Intense Rib(?) Pain

[Wanheda242]

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all as well as you can be at this moment.

I was diagnosed with pretty ‘severe’ Fibromyalgia in December at only 20 years old. I’m going to regular appointments including medication changes, physiotherapy, and also therapy for the depression that’s coming along with all of this. Things aren’t really getting any better if I’m being honest, most days I can barely walk because my knees are so badly affected that they feel like they are crumbling when I stand. I’m trying my hardest to stay positive I swear, but one pain in particular is causing me to cry every single day.

The only way I can describe it is it’s as if the outer lining(?) of lungs are on fire and cramping. Each and every one of my ribs are also in agony especially when I breathe in, it’s especially painful in between my ribs. I’ve taken to breathing very very shallowly to try and alleviate it but even these tiny breaths in are agonising. Does anyone know what this is and or have any ideas how I can relieve this?

I’m on regular codeine, amatryptaline, and paracetamol for all my pains but this honestly only slightly relieves this lung and rib pain. I’ve spoken to the Doctors about this and xrays and scans show severe inflammation in an area of my left lung and also scarring in the same area which is being further investigated. Everything else looks normal though so they’ve just said to continue my pain meds, do stretches, and try deep breathing...

I would be very very grateful to any thoughts or advice at all.

Thank you all again.

Have a wonderful day/evening.

Kim xxx

[Entela15]

Just hang in there hunny. Fibromyalgia is a horrible condition. Try to stay positive and take your meds. Hopefully in time things will improve. I'm suffering with severe pain for almost a year and finding life very hard. But still living in hope that better days will come. X

[Wanheda242 in reply to Entela15]

Thank you so so very much ♥️

[Hidden]

Wow that sounds quite painful, have you told your consultant about this chest and rib pain? it might not be fibro, we often assume all our pains are fibro and we shouldnt.. if it is so unbearable and affecting your breathing then i would ask someone to take you to A&E and get this checked out... Have you ever tried ibuprofen? I buy 200mg from local supermarket, I take 2 with other meds as long as they dont already have this in them.. If you would like to tell me what excercises you have been advised to try maybe the ones I do might help also. just let me know. From Nurse Gladys Emanuel (still open all hours|)

[Wanheda242 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve been to A&E with it unfortunately that’s what got me the chest X-rays so quickly because I could barely breathe at all one night. I can’t take ibuprofen as I also have pretty bad kidney disease and it doesn’t mix well with kidney problems The stretches the physiotherapist suggested we’re just pretty simple shoulder stretches but I would be willing to try any you would suggest!

I personally don’t think this pain is Fibro related but the Doctors keep saying there’s no other reason for it, it’s just so awful...

Thank you so much

[Hidden in reply to Wanheda242]

Are you under the care of a neurologist or a rheumatologist? Would your g.p consider giving you Tramadol 50 with paracetamol to help with pain until you are seen again?

as for the stretching for my rib pains (which are musclular) I clasp hands together and turn your palms faaing away from you, force them forward, walk towards the stretched out hands and push a bit more.. then put the clenched hands behind your back and push down to the floor, do these two excercise gently at first until you can tolerate more..I also do this in the shower, running water like a hydro pool, makes stretching easier.. I also have a TENS machine that I use on my rib area, that really does help..once you get

[Wanheda242 in reply to Hidden]

I was being seen by a rheumatologist initially but once I got my Fibromyalgia diagnosis he said he no longer had to see me as he doesn’t care for Fibromyalgia patients. I only see my GP for it now and the physiotherapists, I will ask about tramadol on Tuesday when I see him thank you.

Thank you so so so very much for the suggestion! I will be sure to try this when I can ♥️

[Hidden in reply to Wanheda242]

anything else you need help with, just ask, as a 19 year sufferer and retired on ill health at 61 from NHS I know what we go thru and how much we are ignored.. I went to see a rheumatologist on jan 2 at the big city hospital where i worked before I retired, I have seen him before, occ. heal;th sent me to him,, in less than 3 weeks, has arranged occ.. therapy, physio, hydro all in one day and following that in the afternoon I see a Uro gyna doctor who I used to work with for leaky waterworks--she has liaiased with the physio dept telling them that some excercises in the hydro pool are needed to strengthen pelvic floor...there are just those who give a damn and those who dont.

