Chest cramps

[Gladys27]

Do any of you suffer from chest cramps? I have been suffering with them intermittently for about a year or so and it really stops me in my tracks. Usually happens when I twist to the right or reach up even to pull my seat belt down around me. I originally thought it was due to scar tissue from when I had chest drains when I was very ill 5 years ago. I have however seen comments on another site saying they are quite common with copd but no one knows why. My doctor even had me see the physio so presuming they dont know about the blooming cramps and its relation to copd. My question is do any of you nice folks get them and if you do do you take anything to try and prevent them? Many thanks xx

[Bevvy]

Has anyone suggested a condition called Costochondritis? This is severe chest muscle cramps that some people have. It isn’t connected to COPD but can affect anyone. It can be extremely painful and some people have gone to hospital thinking it’s a heart issue. Has the gp suggested this to you? Can be dealt with, with anti inflammatory medication - IF you can take them and ice packs….. certainly worth discussing with gp and physio. This is just an idea because obviously I have no medical training, which is why I think you should discuss with gp first.

[Gladys27 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks Bevvy , I have seen my gp and they just sent me to physio (1 session) and I did keep the exercises up but it never really disappeared completely, As it was mentioned by alot of people on another site I was just trying to find out if folks on here suffered the same problem. I also get cramps in my fingers, ankles and toes which I can just about cope with, but the chest one is a different cup of tea. Only last 2/3 miuntes but so painful, Thank you for replying x

[Tia4209]

Have you been checked for gallbladder problems? Gallstones can cause right sided rib pain made which can also be made worse by twisting or bending and eating . The gallbladder is situated under your bottom right ribcage.

[Gladys27 in reply to Tia4209]

Thank you but I dont think its gall bladder it just comes on so sudden like a cramp and goes as quickly

[Linsforbes]

I get them, had them in hospital in front of doctor, whilst doing spirometery tests for a trial. He said it was my diaphragm, which is flat or arching down instead of up, due to long lungs (copd). So every day and in bed I made really big effort to do belly breathing in an effort to exercise my diaphragm. A lot better now, and I always try and turn slowly. Try it, it might work.

[Gladys27 in reply to Linsforbes]

That sort of makes sense. I had a urinothorax (urine around my right lung) after my diaphragm was pierced during cryoablation on my right kidney to freeze a cancer lesion. My diaphragm is out of alignment now so maybe thats it. I was ventilated and my right lung collapsed so what with the copd and past damage maybe youve hit the nail on the head so to speak. Thanks for replying x

[angie26]

Hi Gladys27 yes I do get chest cramps but wouldn’t call them cramps! If it’s the same as yours it’s excruciating pain, stops me in my tracks too, I have to stay still and hold my chest tightly until it goes,any movement or breathing can make it worse, I have spoken to doctors about this for years and I get the shrugged shoulders!!! I thought it was a misplaced rib but I am told it’s due to coughing, I have copd and bronchiectasis. I take paracetamol! Helps a bit x

[Gladys27 in reply to angie26]

Mine is really painful too, I cant move for a minute or two. I also think hydration is something that helps but not sure and wanted to check if others were affected x

[teddyd]

I have had them for years. But never founfd out was causes them . Very painful but thankfully don't last long .I have put them down to my hiatus hernia moving . I have not thought of them being connected to my bronchietasis or asthma 🤔

[Gladys27 in reply to teddyd]

Thank you - will we find the cause? I'm not sure, at least I havent gone completely mad

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Gladys27]

Maybe it’s a thing we have to help by trial & error. Good hydration helps a lot of issues, and tummy breathing, I have learned myself, addresses many problems. It gets air deep into the lungs, and can even help with pain.

Best wishes.

[Alberta56]

My goodness. What some of my fellow lungies suffer. i hope these very helpful answers will give you some ideas to try out and that one of them will work. Best wishes, fingers crossed, Chris 🤞🤞🤞

[Gladys27 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you - will keep trying to suss it out x

[ladyn]

I’ve been getting them for the past few months, I thought I pulled a muscle. Haven’t mentioned it to anyone, but it is so painful. Is it because of COPD?

