Have back pain in the rib cage. Dehydrates, drinks more coffee. Pain induces breathing problem. Treatment?
Patient: My husband experienced sudden onset of back pain very specifically right side just at the bottom of his rib cage. He tends to dehydrate and drinks more coffee than water at times.  He is an athlete, very healthy. Pain is not radiating anywhere else. The pain is currently so bad he is having a hard time breathing.  Not SOB, but just his breathing is hard I think due to pain.  The pain is worse when lying down.  Sitting upright and forward helps, but does not subside pain. Any clues.  ER visit?  I have him drinking water and he just downed 32 oz.  Suggestions? Doctor: Hi, the pain at the bottom of the right rib cage suggests that there may be a stone in the kidney, or at the pelvis of the ureter. It also may be the infection of the kidney. There could also be gall bladder infection, or gall stones, with associated gastric irritation.                     I advise you to consult a surgeon for diagnosis and treatment. He may need to have M.R.I.for confirmation. Thank you.