Tingling Ribs

[Arblake80]

I’ve recently started getting a tingling sensation in my ribs whilst sitting, towards the top of them, on the sides

I’ve not been diagnosed for anything. .

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Arblake80

The tingling sensation you experience could be many things other than a cancer and have placed a few below.

Intercostal Neuralgia , is nerve pain from the intercostal nerves of your ribs. This can cause tingling, burning sharp or shooting pain , itchy or sensitive skin, this can become worse on gentle movement.

Costochondritis: nhs.uk/conditions/costochon...

Shingles in the chest area can cause a tingling sensation on the skin and the other symptoms can be found on this link:nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

It is advisable to have your GP assess your symptoms, they will provide a diagnosis and may prescribe appropriate pain killer medication that specifically helps with nerve pain.

You may wish to contact Asthma and Lung UK who provide information on all respiratory conditions: asthmaandlung.org.uk/

For anyone experiencing any type of chest pain, it is always good to be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack: nhs.uk/conditions/heart-att...

If you do experience at any time, any severe chest pain and have difficulty breathing, then do not hesitate to call an ambulance.

If you have had any diagnosis of cancer, then do let your oncologist know of any new or worsening symptoms.

This link takes you to our information on lung cancer symptoms: roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...

I hope that helps and you are welcome to contact our ask the nurse helpline if you would like to discuss further on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

Kind regards

Ask the nurse support team

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

[JanetteR57]

sorry to hear of your symptoms and hope you get some answers soon. was wondering why you may have thought it was lung cancer as this is a lung cancer page? do you have any other symptoms? there are no pain receptors in the lungs so pain in that area is often infection related if the pleura (lining) of the lungs is inflamed, nerve related or muscular-skeletal related. As the response already given states, it could be many things. I had shingles during the pandemic and had some very strange sensations including abdominal pain on one side then the blisters appeared on the same side but antivirals helped no end. do seek help and in the meantime, try and make a note of whether it happens after doing anything in particular, whether it's a particular chair/position you're sitting in, how long it lasts and whether it's painful, uncomfortable or bearable but you're curious as all that information may help somebody determine any further investigations/treatment. good luck.

[Sally789 in reply to JanetteR57]

I also get tingling in and around my spine so I was interested to read your reply. Also your comments about pain receptors in the lungs.

[JanetteR57]

have you had any new medication recently? are you diabetic? does the pain respond to a particular type of painkiller? all worth noting but still seeking help. good luck.

[Sally789 in reply to JanetteR57]

When I see my oncologist at the end of the month I’m going to ask her opinion but I suspect it’s nothing to do with my lung cancer. I get tingling either side of my spine and very uncomfortable under right breast so, I’m going to request a face to face with my GP and get to the bottom of it. Am not diabetic responds to paracetamol but don’t think it’s a good idea to take to many of them ?

[JanetteR57]

I'd agree with your reasoning - was your tumour on the right side? did you have surgery/. I had left lobectomy (open surgery not keyhole) and complained about pain/discomfort in recent years under my left breast (many years since my lung surgery) and told it was unrelated. also have had tingling hand/arm in 2015 which turned out to be a trapped nerve (ulna nerve) so had surgery to release it and reposition it. If pain/tingling relieved it, then take paracetamol within the guidelines but do report it to GP and take it from there. hope you get some answers soon.