Chest Cramps

[BrianTaylor]

I’ve suffered with ‘Chest Cramps’ a lot since being ‘upgraded’ to stage 3 🤨 mostly in the same spot on my right hand side. It’s a bit like (I imagine!!) being stabbed, it’s so painful. I’ve spoken to my GP and to the chest nurse at the surgery but neither seemed overly interested. I can’t seem to find out much about it on the U.K. websites, but it is definitely a related thing in the US. I’ve seen it mentioned on a few US sites.

Is it a thing or not? Do you suffer with it? Do you have any cures? 🤔

[sassy59]

It definitely sounds like a thing Brian and very painful. Hope you find some help very soon. Xxxxx

[BrianTaylor in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Carole xxx

[JANET127]

I have COPD and Heart issues. I get a SEVERE STABBING PAIN in my Left side. With me..I always thought it was my heart! It comes so fast...I scream...not purposely...the pain just overwhelms me!! then its gone. So I know what that stabbing feels like! God be with you finding answers! Janet127

[BrianTaylor in reply to JANET127]

I feel for you Janet, as I know that pain. Mine doesn’t go away quickly but it comes just as suddenly. Take care x

[2greys]

I get them too, in a consultant's letter it was referred to as "interstitial chest pain", interstitial means "of unknown cause". Which is as useful as a chocolate teapot.

[BrianTaylor in reply to 2greys]

Yep, that’s the only ‘diagnosis’ that I’ve had. Utterly meaningless and completely useless. I wasn’t offered any explanation or any advice with how to deal with it. Very frustrating indeed!!

[Caspiana]

Ouch. That sounds awful Brian. I never had that even at end stage. I did experience awful stabbing pain with drainage tubes so I have an idea 💡 of what it's like and I'm very sorry you have to experience it . Is it constant or intermittent? If it's interrupting your life can you not have some pain relief? Take care. xx 🍀🌿

[BrianTaylor in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Cass - loved the way your model village is coming along! These pains occur quite randomly, usually when I’m not expecting it, and it is one of the things that make me wonder whether or not I have Pulmonary Fibrosis 😳🙁 xx

[Shirleyj]

I also have cramp like feelings in my chest, first time I thought I was having a heart attack. It happens sometimes when I really laugh or twist my body. I Now just breath gently, don't panic and it goes away.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Shirleyj]

Thanks Shirley, yes it’s a horrible feeling and it often takes my breath away 🙁

[Ergendl]

I get interstitial muscle pains when I don't use my Ventolin inhaler before doing things that involve breathing deeper than normal - concert singing or harder physical activity.

My osteopath showed me how to massage the affected intercostal muscles. Put your fingertips on the area that is in pain and gently rotate your hand, gradually pushing deeper and deeper while your fingertips rotate as you are able to tolerate the soreness.

Hope this helps.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you Ergendl, I’ll have to give that a try so long as not driving at the time 😛 Mine seems to happen more of my arms are stretched out to the front, like when carrying something (or driving!) 😊

[soulboy118]

I get something similar bri, they are similar to cramp pain, at times to alleviate the pain I stretch , I look like I'm doing ballet moves which is not a good look for a 62yr old lol, I find eating a banana a day reduces those pains I'm not one for reaching for pharmacuticals as a first choice but they are awful and embarrassing when out and the pain kicks in , it's just another thing we must endure m8

[BrianTaylor in reply to soulboy118]

I know the feeling, they come at the most random times, pretty randomly normally. As you say it’s just another thing, although I’d much prefer the doc to at least try and give me some help/support or an explanation of some sort 🤨

[Izb1]

I dont think its the same thing but I suffered pains in between my shoulders which felt very much like a heart attack, it turned out to be acid reflux for which I take omerprazole, although I do still have this at times and it lasts for hours I did wonder if the the diagnosis was correct, and have thought if there is something in our inhalers that could make our lungs react in this way, just a thought. Hope you get to the bottom of it x

[BrianTaylor in reply to Izb1]

I also take meds for acid reflux, can’t remember the name of it offhand but it’s a different one to yours 😊

[Justdoit2015 in reply to BrianTaylor]

Hi Brian, I can relate . I have had crushing chest pains that have led to A&E, but the pain has been put down to silent reflux. It took me a long time to accept that something like acid reflux could cause such pain, but upon googling chest pain and acid reflux I learnt it is quite a common condition. I am prescribed Omerprazole as well but try to manage mine through diet.

[Gary56]

This is what interstitial means interstitial [in″ter-stish´al]

pertaining to or situated between parts or in the interstices of a tissue.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Gary56]

Thanks Gary 👍

[Phoenix778]

I sometimes get a horrible crampy pain when I bend over say to tie a shoe lace, or bend in an awkward position. It can be either sideand is excruciating but I just keep really still and it goes after a short while. Like you I've mentioned it to a few professionals but no one seems bothered. My Gp did check my liver once to see if it could be that, but she gave me the a OK.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Phoenix778]

Think we all have the same GP! 😉

[Stetommy38]

I also get stabbing pains in side of ribs.excrusiating pain.just comes from knowere, then bang for a few seconds then it's like it winds down then u feel it winding up again then bang it stabs you.this can go on up to 10 /15 times.i just stay as still as poss and wait for it to go..iv nearly foned for an ambulance but suffer panick attaks n anxiety so hospital is a real emergency for me. Still don't know what it is .will have to tell consultant next time I see him. Nut by then iv forgot..lol.stay safe n as well as u can fella x