Copd and rib cage pain

[Cubangirl]

Hi was just wondering does anybody suffer from severe rib cage area pain ? I have end stage copd , bronchiectasis , asthma, hyper inflated lungs , fibromyalgia and several other health issues ☹️And I am unsure if it’s the fibro causing this very unpleasant pain or that fact that my lungs are far too big and causing this issue !!! Thoughts please 🙏

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi , I think you should contact your GP or respritory team they can advise you and if any treatment needed they can give it to you. Hope this helps, have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Cubangirl in reply to Damon1864]

Aw thank you for your kind words 😊I have spoken to my GP in the past but they were unsure of the cause !! I remember one of the Drs in my practice mentioned pleuritic pain and said it’s one of the worse pains you can feel ☹️Hopefully if all goes well and I have the surgery it will disappear 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼Have a sunny day 👍🏼

[Cubangirl in reply to Damon1864]

Just quick update rang Drs this am his secretary rang straight back and said GP has said to go to A&E 😳will let you know what happens 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Tia4209]

If you cough a lot it can cause intercostal muscle ( the muscles between your ribs) strain or costochondritis , not sure if that is the exact spelling but with that the pain tends to start at the sternum and radiate outwards. You could try hugging a cushion or pillow if you have a coughing fit and that will help support your upper body muscles. Hopefully the operation will help settle the pain too. x

[Cubangirl in reply to Tia4209]

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼😁 x

[Ern007]

Hi, You say you have "fibromyalgia" that could be the cause of your pain....

Read this as it might throw some light. There is a link.

"Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that causes chronic muscle and bone pain, tenderness, and fatigue. While symptoms vary from one person to the next, fibromyalgia pain can sometimes extend to the chest. This pain feels like an intense stabbing sensation primarily in the center of the chest, around the breastbone and rib cage.

Fibromyalgia chest pains can be a frightening and painful experience because the chest pain can mimic a heart attack. Your discomfort can vary depending on how active you are. If symptoms worsen, you should seek medical attention."

healthline.com/health/fibro...

[Cubangirl in reply to Ern007]

Hi ern007 thanks for that info 👍🏼Yeah I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2012 after 6 years of going from one specialist to another test upon test 🤪thought I was going bonkers !!! I think it maybe a combination of fibromyalgia and my hyper inflated lungs with copd ☹️I’m hoping LVRS will ease at least some of the symptoms 🤞🏼🤞🏼You know just sometimes it all becomes a bit too much 😳tbh I’m fed up of being fed up !!! Lack of sleep , pain and discomfort ☹️

[Ern007 in reply to Cubangirl]

It can be overpowering. If you don't improve see you GP if only, to get some decent pain management, I did for similar,

😀😃

[Janzo54]

I have this a lot and its probably pleuratic pain and need antibiotics but best check with GP? Get well soon xx

[Cubangirl in reply to Janzo54]

GP won’t see me just sent message via his secretary to go to A&E !!! Although my lung surgeon has told me to remain shielded I’m torn because I’m worried re covid at hospitals and what if it’s something urgent ☹️ I’ve also got a painful red tongue that looks like it wants to split open 😳at first I thought it was thrush but it’s not and I’m not sure if the 2 things are connected !!!

[CDPO16 in reply to Cubangirl]

Maybe best to wear as much protection as you can and go to A&E rather than continue to struggle and worry. A&E staff should be wearing PPE and will be able to access your GP records and see the extent of your health problems as well as you telling them about your current ones.

[Cubangirl in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks 😊🤞🏼🙏xxxx

[Biofreak]

I have had quite a few visits to A&E throughout the pandemic with my husband who has been really ill with IPF. I have found it to be well organised and all staff wearing PPE. Patients well separated too. It's obviously your decision but I wouldn't hesitate. Protect yourself and wear a mask if you can or face shield. I know it's worrying but you need some help and peace of mind. Hope you feel better soon.

[Cubangirl in reply to Biofreak]

Much appreciated 🤗👍🏼🤞🏼x

[CDPO16 in reply to Cubangirl]

If you decide to go, let us know how you get on.

[Cubangirl in reply to CDPO16]

Hi just sat in car outside A&E having travelled to nearest A&E 25 miles away 😳 had chest X-ray - infection , muscle strain given antibiotics , fluconazole, steroids and diazepam was seen really quickly , so let’s see what these do 🤞🏼🤞🏼Thanks lung buddies for your concern and good wishes xx

[CDPO16 in reply to Cubangirl]

Sorry it's a long way to your nearest A&E but it sounds like it was worth going. Hope the meds they have given you help xx

[dufflex]

yes i have copd and i get rib cramps as theyre called but its the lungs pushing against the ribs very painful, usually i get them on one side but sometimes both, when i did pulmonary rehab there were others with the same but docs dont seem to recognise it

[Cubangirl in reply to dufflex]

I agree they seem oblivious to the pain and it’s causes !!! 👍🏼😁

[O2Trees]

I would imagine it could be a musculo-skeletal pain from the hyperinflation Cubangirl. I have this at the front in my ribs. The ribs actually hurt if I press on the right ones. Hyperinflation distorts the shape of our ribcage as our lungs get larger. Mine are now so large I need two men's xray sheets to do a complete lung xray (men's xray sheets are already larger, I was astonished when I had a recent lung xray to find how much larger my lungs had got).

Glad you're going to A&E and hope they sort you out

[Cubangirl in reply to O2Trees]

Good morning 02Trees I had a more comfortable night 👍🏼Pain was less intense and managed to sleep better 😁that in itself makes a world of difference 🙏 I still believe my GP could have dealt with this issue instead of sending me 25 miles in agony to nearest A&E 😳my husband had to leave work drive 1 hour to get home to pick me up to take me and loss of earnings ☹️ I just think Drs are using this COVID pandemic to political end !!! And we the patients are piggies in the middle ☹️Thanks for your input it really helps to know other people are going through similar issues 👍🏼x