting your appointments. Take care, and remember to give yourself time to process and address your symptoms. If anything worsens significantly, such as increased pain or new symptoms, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional sooner.
Related Questions
Could This Be IBS or Something Else?
Greetings! I’m a 27-year-old male, standing at 172 cm and of European descent, currently using Iqos. My medical troubles began roughly four months ago, around October 5, 2025. Initially, I experienced intense back pain lasting for two days, which I recognized as kidney stone pain. To alleviate this discomfort, I took NSAIDs, predominantly Metamizole-Natrium. Afterward, I visited urgent care, where I was given Diclofenac and Monural, an antibiotic for urinary tract infections. I took one of each at night. **A couple of days later, I started experiencing several troubling symptoms:** - Frequent diarrhea (4-5 times a day, often watery) - Significant gas and belching - Persistent nausea that greeted me each morning, sometimes relieved by eating - A general sense of malaise - A loss of 5 kg (I dropped from 63 kg) because I lacked appetite, especially under stress. These symptoms developed quickly and intensified through October, fluctuating over time. Blood tests showed no abnormalities, with normal CRP levels. Then in November, I underwent a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. - I had three very small erosions, about 1-2 mm, in the terminal ileum, but no signs of inflammation. Histology revealed no pathological issues, all was well. - There was one small erosion in the sigmoid colon, with minor inflammation around it. Histological findings indicated small infiltration in the lamina propria but no chronic signs, leading to a diagnosis suggesting a high likelihood of infection. - The areas were healing, with fibrin present. The rest of my colon appeared healthy. The doctor attributed the ulcers to NSAID-induced damage. I was later diagnosed with LA-A GERD. Due to my anxiety about health, I spent the month consumed by fears of complications such as colon cancer, PC, or Crohn's disease. I finally found some relief and felt symptom-free for the subsequent two weeks. However, in December the troubles resurfaced, though to a lesser degree, with occasional loose stools—2-3 times for a few days— and lingering gas. My anxiety about Crohn's returned, and I mistakenly took Algopyrin Complex, which triggered additional stress. **In December, my primary worries included:** - Loose stools resembling Bristol type 5-6, mainly occurring once each morning - Excessive gas often felt trapped in my rectum - My weight stabilized at 62 kg **I underwent various tests:** - Negative results for Giardia and E. coli - Negative FIT tests - Negative MRI (everything appeared normal) - Negative MRE (all normal) - Calprotectin level measured at 18.7 - I was found to have low levels of B9 and Vitamin D, with B12 at 320 and LDL at 5.9 **Moving into January:** - I only had one bowel movement each morning, sometimes loose, but mostly firm in the past three weeks (Bristol 4), compared to my usual Bristol 2. - After meals, I often felt gas building in my rectum, sometimes getting stuck before eventually releasing. This gas, thankfully, rarely had an odor. - Mornings have been troublesome, as I needed to pass gas 2-4 times, and in bed at night, I felt bloated with gas movements. **What I have observed:** - No signs of blood in my stools - No pain - No nocturnal symptoms affecting my sleep - No extraintestinal symptoms - My weight has stabilized without additional loss after recovering some weight Overall, I feel fine, yet the worry about my condition persists in my mind. Previously, I would have bowel movements twice weekly, with little to no gas. It baffles me that I often wake up feeling this uncomfortable. My primary concern is whether I should be worried about Crohn's disease (which occupies my thoughts constantly) or if my symptoms might stem solely from anxiety. Currently, I'm taking the following medications and supplements: - Itopride (doctor suggested it for motility issues) - L-Glutamine - Curcumin - A B-complex supplement - Ashwagandha - I briefly tried rifaximin for three days, but it did not yield significant changes. - I had also experimented with antacids previously, though they proved ineffective. Thank you for your assistance in advance!
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Interpreting My Gastrointestinal Discomfort
A 26-year-old female, weighing 155 pounds, has a background of experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety. She has been using marijuana for several years and is currently taking venlafaxine at a dosage of 150 mg each day. Residing in the Midwest USA, she identifies as white. On January 20th, she experienced what she initially believed to be a low blood sugar episode. Due to being preoccupied and busy, she had not consumed much food throughout the day. Consequently, she felt lightheaded, nauseated, pale, and was sweating. To alleviate these symptoms, she consumed around 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates once they began, but it took roughly 2.5 hours for her to start feeling better. The following day, she faced additional discomforts including nausea, heartburn, body aches, trembling with chills and sweats, along with diarrhea. These symptoms persisted for a few days. By January 23rd, she consulted urgent care, where the medical team suspected a stomach virus and advised her to let it run its course. Regrettably, her stomach has not returned to its normal state since that incident. She has been experiencing occasional heartburn and indigestion reminiscent of her previous severe GERD episodes. Additionally, she is suffering from lower abdominal cramps, particularly triggered by consuming items like popcorn or spicy foods, which feels akin to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. During the height of her symptoms on January 20th, she ceased smoking. She partook in smoking a few times between January 24th and 28th, without noticing any changes in her symptoms – positive or negative – and has refrained from smoking since then. It is worth noting that she has not experienced any vomiting or severe abdominal pain typically associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Are her symptoms indicative of CHS? She intends to abstain from smoking yet seeks clarity on the underlying cause of her discomfort. She has read about post-viral IBS and is curious if the suspected stomach virus has reignited her GERD, which had been stable for several years.
Seeking Guidance for My Health Issues
Greetings, doctor. I am reaching out for advice or recommendations. As a vegetarian college student from India, I have encountered some health challenges that I hope you could assist me with. I've struggled with being underweight for many years; I've been slim since I was about ten years old. Currently, I stand at 5 feet 11 inches tall but weigh only 44 kilograms. This weight has remained unchanged for the last three years, showing no sign of variation. I want to clarify that my eating habits aren’t the problem; I consume meals regularly. However, I suspect that the primary issue lies with my severe acidity, which makes it difficult for me to digest heavier foods such as soy products and paneer. Every time I attempt to eat these, I immediately feel nauseated. Spicy dishes often provoke the same reaction. Additionally, traveling or dining out frequently exacerbates these symptoms, leading me to avoid social gatherings and trips with friends. I've also noticed a consistent pattern: walking after a meal almost always results in discomfort or a queasy feeling. I've consulted a gastroenterologist, and after undergoing several tests, they diagnosed me with lactose intolerance. I have tried medication and dietary adjustments for about a year, but it seems that nothing has made a significant difference. If anyone has suggestions or insights, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you! 🙏
Exploring Possible Causes of Stomach Discomfort
About two weeks ago, I experienced intermittent cramping in my abdomen that lasted for four days. Concerned, I visited an urgent care facility where the physician indicated she detected a significant amount of stool on one side. She recommended taking Miralax; however, I didn’t notice much improvement. On the other hand, I started incorporating a probiotic into my routine, which remarkably led to over a week of relief and normalized bowel movements. A few days ago, I decided to stop the probiotic, and since then, I have been awakened by severe cramping during the last two nights. Interestingly, I didn’t have any bowel movement yesterday but managed to go today, albeit with some effort. What could be the underlying issue here? Age: 28, Female