Question:
Has anyone experienced shooting pain in waves between the rib cage?

Hi.. Im new to this site but am 8 months post op and down 110 lbs. Im 22 and recently lost my insurance.. Ive been having these sharp shooting pains in between my rib cage right below the sternum whenever i eat or drink something.. It started a few days ago by unbelievable painful cramps that even narcotic pain killers didnt make go away. then it turned into this.. Its mostly if i try to eat or drink but also comes in waves sometimes on its own too.. Whats weird if I sit back and strech out and take deep breaths, it seems to help a little bit.. Any advice? Thanks alot!    — Magick676 (posted on April 28, 2006)

April 28, 2006
Gallbaldder! I had the same symptons 2 years ago, and getting it out was such a relief. I had insurance at the time, but it was not very helpful. The hospital and doctors let me work out a payment plan. Good luck, Kim Parker
   — KimP

April 28, 2006
This is really simple. None of us are doctors, so it is in your best interest to contact your doctor asap. If not go to the ER. For those of us that have had WLS, we should not play doctor. I myself learnt that a long time ago
   — Steve Cohen

April 28, 2006
Sounds like gallbladder to me too. Some people are able to get along without surgery by cutting out the foods that trigger the attacks-usually fat and fatty meats. Didn't work for me. The pain is intense, can go around your rib cage to the back, or just stay in the front. Call your surgeon's office and ask if he could check you. Gallbladder problems are common in bariatric patients...don't know why.
   — Jenny1

April 28, 2006
Sounds like your gallbladder. Try staying away from food high in fat until you can see a doc. Try potatos and see if that works for you.
   — Jenney

April 29, 2006
I had the same problem. They did Cat scans, and even an MRI. It was not my Gall Bladder which they thought. Than than scoped me. It turns out it was gastritis. A pill call zegerid took all the pain away. It is not a pain killer which I was on, This works wonders. You should go to a GI doctor and ask him about it. Good Luck!
   — MikeL

April 29, 2006
Go to the Hospital and get a checked out. The worst they can do is bill you. Most health networks have a plan for patients with no insurance (you pay a reduced amount in payments). Believe me I have insurance and I still get stuck with paying the bills for the visits my insurance wouldn't pay for. The hospital was more than willing to put me on a payment plan.
   — [Deactivated Member]