.png)
Pains around left chest and lower left ribs
- by Johnl
- 2021-07-17 05:49:56
- General Posting
- 686 views
- 4 comments
I had my ICD surgery in march 2018, The last 6 or so months I've been getting Aching pains on my left chest, sensitive to touch at times and stabbing pains lower left ribs. I've had blood tests and an X-ray which has shown nothing, Has anyone had similar pains and what did you do?
I will be asking for an Ultra sound soon to rule out a deep infection.
My GP has said its cartilage inflamation which other doctors agree but there is nothing to confirm this, They also said it will go after a couple days / weeks which it has been getting worse over time, not better!
4 Comments
Rib pain
by Julros - 2021-07-17 23:12:48
It does seem they are thinking costochondritis. Sometimes inflammation markers show up on blood tests like CRP and ESR and sometimes they don't. If your white blood cell count is normal, it is probably not a bacterial infection. Sometimes a mild viral infection can trigger costochondritis, and it is usually self-limiting. If your kidneys are healthy and they are not otherwise contraindicated, NSAIDS like ibuprofen or naproxen may be helpful.
I get them too.....
by BOBTHOM - 2021-07-25 00:32:59
I get those sharp pokes all the time along with a feeling of something pushing up against the bottom rib on the left side. Doctors have no clue and I've found no solid answers but my best guess at this point, my heart sits lower than most and my left venticle is enlarged, so it's the only thing that makes sense. Usually an antiinflamatory of some sort helps. For some reason, for me, AlkaSeltzer cough and cold (the fizzy tablets not the solid pills) works and it also reduces my heart rate during boughts of tachycardia. Again though, that's just me and the doctors are clueless. If you ever get an echocardiogram, you might ask the tech if your heart sits lower. Good luck.
You know you're wired when...
Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.
Member Quotes
Without this little machine, we would not be here.
Lower rib chest pain.
by Selwyn - 2021-07-17 06:37:35
What a terrible situation to find yourself in. I hope you find some pain relief.
The pain of costochondritis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costochondritis) can go on for over a year.
The idea of having an 'ultrasound' to 'rule out a deep infection' is likely to be none rewarding, as ultrasounds do not do this. The normality of your blood investigations should be sufficient. Not all illnesses show up with a medical test, sometimes the story and physical examination have to be relied upon (after all, that is why this is done!). Sometimes you just need to appreciate if it looks like a duck, flaps like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is indeed likely to be a duck - we don't need a machine to tell us it is a duck. You have had quite a few medical opinions I see.
This pain is not likely to be related to your ICD. I wonder whether you would be better looking at a site more specific to costochondritis sufferers and asking your questions? Here in the UK we also have pain relief clinics you can be referred to , specialising in pain problems when there is no known 'cure' of the underlying condition.