Pain and spasms in ribs

[Esmereld]

Has anyone else had this?. Seems worse when I’m in bed. Has been right round rib cage, then just one spot, then two spots simultaneously. It’s erratic but 90% of it is in two spots. I was worried that it was my lungs but no trouble breathing and can take really deep breaths with no problems. It’s been three days now. It’s really painful. 😢☹️

[Deniseelk]

Have you considered it could be Costochondritis? I think it sounds quite likely from how you describe it and yes, it can be incredibly painful. I found walking around and lying down really aggravated it. Generally, it occurs from either a “ trama” to the muscles around the rib area.... say lifting something too heavy OR ( and more likely for those of us with inflammatory diseases) inflammation in this area. Mine was only resolved with Prednisolone but in the current climate your specialist is very unlikely to start you on a new course but there will be many other options they can give you. I would suggest you call your Rheumatologist.

[Esmereld in reply to Deniseelk]

Yes, I read about this and wondered. Not done anything really to bring it on except painting, but that was a week prior. Thanks for responding.

[Esmereld in reply to Deniseelk]

Ps. I’m taking 2 mg prednisolone as it is.

[Deniseelk in reply to Esmereld]

It sounds most likely it’s inflammation in your ribs. In my experience I would certainly not leave it as it can increase over time ( I was in total agony with it). I would get straight onto your Rheumatologist.... best of luck.

[Esmereld in reply to Deniseelk]

Right. That’s it. I’m on the phone at 9.30. Let them get a cup of tea first. 😀

Thanks.

[Deniseelk in reply to Esmereld]

Well done you. I think it always makes us feel a little better just actively doing something to improve our RA situation! Hope you get a helpful member of your Rheumatology team.

[Brychni]

yes, I get this.

[Esmereld in reply to Brychni]

I sympathise. It flippin’ hurts doesn’t it.

[Brychni in reply to Esmereld]

well mine is mild to moderate at the moment but it's been the pattern for all my other pains: it's about to get worse. Currently it comes and goes for no apparent reason and then it's sometimes twinges, sometimes pain and sometimes it's uncomfortable but enough for me to stop sitting in a certain way or doing certain things.

[RosieA in reply to Brychni]

Interesting. Yes, when mine was at its worse finding a comfortable position was as acutely difficult as studying for a PhD!!

[RosieA]

Suspect I have had this (Consultant unable to examine due to Cov 19) and still get recurrent bouts. Initially it presented itself as terrible tummy pain, unable to sit back as the pain from upper back radiated over whole of upper torso. I ended up being investigated for gallstones - during the scan the very gentle pressure of the scanner on my ribs was quite painful and obviously it shouldn't be. I soon discovered that I could replicate the pain in my tummy by pressing on certain areas of the ribs. Like you however, I have no problems breathing / taking large lungfulls. I had a blunt trauma to the rib area some years ago after a fall. My RA is not letting me forget it. I have to be careful not to overstrain the rib area otherwise I hear about it, initially by a sharp quick pain - if I ignore it then it can go on for days. So no more climbing trees to prune them or digging the garden!! Hope this helps a bit.

P.S. The consultant said that RA presentation in the ribs was unusual but not unheard of.

[Esmereld in reply to RosieA]

Thank you. Interesting. I’ve had rib pain before but different. Breathing was painful whereas breathing has no effect. No more or less even with a big breath expanding my rib cage. Mostly it’s the spasms that are sooo painful.

[RosieA in reply to Esmereld]

Let's hope with the release of some NHS provision that you might be able to seek help from your RA team in the near future. Kindest wishes

[dawkin_S in reply to RosieA]

This is so interesting - I had exactly this experience a few years before my RA came on - and like you was investigated for gallstones, and all sorts. Makes me wonder if it was the early signs of RA to come. Conclusion was it was chostocondritis and it eventually just cleared up but was absolutely awful when I had it regularly, proper frighteningly painful. It still reappears very occasionally, but usually I *just* get the all-over-RA experience now instead

[Esmereld in reply to dawkin_S]

Spoke to rheumy nurse who said contact GP. Phone call from GP, Asked loads of questions. Mentioned gall stones. He’s going to post out a blood form to check possibility. Freaked me out so much I felt sick. Thought I was going to be sick. Given myself a slap. 😄 I don’t feel ill as in poorly. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it.

[RosieA in reply to Esmereld]

It does sound all so familiar. I was also referred by RA nurse to GP. Funnily enough, just did some ballet stretching this morning and 'oh hello' as I felt that familiar twinge down the ribs - now contemplating having to remove bra. I found at the height of discomfort I ended up wearing a very gentle sports bra from sweaty betty - the relief was palpable. Funnily enough, I mentioned the potential for it to be muscle /skeleton connected to GP and surgeon (yep, it got the stage I was referred to acute surgery) all 'shrugged' their shoulders - not their area! I am convinced mine is as I now know what triggers it and how to replicate the 'deferred' pain. Let us know how it goes.

[RosieA in reply to RosieA]

PS. Meant to say referred to surgeon for gallstones - scan around rib area (painful - bit of a hint there) showed nothing. Please don't worry.

[RosieA in reply to dawkin_S]

Ah! Greetings fellow sufferer (although wouldn't wish it on anyone) Just mentioned to Esmereld that I had managed to trigger it this morning. I try to keep the area a little stretched so that I keep it as supple as possible. Thanks for letting me know. Here's to soft bras I think!

[Orangebox]

I have had similar RA flaring, but more in the thoracic vertebrae and around the back of my ribs, that came on suddenly for no apparent reason and went on for 4 months.

I found an infrared lamp helped relieve the pain, along with pain killers. I was offered a spinal MRI (I had pain in my sacrum also), but not in an open MRI facility, and found I was too claustrophobic to undertake it.

Gentle Pilates exercise and using a foam roller also helped.

[Esmereld in reply to Orangebox]

Thank you. I feel like I want to stretch it and dig my elbow in or lie on a golf ball. Had a lot of replies. It’s comforting. Doc has prescribed pain relief and buscopan for spasms. Chemist takes ages now so will go tomorrow.