It could be muscle strain/injury. I had this same problem a few months ago and the doctor mentioned the phrase slipped rib syndrome. I have a habit of sitting into the corner of a chair while reading or watching television and this actually caused stress to the left side rib area. At the time I couldn't understand why I would have muscle strain because I do 5 kilometres a day on a bike and walking too. None of that counts when stress is put on the left side by the way you choose to sit in a chair or sofa. It's always best to check with a doctor if the pain persists.

This sounds like splenik flexure syndrome, basically gas. Gas can produce painful cramps that can have a grown man doubled over in agony. Women bear up better but suffer just the same. I suggest drinking lots of water to aid in maintaining a healthy BM staus. Does the pain subside after a BM? How about exersize? Stress complicates matters as well so it is important to eliminate stressfulness in your life. Read a book, go for long peaceful walks, try meditation. If this does not help you should make an appointment with your doctor, especially if the pain is continual. One cannot rule out kidney, bladder stones, which, if small enough, will pass on their own without any further disturbance. A spastic colon is also suspect. Again, lots of water and a high fiber diet will fix many problems that are associated with the intestinal system. Please remember, you should not rely solely on the answers you get from here. In the end you are the one responsible for your own health. Here's wishing you the best of health and a long life.

Did you ever find out what caused the pain. I have it now and it just started out of the blue. No injury, not sick, etc.

This could be gall stones. My daughter had the same symtoms when she was 18... they said gall blatter was the problem. Medication cured it.

gas.

It can be a simple case of gas, however if it gets worce or does not go away after a few hours seek medical help. If any pain in the arms or legs, chills, sweats or feaver happen get to the hospital. Sharp pains in the ribs can be anything from gas to a heart attack, to a blood clot in the lungs, or any of the listed above and more. Any time you have a pain that gets worce over a few hours, does not go away, is on and off for a few days, or is joined by pains in other parts of the body.. its time to seek medical help. Small pains can be the warning of big problms. The most importaht thing a person can do is get checked out when pains like that happen, catching things early is the key, and looking for these warning sighns are the best way to find out. Here are just a few serios conditions that can have only or sevral pains you listed. Deep Vein Thrombosis patients with a DVT have no symptoms at all unless the clot dislodges, travels to the lung, and causes a pulmonary embolism. In this case, the patient may develop a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, or cough up blood. http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thrombosis/page3.htm Pulmonary Embolism Small emboli may not cause any symptoms, but most emboli cause shortness of breath, which comes on very quickly. Shortness of breath may be the only symptom, especially if pulmonary infarction does not develop. Often, the breathing is very rapid, and the person may feel anxious or restless and appear to have an anxiety attack. Larger emboli commonly cause sharp pain in the chest, especially when the person inhales; the pain is called pleuritic chest pain. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch046/ch046a.html#sec04-ch046-ch046a-420 Heart attack Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw Increasing episodes of chest pain Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen Shortness of breath http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-attack/DS00094/DSECTION=2

I recently had two stents, one in my right leg, one in the artery in the neck, both 90% blocked. Blood pressure seems like it is under control. I also have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. For about the last 1-1/2 month, I've been having sharp dull pain in my left side. It goes under my left breast and over to the other side of the breast. Sometimes the pain is so bad, it seems that that area becomes swollen but numb to the touch. It last 2 or 3 hours, then goes away. Somtime to pain is also on the right side but mostly on the left. I do not have my gall bladder either. What type of doctor should I go to or is it necessary to even go? It has become an everyday occurence.

It could be a few things, like an ulcer, hiatal hernia, GERD, inflammation of the upper digestive tract, Gastritis.

Thank you. I do have an upcoming appt with my liver doctor in about 2 weeks. Guess I will hold off until then unless it gets too bad

You don't have to worry it's really nothing serious.I just asked my doctor. It has nothing to do about your heart. It's called a "stitch". It's not caused by anything particular. It just seems to happen. It only last maybe a couple seconds when you take short breaths. But if you take deep ones it will last longer. So in short, don't worry you'll be fine, take short breaths when you have it,

i have no idea but i have it too, sucks dont it? i think i may have slept on it wroung but i was working out yesterday and when i woke up it suddenly hurt to breathe and i got a stabbing sensation, this only happens when i take deep breathes though, im thinking its a stitch or somthing like a torn muscle but im not sure. does anyone know? if they do E Mail me on SethD414@harnett.gaggle.net. THANKS

