Hey there. I have this sharp stabbing pain in both of my ribs. When i lie down to take a rest the pain gets worse. Any ideas on how to lie down comffortably? Also i breath in and cough the pain gets worse but then settles down. When i lie down the pains increases? Its very sore.
Kind regards
Tayla. Xox
Hi there can be many reasons for this type of pain. Unfortunately many conditions have the same initial symptoms. Many just require simple pain relief and rest. The safest advice I can give is to see your GP as making any short of diagnosis online is a best an educated guess and could prolong your problems.
I have had this and was told it's the lungs expanding pressing on the ribs
I was told something similar by my GP for rib pain. I saw a registered osteopath who showed my how to massage the sore ribs and stretch the spasming diaphragm. I now take my reliever inhaler before doing anything energetic so that my lungs are working better and don't yank on the diaphragm so much.
It might also be an idea for you to check out breathing exercises so that you are breathing more efficiently and less likely to make your ribs sore.
I get something similar from time to time. I told my GP but he wasn't really concerned. What I do is take deep breaths and I think that it helps quite a bit. It's not a nice thing to have so I hope it goes away. Touch wood I haven't had it for a while so hope yours goes too.
I find mine is usually muscular x
Dear Tayla,
I have severe rib and spine pain. I was sick with a terrible cough and went to Urgent Care for a check-up because the pain I was having would not go away. The doctor ordered x-rays of my spine and found I had a compression fracture of the 7th thoracic vertebrae. I have no falls or injuries which could have lead to my severe pain. The radiologist diagnosed the fracture as having come from a severe cough. I have since been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
I was given pain medication to take every four hours as needed. Now...what to do to get comfortable when lying down?? I am not able to sit for long so find myself lying instead. I have a bunch of bed pillows and even bought a king sized pillow to help me get comfortable. I lie on my side with the large pillow between my knees. Then I put my spine against the couch back and gently press against it. I can stay like that for short periods. I am constantly moving to get comfortable.
Have you had any x-rays of your ribcage? I would suggest you do so if you have had a cough. Fractures of the spine from coughing is a possibility. A few days after I fractured my spine (I am 65), my son's neighbor (age 70+) fractured her spine due to coughing. She was taken to the hospital and had surgery the next day. Hard to believe isn't it?
I wish you relief from the pain you are in. God bless. My prayers are with you to feel better soon.
Kathie
hi I too have rib pains on both sides and was advised to lie on the side that hurts more and it helps to relieve it by the pulmonary physio
I had sharp stabbing pains in my ribs. Turns out I had "walking" pneumonia
Pain in centre of chest
Sharp pain on left side of my ribs 
