1. < Lung Health

Rib cage pain on both sides. Anyone else experience this?

Posted by LPRSOB @jdbarr1, Aug 31 12:20am

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

I have had all relevant scans from a Pulmonologist trust and they have revealed ZERO damage. Everything has came back completely clean despite having smoked marijuana and cigarettes for about 10 years (I quit a couple years ago).

Does anyone else have this experience? It is on both sides, it is all the way up and down my rib cage. Typically, it is just when I tap my sides.

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LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Aug 31 12:17am

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

Has anyone experienced this with a hiatal hernia? Any ideas of what this could be?

Again, it is on both sides, all the way up and down the rib cage. It is typically only when tapped but recently I have felt it on its own a bit more.

REPLY
7 replies
trudyv1954 | @trudyv1954 | Aug 31 12:40am
In reply to @jdbarr1 "For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom..." + (show)
@jdbarr1

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

Has anyone experienced this with a hiatal hernia? Any ideas of what this could be?

Again, it is on both sides, all the way up and down the rib cage. It is typically only when tapped but recently I have felt it on its own a bit more.

Jump to this post

I also have this problem with my rib cage. I have no idea why it is so painful if pressure is put on and nor does my doctor. I was told once it was because I am heavy busted. Such a mystery !

REPLY
1 reply
bsi15 | @bsi15 | Aug 31 2:29am

small amounts of air entering between plaura and chestwall ?
just only an idea

REPLY
1 reply
sharronm | @sharronm | Aug 31 12:29pm
In reply to @jdbarr1 "For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom..." + (show)
@jdbarr1

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

Has anyone experienced this with a hiatal hernia? Any ideas of what this could be?

Again, it is on both sides, all the way up and down the rib cage. It is typically only when tapped but recently I have felt it on its own a bit more.

Jump to this post

I have ribcage pain often. I believe it's part of my FIBRO flares.

REPLY
1 reply
thenazareneshul | @thenazareneshul | Aug 31 12:35pm
In reply to @jdbarr1 "For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom..." + (show)
@jdbarr1

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

Has anyone experienced this with a hiatal hernia? Any ideas of what this could be?

Again, it is on both sides, all the way up and down the rib cage. It is typically only when tapped but recently I have felt it on its own a bit more.

Jump to this post

I've seen that with pleurisy.

REPLY
1 reply
LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Aug 31 12:41pm
In reply to @thenazareneshul "I've seen that with pleurisy." + (show)
@thenazareneshul

I've seen that with pleurisy.

Jump to this post

I had pleurisy ruled out so I am puzzled!

REPLY
LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Aug 31 12:42pm
In reply to @trudyv1954 "I also have this problem with my rib cage. I have no idea why it is..." + (show)
@trudyv1954

I also have this problem with my rib cage. I have no idea why it is so painful if pressure is put on and nor does my doctor. I was told once it was because I am heavy busted. Such a mystery !

Jump to this post

I hope you find relief some way, somehow!!! It truly stinks!

REPLY
LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Aug 31 12:43pm
In reply to @sharronm "I have ribcage pain often. I believe it's part of my FIBRO flares." + (show)
@sharronm

I have ribcage pain often. I believe it's part of my FIBRO flares.

Jump to this post

I'm wondering if that's what is causing mine as well.

Does your whole body hurt during the flares? Where do you feel pain?

REPLY
1 reply
LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Aug 31 12:44pm
In reply to @bsi15 "small amounts of air entering between plaura and chestwall ? just only an idea" + (show)
@bsi15

small amounts of air entering between plaura and chestwall ?
just only an idea

Jump to this post

What causes that? Is there a specific condition?

Would that have been caused by smoking/vaping, long term?

REPLY
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Aug 31 1:35pm
In reply to @jdbarr1 "For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom..." + (show)
@jdbarr1

For the past few years I have had pain in my rib cage (from the bottom all the way to the top just below my armpit). Usually, I only feel it when I tap my rib cage, but recently it is happening on its own. It started towards the end of my time smoking, and it just never left. I fear it is permanent.

I have a 4cm hiatal hernia. I've also occasionally had random body aches which I felt could have been fibromyalgia (however I was never diagnosed with this even after thorough examinations).

Has anyone experienced this with a hiatal hernia? Any ideas of what this could be?

Again, it is on both sides, all the way up and down the rib cage. It is typically only when tapped but recently I have felt it on its own a bit more.

Jump to this post

@jdbarr1 Welcome to Mayo Connect!
As you can see others have similar experience.
Did you ever have any tests or X-rays to evaluate this particular pain?
Fibromyalgia can show pain at different sites in the body.
It is very possible that this rib cage pain is connected to fibromyalgia flares. I have fibromyalgia and with flares I definitely also have issues with the GI tract.
There is a condition called costochondritis- there is inflammation where the rib joins the cartilage. It can be very painful when touched. It can come and go.
Do you get relief with painkillers?

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