[Wanheda242 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so so much I really appreciate it ♥️

My rheumatologist upset me quite a bit as I was getting loads of investigations for my debilitating symptoms and he was wonderful. However when he gave me my fibro diagnosis he basically go exercise and that was it, couldn’t understand the sudden shift in care but it is what it is. My GP and Physio are wonderful, my GP is still trying to find the right combination of medications for me and actually takes me seriously so I feel very lucky in that sense

[Hidden in reply to Wanheda242]

Believe it or not SOME rheumo docs know bu**** all about fibro and so we get fobbed off.. My first one in 1981 was rubbish and so I asked to see somebody else, I went to a neurologist- again in the big city hospital who did numerous tests as he was sure that a recent illness of ankylosing spondilitis (now in remission) may have left me the way I am with altered posture,leaning forward and much of my torso has gone forward and south with it!

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

Hello NG,

I think this can applied to all medical specialists, there’s always somebody that has more drive, read more research as part of CPD, have better bedside manner, are more empathic etc - this can do with the person’s personality, their mentors, their past experiences etc.

I think we’ve all known great DRs and also not so too, however some patients might find they receive better care from ones we may not. So, I guess I’m saying patient experience is personal to their own journey.

Saying you don’t rate a DR who may be wonderful in other areas of Rheum - they may help others. If a DR and HCP doesn’t know about Fibromyalgia, then maybe if they are not completely dismissive - it’s a learning opportunity for them.

I know it’s difficult when so many seem to stigmatise us and some think we feign illness but we must keep banging the drum for awareness to anyone who’ll listen. Send out a FMAUK Medical Packs out & keep strong as possible.

All the best

Emma

[Mdaisy in reply to Wanheda242]

Hello Wangeda242,

I personally would say that asking for Tramadol for pain could be problematic, as it’s a controlled drug plus GPs are currently being asked to reduce high risk & Opioid medications as the Gov are trying to avoid a UK Opioid Crisis (not the right way to do things IMO as they should be funding more support for people who may be addicted)

I feel it may be best to explain to them GP that you are experiencing pain and is there anything they can suggest as you have kidney issues.

Have you been prescribed any pain relief previously, as generally DRs try to start with mild opiates & work upwards - obviously in you’re case they have to look at research on what is considered safer for use & where the benefits outweigh the risks.

As NurseGladys has said if you haven’t got a TENS machine they can be very useful for pain relief - unfortunately drugs called NSAIDS are helpful for this specific rib pain but you are unable to take them.

For general body pain I wonder if a pain relief cream like Capsaicin could be useful & OK for use for you? It’s a natural way to reduce Substance P which is excitable to pain & Dr Clauw reported we have 3 times as much as healthy controls.

If the GP does prescribe it, it’s very hot so I’d use with caution and gloves, patch test 24hrs before etc. Despite this, some people with Fibro including myself & another Admin team member use it with great success alongside other meds & therapies/coping mechanisms.

Hope this helps

Emma

[HBpencil]

Hello Kim.

Not sure if this is any help, but l have suffered this rib pain on and off for years. Long before l was found to have Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with lntercostal Neuralgia. Look it up and see if it sounds like your condition. You may be able to find other methods to help. I used to visit a chiropractor but now stick to physio and myofascial massage. As it's not so severe. Like you l have kidney problems so try to avoid a lot of meds....

Hope you improve soon. It's a miserable feeling.

Hazel.

