Should we be concerned about cancer?
August 28, 2015 10:57 PM Subscribe
My girlfriend is having back pain around the bottom of her rib cage, on the right side of her back. We aren't sure if it's musculoskeletal, or something else.
So my girlfriend has this pain near the bottom of her rib cage on the right side of her back. I really doubt it's cancer or anything like that, but she just read this: http://anatomynotes.blogspot.com/2006/10/referred-pain.html
An article on something called referred pain, basically making us now think that any pain anywhere can potentially be cancer or some other organ disease. Really great for easing the anxiety...
She made an appointment with her doctor on Wednesday, but before then I want to be able to reassure her that it is much more likely to be a muscular problem- her job requires her to sit at a computer all day, she isn't very physically active (nor am I- and I have pains of my own due to that, and bad posture), and she has had other pains in the past that I am almost 100% certain are due to just crappy desk jobs and never stretching or exercising.
My reasoning for thinking it's muscular is that I have massaged the pain in the past couple of weeks and she says it goes away for at least ten or 15 minutes- doesn't that prove that it's muscular, or specific to those muscles in that region? If it was a pain from a disease of her liver or gallbladder or something, I would not expect massage of any kind to have any effect on the pain, since it doesn't originate from the muscles themselves. But I'm not a doctor- hopefully a few of you are.
Thanks for any help in advance.
So my girlfriend has this pain near the bottom of her rib cage on the right side of her back. I really doubt it's cancer or anything like that, but she just read this: http://anatomynotes.blogspot.com/2006/10/referred-pain.html
An article on something called referred pain, basically making us now think that any pain anywhere can potentially be cancer or some other organ disease. Really great for easing the anxiety...
She made an appointment with her doctor on Wednesday, but before then I want to be able to reassure her that it is much more likely to be a muscular problem- her job requires her to sit at a computer all day, she isn't very physically active (nor am I- and I have pains of my own due to that, and bad posture), and she has had other pains in the past that I am almost 100% certain are due to just crappy desk jobs and never stretching or exercising.
My reasoning for thinking it's muscular is that I have massaged the pain in the past couple of weeks and she says it goes away for at least ten or 15 minutes- doesn't that prove that it's muscular, or specific to those muscles in that region? If it was a pain from a disease of her liver or gallbladder or something, I would not expect massage of any kind to have any effect on the pain, since it doesn't originate from the muscles themselves. But I'm not a doctor- hopefully a few of you are.
Thanks for any help in advance.
This post was deleted for the following reason: poster's request -- taz
Get your girlfriend to keep a diary between now and her appointment on wednesday. She should list what she eats and when, when the pain is better or worse and any precipitating changes - eg, better or worse or no change after eating, sleeping, walking, sitting etc. Also keep a note of bowel movements - how often, what type etc. There could be clear clues in the diary that can help the Dr rule in/out some general things (gallbladder, ulcer, indigestion, constipation etc).
And, on preview, what Smorgsboard said. My own pain in the same region is most likely caused by sitting a lot and having a short waist so eveything gets squished when I sit/slouch.
posted by Thella at 11:47 PM on August 28, 2015
And, on preview, what Smorgsboard said. My own pain in the same region is most likely caused by sitting a lot and having a short waist so eveything gets squished when I sit/slouch.
posted by Thella at 11:47 PM on August 28, 2015
Response by poster: OP here-
Thanks smorgasbord, Thella. We definitely need to move more in general. I'll suggest the diary.
One other thing I forgot to mention, though, is she says it's been there for almost 2 months now. She used to have a pain near her right scapula, which also lasted for an extended period of time but has calmed down now. Do you guys think the length of time of this pain is relevant? Thanks so much guys.
posted by drd at 11:53 PM on August 28, 2015
Thanks smorgasbord, Thella. We definitely need to move more in general. I'll suggest the diary.
One other thing I forgot to mention, though, is she says it's been there for almost 2 months now. She used to have a pain near her right scapula, which also lasted for an extended period of time but has calmed down now. Do you guys think the length of time of this pain is relevant? Thanks so much guys.
posted by drd at 11:53 PM on August 28, 2015
I have recurring pain in the same places due to my bad posture and having to sit for almost 12 hours a day. Sometimes it's my back muscles, sometimes it's my kidneys getting pinched, sometimes it's sciatica because my back's out of alignment, but usually it's my stomach/intestines being all squished and in pain. Sitting constantly wrecks so much and I bet you anything this is what's going on for your lady.
also tell her to stop googling this stuff until she's seen a doctor. seriously.
posted by Hermione Granger at 11:57 PM on August 28, 2015
also tell her to stop googling this stuff until she's seen a doctor. seriously.
posted by Hermione Granger at 11:57 PM on August 28, 2015
That pain sounds like gallbladder, especially the right shoulder. I'm not a doctor, I just had a crap gallbladder. (Also, all my tests for my gallbladder were normal, but pathology revealed problems that the tests didn't once they removed it. Called functional gallbladder disorder) Feel free to message me about it.
But, it could also be other things, such as the way she sits, etc. However I'd definitely mention the shoulder pain and any other stomach issues (cramping, acid pain, stomach pain, indigestion, etc. if it's present.) This is especially the case if the pain starts soon after eating.
She could also maybe try a standing desk or yoga ball and see if it helps the pain at all.
But yes, it seems that you need to see a doctor and then come to some conclusions. I have medical anxiety and basically had to diagnose my own gallbladder problem through googling and research, however the idea that some side pain = cancer seems extreme.
posted by Crystalinne at 12:00 AM on August 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
But, it could also be other things, such as the way she sits, etc. However I'd definitely mention the shoulder pain and any other stomach issues (cramping, acid pain, stomach pain, indigestion, etc. if it's present.) This is especially the case if the pain starts soon after eating.
She could also maybe try a standing desk or yoga ball and see if it helps the pain at all.
But yes, it seems that you need to see a doctor and then come to some conclusions. I have medical anxiety and basically had to diagnose my own gallbladder problem through googling and research, however the idea that some side pain = cancer seems extreme.
posted by Crystalinne at 12:00 AM on August 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
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Yes, absolutely! None of us can truly rule out cancer or a disease that is equally scary but this sounds very, very likely related to her lack of exercise and movement during the day.
Fortunately, it's something you both can start remedying immediately by adding regular movement to your daily routine, starting with regular breaks for movement at work and walks together in the evenings. It doesn't have to be anything big for now, even a few minutes here and there is a good beginning!
posted by smorgasbord at 11:44 PM on August 28, 2015