My wife is having pains right below her rib cage from middle over to her right. seems to lessen when she lies down. going on for 5 days now. has problems going to bathroom without laxitive. pain comes and goes.

Pain : Pain in this area is very tricky since there are many organ systems in the epigastric area and right upper quadrant of the abdomen. - stomach - problems such as gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis, and stomach ulcers can cause pain in these areas - usually worse with eating and worse while laying down - pancreas - pancreatitis, pancreatic stones/blockages can cause epigastric pain, sometimes radiating to the back - liver/gallbladder - hepatitis, gall stones or gall bladder disease can cause pain in the right upper quadrant - intestinal - duodenal ulcers, infections and constipation can cause pain there because the colon loops up into that area - kidney - kidney stones or infections can cause pain in the right upper quadrant, though many people feel it in their backs. - gyne - ovarian pain from a cyst or even an infection from a sexually transmitted disease can cause pain in the right upper quadrant. And all those are just a few of the things that could be going on. So, your wife's best option is to be seen by a doctor and examined to determine the cause of her pain. Reasons to go to the er are: - high fever - bloody stool - bright green or bloody vomit - severe or worsening pain - difficulty breathing.

Could be from spine: She may have a damaged segment near the thoracolumbar junction and could have pain referred to the right ribs and abdomen.