I have been on Atkins since March 2002 and last June started getting pain under and including my ribcage. The Dr. sent me for Ultra sound and they saw a few Gallstones so thought that was the cause of the pain.Had the Gallbladder removed but the pain was still there. I have now had test after test and the Dr's cannot find out what is wrong. Stopped Atkins in July but would like to get back. The pain is constant and not a day goes by without having to take meds for it. I hope someone will answer.

Hi Traveller. Really sorry to hear you are still in pain. It seems it wasn't the gallbladder nor the low carbing or Atkins.

Perhaps someone has an idea but this board is no substitute for your own doctors. I hear that you must feel desperate for some answers and solutions. Has your doctor referred you to an Internist or Internal Medicine specialist? Maybe that's the next step. Or a Pain Clinic run by MD's.

I sure hope you get an answerr - either here or from another Dr. Pain is no fun.

Traveller - my own experience with the pain in the same place as you mentioned turned out to be IBS: irritable bowel syndrome.
I had at least 3 cat. scans and during the last one they found this out. They thought it was gall bladder, but all the tests for that came out negative.
I have pain most days = some days more than others. Some days you are constipated, and some times you had better get to the b.r. VERY quickly. Mine is under control at the time w/out meds. I take Bextra for my arthritis, and for some reason it helps me with the IBS.
I don't find the l.c. to be a detriment to this condition. I just try to get the fiber I can. I know I am not eating what the DR. would say to, but if it is under control I won't be concerned with the numbers.
I don't have the huge attacks like I had before - now it is just a constant pain = low grade, not the bend over pain type. Sometimes if the pain is worse, I know that within 1/2 hour I will have a b.m., and that relieves some of the intense pain.
Hope this helps you somewhat, but as Barb stated - your Dr. is the best place to check with.

I second (or third) the suggestion of getting the refferal to either an internist or pain clinic. Pain in that area can be several things. Referred pain can be difficult to track. And it does take a patient doctor. Aslo you now have the added concern with scar tissue which can develope its own pain as it developes. I would keep pressing for answers.

Colin

Your liver is in that area too.

Definately get anothe Dr's opinion. Ask them to check the IBS. Mine was diagnosed via colonoscopy (never do that again....ever). Few years later naturopath also diagnosed before I told him I had. I have discovered LCing is actually better (for me) with IBS as long as I get enough fiber and MANAGE MY STRESS. I've also been informed by my Dr. that there is a connection between IBS and FibroMyalgia (which I do also have). So if you do have FM I would really investigate the IBS. I really do hope you can get some answers quickly. Nothing more frustrating than to have something wrong and no get answers. Blessings, Karen