Does anyone have a tight band beneath rib cage,... - My Ovacome
Does anyone have a tight band beneath rib cage, it feels like it is pushing up under your rib cage/lungs.
Hi,
You give no background information so it is impossible to know what might be causing this, but I felt I should say that this sounds like a symptom some people experience during stress and panic attacks.
Isadora
Yes I do but as Isodora said it would be useful to have a bit more information
Thank you for replying. I have high grade serous ov ca diagnosed Dec 2008.
I had debaulking surgery which was unsuccessfull and I was assigned a palliative care nurse. There followed Carbo, then Carbo /Taxol, then Carbo/Taxol weekly, became Carbo sensitive so Taxol alone, Caelyx, Letrozole and currently stable on XL 184 trial commenced Dec 2011. I am not sure that the tightness is related to treatment because I have had this 'Anaconda' tightness since befor my operation in 2008. The disease is widespread but I it is my understanding that it is contained within the pelvis and abdomen. I have Googled this and there are so many people on forums describing this discomfort who dont have ca who are looking for a diagnosis. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
Leolady
Its a very generalised symptom that could apply to lots of different conditions. Are you getting any other symptoms and have you discussed this with your oncologist? Have you got any secondary cancers?
I'm afraid I don't have any answers for you but there are helpline nurses at the Ovacome offices. They only work till 5 on Friday and not at the weekend, so try quickly! The number is 08453710554. They would be able to give you some more informative answers I am sure. As the others on here say, it could be stress but it could also be caused by treatment or fluid. They would be able to give you more idea if you ring. Al the best,
Love Wendy xx
Hi Leolady
For about 4 years now i have been experiencing pain under left breast as if something is bulging out of ribcage . Seen own gp and they put it down to a floating rib . I have had surgery and all cancer removed so specialist feels nothing to worry about as they know from surgery nothing there
Hope this of some help
Ally
Hi Leolady,
I don't know what this is..but when we are going through and after..what we have just had or have..we have all sorts of aches/ pains/ and sensations... I honestly think that this is the norm..but I agree with Wendy to give the helpline a ring and speak to Ruth Payne she is used to people ringing with all sorts of questions...you'll be glad you have. best wishes x G x 
Hi
Sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I had terrible discomfort under the rib area when I was getting fluid build up. Was diagnosed June 2010 and have had one reoccurrence. Have had debaulking surgery and many rounds of chemo. I now find that if I am not eating the right foods and not having enough liquid I end up constipated which in turn causes a very similar uncomfortableness as you have described. I did speak to my onc about this while on chemo and he showed me a scan of where the bowel is and put it down to constipation. I hope this helps and the pain you are getting is nothing awful.
Shabila
Thank you all for your replies, they were very helpful and agree that it is probably to do with the bowell and/or fluid. I have avoided asking because I have had it since diagnosis Jan 2009 and they couldn't give me an answer then but I will mention it to my Oncologist on my next appointment. I felt a lot worse when I asked the question but slightly better today. I will keep you posted.
Thanks again for taking the time and trouble to answer.
Leolady
Hi Leolady
I'm not sure you will get a ready answer as so many aches & pains just don't have a simple explanation. It could be nothing to do with oc, eg. stomach migraine, gall stones, kidney stones, inflamed gall bladder/bile duct, ulcers - the list is endless - and no consolation to you ! Take it from someone who does not have oc but has suffered from some or all of the above - and they bloody hurt !
Hope you get some answers soon. Chin up ........ hell ! that hurts too!!
Jennie ROCC
Hi Leolady.
This problem has been with me for a very long time. I had the full be baulking surgery for late stage in Oct 2006 and always find it is difficult to put any pressure around the rib cage area and under the bust. If a bra is too tight it hurts, so I often use bra extenders. If (before my recent setback) I would eat rather a large meal the area would become almost bloated and very uncomfortable, it still does. I mentioned it to my Dr and according to her it is just part and parcel of the surgery and is caused by the lesions.
I have no fluid at all.
Good Luck
Anna x
Hello Anna
Can I ask please, what is a bra extender?Never heard of this but it sounds like it may help me.I get the tight on the ribcage feeling on and off and when I have it I wear a lycra vest which seems to be more comfy than a bra but still not ideal.
Like you have had this problem(on and off) since my surgery, which was 4 years ago.Maybe it is surgery related?
Thanks
Juliex
It's an extra peace y add to a bra I have the same problem as u tightness round the front thought of getting over the head bras with no hooks or tight band as feel realy uncomfortable with normal bra
Hello leolady.
I have had that feeling on and off for the last 4 years.On the right side under my breast. My Dr says its bowel related, however I am not convinced.It does not seem to be related to constipation or certain foods.Also it seems too high up. So far have not had fluid build up so its not related to that.Sometimes its too uncomfortable to wear a bra.
Juliex
Thankyou for replying. The tightness is very similiar but sometimes gets worryingly so.
My 'gut' feeling is that it probably is intestinal related but not necessarily restricted to ov ca patients. I googled' tight band under ribs' and loads of people have it who do not have ca, and they can't seem to get a diagnosis or satisfactory medication.
Julie, a bra extender is just like the fastening part of the bra. You simply hook the fabric (just like the fastening part of your bra) onto your existing bra and this gives you extra length for fastening your bra. I got mine in the sewing accessory dept of a large dept store. Do try one.
Anna x
Thanks Anna, I have one, they are brilliant. I have lost so much weight there is nothing to anchor my bra in position and I often walk round with one in the middle. Ha Ha
I have the "band" around my ribs you describe. I was diagnosed will ov ca stage 4 November 2014, did 6 rounds of carboplatin (every 3 weeks) and taxol (every week) and just started taxol only monthly with a 24-hour pump. My last CT showed no visible cancer.
I did not have debulking surgery. I'm not having anxiety or stress or pain related to the tightness. Years ago I had genuine panic attacks, and I'm not experiencing that.
Like you I'm finding a lot of questions from women on line, but no real answers. Dr. did not seem to have heard of this symptom before....
