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Rib pain

(14 Posts)
Gonegirl Wed 25-Sep-19 17:41:13

Does anyone else get very nasty rib pain quite out of the blue? No injury that I can think of. Just appeared.

I'm pretty sure I have osteoporosis (lost some inches in height, several excruciating back injuries since menopause etc.) I really want to avoid taking Alendronic Acid as I already suffer from GERD. And I am nervous about taking calcium supplements.

It's just an older age thing isn't it?

EllanVannin Wed 25-Sep-19 17:47:01

Is it both sides of the ribs ? Or just one side ? Under it ?
Or is it a posture thing since your back is affected too ?

nanou Wed 25-Sep-19 17:54:34

You might have what's called intercostal muscle pains which cause intense spasmodic pain and can also cause intercostal pain (intercostal neuralgia), which is known to be very unpleasant intense spasmodic pain. Check it out with the NHS online. However, if you suspect osteoporosis it is worth a medical check. It never goes away and should be controlled sooner rather than later. Good luck.

Gonegirl Wed 25-Sep-19 18:09:01

It starts on one side but goes across to the other. I'm pretty sure I've got osteoporosis. I hate anything doctors/ hospitals. Think I will soldier on and try not to cry

Gonegirl Wed 25-Sep-19 18:09:45

Yes, I think it could be that nanou.

Gonegirl Wed 25-Sep-19 18:11:51

Oh! Could be posture EV! Remember headmistress at school telling me to "stand up straight"!

Probably too late now. I've bent.

Littleannie Wed 25-Sep-19 20:30:20

I wonder if it is costochondritis which I get occasionally. This usually appears as a tenderness down the sternum where the ribs join, but I get it round the sides of my chest as well. It can be quite a severe stabbing pain. My doctor told me it is quite common in older people. It lasts a few weeks, then goes. He told me to just take pain killers. I also find a small heat pad or hot water bottle soothes it. I don't bother going to the doctor now, but if this is the first time you have had it, I really think you should go and get it checked out.
If you go to the patient.co.uk website there is a lot of information about it. This is the website the doctors use when they print an information leaflet to give you. But please do go and get it checked, it will put your mind at rest.

Gonegirl Thu 26-Sep-19 09:33:35

Thanks LittleAnnie. I have had it before on several occasions, but this time it just seemed to come out of the blue without me doing anything to cause it. I'm pretty sure it's easing a bit now though.

Thanks again.

EllanVannin Thu 26-Sep-19 10:19:21

Shuffle about a bit when you're sitting so you're not in the same position for too long.

LondonGranny Thu 26-Sep-19 16:40:39

I've had intercostal muscle injury and broken ribs and the pain is very similar. I got the intercostal muscle injury when I had a dreadful chest infection and it was the coughing wot dunnit. I got the broken ribs years ago in a car accident (seat belt) but better than going through the windscreen.

LondonGranny Thu 26-Sep-19 16:42:42

To clarify...the ribs were cracked not bust apart & flapping about (is that a flail injury? Can't remember).

Gonegirl Thu 26-Sep-19 17:39:10

Shudder!

I'm always coughing. It's the GERD with me.

Littleannie Fri 27-Sep-19 21:06:55

Gonegirl. Yes I have GERD and a hiatus hernia. It's a swine isn't it?

MissAdventure Fri 27-Sep-19 21:11:34

I'm not sure what I have: everything, I think.

A hiatus hernia, plus a few years ago my ex decided to pull my arms up over my head whilst doing "walk around the garden, like a teddy bear".

Instead of a tickley under there, we heard a distinct POP and the pain in my ribs was terrible.

Since then I often get quite bad pain when I turn too quickly, or in a particular way.