[Gladys27 in reply to ladyn]

I am not sure if it is copd related or not but have a feeling it possibly is x

[ladyn in reply to Gladys27]

Thanks x

[Trevorio]

sorry to hear you are in pain Gladys. I’ve been getting chest cramps for some time, also in fingers and toes. I take a magnesium supplement which helps with the fingers and toes and nighttime cramps. I’ve had an ultrasound scan on my abdominal area but it didn’t show anything. My latest diagnosis is for costochondritis after a day in Aand E , I take alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol and use a heated vest I found online or a hot water bottle. I do have some scar tissue from an old surgery and it is definitely more tender in that area .the good news is that it’s not every day ….!

[Gladys27 in reply to Trevorio]

Thanks for reesponding, no I dont get it daily but I so wish it would go away. Will look into what vitamins I could take but I have to be careful as I only have one damaged kidney and an autoimmune liver disease (psc) so its a blooming nightmare with what I can and cant have.

[Bardear]

I get them and so does a friend of mine with COPD like myself. The trick is not to turn too quickly and whatever you do don't stretch as it makes them worse. It is one of the most uncomfortable feelings isn't it.

Sometimes it feels as if your lung (s) are sittting on your ribs - horrible feeling unfortunately you have to wait until it goes so move gently.

You are not alone Gladys27 so relax and take it in your stride if you can.

xxxx

[Gladys27 in reply to Bardear]

Thank you Bardear I will take note of your advice, Without being too graphic the worst time for me is when I wipe myself at the loo and the twisting of my body to do this brings it on so easily. Best wishes x

[Injecter1]

Isuffer with these chest cramps as well. I’m taking steroids which deplete your potassium levels. As a low potassium causes muscle cramps I’ve assumed this is the reason as I don’t have them when on a very low dose on when it’s increased during s flare up?!

[Gladys27 in reply to Injecter1]

I cant take a potassium supplement because of my kidney, only have one and I can get a build up of potassium so cant have supplements or foodss high in it. Thanks for replyingx

[Injecter1 in reply to Gladys27]

I don’t think any of us should take potassium supplements without checking with a dr…. I just eat more bananas nuts etc…. But I agree you can’t do that…. Take care x

[Shirleyj]

I've had these muscle cramps on and of for years. When I first had it ,I thought I was having a heart attack, but when they come on now I just relax and control my breathing and it goes. I also take magnesium now, which I think helps .

[Gladys27]

Thank you, I will look and see if I can take this, anything that helps x

[Karenanne61]

Another cramp sufferer here. I get trigger fingers too. I try and stay hydrated and have a banana every day. In hospital when I had the chest cramps a doctor said it was my 'coughing muscles'! Last week in yoga the cramps were bad enough to stop me and the teacher recommended a bath in epsom salts. I can't try it as we don't have a bath but I've read it's an old cure-all.

[Patk1 in reply to Karenanne61]

Epsom salts rich in maagnesium

[Karenanne61 in reply to Patk1]

Oh ok. I take a magnesium tablet.

[Ergendl]

Some great replies here. It sounds from people's comments like it would be a good idea to strengthen your diaphragm and breathing muscles with exercises and/or singing. The Epsom salts bath is also worth a try as it's very relaxing as well as helpful for tired muscles and cramps - you can buy a big pack from places like Poundland and Home Bargains.

[Reading4everyone]

Hi Gladys27, I get those yes cramps too which soon pass. I have put the issue down to the salbutamol inhaler which I use very rarely and the cramps always seems to occur afterwards. I have never mentioned it to anyone before. Best wishes Marlybee.

[Gladys27 in reply to Reading4everyone]

Thank you although I hate when it happens I am relieved it isnt just me,