Gastritis? Muscle pain? Pancreatitis?
"Since January 11, 2025, I've been experiencing intermittent dull pain and occasionally/rarely sharp or cramp-like around my lower left rib cage. The pain is mild around 2–3/10 scale, and less intense than the sensation of a syringe needle. I have not experienced nausea or vomiting, my appetite is moderate. My urine is not red, dark, or black, my stools are yellow-brown color, and I have no difficulty passing bowel movements, no signs of jaundice.Just fyi, - I usually sleep on my left side. Could maintaining this position throughout the night and over several days contribute to the issue?- I can walk, sit, and sleep despite the pain in that area.- There’s no tenderness or pain when touching the area.- I often play with my 7-month-old baby boy, including lifting him. Sometimes, he climbs on my chest.CA19.9 = 9.2 & Amylase = 99.0, as 16 January 2025.I’m hesitant to request an EUS, particularly given that I had a routine endoscopy just over four months ago. While EUS could offer valuable insights into my stomach condition, I’m concerned about the associated risks. Would it be more prudent to consider an MRI with contrast or MRCP as an alternative?(I wish to know if Pantai Hospital Penang have EUS, MRI, MRCP services.) Could this be attributed to costochondritis or muscle pain, or might it be related to GERD or IBS symptoms?
Answer:
Based on your symptoms, the pain around your lower left rib cage may be due to muscle strain, costochondritis, or even postural issues from sleeping on your left side or lifting your baby. GERD or IBS could also be potential contributors, though they typically involve different areas of discomfort. Given that you've had a recent endoscopy, an MRI with contrast or MRCP could be a less invasive and effective alternative to further investigate your symptoms.
We recommend monitoring the situation, and if the pain persists or worsens, a follow-up with our specialist may be needed to determine the best course of action. Thank you.
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