[lola1956 in reply to HBpencil]

Thank you for this information I will check this out as it’s a very painful condition

[Hidden]

Hi Hun chest and rib pain is very common in fibro it's not heart related so don't worry just tell your self it's my fibro I will not panic cos that makes things 10x worse have a hot bath when pain gets to much anxiety and depression also come hand in hand with fibromyalgia you should take anti inflammatory meds if your lung is inflamed naproxen should help ask doc how to get rid of inflammation turmeric and magnesium supplements will help to but u must take them daily for few months to see difference turmeric is a natural antiinflamatory , maybe try Chinese cupping that helped me loads and made me sleep well after feel free to vent your not alone xxxxxxx🙂🙂

[Psulli]

Hi I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling with so much pain. This fibromyalgia that we’ve all been lumbered with is no small thing.

I also get some relief with a tense machine, if you can afford it they’re well worth a try. Have you been referred to a pain consultant, if not maybe your GP could do that. I went to one and although many people think they are not a lot of use I did get some positive benefit and I believe that if you can’t afford the cost of a tense machine you can borrow one. I suffer with rib and back pain that’s often pretty awful land I have found some relief from a joint and muscle rub from a company called elixirs of life, you can order online, it 9.99 so that maybe worth a try as it’s all natural so no worry about it messing with your other drugs. Sorry about the essay, just wanted to try and give you some more options. You’re so young to be dealing with these awful condition, I hope you find something that works for you and you’re feeling a little better soon.

[Chittychatty]

Ditto! I started six months ago totally out of the blue. One day fine at the gym then into my physical job next day weak as a kitten and felt like a horse had kicked all my ribs front and back. Also waves of pain under both shoulder blades. Other symptoms too.

Drs had not a clue and still don't so they say fibromyalgia but I've not even seen a specialist.

So that's where the self medication comes in. My brother had costochondritis so I went with his recommendation of improving my cartilage. I bought a good brand of chicken sternum cartilage. Plus ashwaghanda root multiple vitamins especially amino acid and magnesium. All in all the pain has massively reduced. I am starting to move around more. However it's come to light I have some heart issues which were discovered on this difficult journey.

My advice is to try these things, give it time and I really hope it helps you as it has me. I'm not cured but at least have a slightly better quality of life.

Best wishes.

[Annmarie09]

Yes I’m the same have 3 episodes of severe pain in this area it’s the worst. I couldn’t pain cause of the pain causing me to panick.

I looked it up and thought same as you. We never know do we it’s so awful for us. Xx

[Hidden]

I feel your pain hun, I too suffer quite bad with rib pain, it feels like I've been in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson 100xs. I must admit I'm I'm nighmare for taking pain meds as I find I get too many side affects which isnt great, so I just take paracetamol which dont do much really, but I find I have to rest in bed, that's my only cure for my pain. I too have severe fibromyalgia to a extent I dont hardly do much now, just cooking tea is enough to completely do me in.

I hope you find some relief sending big hugs xxxx

[Kismetsoul]

It sounds like costochondritis to me I suffer from this debilitating pain for over 10 years. My rheumatologist I put me on colchicine 0.6mg 2xday. It's in anti-inflammatory they use for gout but in me it keeps the costochondritis at Bay. I do have flare-ups but for the most part with colchicine works

[KateMaguire]

Hi ,it sounds as if you might be suffering from costochondria. I get this and it comes and goes but heat pads help and see if either your pain clinic or GP will prescribe Lidocaine patches for you. They help me and I have spoken to others who swear by them too. Hope you get some help and relief soon. x

[lola1956]

Sorry your in so much pain, I can empathise as I too suffer with intense rib pain and have done intermittently for around three years .

Doctor has sent me for x rays but nothing visible so all is put down to fibromyalgia but having read what Hbpencil said about intercostal neuralgia I may have this checked out !

It’s an awful pain and I hope that you too have got something from all these other Fibro sufferers that speak from the heart , sending you gentle healing hugs

[Tolula]

Good Morning all. Hello Kim and l am sorry to learn that you are in so much pain.

Have you tried Lyrica (Pregabalin) for your Fibromyalgia? It is a POM controlled drug. Please discuss it with your GP.

Best of luck.