Actually I experienced this just today while at work. It felt like a stabbing feeling in my left side just on the side of my left breast. It's gone right now, but I can actually feel it coming. Weird. If I move it's worse, but its not muscle. It feels even worse when I put pressure on it. Idk, could it be my heart? I don't have any other symptoms associated with this pain, and it will go away after oh, I guess an hour or so. Please advise anyone. thanks, Lisa

idk im going thru the same thing too and on top of that i have panick attacks too so that dont make anything better. i got hit by a car when i was 8 and my back is severely crooked and they said things wouldnt get bad for me til im older well im 25 now and i think it caught up with me right now ive been taking some short breaths and its kinda going away idk i do know i was sitting in an akward way in the computer chair for 5 hours but im also battling the flu too!!!. plz help!!!

I have the exact same problem. My doctor said that if i was stressing, my bowel was actually contracting, and Metamucil could help. I tried it, and it gives me temporary help. So does a heating pad. Still in need of help, though. :(

Facet Joint DYSFUNCTION - is when ribs are incorrectly aligned. tissues in the area become inflammed and as the ribs rub, it' very painful. I find that it helps to lay down on the ground and cross my harms, take a deep breadth and hold for a few seconds. this takes the muscle out of it's spasms. But it's not a cure, just a way to oliviate the immediate pain. i'm going in for x-ray and massage. We'll see

I hope they found out, this question was asked in 2004..:)

I have sharp pains just below my ribs on the right side only. Sometimes it bothers me for weeks on end and will then go away for a month and then come back. I have gotten blood work done, xrays and ultrasounds. I have trouble breathing which seems to make it more painful. I had surgery a year ago and I was told by my surgeon that the pain was being created by air that was never released before I was stitched back up. Have you had surgery lately?

According to recent studies, they have found that this pain is caused by too much sexual activity. The exhaustion is just too much for the body to handle, so pains such as below the ribs are essential and normal. please calm the fuck down.

It could be: Bowel Obstruction The large and small intestines wind throughout the abdomen, but left side stomach pain can sometimes be caused by a bowel obstruction on the left side of the intestines. This pain is usually accompanied by vomiting and either loose stools or no stools, and should be taken care of immediately at your local emergency room. Untreated, a bowel obstruction can cause numerous complications, including severe infections that can result in permanent damage. Diverticulitis Simply put, diverticulitis is a common disease among elderly patients involving a weak spot in the colon, which causes a pouch to bulge against the lining of that weak area. As the illness progresses, left side stomach pain is a common indicator, and patients may also experience nausea, bloating and constipation. This isn't a life-threatening illness, and is usually treated with a low-fiber diet, but you should visit your doctor for a diagnosis. You may require medication to maintain proper health. Viral Hepatitis A far more dangerous disease, left side stomach pain can also be indicative of viral hepatitis, which comes in five distinct forms and can be life-threatening. In most cases, patients will also notice a slight yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, as well as nausea and dark-tinted urine. Hepatitis usually causes a dull ache in the stomach rather than piercing pain, and it does not abate after eating or drinking (which can distinguish it from a bowel obstruction). See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have any form of hepatitis, and avoid physical contact with friends and family. Kidney Stones nother source of left side stomach pain can be kidney stones, and the fact that the pain originates in the left side indicates that the stone is passed from the left kidney. You might first experience a sharp pain in the back, which gradually (over a period of hours) moves into the front of the abdomen. If you think you have a kidney stone, you should head to the ER immediately in case it is too large to pass yourself. Infections and obstructions can threaten your life if this condition isn't treated. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease The left side stomach pain associated with pelvic inflammatory disease is usually dull and unabating, and occurs only in women. Some patients experience pain the middle of the abdomen as well as the left side, and is usually accompanied by a fever. This can lead to severe complications, so women who believe they might have this disease should schedule an appointment with their gynecologist immediately. Ulcerative Colitis Left side stomach pain can also be associated with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, especially when felt in the lower quadrant of the abdomen. Other symptoms will include loose stools, blood in the stools, weight loss, fatigue and muscle soreness, and it is important that you see your doctor quickly for a diagnosis.